Associate or Full Professor & Chair, Fine Arts

Job Description Summary

Organization’s Summary Statement:
The School of Education, Social Sciences, and the Arts invites applicants to apply for the position of Chair of the Department of Fine Arts. The position is a 12‑month appointment and reports directly to the Dean, School of Education, Social Sciences, and the Arts. The successful candidate must demonstrate a collaborative, dynamic, and visionary leadership style; they must also be willing to lead the Department into new programmatic directions through reimagination.

Benefits: UMES offers exciting opportunities for professional growth. Generous benefits include health benefits (medical, prescription, dental, flexible spending accounts), retirement (State or Optional Retirement Plan with Fidelity or TIAA), supplemental retirement accounts (TIAA, Fidelity, or MSRP‑Nationwide) with $600 annual state match, life insurance (state sponsored Met Life, USM sponsored Met Life Plan, life insurance and long‑term disability insurance), tuition remission, employee assistance program, paid holidays, paid leave, annual leave 22 days per year, sick leave 15 days per year, personal leave 3 days per year.

• Conduct periodic evaluations of faculty and staff.
• Teach two 3‑credit classes per semester.
• Maintain the department class schedule.
• Maintain art facilities.
• Coordinate departmental events and activities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• M.F.A. in one of the disciplines housed in the department.
• Previous supervisory experience at the college level.
• A record of scholarship, successful teaching, and administrative experience in curriculum planning, program and faculty development, personnel supervision, budget management, and grant writing.
• Five to ten years of successful teaching experience at the college level.
• Experience teaching in Art Education and/or Applied Design (Graphic Illustration, Sequential Arts, and Commercial Photography).
• A proven track record of supporting diversity and inclusion in the academic setting.
• Evidence of successfully recruiting, advising, and mentoring students.
• A history of developing, implementing, and evaluating innovative educational programs and projects.
• Demonstrable dedication to an inclusive, student‑centered pedagogical philosophy.

• Proficiency in industry‑standard software.
• Strong understanding of principles and elements of the visual arts.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellence in teaching and a commitment to mentoring students.
• Flexibility and the ability to think creatively.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership in an organization through change and forward‑thinking strategic planning to address growth and foster a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive environment for students, staff, faculty, and community partners.

• May require extended periods of standing, bending, stooping, and sitting at a desk.
• May require lifting.
• Requires communication with a variety of constituents externally and internally.
• Requires operation of a variety of office equipment.

• A sample syllabus
• A sample project assignment
• A teaching philosophy statement
• A portfolio of artwork related to a discipline within the department’s fields of study
• A vision statement for the UMES Department of Fine Arts

$140,000 - $155,000

UMES‑SESA‑School of Education, Social Sciences & the Arts

Faculty Regular

UMES is an EEO/AA employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or political affiliation. Minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate must be able to show acceptable documentation establishing the right to accept employment in the United States of America without employer sponsorship.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is an equal access, equal opportunity institution fully committed to diversity in education and employment. All students, employees, and the campus community at UMES are valued, respected, and receive an equitable experience in an inclusive, welcoming environment of openness and appreciation.

It is the policy of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination (including sexual harassment and sexual violence) based on sex in the University’s educational programs and activities. Title IX also prohibits retaliation for asserting or otherwise participating in claims of sex discrimination or harassment.