Adjunct Instructor - Design and Merchandising

About the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design

The Drexel University Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design is dedicated to the education of students in the areas of design, media and the performing and visual arts. The Westphal College offers 17 undergraduate and eight graduate majors, housed in award-winning, technologically enhanced facilities, and taught by distinguished faculty who have worked at the top of their fields. The College values a studio approach that incorporates six months of required co-op work experience for all undergraduate students. Westphal is home to a virtual reality and immersive research lab, two theaters, an art gallery, a notable collection of over 17,000 historic costumes, a record label, a television station, and numerous cutting-edge making spaces. Westphal educates students to find their place as leaders in today's rapidly changing world by teaching the diverse skills needed to conceptualize and implement creative thinking. The synergy of Westphal’s creative programs, strong foundation curriculum and diverse minors, and stewardship of University assets and enterprises enhances the strength of the College in this interdisciplinary age. The College actively participates in community-based learning programs that allow students and faculty to study the issues affecting our world in collaboration with neighboring communities. As the center for creativity at Drexel, the Westphal College’s collaborative community of scholars, creatives, thinkers, and doers are uniquely positioned to face the world’s challenges and define the creative careers of the 21st century. Westphal is dedicated to building a community where everyone is welcome, and a multiplicity of voices are celebrated.

About the Program

Drexel’s innovative Design & Merchandising (D&M) major integrates visual design, merchandising, and business insight for the fashion lifestyle industries. The Bachelor of Science degree educates students to conceptualize, plan, develop, market, and measure the opportunity for products and services for consumers through physical stores, online channels, televised content, and interactive media. Students develop thorough knowledge of how products come to life through sustainable textiles, design, and production, and strategize the optimal assortment, inventory, and pricing for business goals. The multidisciplinary curriculum, based on both theory and practice, is delivered through immersive, experiential learning. Graduates work across the fashion lifestyle industries engaged in creative strategies, dynamic merchandise assortments, and new product lines for global consumer markets.

The D&M program is ranked in the top nine of fashion merchandising colleges in the United States by Fashion-schools.org and in the top fifteen of fashion and business management programs in the world by Business of Fashion . Drexel is one of the nation’s top universities located in Philadelphia, the sixth largest city, with easy access to the city’s rich cultural life, vibrant design scene, and pivotal retail and entrepreneurial marketplace. From buying and fashion marketing to sustainability and product development, companies in Philly, New York City, Boston and other cities offer students a variety of career paths in wholesale, retail, textiles, sourcing, media, marketing, visual merchandising, and public relations.

Job Summary

The adjunct faculty member will employ a variety of strategies to foster student visual communication development and business acumen related to product styling for digital commerce by learning and discussions, as well as encourage active learning in all students, maintain proper course-related records, and evaluate student work and provide students with feedback as to the progress toward meeting the objectives of the course. Each adjunct faculty member is responsible for effectively teaching students in the assigned classroom or remote settings. Each adjunct faculty member is responsible for effectively implementing the mission of the Department of Design within Drexel’s Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. Responsibilities may include teaching days, evenings, nights, and weekends, with the potential for online only, in-person only, or a combination of both.

Essential Functions

• Teach required number of credit hours per quarter based on their contract.
• Teach studio, lecture, and/or practicum courses per their contract.
• Plan and provide instructional experiences that reflect an understanding of the philosophy, objectives, and curriculum of the program.
• Evaluate student achievement of curricular objectives/outcomes.
• Maintain communication with the program director regarding any course or student issues.
• Perform other similar duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience.
• Knowledge of product styling for digital commerce.
• Combined knowledge of photography and merchandising.

Preferred Qualifications

• Teaching experience.

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter that indicates your strong areas of expertise when submitting your application.

Advertised:Sep 14 2022 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:Jun 30 2023 Eastern Daylight Time