Assistant professor of practice

The Department of Art and Design in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cleveland State University seeks an experienced, innovative, and versatile design educator, with a focus on visual communication and a commitment to the professional practice of graphic design. This is a non tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Practice and begins on August 17, 2026.


Candidates should demonstrate broad training that includes strong foundations in typography, aesthetics, and conceptual development applied across media. An ideal candidate will have experience with research-based design practices; an understanding of information architecture, web standards, and user-experience principles; and an ability to adapt to technological and philosophical shifts in the design industry. Applicants should display evidence of strong interpersonal and communication skills and active engagement with students.

Duties include development and teaching of courses at all levels of the undergraduate design curriculum, in multiple subject areas.


CSU aspires to be a national leader in social and economic mobility. We will be a great place to learn and work. CSU is striving to be a nationally recognized and student focused public research institution that provides accessible, affordable, and Engaged Learning opportunities for all.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s in Visual Communication Design or Graphic Design, MDes, or equivalent international degree;
• At least one year teaching experience at the university or post-secondary level;
• At least ten years professional practice experience;
• Strong knowledge of standard applications for the design industry, including production software for print and digital media.

Preferred Qualifications

• MFA in Visual Communication Design or Graphic Design, MDes, or equivalent international terminal degree;
• At least two years full-time teaching experience at the university or post-secondary level;
• Demonstrated excellence in professional practice that includes work from a variety of disciplines including branding, web design, user experience design, and environmental graphic design;
• Teaching experience at all levels of the undergraduate design curriculum;
• Experience supervising student design teams or a student design studio; or work-based learning, internships, or experiential learning;
• Ability to teach user experience/user interface design;
• Experience with curricular development at the university level;
• Evidence of creating a learning environment that promotes student belonging;
• Experience teaching first-generation students.

Date grant, position, or appointment expires (For Funds Available, Temporary, and Waiver of Posting

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicant Instructions

Applications will only be accepted online at . Mailed or emailed application materials will not be accepted. Open until filled. Preference will be given to applications that are completed by November 12, 2025 . All inquiries about the position should be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Sarah Rutherford, at [email protected] .


Applicants will be asked to complete name and contact information, and upload the following documents including:

• A cover letter, which must include a brief statement on teaching philosophy and how applicant has created a learning environment that promotes student belonging
• Curriculum vitae
• 5–10 examples of the candidate’s professional work, submitted in the form of a single PDF no larger than 5MB
• 5–10 examples of the candidate’s students’ work, submitted in the form of a single PDF (separate from the professional work), no larger than 5MB
  

Applicants will also be asked to provide contact information for three reference providers. Please inform your reference providers that the University will be sending an email with instructions on how to upload reference letters.

CSU is an urban university with more than 14,000 students located in the heart of Cleveland, OH. According to the Brookings Institution, CSU is No. 18 in the U.S. among public universities that fulfill a critical dual mission: providing upward mobility and conducting impactful research. CSU is the only Ohio university in the top tier of the Brookings list. For additional information about the city of Cleveland, see .

Hire is contingent upon the maintenance of existing levels of funding from the State of Ohio. Offer of employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of the University’s verification of credentials (including evidence of highest degree) and other information required by law and/or University policies or practices, including but not limited to a criminal background check.

It is the policy of Cleveland State University to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran, or genetic information.

Hiring Range /Pay Rate

Commensurate with experience and qualification

Advertising Copy

Job Summary:
The Department of Art and Design in the College of Arts and Sciences at Cleveland State University seeks an experienced, innovative, and versatile design educator, with a focus on visual communication and a commitment to the professional practice of graphic design. This is a non tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Practice and begins on August 17, 2026.


Candidates should demonstrate broad training that includes strong foundations in typography, aesthetics, and conceptual development applied across media. An ideal candidate will have experience with research-based design practices; an understanding of information architecture, web standards, and user-experience principles; and an ability to adapt to technological and philosophical shifts in the design industry. Applicants should display evidence of strong interpersonal and communication skills and active engagement with students.

Duties include development and teaching of courses at all levels of the undergraduate design curriculum, in multiple subject areas.


CSU aspires to be a national leader in social and economic mobility. We will be a great place to learn and work. CSU is striving to be a nationally recognized and student focused public research institution that provides accessible, affordable, and Engaged Learning opportunities for all.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s in Visual Communication Design or Graphic Design, MDes, or equivalent international degree;
• At least one year teaching experience at the university or post-secondary level;
• At least ten years professional practice experience;
• Strong knowledge of standard applications for the design industry, including production software for print and digital media.
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• MFA in Visual Communication Design or Graphic Design, MDes, or equivalent international terminal degree;
• At least two years full-time teaching experience at the university or post-secondary level;
• Demonstrated excellence in professional practice that includes work from a variety of disciplines including branding, web design, user experience design, and environmental graphic design;
• Teaching experience at all levels of the undergraduate design curriculum;
• Experience supervising student design teams or a student design studio; or work-based learning, internships, or experiential learning;
• Ability to teach user experience/user interface design;
• Experience with curricular development at the university level;
• Evidence of creating a learning environment that promotes student belonging;
• Experience teaching first-generation students.

Applicant Instructions:
Applications will only be accepted online at . Mailed or emailed application materials will not be accepted. Open until filled. Preference will be given to applications that are completed by November 12, 2025 . All inquiries about the position should be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Sarah Rutherford, at [email protected] .


Applicants will be asked to complete name and contact information, and upload the following documents including:

• A cover letter, which must include a brief statement on teaching philosophy and how applicant has created a learning environment that promotes student belonging
• Curriculum vitae
• 5–10 examples of the candidate’s professional work, submitted in the form of a single PDF no larger than 5MB
• 5–10 examples of the candidate’s students’ work, submitted in the form of a single PDF (separate from the professional work), no larger than 5MB

Applicants will also be asked to provide contact information for three reference providers. Please inform your reference providers that the University will be sending an email with instructions on how to upload reference letters.

CSU is an urban university with more than 14,000 students located in the heart of Cleveland, OH. According to the Brookings Institution, CSU is No. 18 in the U.S. among public universities that fulfill a critical dual mission: providing upward mobility and conducting impactful research. CSU is the only Ohio university in the top tier of the Brookings list. For additional information about the city of Cleveland, see .

Hire is contingent upon the maintenance of existing levels of funding from the State of Ohio. Offer of employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of the University’s verification of credentials (including evidence of highest degree) and other information required by law and/or University policies or practices, including but not limited to a criminal background check.

It is the policy of Cleveland State University to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran, or genetic information.

Posted Date

10/29/2025

Close Date/Application Deadline

Open Until Filled

Yes

Review Begins

11/13/2025

Tentative Start Date

August 17, 2026