Assistant Professor of Apparel Merchandising & Management (Textiles, Apparel and Ethnic Studies)

California State Polytechnic University, Pomona invites applications for a tenure track faculty position in the Department of Apparel Merchandising Management.  Cal Poly Pomona is one of two polytechnic universities in the 23-campus California State Universitysystem and among 11 such institutions nationwide. Since its founding in 1938, Cal Poly Pomona students participate in an integrative experiential learning education that is inclusive, relevant, and values diverse perspectives and experiences. With a variety of degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, and professional disciplines, the University is well known for its learn-by-doing approach and Teacher Scholar Model.

The University is noted for its scenic and historic 1,400-acre campus, which was once the winter ranch of cereal magnate W.K. Kellogg. We acknowledge that Cal Poly Pomona resides on the territorial and homelands of the Tongva and Tataavium people who are the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar. The University’s nearly 30,000 students are taught and mentored by the campus’s more than 1,400 faculty as part of 54 baccalaureate and 29 master’s degree programs, 11 credential and certificate programs, and a doctorate in educational leadership.

Highly regarded among its peer institutions, Cal Poly Pomona is No. 2 in the U.S. News and World Report rankings of top public regional universities in the west and was named the No. 15 best value college in the nation by Money Magazine. Cal Poly Pomona, a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution, stands as a national leader in promoting social mobility, and was placed among the 25 top institutions in the country in awarding bachelor’s degrees to minoritized students by Diverse Issues in Higher Education. 

The Cal Poly Pomona campus is located less than 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles at the intersection of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. It is within an hour’s drive of beaches, mountains and deserts. For additional information about the University, please visit www.cpp.edu, and for more about faculty life, please see YourLife@CPP.

Student Population.  California residents comprise the majority (96%) of applicants to undergraduate programs at Cal Poly Pomona – nearly half (49%) of new students were transfers in Fall 2020.  58% of Cal Poly Pomona students are first generation, 70% receive financial aid, and 44% qualify as Pell-eligible.  The University enrolls a diverse student body that identifies as 49% Latinx, 21% Asian, 15% White, 3% Black, 5% International 3% two or more races, 3% unknown and less than 1% Native Hawaiian or Native Pacific Islander and less than 1% Native American Indigenous. 39% of the student body were STEM majors with the top enrolled programs including psychology, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, biology and computer science.

Inclusive Excellence Criteria.  We aspire to be the model inclusive polytechnic University in the nation. We have a strong commitment to inclusive excellence and to educational experiences that leverage the diverse perspectives and experiences needed to succeed and thrive in a diverse society.

Tenure track faculty hires will demonstrate a commitment and record of contributions through their teaching, scholarship, or service to these inclusive excellence criteria (a minimum of two must be addressed in the Student Success Statement):

1. Integrates the values of equity and inclusivity into their teaching, scholarship and/or service contributions with diverse student populations
2. Incorporates the contributions and struggles of historically underrepresented ethnic groups and communities into their teaching, scholarly work, and/or service contributions;
3. Adopts teaching strategies that support the learning and success of students from diverse student populations;
4. Mentors and engages diverse student populations in discovery, scholarship, and creative activities;
5. Engages students in problem-based projects and learning that address the needs of diverse communities;
6. Possesses knowledge of challenges and barriers for underrepresented students and faculty within the discipline;
7. Mentors and assists diverse student populations interested in pursuing graduate education;
8. Engages in community-responsive action research or service with diverse student populations and communities;
9. Has experience in or demonstrates a commitment to adopting experiential learning activities and pedagogy with diverse student populations and communities; and
10. Has expertise in or demonstrated commitment to teaching, scholarship and/or service that contributes to access, diversity, and equal opportunity in higher education

Don B. Huntley College  of Agriculture

 The Huntley College of Agriculture offers a variety of applied science programs in Agricultural Science, Animal Health Science, Animal Science, Food Science & Technology, Nutrition Science and Dietetics, and Plant Science, as well as management and technology programs in Agribusiness & Food Industry Management and Apparel Merchandising & Management.  We are the legacy College of Cal Poly Pomona and a foundational aspect of the University’s identity and heritage.  Located in Los Angeles County, the most populated county in the nation with over 10 million people, and close to the second largest U.S. city, we are committed to the development and support of urban agriculture and of sustainable food, agriculture and related systems in California.  Our educational programs prepare our students for exciting careers in the food, agriculture, nutritional health, animal health, and apparel sectors as well as opportunities in federal and state agencies.  We are the primary provider of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in these disciplines in Southern California.  Our orchards, greenhouses, vineyards, large urban farm with organic certified acreage, animal units and laboratories, veterinary clinic, food science laboratories, experimental kitchens, and digital apparel design, production, and retail laboratories, provide hands-on experiences for our students under Cal Poly Pomona’s “learn by doing” philosophy. Our students engage with the campus and local community, gaining practical experience working with faculty and staff in our AGRIscapes Center, the Discovery Farm and the Farm Store and with the extended community  through industry internships, volunteer activities, and other interactions. Our faculty are engaged teacher-scholars with a strong commitment to student success, diversity, equity and inclusion. 

