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

"Greater Happens HERE"

Title: Assistant Professor of Animation, Non-Tenure Track, Department of Art & Design

State Role Title: Assistant Professor

Hiring Range: Commensurate with Education and Experience

Pay Band: UG

Agency: Virginia State University

Location: Virginia State University

Agency Website: www.VSU.edu

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

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.

KSAO"S REQUIRED:

• 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.

Fall (August) 2026 start date.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• 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.
• Virginia State University requires that faculty be appropriately credentialed to teach assigned courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels. VSU demonstrates compliance with its Faculty Credentialing Policy #2301 for all applicable education, experience, licensure and certification requirements in the selection and hiring of its faculty.

Additional Considerations

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• 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.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to "Your Application" in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

You must include: a current resume/c.v. and a letter of interest in your application.

• Curriculum Vitae
• Prior and current employment history
• List of (3-5) Professional References: Name, Telephone, Email, and Relationship
• Statement of Teaching and Research Interest: In 200-350 words, articulate your motivation for joining VSU, emphasizing your teaching and research interests, instructional methodology, and your ability to engage a diverse range of students, including those with non-traditional backgrounds, through applied and experiential learning approaches.

Three (3) letters of recommendation and official transcripts will be required before hire.

Virginia State University is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons and applicants, without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, genetic information, race, religion, sexual orientation, sex (including pregnancy) or veteran status. VSU encourages and invites minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are encouraged to apply.

HOW TO APPLY: Virginia State University only accepts applications for this position through the on-line state Recruitment Management System (PageUp). Faxed, e-mailed, and mailed applications and/or attachments will not be accepted. The application must be detailed and fully completed. All employment and periods of unemployment (if applicable) must be listed within the application; either on an attached resume, or manually listed in the "Relevant Work History" section. Each application is reviewed for documentation that shows the applicant meets the minimum and preferred qualifications stated in the job announcement. The decision to interview an applicant is based on the information provided on the application, therefore, it is essential to fully complete each section of the application and provide descriptive information. Submitting an incomplete state application, or a state application lacking in detail, may result in your non-selection. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration.

The selected candidate will be subject to an extensive and complete background check, which may include fingerprinting. The candidate may be required to complete a Statement of Economic Interest as a condition of employment, if applicable.

Employment-based visa sponsorship at Virginia State University (VSU) is not guaranteed and will be evaluated carefully on a case-by-case basis. Federal law does not require employers to provide immigration sponsorship, and VSU is not obligated to offer it. Employment at VSU does not permit an individual to work in the United States unless the appropriate employment authorization has been obtained and verified in accordance with federal immigration compliance requirements.

• Optional Retirement Plan (ORP)

Immediate vesting | Portable | Investment choice

• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)

Defined benefit pension | Lifetime monthly income

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP)
• 403(b) (TIAA)
• Comprehensive medical & dental plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid annual and sick leave
• Paid state and federal holidays
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility
• Telework opportunities (where applicable)

Contact Information

Name: Dominique M. Fisher

Phone: 804-524-5075

Email: dfisher@vsu.edu

In support of the Commonwealth's commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.