Professor, open rank and MDes Program Director
Description
The Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design seeks a collaborative leader to serve as the Program Director for its Masters of Design (MDes). The Program Director will be a renowned designer and collaborative leader who works closely with faculty, staff, students, and alumni, as well as with university and community partners. The Program Director will provide leadership and operational oversight for the MDes program, ensuring the delivery of dynamic learning opportunities that emphasize transdisciplinary collaboration and critical inquiry.
The MDes program supports designers who transcend conventional categorizations by integrating theories and practices from diverse design and non-design domains. Drawing upon the rich resources of Stamps' faculty and the University of Michigan, the program underscores critical making and interdisciplinary problem-solving. The MDes program integrates different design disciplines and modalities, academic research, community collaboration, and industry innovation. Through this approach, it seeks to address important issues of our time and drive transformative change in the fields of design. Graduates of the MDes program emerge equipped to assume roles as visionary makers, strategic leaders, researchers, and/or educators, equipped to address contemporary challenges with design-based interventions and solutions.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:
As the Program Director of the MDes program, you will provide leadership and operational oversight of curriculum, evaluation, and aspects of recruitment to ensure the dynamic development of our students and the program’s success. Responsibilities will include:
- Foster a sense of community and collaboration among faculty and students within the program.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to sustainably implement the program, including faculty, the Graduate Program Manager, Deans, and external partners.
- Oversee the implementation, evaluation, and improvement of the MDes program to enhance students' learning experiences.
- Work with the Graduate Programs Manager to ensure smooth program operations.
- Facilitate students' progression through the program, guiding them in their academic and creative endeavors.
- Manage faculty assignments, course development, curriculum enhancements, and adjustments to ensure program excellence.
- Establish and maintain relationships with external partners (academic, community, and industry) to provide students with relevant contexts and project opportunities.
- Conduct relevant research and provide intellectual leadership to advance the field of design.
- Coordinate with faculty and the MFA Program Director to facilitate connections and interactions between MDes and MFA students.
- Promote the program in various venues (prospective students, conferences, with potential external partners).
- Create a welcoming and collegial environment within the MDes Program.
- Report to the Senior Associate Dean of Research, Creative Practice, and Graduate Programs.
Qualifications:
- Terminal degree in a design field (any area).
- Tenured faculty member of design (any area) at the associate or full professor rank.
- 5+ years of experience with teaching and/or advising at the graduate level.
- Knowledge of important studio-based design practices, discourses, and current research.
- Teamwork skills to collaborate with students, and colleagues across Stamps, the University of Michigan, and beyond.
- Demonstrated commitment to transdisciplinary education in Design
- 5+ years of experience preparing students for impactful creative practices as a designer.
- 1+ years of prior experience in professional practice of design
- Strong administrative skills
Employment will require both a criminal background check and an institutional reference check regarding any misconduct. Candidates will be required to submit a self-disclosure form as well as an authorization to release information form.