Foundations Coordinator, Assistant Teaching Professor, School of Visual Studies

POSITION TITLE: Foundations Coordinator

APPOINTMENT STATUS: Full-time Assistant Teaching Professor, 9-month appointment (with an additional summer month for recruitment and administration), non-tenure track, renewable position in the School of Visual Studies, College of Arts & Science, at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Possibility of summer teaching.

SALARY: Competitive and commensurate with experience, full benefits

EFFECTIVE DATE OF POSITION: August 1, 2025

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The School of Visual Studies (SVS) invites applications for a full-time Foundations Coordinator at the University of Missouri starting Fall 2025. This is a renewable position. The ideal candidate will exhibit exceptional abilities to lead and develop an immersive first-year studio experience that is multi-disciplinary and aligned with contemporary art and design theory and practices. We seek a candidate who is passionate about first year programs with an integrative and experimental mindset, broad experience, and familiarity with all forms of art and design, as well as a desire to expand and amplify the first-year experience for all our students. The candidate must also possess strong organizational skills with an understanding of assessment methods for foundation-level courses and student performance and a commitment to collaborative engagement with school and campus colleagues to support an inclusive, diverse, and multicultural student population.

The School of Visual Studies has a strong commitment to cultivating a learning community in which everyone is welcome and valued. The school is currently focused on developing an ever more equitable and inclusive curriculum, on recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a diverse and engaged student body, and on mentoring all students, especially those in underserved populations. The School provides mentoring for new faculty.

POSITION DUTIES:

70% Teaching (6 courses per academic year)

30% Service (Recruiting, Program Coordination and Development, and Service)

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Direct the Foundation Studies program (Five 3-credit required courses) and provide creative leadership in collaboration with faculty and school administration: with faculty and administration, oversee area budget, area scheduling and Foundations studio classroom spaces.
Supervise Graduate Teaching Assistants and Graduate Instructors teaching Foundations classes.
Teach 6 courses per academic year (3/3); teaching courses in the Foundations program such as ART_VS 1020-Intro to Visual Studies (large lecture class), ART_VS 1030 2D Materials & Methods, ART_VS 1040 3D Materials & Methods, ART_VS 1050 Drawing Materials & Methods, and/or ART_VS 1070 Digital Methods.
Collaborate effectively with faculty, staff, and administration in curriculum and program development including a close working relationship with the admissions office and advisors.
Build a strong sense of community among the students, Graduate Instructors, and faculty teaching in the Foundations first year program through curriculum and extra curricular events.
Lead and participate in MU and SVS recruitment and retention activities/events.
Foster relationships with professional organizations, including FATE (Foundations in Art: Theory and Education, national organization), and other relevant opportunities.
Serve on school and university committees, as needed.

TEACHING AND MENTORING EXPECTATIONS:

Teaching in the School of Visual Studies requires a focus on engaging, educating, and mentoring a diverse group of learners, which includes creating high-impact opportunities such as sponsoring student research or internships, developing collaborative teaching opportunities with other disciplines, and using innovative pedagogies. Teaching in SVS also requires mentoring undergraduate and meeting regularly with Graduate Instructors, as appropriate in academic, research and professional development to support student success.

Participate in the MFA program as a member of the graduate faculty.

The School of Visual Studies service expectations include participation in recruitment and retention efforts, serving on program, school or college committees as appropriate, and participation in professional academic organizations outside the University, including professional and community-based groups that advance SVS's goals of student success and diversity.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• MFA, or equivalent terminal degree in Studio Art, Design, or related field.
• Documented record of two or more years of teaching.

CANDIDATES WILL BE EVALUATED ON:

• Two or more years teaching experience with emphasis in foundations studies and a demonstrated expertise in art and design principles.
• Knowledge of and commitment to contemporary, foundations-level art and design pedagogy.
• Demonstrated evidence of engaging, educating, and mentoring a diverse group of learners.
• Demonstrated approach to creative and effective teaching.
• Experience and demonstrated approach to creative, collegial, and effective leadership and program administration.
• Demonstrated expertise and ability in curriculum building.
• Knowledge of practices and theoretical frameworks pertinent to contemporary art and design
• Evidence of exemplary student engagement and advanced pedagogical strategies through student work, project examples, and faculty mentorship, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to work collegially with other faculty and students on interdisciplinary/collaborative projects.

Use the online application and be prepared to upload:

1. Letter of application that clearly addresses key qualifications and describes creative work.
2. Current, comprehensive CV.
3. Professional statement that includes your teaching philosophy.*
4. Links to 20 samples of relevant creative work.
5. Links to 20 samples of students' work.
6. The names, email addresses, and phone numbers of three (3) professional references who can confirm the candidate's qualifications and experience.
7. Example of one or more Foundations course syllabi 2-D and Intro to Visual Studies, including description of one assignment or project.

* We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person's success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your professional statement, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research and engagement.

Screening begins December 1, and continues until a qualified candidate is hired.

Preliminary interviews will be conducted via Zoom. Applicants may contact the Chair of the Search Committee, Joe Johnson (johnsonjoe@missouri.edu) with any questions regarding the job duties and Andrew Longley (andrew.longley@umsystem.edu) with any questions regarding the application process.

About the School of Visual Studies:

The School of Visual Studies, including degree programs in Art, Art History, Digital Storytelling, Film Studies and Film Production, and Graphic Design, resides in the College of Arts & Science, and was launched in 2017 to create a collaborative, interdisciplinary, cutting-edge education that reflects 21^st century studio practice and visual culture. SVS offers Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees within the five programs. SVS is also home to the George Caleb Bingham Gallery featuring exhibitions by visiting artists, faculty and students.

About the University of Missouri:

Established in 1839, the University of Missouri knows what it means to be first. We were the first public university west of the Mississippi River. We are home to the world's first journalism school. We started the tradition of homecoming. As a flagship, land-grant institution and one of only 71 universities across the U.S. and Canada to be a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities, we are a campus where empathy, innovation and hard work combine to solve the world's grand challenges. Our community of students, faculty and staff enhances bovine reproduction, composes award-winning music and generates life-saving radioisotopes in the most powerful university research reactor in the country. We tackle diverse problems because Missouri is a diverse state - from the southern Ozarks to the northern plains. We are Mizzou, where Black and Gold runs deep and Truman the Tiger embodies our bold spirit.

The University of Missouri is fully committed to achieving the goal of a diverse and inclusive academic community of faculty, staff and students. We seek individuals who are committed to this goal, student success, and our core campus values of respect, responsibility, discovery and excellence. The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity/Access/Affirmative Action/Pro Disabled & Veteran Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

About Columbia, Missouri:

Ranked by the American Institute for Economic Research as one of the nation's top 10 college towns, Columbia combines small-town comforts, community spirit and a low cost of living with big-city culture, activities and resources. Columbia is home to about 120,000 people and lies midway between Missouri's largest metro areas: St. Louis and Kansas City. It is packed with restaurants and entertainment venues; home to multiple parks and outdoor recreation sites such as Rock Bridge State Park and the MKT Trail; and hosts more than a dozen annual cultural festivals, including the internationally known True False Film Festival. Money magazine,

Fortune magazine, U.S. News & World Report, Men's Journal, MSN.com and others have all named Columbia one of the best places in the country to live.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person's success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo or call the Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-882-2146.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.