Adjunct, Fashion Design

ST THOMAS UNIVERSITY INC•Miami Gardens, FL

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

St. Thomas University’s Gus Machado College of Business invites applications for qualified adjunct faculty members to teach courses within the Fashion Merchandising and Design Program. The successful candidate will provide high-quality, student-centered instruction in fashion design and related technical areas while supporting the University’s mission of developing ethical leaders for the global community. The adjunct faculty member will bring current industry knowledge, technical expertise, and professional experience into the classroom. The position requires the ability to teach studio-based and applied courses, provide constructive critiques, assess student learning, and prepare students for professional careers in fashion design and related industries. Course assignments are made according to enrollment, program needs, faculty credentials, and the candidate’s areas of expertise.

Requirements

A master’s or terminal degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, Textile and Apparel Design, Costume Design, Technical Design, Fashion Studies, or a closely related discipline; OR A bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or a closely related field combined with substantial, current, and documented professional experience directly related to the courses being taught, subject to institutional credentialing approval.
Professional experience in fashion design, apparel development, garment construction, patternmaking, draping, technical design, product development, or a related area.
A professional portfolio demonstrating relevant creative, technical, or industry work.
Proficiency in the techniques, technologies, equipment, or software required for the assigned course.
Strong oral, written, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
The ability to teach and mentor students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds.
A commitment to student success, professionalism, ethical leadership, and the mission of St. Thomas University.

Nice To Haves

Previous college- or university-level teaching experience.
An MFA, MA, MS, or other graduate degree in Fashion Design or a related field.
At least three to five years of relevant professional fashion-industry experience.
Experience in apparel design, patternmaking, draping, garment construction, technical design, product development, or collection development.
Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
Experience with digital fashion-design platforms, three-dimensional garment-design software, or computer-aided patternmaking systems.
Experience developing technical flats, specification sheets, technical packages, line sheets, and professional portfolios.
Knowledge of sustainable design practices, ethical sourcing, textile innovation, and contemporary fashion-industry standards.
Experience mentoring students, supervising design projects, or preparing student work for exhibitions, competitions, or fashion shows.
Current professional relationships within the fashion, apparel, textile, retail, or creative industries.

Responsibilities

Teach assigned Fashion Design courses in accordance with approved course descriptions, learning outcomes, syllabi, and program requirements.
Develop and maintain course materials, lesson plans, demonstrations, assignments, projects, rubrics, and assessments.
Provide hands-on instruction in garment construction, patternmaking, draping, illustration, technical design, digital design, or other assigned areas.
Demonstrate the safe and appropriate use of sewing machines, cutting equipment, dress forms, industrial equipment, and other studio tools.
Maintain an organized, safe, professional, and inclusive classroom or studio environment.
Evaluate student work using established grading criteria and provide timely, constructive, and actionable feedback.
Conduct individual and group critiques that strengthen students’ technical, creative, analytical, and professional skills.
Maintain accurate attendance, grading, and student-performance records.
Submit grades, attendance reports, assessment materials, and other required documentation by established deadlines.
Use the University’s learning management system to communicate with students, post course materials, record grades, and support instruction.
Hold scheduled office hours or provide students with reasonable opportunities for academic assistance.
Identify students who may require additional academic support and communicate concerns to the Program Director in a timely manner.
Participate in course and program assessment activities, including the collection and evaluation of student-learning evidence.
Support curriculum alignment and continuous improvement within the Fashion Merchandising and Design Program.
Incorporate current fashion-industry practices, technologies, sustainability considerations, and ethical standards into instruction.
Promote professionalism, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, ethical leadership, and career readiness.
Assist students in preparing professional portfolios, collections, technical packages, presentations, and other industry-relevant work when applicable.
Support program activities such as exhibitions, fashion shows, competitions, guest lectures, workshops, portfolio reviews, and employer-engagement events when requested.
Collaborate professionally with the Program Director, full-time and adjunct faculty, staff, and other University offices.
Comply with all University policies, academic procedures, credentialing requirements, and faculty expectations.
Perform other instructional duties related to the assigned course or program as appropriate.