Assistant Professor of Animation, Department of Art & Design (Non-Tenure Track)

Virginia Information Technologies Agency•Chesterfield, VA

About The Position

Virginia State University (VSU), a public and comprehensive 1890 Land Grant institution and historically black college/university (HBCU) founded in 1882, are seeking qualified applicants for the Fall 2026 – Spring 2027 academic year in the Department of Art & Design. This is a 9-month, term instructional (teaching/research) faculty appointment in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. Exceptionally qualified applicants may be considered for additional assignments and affiliated appointments, subject to the needs of the college and university. This faculty member leads the Animation concentration, taking primary responsibility for its curriculum development and programmatic direction. They teach a full studio course load covering courses in 2D or 3D animation, filmmaking, and sound editing, leveraging professional expertise to prepare students for the industry. A key responsibility is serving as the primary academic advisor for all students within the animation concentration, mentoring them on professional practices and portfolio development. Beyond the classroom, this position will maintain an active personal creative/scholarly research agenda, collaborate with the faculty team on student exhibitions and events, and actively contribute to shared governance through service on department, college, and university committees. At VSU, where Greater Happens Here, we offer 36 undergraduate, 17 graduate, and 2 doctoral degree programs and 8 certificate programs across six academic colleges.) Instructional (Teaching/Research) faculty's primary responsibilities require them to teach up to 15 credit hours per semester in-person and/or online (both synchronous and asynchronous). VSU faculty must provide and engage students during regular office hours to meet and promote student engagement and success. Other responsibilities include conducting research; advising, recruiting, and retaining students; participating in designated academic ceremonies such as but not limited to: Convocation, Founder’s Day, and Commencement; attending departmental, school, and university meetings; serving on departmental, school, and university committees; and performing duties defined and assigned by the departmental chair. It is also a condition of employment that within thirty (30) days of hire, you are required to submit documentation to the hiring authority that you have the academic qualifications for the faculty position in which you are hired. Failure to comply with this documentation requirement and/or misrepresent your professional credentials in any manner may result in revocation of your contract and/or termination of your faculty appointment with VSU. Faculty rank eligibility will be reviewed and determined in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the VSU Faculty Handbook.

Requirements

Must hold one of the following degrees: Master of Fine Arts in Animation/Kinetic Imaging/Film/related discipline, OR PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies or other related to visual animation
Graduate or Terminal degree in teaching discipline from an accredited university; minimum of 18 graduate credits hours required.
Significant contribution to the area of specialization, higher education, or profession/industry.
Engagement in professional development activities related to research, such as attending workshops, seminars, or training sessions to enhance research skills and knowledge.
Teaching proficiency in the respective areas of interest.
Demonstrated proficiency in engaging diverse and non-traditional students effectively.
Ability to effectively promote and enhance the culturally and educationally diverse student populations.
Proficiency and willingness to adapt and implement emerging pedagogies through traditional instruction and experiential learning methodologies.
Demonstrated ability to lead, administer, and develop curriculum for a first-year Foundations program.
Expertise in teaching a broad range of foundational courses, including art history, art theory, studio practices, and critique.
Proven skill in mentoring and advising first-year students to ensure their successful academic progression.
An active personal creative or scholarly research agenda that demonstrates contemporary practice.
Strong collaborative skills for working with faculty on events and a commitment to departmental/university service.
Comprehensive knowledge of historical/contemporary art theory, design principles, and research practices for artists.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated research experience in a higher education setting, including a track record of scholarly publications, conference presentations, or externally funded research projects.
Experience with designing and conducting research studies, including quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Demonstrated record of teaching experience at the university level, including online instruction.
Demonstrated proficiency and prior experience utilizing instructional technologies/learning management systems. (i.e. Banner/Canvas).
Demonstrated experience or ability to measure, assess, and align curricular outcomes with academic courses/programs.

Responsibilities

Leads the Animation concentration, taking primary responsibility for its curriculum development and programmatic direction.
Teach a full studio course load covering courses in 2D or 3D animation, filmmaking, and sound editing, leveraging professional expertise to prepare students for the industry.
Serving as the primary academic advisor for all students within the animation concentration, mentoring them on professional practices and portfolio development.
Maintain an active personal creative/scholarly research agenda
Collaborate with the faculty team on student exhibitions and events
Actively contribute to shared governance through service on department, college, and university committees.
Teach up to 15 credit hours per semester in-person and/or online (both synchronous and asynchronous).
Provide and engage students during regular office hours to meet and promote student engagement and success.
Conducting research
Advising, recruiting, and retaining students
Participating in designated academic ceremonies such as but not limited to: Convocation, Founder’s Day, and Commencement
Attending departmental, school, and university meetings
Serving on departmental, school, and university committees
Performing duties defined and assigned by the departmental chair.