Apparel Merchandising and Management (AMM) Department

AMM offers a B.S. degree in Apparel Merchandising and Management with Options in Fashion Retailing, Apparel Design and Production and Textiles, and a M.S. Degree in International Apparel Management (IAM). AMM is a dynamic and innovative business and technology-focused program. Through close relationships with industry, students learn both theory and practice, combining them to develop a comprehensive understanding of the business, technical, and social aspects of apparel design, development, production, distribution, retail, and consumption. The AMM curriculum offers a series of capstone courses leading to student-run microbusinesses. These capstone courses prepare them for leadership in their chosen career paths. The AMM program attracts a diverse student population from California and the program is taught by diverse faculty team with years of experience.  A majority of our undergraduate students are Hispanics and Latinos (~52%) and females (~79%). Currently, there are approximately 400 AMM majors http://www.cpp.edu/~amm. The AMM program is located within the Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture http://www.cpp.edu/~agri/.

Position:

The AMM department is seeking a faculty in the intersection of fashion studies and ethnic studies.

Applicants will demonstrate research and teaching interests in areas of race, social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion as they relate to social, cultural, or political aspects of fashion design, production, distribution, and consumption. The new faculty hire will teach courses in the AMM curriculum, mainly focusing on the new courses in ethnic studies and fashion. There will be an opportunity to teach in the graduate program as well. Knowledge of culturally responsive teaching strategies and other equity-minded approaches that enhance teaching and research is required for this position.

The new faculty member will be a part of the Ethnic Studies Affinity Faculty and will have the opportunity to engage with a new and permanent Office of Ethnic Studies Affinity Teaching and Scholarship. This is a space for collaboration across disciplines and methodological vantage points, mentorship, and professional development programming. The Ethnic Studies Affinity Faculty, and the resources to support them, are a key element of CPP’s ongoing efforts to ensure the flourishing of our diverse students and faculty and be the leading inclusive polytechnic University in the nation. 

Minimum requirements:

• D. in Apparel or Textiles Product Development, Design, Production, Consumer behavior, Retailing, or a related field, such as Anthropology, Cultural Studies, and Ethnic Studies, from an accredited university by August 2022. ABDs will be considered, but a Ph.D. must be earned by the start of the appointment.
• Demonstrated understanding of the apparel pipeline from fiber to market.
• Ability to develop and teach a general education course that meets the requirements for Area F Ethnic Studies courses(described near the end).
• Demonstrated potential to contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, service, and a commitment to working in an inclusive environment.
• A Student Success Statement that demonstrates commitment and record of contributions through applicant’s teaching, scholarship, or service, by discussing at least two of the inclusive excellence criteria above (1-10) addressing the intersection of fashion and ethnic studies. (Limit to 2 pages)

Preferred  Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to teach the AMM courses related to Ethnic Studies such as ‘Race, Ethnicity, and American Consumer’ or ‘Race and Ethnicity in Fashion’.  Ethnic Studies are an interdisciplinary and comparative study of race and ethnicity, focusing on four historically defined racialized core groups: Native Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and/or Latina and Latino Americans.

• Demonstrated evidence of scholarly potential (publications, creative scholarship, presentations) in the areas of race, social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion related to the AMM discipline. Topics may include (but are not limited to): social constructs of race, racism in the consumer market, marketplace discrimination, consumer inequality, stereotyping, consumer rights, inclusive product development, cultural appropriation/representation in apparel and textiles.

• Demonstrated ability to create and enhance close relationships with companies and professional organizations.
• Demonstrated ability for curriculum development and scholarship.
• Demonstrated ability to obtain internal or external funding to support scholarship.
• Ability to contribute towards the delivery of the graduate program in International Apparel Management.

Application Process:

A completed application will consist of:

• A cover letter that describes the candidate’s teaching and research interests and addresses the duties and qualifications articulated in the position description
• A completed academic employment form available at: https://www.cpp.edu/faculty-affairs/documents/acadapplication_feb2017.pdf
• A current curriculum vitae
• Contact information (names, titles, addresses, emails, and phone numbers) of five individuals who can speak to the candidate’s potential for success in this position.
• A statement of research demonstrating the research agenda as it relates to desired qualifications for this position.
• A transcript showing the highest degree earned (an official transcript will be required of finalists)
• A Student Success Statement about your teaching or other experiences, successes, and challenges in working or engaging with a diverse student population (Limit to 2 pages, refer to minimum qualifications section)

Finalists for the position will be required to: 

• Make a research presentation
• Make a teaching presentation 
• Provide evidence of research in the form of a publication, working paper, or creative scholarship

Applications must be submitted electronically via Interfolio.

 The position is open until filled. The first consideration will be given to completed applications received by (deadline extended) - February 14, 2022.  Early response is encouraged.

Conditions of Employment:

The person offered this position is required to pass a background check.

The CSU requires faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities to be immunized against COVID-19 or declare a medical or religious exemption from doing so.  Any candidates advanced in a currently open search process should be prepared to comply with this requirement. The systemwide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ . Questions regarding the policy may be sent to avpfa@cpp.edu

Please direct inquiries to:

Faculty Search Committee

c/o Dr. Chitra Dabas, Search Committee Chair
Apparel Merchandising and Management Department 
Don B. Huntley College of Agriculture 
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona 
Pomona, CA 91768-‑4083 

Email: csdabas@cpp.edu
 

Compensation and Benefits: Compensation is commensurate with experience. An excellent, comprehensive benefits package is available (For a detailed description of benefits, see https://www.cpp.edu/benefits/index.shtml).