Communication Design Affiliate Instructor

By applying to this posting, you are entering an applicant pool for affiliate faculty. Screening of applicants will begin immediately and will continue as needed. The number of these temporary, part-time, non-tenure track academic positions varies from semester to semester, depending on the needs of the program. As such, not everyone in the applicant pool for this position will be contacted and/or selected to teach.  

Position Summary 

The Department of Art at Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) invites applications for part-time affiliate faculty teaching positions in Communication Design. The Department offers programs that examine art and design in relationship to contemporary society with specific emphasis on emerging and interdisciplinary practices. Designers who are motivated by a collaborative environment emphasizing community-driven design practices are encouraged to apply. The candidate must demonstrate a commitment to teaching design practices that engage with and embrace emerging technologies. 

  
For more information about the Department of Art in our College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, please visit:  https://www.msudenver.edu/art/. 

MSU Denver enrolls over 16,000 students, where nearly 60% are first generation and over 55% are students of color. Located in downtown Denver, we are a designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), an INSIGHT into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award winner for 10 consecutive years, and the only Seal of Excelencia certified institution in Colorado. As the third largest institution of higher education in Colorado and the only institution with an open access mission, MSU Denver is a model university for today’s college students. The University serves the most diverse undergraduate student population in the state, as well as the most first-generation students and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals students. MSU Denver is particularly interested in applicants who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and a demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for under-represented and historically minoritized groups. 

Responsibilities 

Teach one to three classes in communication design, which may include design fundamentals, typography, interactive design & development, branding, narrative and time-based media, publication design, design research, UI/UX, community-based design, portfolio development, professional practices, or internship supervision. Classes may be offered in person, remote or hybrid setting. 

An affiliate faculty member’s duties include but are not limited to: teaching assigned classes in person or online by delivering course content to students, preparing course materials and lesson plans, grading student work, providing students with robust feedback in a timely manner, addressing student questions consistent with university, college/school, and department policies, and providing online or in person academic support to students as needed and appropriate for the teaching assignment; providing instruction in assigned classes consistent with the content and learning objectives of the regular course syllabus and, if required, with department course coordination policies; maintaining office hours; and complying with university-wide student evaluation of instruction policies and peer observation policies.  

Required Qualifications 

• BA in communication design, visual communication, graphic design, art, or related field 

• Three years of professional and/or teaching experience 

Preferred Qualifications 

• MFA or MA in appropriate field plus six years of relevant professional and/or teaching experience 

• Experience working with and sensitivity to the needs of a diverse urban student population including (but not limited to) students of color, LBGTQIA students, students from low-income backgrounds, first-generation students, students with disabilities, undocumented students, non-traditional students, student veterans, and English language learners 

Terms of Employment 

Affiliate faculty are part-time, at-will employees hired to teach on a per credit hour basis for specific classes, usually on a semester-by-semester basis. Affiliate faculty are not eligible for benefit coverage under the University’s benefit program. All such teaching assignments are dependent on budget and enrollment.  

Qualified candidates will be expected to teach in person/on campus upon hire.    

Salary for Announcement 

The final salary is based on the number of credit hours assigned at a rate determined by university policy.  

For more information, please visit: https://www.msudenver.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AF-2023-2024-Pay-Dates-and-Rates_RevAug2023.pdf 

How to Apply 

Candidates must apply online through MSU Denver’s career site, https://www.msudenver.edu/careers. Complete applications will include the following required materials: 

• Curriculum vitae 

• Cover letter 

• Copies of all unofficial transcripts 

• A list of three professional references with contact information 

Applicants will notice on the application portal there is one location (the resume/cover letter submission field) to upload all required materials. Multiple documents can be submitted into this one field; alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF and upload. ​Once submitted, you will not be able to edit your application. 

Please submit questions to Wendy Ross, Program Manager in the Department of Art, at wross12@msudenver.edu or 303-615-0300 

Official transcripts will be required of the candidate selected for hire.