Assistant Professor, Tenure Track - Media Arts and Game Development - 19027

ATTENTION:

The Department of Art and Design in the College of Arts and Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a tenure track Assistant Professor in the area of Digital Foundations and Digital Illustration beginning August 2023. This is a full-time position with responsibilities for teaching undergraduate courses in the Media Arts and Game Development program, as well as the Department of Art and Design, and the general education course World of the Arts (WOTA). Expectations also include continued research and design activity as well as service to the Department, College, University, and community. Research expertise should complement existing faculty expertise and may include Digital Illustration, Visual Communication Design for Print and Web, Motion Graphics, Digital Video, and Visual Effects. The Department of Art and Design welcomes candidates whose interests include but are not limited to: races and representation in animation, gender parity in the gaming industry, racial inclusion in the design industry, and content creation that reflects multi-ethnic consumer markets. We seek perspectives from a diverse array of candidates who take an active interest in redefining the Graphic Design / Media Art fields.

JOB DETAILS:

The successful candidate will be able to teach Digital Foundations, Visual Communication Design, and upper-level Media Arts courses as part of the Media Arts and Game Development and Graphic Design programs. The candidate will also be expected to pursue an active research agenda that engages undergraduate students, results in publications or exhibitions and contributes to advancing the department, university, the profession, and society. The candidate will also be expected to participate in service activities and embrace the principles of diversity and inclusion as a member of the University community.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

• MFA in Visual Art and Design or equivalent terminal degree with focus in design for media arts is required
• Candidates must have strong illustration, design, and conceptual skills
• Demonstrated evidence of scholarly potential, commitment to working with and within diverse populations and serving as active member of the University community are required
• Proficiency in relevant industry software is expected

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous university level teaching experience in all levels of Visual Art and Design and strong record of professional activity are preferred
• Excellence in teaching with an emphasis on promoting the success of undergraduate students may be demonstrated through student work samples included with submission materials outlined below

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary trainings and drills
• Ability to interact respectfully with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Full-Time teaching responsibilities include Design for Digital Media, Drawing for Digital Media, World of the Arts, upper-level Media Arts courses that fit the candidate's experience, and contributions to both the Department of Art and Design and the Media Arts and Game Development Program. Research expectations include an active research agenda which includes appropriate dissemination of creative activity. In addition, faculty members serve as advisors/mentors to students and are encouraged to engage students in undergraduate research or other scholarly and creative activities. Service responsibilities include committee service at the departmental, college, and University levels as well as participation in community organizations as relevant to the candidate’s expertise and interest. Faculty at UW-W may be required to teach online and/or in a hybrid format, or courses in the evenings or on weekends. Faculty may also elect to teach New Student Seminar or University Learning Communities, or participate in other programs geared toward improving student success.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION:

The NASAD accredited Department of Art and Design offers programs in studio/visual art, art history, graphic design, and media arts, serves approximately 300 majors and minors and offers B.A., B.S., B.S.E., and B.F.A. degrees. Additionally, the Department of Art and Design collaborates with the Communication and Computer Science Departments on the interdisciplinary Media Arts and Game Development Program. The Department of Art and Design is a part of the College of Arts and Communication and employs 20+ full and part-time faculty and is located in the Greenhill Center of the Arts, which also houses the Theatre/Dance and Music Departments, the Crossman Gallery (a 2,500 square-foot facility that presents professional, juried, and student exhibitions), and a new gallery at the University Community Engagement Center.

CAMPUS INFORMATION:

Founded in 1868, UW–Whitewater is one of eleven comprehensive universities in a public higher education system that also includes two doctoral institutions and a statewide Extension. UW-Whitewater’s main campus is located in Whitewater, with a branch campus in Rock County, in the city of Janesville. Together, these campuses form a preeminent academic institution driven by the pursuit of knowledge, powered by a spirit of innovation, and focused on transforming lives. UW-Whitewater’s campuses are located conveniently near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, and thus offer the advantage of beautiful small-town environments with easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas.

The Warhawk family — led by caring faculty and staff — is devoted to student success within a broad range of academic programs offered at the associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral levels. These include both on-campus and online programs, and span the disciplines, from the theoretical to the applied, and encompass study in the arts, business, education, humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, technology, and professional and interdisciplinary programs.

UW-Whitewater has a special mission within the UW System to serve students with disabilities and, as such, embraces the principles of universal design and is one of the most accessible campuses in the nation. The campuses have more than 200 student organizations and UW-Whitewater’s intercollegiate athletic teams compete at the NCAA Division-III level. UW-Whitewater is committed to seeking and sustaining a culturally and ethnically diverse campus environment, building a diverse faculty and staff with expertise and interest in serving students with diverse needs, backgrounds, ethnicities, abilities and other distinct characteristics in respectful, sensitive and understanding ways. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus University of Wisconsin System ( https://www.wisconsin.edu ).

Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).

Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and UW System Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.

For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see http://www.uww.edu/asfr . If you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary of $52,000 for a 9-month contract.

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System’s comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure .

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION:

Applications received by January 31, 2023 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1072 or hrstudent@uww.edu .

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Dr. Nick Hwang

Associate Professor, Communications Department/Media Arts and Game Development

262-472-1725

hwangn@uww.edu

TO APPLY:

Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:

· Cover letter/letter of interest

· Teaching Philosophy Statement

· Statement reflecting on diversity and inclusion in your teaching and research

· Curriculum Vita

· 20 images of personal work (PDF preferred) (or link to 3-minute reel for time-based work)

· Names and contact information for three professional references (letters of recommendation may be solicited at a later time)

· Copies of unofficial graduate transcripts (Official transcripts will be required if offered the position)

This Job ID is 19027.

Application Links:

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A current employee of the University of Wisconsin System, click here:

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