Virginia Department of Taxation is hiring an Associate Professor

Virginia State University, an 1890 Land Grant institution and HBCU, is hiring a tenure-track Associate Professor in the Department of Art & Design for a 9-month appointment starting Fall 2026 – Spring 2027. You'll serve as faculty for art history and lead the CORE Foundations program, teaching foundational courses and advising first-year students while maintaining a creative/scholarly research agenda.

What You'll Do

• Serve as faculty for art history and take a leadership role for the CORE Foundations program, with primary responsibility for its curriculum development and administration.
• Teach a full lecture course load covering art history, art theory, research practices for artists and designers, critique methodologies, design elements and principles, and foundational studio practices, up to 15 credit hours per semester in-person and/or online.
• Serve as the contact point for first-year students working with the Academic Center for Excellence for advising and mentoring to prepare them for successful entry into their sophomore-year concentrations.
• Maintain an active personal creative/scholarly research agenda.
• Collaborate with the faculty team on student exhibitions and events.
• Actively contribute to shared governance through service on department, college, and university committees.
• Provide and engage students during regular office hours to promote student engagement and success.
• Conduct research; advise, recruit, and retain students.
• Participate in designated academic ceremonies such as Convocation, Founder’s Day, and Commencement.
• Attend departmental, school, and university meetings; serve on committees.
• Perform duties defined and assigned by the departmental chair.

What We're Looking For

• A Master's or PhD in Art History, PhD in Education or Art Education, or PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies or other visual arts field from an accredited university, with a minimum of 18 graduate credit hours.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, administer, and develop curriculum for a first-year Foundations program.
• Expertise in teaching a broad range of foundational courses, including art history, art theory, studio practices, and critique.
• Proven skill in mentoring and advising first-year students to ensure their successful academic progression.
• An active personal creative or scholarly research agenda that demonstrates contemporary practice.
• Comprehensive knowledge of historical/contemporary art theory, design principles, and research practices for artists.
• Demonstrated proficiency in engaging diverse and non-traditional students effectively and ability to enhance culturally and educationally diverse student populations.
• Proficiency and willingness to adapt and implement emerging pedagogies through traditional instruction and experiential learning methodologies.
• Significant contribution to the area of specialization, higher education, or profession/industry.
• Engagement in professional development activities related to research.
• Teaching proficiency in the respective areas of interest.
• Strong collaborative skills for working with faculty on events and a commitment to departmental/university service.

Nice to Have

• A PhD-level degree.
• Demonstrated research experience in a higher education setting, including a track record of scholarly publications, conference presentations, or externally funded research projects.
• Experience with designing and conducting research studies, including quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Demonstrated record of teaching experience at the university level, including online instruction.
• Demonstrated proficiency and prior experience utilizing instructional technologies/learning management systems (i.e., Banner/Canvas).
• Demonstrated experience or ability to measure, assess, and align curricular outcomes with academic courses/programs.

Team & Environment

The role is situated within the Department of Art & Design, part of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Virginia State University, and reports to the Departmental Chair.

Benefits & Compensation

• Compensation commensurate with education and experience.
• Optional Retirement Plan (ORP): Immediate vesting, portable, investment choice.
• Virginia Retirement System (VRS): Defined benefit pension, lifetime monthly income.
• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP).
• 403(b) (TIAA).
• Comprehensive medical & dental plans.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Paid annual and sick leave.
• Paid state and federal holidays.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility.
• Telework opportunities (where applicable).

Work Mode

This is an onsite position located at Virginia State University.

Virginia State University is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons and applicants, without regard to age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, genetic information, race, religion, sexual orientation, sex (including pregnancy) or veteran status. VSU encourages and invites minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.