Department Chair - Communications, Graphics, and Fine Arts

Southwest Tennessee Community College is a comprehensive, multicultural, public, open—access college. Southwest has four campuses/centers from which it offers over 100 programs and over 20 technical certificate programs.

We foster student success, transform lives, and increase the educational level of a growing community in Shelby County. Southwest is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

We invite you to become a part of the Southwest Team!

Title: Department Chair
- Communications, Graphics, and Fine Arts

Employee Classification: Faculty

Institution: Southwest Tennessee Community College

Department: Communications, Graphics, and Fine Arts

Campus

Location:

SWTCC
- Multiple Campus Locations

The Department Head/Chair of Communication, Graphic, and Fine Arts provides academic leadership, administrative oversight, and strategic direction for a department encompassing communication studies, graphic design, visual arts, and related creative disciplines. The role ensures high quality instruction, fosters artistic and scholarly excellence, supports faculty development, and advances programs that prepare students for transfer, professional practice, and creative industries. The Chair manages departmental operations, guides curriculum and assessment, oversees faculty and staff, and represents the department within the institution and the broader community.

• Academic Leadership and Strategic Planning
  • Provide vision and leadership for communication, graphic design, and fine arts programs, aligning departmental goals with institutional priorities.
  • Lead development and implementation of strategic plans that strengthen teaching, creative practice, community engagement, and student success.
  • Promote a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive departmental culture that supports artistic exploration and academic rigor.
• Curriculum, Program Oversight, and Scheduling
  • Oversee curriculum development, program review, and continuous improvement to ensure alignment with industry standards, transfer pathways, and institutional learning outcomes.
  • Coordinate semester schedules, instructor assignments, studio/lab usage, and course delivery in consultation with faculty and academic leadership.
  • Monitor enrollment trends and adjust offerings to support student demand, retention, and program viability.
• Faculty Recruitment, Development, and Evaluation
  • Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain qualified full time and adjunct faculty across communication, graphic design, and fine arts disciplines.
  • Provide mentoring, coaching, and professional development opportunities that support instructional excellence and creative scholarship.
  • Conduct annual faculty evaluations, oversee promotion and tenure processes, and ensure transparent review practices.
  • Support faculty engagement in exhibitions, performances, publications, design projects, and community based creative work.
• Student Success and Engagement
  • Support high quality instruction, advising structures, and experiential learning opportunities such as exhibitions, portfolios, media production, and performances.
  • Ensure timely response to student concerns and foster an inclusive, supportive learning environment.
  • Collaborate with student services, advising, and recruitment teams to strengthen retention, completion, and transfer outcomes.
• Compliance, Accreditation, and Institutional Effectiveness
  • Ensure departmental compliance with institutional, state, federal, and accreditation requirements.
  • Maintain accurate documentation and reporting for program reviews, assessment cycles, and institutional effectiveness processes.
  • Promote ethical practice, academic integrity, and adherence to institutional…