Job description
Title Information
Faculty TitleAssistant Professor
Job Class Code10031
FLSAExempt
Position Information
Posting NumberFRGV1886
Working TitleAssistant Professor of Visual Communication Design (Print Media)/Assistant Professor of Practice in Visual Communication Design (Print Media) - Brownsville Campus
Number of Vacancies1
LocationRio Grande Valley, Texas
Division/OrganizationProvost - Academic Affairs
Appointment Period for Non-Tenure Position
Tenure StatusTenure Track
FTE1.0
Scope of Job
We seek applicants who are dedicated to servingThe University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’sstudent body as an Assistant Professor (tenure track) at the School of Art & Design beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year.
This open-ranked position is scheduled to begin September 1, 2026, for a graphic design educator and researcher to help lead our large (increasing enrollments) and already successful area into an even more promising future, by keeping pace with an ever-changing industry.
The UTRGV School of Art has 1000 majors and 33 graduate students enrolled in the areas of foundation, painting, drawing, sculpture, jewelry, ceramics, printmaking, graphic design, art history, photography, and art education.
The department comprises 10 tenured faculty members, 8 tenure-track faculty members, and 19 lecturers.
Responsibilities included for both ranks (Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Practice):
+ An ability to teach graphic design from introductory to advanced classes and engage productively with students at all skill levels.
Have expertise in graphic design software applications, including the pre-press process.
+ Demonstrate outstanding verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
+ A record of leadership experience within academic, corporate/industry, or community environments.
+ A working knowledge of current practice and theory of graphic design, including the history of graphic design, with a vision toward future developments.
+ A commitment to quality, student-centered education, and working as a team member.
+ A demonstrated and ongoing commitment to serve and mentor diverse student populations.
+ Teach at the BFA and/or MFA level as assigned by the Director of the School of Art and Design on two campuses, 65 miles apart in travel distance.
+ Engage in service to the school, college, university, community, and profession.
+ Demonstrate ability to teach visual communication design (graphic design) for digital and print media, along with multimedia applications.
+ Embrace new forms of critically engaged disciplinary practice in the changing field of graphic design, digital media, and user interface/web design.
+ Maintain an active and recognized professional practice of client-initiated or self-initiated design development and/or academic research investigations.
+ Actively participate in departmental, college, and university service and leadership, including committee work and academic support services such as portfolio reviews, student advising, and recruitment activities.
+ Participate in maintaining the Visual Communication Design (graphic design) area’s accreditation with NASAD ; engage in student advising, supervision of student organizations, and work well with colleagues within and outside the school, particularly in building interdisciplinary collaborations.
About UTRGV :
UTRGV serves the Rio Grande Valley and beyond via an innovative and unique multicultural education dedicated to student access and success.
By championing leading research, healthcare, and application of University discoveries, we support sustainable development, community engagement, and well-being.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley ( UTRGV ) is committed to building and sustaining a highly qualified and talented faculty to pursue excellence in everything that we do, including teaching, research, and service.
Drawing on our unique identity as the leading Hispanic-Serving Institution in a bilingual and bicultural environment, UTRGV will promote student access and success by building from strength in education and creating a vibrant campus experience.
By 2027, we will accelerate transformation in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond by driving meaningful advancements in research and creative works, expanding access to high-quality and affordable healthcare, and fostering authentic community engagement and integration.
UTRGV is a distributed campus, one university spanning four counties and multiple locations.
Our purpose is to be a university for the entire Rio Grande Valley and beyond.
Over 91% of the students enrolled at UTRGV identify as Hispanic, making UTRGV one of the top 3 universities with the highest percentage of Hispanic students.
For additional information, please visit ourwebsite (https://www.utrgv.edu/about/index.htm) .
Minimum Qualifications
Assistant Professor:
+ Terminal degree ( MFA , Ph.D.) required in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or related fields, such as Interaction Design, UX Design, or Interface Media/Web Design, as a tenure-track faculty member.August 1, 2026, is the deadline for degree completion
+ A record of two years of successful university teaching experience as a graduate student with a minimum of one year as an instructor of record.
Assistant Professor in Practice:
+ MS required in Graphic Design, Visual Communication, or related fields.
+ Professional experience equivalent to a terminal degree in the field.
+ Record of professional activity equivalent and/or research that demonstrate established and emerging national recognition.
Discipline Specific Required Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Assistant Professor:
+ A record of two or more years of successful university teaching experience in graphic design/visual communication, beyond the role of graduate teaching assistant, is preferred.
+ A record of professional activity and/or scholarly/creative research that demonstrates an emerging national representation in the field of visual communication design (graphic design) is paramount.
Candidates will continue professional research that is relevant to the current and future practice of graphic design/visual communication.
Assistant Professor in Practice:
+ A record of two or more years of successful university teaching experience in graphic design/visual communication.
License or Certification Required?No
SalaryCommensurate with Qualifications and Experience
Desired Start Date09/01/2026
Posting Detail Information
EEO Statement
It is the policy of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to promote and ensure equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information or protected veteran status.
In accordance with the requirements of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, our University is committed to comply with all government requirements and ensures non-discrimination in its education programs and activities, including employment.
We encourage women, minorities and differently abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.
Open Date10/06/2025
Close Date11/16/2025
Additional Information
UTRGV is a distributed institution.
As such and as assigned, the position may require presence at multiple locations throughout the Rio Grande Valley.
Work is performed primarily in a general office environment.
This position is security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215.
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas ( TRS ), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program ( ORP ) instead of TRS , subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Special Instructions to Applicants
Complete all sections on the application.
If you are applying for the first time please complete all biographical information including address, email and phone.
You may update this at any time by selecting to edit your profile in the application.
Security sensitive; All UTRGV employees are required to have a criminal background check ( CBC ).
CBCs will be conducted for all candidates invited for an on-campus interview.
For a complete advertisement: www.utrgv.edu/careers
Required Documents
+ Curriculum Vitae
+ List of 3 References – This list should include name, title, and contact information such as email address and/or phone.
+ Letter of Interest – (addressing your ability to meet the above responsibilities).
+ Unofficial Transcripts
+ Teaching Philosophy – (one-page maximum – Statement of teaching philosophy as related to design pedagogy and practice).
+ Research Statement – (one-page maximum – Statement of Research goals and practice/interests.
+ Other Document – Include the applicant’s artist website address & and provide URLs to online video files where necessary.
+ Additional Documents – A PDF of up to 20 images of personal work representing 10 of your creative works.
+ Evidence of Teaching: A PDF of 20 images of student work with accompanying image lists, if applicable – Where possible student work should reflect the content of the courses this individual could be teaching at UTRGV .
Please Note
Texas law requires faculty members whose primary language is not English to demonstrate proficiency in English as determined by a satisfactory paper-based test score of 500 (computer-based of 173 or internet-based of 61) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language ( TOEFL ) or a satisfactory test score of 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System ( IELTS ).
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
All positions are subject to budget approval.
Quick Linkhttps://careers.utrgv.edu/postings/48831
Posting Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
+ Teaching Philosophy
+ Writing / Publication Sample
+ Curriculum Vitae
+ Unofficial Transcripts
+ Other Document
+ List of 3 References
+ Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness
+ Letter of Interest
+ Additional Document
Optional Documents
Required Skill Profession
Other General
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