Associate or Full Professor & Department Head - Art

East Texas A&M University•Commerce, TX

25d•$90,000 - $105,000

About The Position

East Texas A&M University invites nominations and applications for the position of Head of the Department of Art. This nine-month faculty appointment with year round administrative duties and carries senior rank with tenure. The successful candidate will provide strategic direction and administrative leadership for a comprehensive department that integrates professional design practice, studio arts, and art education across two locations (Commerce campus and Dallas), positioning the program for sustainable excellence and regional significance. East Texas A&M University seeks a strategic and experienced leader to head the Department of Art, which encompasses Visual Communication (Dallas-based), Studio Art (campus-based), and Art Education. This comprehensive department has strong fundamentals—nationally competitive professional design program, excellent facilities, talented faculty, and notable alumni—and is positioned for a leader who can integrate programs across locations, and position the department distinctively in the competitive regional landscape. The department is ready to welcome a forward-thinking leader who will build on these strengths and guide its continued success. With a community of dedicated faculty, outstanding studio and design facilities, and a nationally recognized Visual Communication program in Dallas, the department offers rich opportunities for collaboration and creative achievement. Supported by the institution’s commitment to the arts, the next department head will shape a unifying vision that strengthens academic programs, fosters meaningful connections across campuses, and enhances the department’s impact throughout the region and beyond. The Visual Communication program in Dallas has thrived, winning national awards (Graphis, ADDY, Creative Quarterly) and maintained strong industry placement. Faculty across all programs have remained committed to students and their disciplines. The new department head will have the opportunity to bring these programs together under a cohesive vision. Key opportunities for the incoming head: STRATEGIC DIRECTION: The department needs a leader who can provide the vision, integration, and strategic decision-making to ensure the long-term vitality of its programs, strengthen graduate and undergraduate offerings, and reinforce its reputation for excellence in art and design education. GRADUATE PROGRAM REIMAGINING: An opportunity to re-envision the Studio Art MFA/MA programs for the future—developing distinctive, innovative graduate offerings that reflect the department’s creative strengths, respond to emerging trends, and attract the next generation of artists and scholars. PROGRAM INTEGRATION: The department operates across two locations—Dallas (Visual Communication) and the Commerce campus (Studio Art, with Art Education integrated across both). The next department head will lead efforts to align programs, encourage collaboration among faculty and students, and develop cohesive structures that preserve each site’s unique character while advancing a unified vision for excellence in art and design education. BUILDING ON STRENGTHS: The department has excellent facilities (Wathena Temple Fine Arts Building with ceramics facility, dedicated sculpture lab with foundry, comprehensive photography facilities, state-of-the-art Dallas design studios with letterpress), dedicated faculty, notable alumni success and a nationally recognized Visual Communication program. These foundations provide a strong platform for strategic growth and repositioning. TEACHER PREPARATION RENEWAL: With intentional focus and support, the Art Education pathway can help meet regional demand for qualified art educators while advancing the university’s historic mission of preparing educators for Texas schools. INSTITUTIONAL COMMITMENT: With the support of the Dean, Provost, and university leadership, the incoming head will have the opportunity to guide the department through thoughtful program assessment and strategic planning. This includes making informed decisions that strengthen programs, align resources, and enhance the department’s regional and national presence. The role provides a platform for visionary leadership that ensures talented faculty and strong programs continue to thrive well into the future.

Requirements

Terminal degree (MFA, PhD) in studio art, design, art education, or closely related field.
Minimum five years of progressively responsible administrative experience as department head, program director, associate/assistant dean, or equivalent in higher education art programs.
Demonstrated commitment to art teacher preparation as central component of comprehensive art program mission (not peripheral or optional).
Understanding of both professional design practice and studio arts traditions; ability to value and integrate multiple approaches to art-making and creative careers rather than privileging one over others.
Experience managing geographically distributed or multi-site programs, or demonstrated ability to lead across locations and integrate separated units.
Proven track record of program assessment and making difficult programmatic decisions based on evidence (restructuring, consolidation, or closure where necessary for sustainability).
Record of building productive partnerships with academic units, K-12 institutions, or community organizations.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills combined with demonstrated ability to make unpopular decisions when necessary for program health.
Commitment to shared governance, faculty development, and student success.
Eligibility for appointment at rank of Associate Professor or Professor with tenure.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience rebuilding, reimagining, or significantly restructuring graduate programs at regional comprehensive universities.
Deep understanding of regional graduate education markets and competition; demonstrated success in positioning programs distinctively.
Experience with innovative graduate program models (low-residency, cohort-based, community-engaged, interdisciplinary) beyond traditional residential MFA.
Track record of addressing structural enrollment challenges through programmatic change .
Professional connections in design/advertising industry (DFW region preferred) OR significant exhibition record and professional recognition in studio arts.
Experience developing interdisciplinary programs or certificates involving multiple colleges/departments.
Grant writing experience and successful external funding acquisition for program development or facilities enhancement.
Understanding of creative technologies and their strategic integration with traditional studio practice.
Fundraising and donor relations experience.
Experience at regional comprehensive universities balancing access, excellence, teacher preparation, and professional/creative practice missions.
Knowledge of Texas teacher certification requirements and K-12 art education landscape.
Experience managing complex budgets and making strategic resource allocation decisions.

