Assistant Professor of Apparel Design and Merchandising

About Seattle Pacific University:

Founded in 1891, Seattle Pacific University has a long and distinguished history in Christian higher education. Located just minutes from downtown Seattle, SPU seeks to be a premier Christian University fully committed to engaging the culture and changing the world by graduating people of competence and character, becoming people of wisdom, and modeling grace-filled community. Seattle Pacific University seeks applicants committed to its Christian mission. Due to our mission of cultural engagement, SPU is committed to building an excellent and diverse staff and faculty. Diversity is an ethos that is inseparable from our Christian faith. At SPU, we recognize diversity as a basic feature of God's creation and a core theme of the gospel. At the heart of our mission-centered commitment to becoming a more diverse community is a desire to represent the breadth of God's kingdom more fully.

We strive to become a workplace of choice and to recruit, develop, and retain faculty and staff who can embrace, value, and engage differences with humility and care. We invite you to join us on our journey by starting a career at SPU! Learn more about SPU's commitment to diversity and opportunities for our employees to deepen their capacity to serve our increasingly diverse student body.

About the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences: 

The Seattle Pacific University Department of Family and Consumer Sciences prepares students to address problems faced by individuals, families, and communities globally that involve food, clothing, and shelter through Christ-centered values of love, integrity, and justice. The Family and Consumer Sciences majors include Apparel Design and Merchandising, Food and Nutritional Sciences, Interior Design, Human Development and Family Studies, and FCS Secondary Education.

Job Description: 

Assistant Professor of Apparel Design and Merchandising to start March 1, 2021 or September 1, 2021. The position is a full-time, non-tenure track, nine-month appointment. We are specifically interested in candidates with cross-disciplinary interests related to the global fashion industry. SPU is a Christian university and applicants will be required to submit a faith statement with their application. Members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.

Regular nine-month teaching load of about 33 quarter credits; teaching courses that include consumer textiles, flat pattern design, apparel and interiors merchandising, retail buying and management, and consumer behavior. Work experience related to the teaching field is a plus. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to teach in the family and consumer sciences core and the university's general education program.  Support of university mission, committee service, and advising are also expected. 

Requirements: 

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Apparel Design and Merchandising or related field.
• Candidates should show evidence of excellence in teaching and mentoring undergraduates. 
• Candidates with cross-disciplinary interests are also encouraged to apply.
• Applicants who can demonstrate effective mentoring of students from underrepresented backgrounds are especially welcomed.

Additional Information: 

Position will remain open until filled. Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. This is a full time position with excellent benefits. SPU pays the employee premium for medical, dental, and vision insurance. SPU makes contributions to an employee HSA account and to a retirement account after one year of eligibility in the plan. Tuition discount program available for the employee and qualified immediate family members.

Application Information:

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, with the interview process beginning January 2021. The University reserves the right to fill the position before the deadline and to close or to extend the deadline as circumstances may warrant. The online application requests an application form, a cover letter, a one-page statement of faith, a complete curriculum vitae with a list of at least three references, a statement of teaching philosophy (~1 page), and any other materials that provide candidate's outstanding achievements or excellence in teaching or scholarship (writing example, portfolio, or design exhibition.)

Inquiries can be made to:

Dr. Sharleen Kato

Department of Family and Consumer Sciences

Seattle Pacific University

3307 Third Avenue West

Seattle, WA 98119

206-281-2197

skato@spu.edu