Assistant Professor of Graphic Design

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP) invites applications for a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, with the position beginning August 2026. This position offers a distinct opportunity to develop productive interdisciplinary practice and contribute to program growth within a stable, nationally recognized institution.

UWSP is one of only approximately 30 universities in the entire country to hold comprehensive national accreditation from all four major fine arts associations: the National Association of Schools of Art & Design (NASAD), the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), and the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). This elite status demonstrates that the arts are non-negotiable pillars of the university's mission, ensuring a stable environment for your professional growth and tenure success.

The position is housed within the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) and the dynamic School of Design and Communication (SDC), a structure intentionally designed to foster the genuine cross-pollination necessary for modern, convergent design practice. The SDC strategically unites diverse yet synergistic areas: Graphic Design, Art and Art History, Communication, Media Studies, and a CIDA-accredited Interior Architecture program.

We are seeking an innovative designer to prepare students for the complex, emerging challenges of the 21st century. This position is strategic, offering a significant opportunity to influence the SDC's future growth and identity. The new faculty member will collaborate in defining the program's trajectory, particularly at the intersection of visual communication, media studies, and spatial design.

This role is ideal for a candidate interested in developing research in hybrid areas, such as:

Environmental Graphic Design, Wayfinding, and Branded Environments (in collaboration with Interior Architecture). UX/UI, Motion Graphics, and Interactive Media (in collaboration with Communication and Media Studies). Social Practice and Activist Art, Exhibition and Installation Design, Public Art, Material-Driven Branding and Packaging (in collaboration with Fine Art)

UWSP provides a robust framework to support faculty scholarship and creative practice.

Comprehensive Makerspace: The 200,000-square-foot Noel Fine Arts Center (NFAC) serves as a comprehensive creative engine. It integrates spacious digital, drawing, and printmaking studios with well-equipped sculpture, ceramics, and wood shops. This unique combination empowers faculty to pursue ambitious, material-driven research that transcends purely digital output. Protected Research Time: The position includes an institutional directive for faculty to dedicate focused, protected time to their creative practice within this collaborative campus makerspace. This transforms the NFAC from a simple resource into a supported pathway for developing a significant body of work. Institutional Support: Success is further supported by resources like the Center for Inclusive Teaching and Learning (CITL) and access to system-wide innovation funds and professional development grants. UWSP is actively committed to creating a welcoming and equitable culture. COFAC maintains a five-year Action Plan for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, including in Faculty Recruitment and Development, and system-wide strategies are in place to support the retention and tenure progression of individuals from under-represented groups.

The university is rooted in the supportive community of Stevens Point, which provides a restorative environment conducive to deep creative focus. This location is a retreat while also serving as a strategic hub, offering a productive work-life balance while maintaining convenient access to major art markets. Madison and Green Bay are less than two hours away, and the urban centers of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Milwaukee and Chicago are within driving distance, ensuring faculty can readily engage with gallery networks, museums, and professional communities.

This is an invitation to build a meaningful career, contribute to a growing program, and develop curriculum for future interdisciplinary teams empowering them with the skills to manage and lead with an entrepreneurial mindset.

We are seeking candidates who are passionate about teaching, the primary focus of this position. The teaching load is four courses per semester (4/4). Classes meet twice a week for 1 hour and 50 minutes. Along with the prioritized teaching load, service and on-going scholarship is expected. An interest in teaching coursework for existing or potential programs in the SDC is important.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources.

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