Faculty Tenure Track-9 Mo – Design

Visual Communication Design

[Job #988136]

Kent Campus - Kent, OH

The School of Visual Communication Design (VCD) at Kent State University invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position with knowledge and specialization in one or more of the following areas: user experience design, responsive design, interface design, interaction/web design, motion design or animation. This is a full-time, 9-month position, at the rank of Assistant Professor with a start date of August 2026.

This new faculty member will teach in our undergraduate and graduate programs and have the opportunity to develop curriculum in their area of specialization. In addition to teaching and service work, the candidate will be expected to conduct research and/or produce creative/professional projects within their field of expertise. Candidates must also possess the ability to adapt and embrace technological advancements in tandem with design education. In addition to Adobe Creative Suite, proficiencies in one or more of the following software tools are preferred: Figma, Sketch, Procreate, Blender, and/or After Effects. Experience with front end development and/or HTML/CSS a plus.

The School of Visual Communication Design (VCD) is a rigorous and dynamic program that offers comprehensive undergraduate (BS, BA, and BFA) and graduate (MA and MFA) degree programs. Our undergraduate and graduate students have become leaders in the industry, scholars, and active participants in the national and international design community. Recently, VCD started offering a BS in User Experience Design, helping Kent State become the first public institution in Ohio to offer such a degree. The school is located at Taylor Hall, a building that provides students with an abundance of classrooms, studio spaces, labs, photo studios, and galleries. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), VCD is uniquely housed in the College of Communication and Information (CCI). CCI is the only college in the nation that combines design, technology, media, information, and communication in one interdisciplinary college. CCI and its schools offer a supportive and collaborative environment that values both research/creative activity and teaching.

Founded in 1910, the university is the third largest in Ohio, with an enrollment of approximately 24,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Kent is a small but vibrant college town close to the cultural, dining, and professional sports activities of Cleveland, Akron, and other Northeast Ohio cities, along with the recreational opportunities of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and the many lakes in the region.

The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education has awarded Kent State University the esteemed R1 status for research, which is the highest recognition that doctoral universities can receive.

The Chronicle of Higher Education identifies Kent State as one of the Great Colleges to Work For, and U.S. News & World Report ranks Kent State in the coveted top-tier of Best Colleges.

For priority consideration, applications should be submitted by March 13, 2026, but the search will stay open until the position is filled. Specific questions may be addressed to the Search Committee Chair, Jessica Barness at jbarness@kent.edu.

Please reference position number: 998136

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates must:

• Possess a terminal degree (MFA, PhD, MDes, MGD, or equivalent) by the position start date
• Demonstrate a strong commitment to higher education and the professional practice of visual communication design
• Support and complement our faculty members in the areas of graphic design, interaction design, illustration, and/or photography

Application Process
Applicants will need to submit the following items:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Portfolio of creative, professional, and/or scholarly work (submitted as a pdf/link/web address with 10-20 samples)

Candidates who advance to the next stage of review will be asked to provide the following:

• Three references.
• Statement of Teaching Philosophy (limit to 1 page).
• Research interest and vision statement. This should specifically state the candidates current research trajectory and vision for the future (limit to 1 page).

For a complete description of this position and to apply online, visit our jobsite at https://jobs.kent.edu