Responsibilities

Lead the Department of Art with strategic, operational, and academic oversight, fostering alignment across programs and campuses while promoting faculty and student success.
Conduct comprehensive assessment of all programs within first year, with particular focus on Studio Art graduate program viability, and make evidence-based recommendations regarding continuation, restructuring, consolidation, or reimagining.
Develop and execute a strategic plan that strengthens the department’s distinctive regional role by emphasizing community partnerships, clear academic pathways, and effective leadership.
Make strategic programmatic decisions, including potential graduate program realignment or suspension, ensuring decisions reflect market demands and advance the institutional mission.
Identify and develop strategic program innovations, potentially including low-residency graduate models, community-engaged emphases, creative technologies integration (certificate model), or artist-educator pathways.
Position art teacher preparation as valued pathway alongside professional design and studio practice, with strategic recruitment and curriculum enhancement to serve regional workforce needs.
Foster a cohesive partnership between the Visual Communication program (Dallas) and the department to advance shared goals in academic excellence, professional distinction, and national reputation.
Lead curriculum development and program assessment in alignment with university standards and professional expectations.
Cultivate a strong, collaborative departmental community across both campuses (Dallas and main) by fostering shared governance, transparent decision-making, and a collective focus on strategic goals.
Support faculty productivity, professional development, and scholarly/creative activity across all program areas (exhibitions, publications, professional practice).
Manage faculty cultures (design professionals, studio artists, art educators) with respect for different career paths, professional identities, and measures of success.
Lead faculty through necessary programmatic changes with transparency.
Build consensus around strategic priorities while providing clear, timely decisions.
Ensure academic quality and program innovation at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Oversee faculty hiring, evaluation, promotion, and tenure processes in alignment with university policies.
Develop strategic partnerships with College of Science and Engineering (creative technologies certificate), Communication Studies (strategic communication pathways), and College of Business (arts administration certificate/MBA emphasis).
Build and maintain relationships with K-12 school districts across East Texas for teacher preparation, professional development partnerships, and community engagement.
Cultivate relationships with DFW arts organizations, design firms, galleries, and cultural institutions to enhance student opportunities and program visibility.
Position department as regional cultural leader through exhibitions, community projects, public art, and partnerships that serve East Texas communities.
Activate and expand alumni network across all program areas (VisCom, Studio, Education) for mentorship, career connections, and advancement support.
Enhance department visibility and reputation through strategic communications, exhibitions, awards, and media engagement.
Pursue external funding opportunities through grants and donor cultivation.
Manage department budget strategically, allocating resources to align with department priorities.
Make data-informed decisions about resource allocation, scholarship strategy, graduate assistant funding, and program development.
Implement transparent budget processes that help faculty understand resource allocation and growth opportunities.
Oversee facilities and specialized equipment across multiple studios and labs (ceramics, sculpture/foundry, photography, painting/drawing, Dallas design labs and letterpress).
Maintain and enhance the department's physical infrastructure in coordination with university facilities.
Ensure compliance with university policies and any applicable accreditation requirements.
Coordinate curriculum and scheduling across campus and Dallas locations.
Develop and implement strategies for sustainable enrollment across all programs with particular attention to graduate program viability.
Enhance student recruitment, retention, and career/graduate school placement across all pathways.
Provide vision for student experience integrating curricular and co-curricular opportunities.
Support student professional development through exhibitions, competitions, portfolios, internships, and industry connections.
Oversee academic advising processes and ensure students receive appropriate guidance.
Foster a supportive and engaging learning environment that promotes student success.

Benefits

Employee tuition assistance for master’s and doctoral programs.
Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance.
ETAMU contributes to employee health and basic life insurance premiums.
12-15 days of annual paid holidays , plus up to eight hours of paid sick leave and vacation each month.
Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) , with optional additional retirement plans (ORP).
Physical wellness program and wellness release time for eligible employees.

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