Position Details
Posting Summary
College College Of Educ & Human Dvlpmt Executive Area Provost & VP Academic Affairs Department Family & Consumer Sciences
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number F358P Job Type Tenure Track Pay Type Exempt/Salaried Pay Grade FS1 Campus Location WMU-Kalamazoo - Main Campus Salary Range Commensurate with experience. Generous benefit package. Number of Vacancies 1 General Summary
The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Western Michigan University invites applications for a Faculty Specialist I in Fashion Design and Development. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing, dual-accredited program (TAPAC and NASAD) and help shape the next generation of fashion professionals. The successful candidate will bring real-world industry expertise into the classroom, teaching foundational fashion design and development courses while mentoring students through hands-on studio experiences, digital design technologies, creative problem-solving, and portfolio development. This position is ideal for a design professional who is passionate about teaching and committed to helping students connect creative design practices with industry expectations.
Major Duties
- Teach industry foundational courses within the Fashion Design and Development curriculum, including apparel construction, design studio, textiles, illustration, computer-aided design (CAD), and digital patternmaking.
- Provide hands-on studio and lab instruction in garment construction, flat patternmaking, fitting, and digital design tools.
- Mentor and advise students on design projects, portfolio development, competitions, and career preparation.
- Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices into coursework and student learning experiences.
- Build relationships with industry partners to create internship, experiential learning, and career opportunities for students.
- Participate in departmental, university, professional, and accreditation-related service activities.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, Fashion Product Development, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
- Minimum of five years of professional experience in fashion design, apparel product development, technical design, garment construction, or a related industry role.
- Demonstrated proficiency with industry-standard design technologies, including Adobe Creative Suite, CAD software, and Browzwear or related 3D digital design platforms.
- Expertise in garment construction, draping, flat patternmaking, fit analysis, and apparel production processes.
- A strong professional portfolio showcasing original design work, product development project, or other creative industry contributions.
Desired Qualifications
- Master's degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, Fashion Product Development, or a related discipline from an accredited institution.
- Teaching experience at the college level in fashion design, apparel construction, fashion technology, or related coursework.
- Experience mentoring students in design development for competitions, exhibitions, portfolio reviews, and design projects.
- Knowledge of sustainable design practices, ethical sourcing, and responsible production methods.
- Established industry connections and a demonstrated ability to support student internships, networking, and career placement opportunities.
Special Instructions to Applicants Additional Position Information
Visit wmich.edu/hr/employees/faculty for benefits and other information.
Documents Needed To Apply
Required Documents
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- List of References
Optional Documents