Assistant Chair, Foundation Studio

PRIMARY PURPOSE:  

The Department Assistant Chair performs a full range of departmental duties related to administrative planning and implementation. Supporting the Department Chair and guiding students and faculty in the department, this position contributes to implementing effective academic programming and administrative workflows within the department. The Assistant Chair reports to the Chair and works closely with Academic Affairs, collaborating with various offices and personnel. This is a 12-month full-time staff position with teaching duties.

Application deadline:  September 30, 2025; The position will remain open until filled.  Anticipated job start date is January 5, 2026.

CORE DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

Administration, Operational, and Financial Coordination

●      Manages day-to-day administrative and operational functions of the department. May include developing short and long-term plans, analyzing and implementing programs to improve department operations, and resolving complex departmental problems referred by others.

●      Responds promptly to operational needs and ensures smooth internal workflows and timelines.

●      Maintain current knowledge of departmental and/or College policies and procedures, communicating and relaying official interpretations to faculty and students as needed.

●      Works closely with the Departmental Chair and contributes to short and long-term tasks and projects that include but are not limited to marketing and communications, events, exhibitions, and show planning, recruitment, training, and development.

●      Provides College-wide contributions through participation in Shared Governance, including serving on committees, councils, and task forces.

●      Working with the Department Area Coordinators and Academic Administrative Coordinator, manages reconciliation of the departmental budgets. Collaborate with Chair on recommended budgetary allocations and resources accordingly based on short and long-term plans.

Student Advising and Support:

●       Fosters an equitable and inclusive learning environment that is accessible to communities of diverse students.  Provides strong and attentive support to diverse and multicultural students for their growth and success.  Effectively collaborates with the Academic Advising and Student Affairs to direct students to the resources the college offers.

●      Advises students to explore their interests and meet degree requirements to graduate on time, including registration, transfer credit evaluations, degree requirements, academic warnings, and other issues or problems. 

Curriculum and Faculty Coordination:

●       Supports Chair to plan course schedule and faculty assignment each year, giving consideration to program objectives, enrollment, resources, and faculty’s classification, rank, specialization, and teaching effectiveness. 

●       Coordinates with other academic programs and college offices to align curriculum and instructional policies.

●       Supports program assessment and accreditation by maintaining documentation and contributing to annual reviews.

●       Coordinates displays of student work in both digital and physical venues.

●       Teaches a minimum of 9 credit units per year.  Carries out teaching duties, including providing instructional materials and classroom records and advising students. 

●       Aids in the recruitment, mentoring, and retention of a diverse faculty body aligned with departmental objectives.

●       Participates actively in departmental meetings and shares relevant updates and faculty input with the Chair.

●       Assists faculty in collaborating with Academic Services such as Library, TLC, and TSS to develop research materials, technical skills, and pedagogy and with offices in the Campus Life division to support students’ well-being and success.

Creative and Professional Practice and Network:

●       Sustain a strong record of creative and professional practice, external professional relationships, professional development, and/or innovative initiatives.

●       Maintain strong relationships with the external creative community, industry, and/or organizations for creating curricular, programmatic, and other opportunities.

●       Foster collaborative practice between faculty, departments, and divisions for creative program and curriculum development.

Additional Duties

●       Performs other related duties as assigned.  Must be responsive to work-related phone calls and emails during non-business hours on occasion.

Additional Information:

●       Will be assigned a faculty rank, as stated in the Faculty Handbook.

●       Eligible to apply for select faculty benefits and grant opportunities as listed in the Faculty Handbook. 

●       May take time off during the days in the Fall and Spring semesters when no classes are held, in consultation with the department chair.

●       During the summer months, workload may be reduced.

●       Refer to the Employee Handbook for paid vacation information. This position does not accrue vacation hours.

·        Minimum 5 years of sustained teaching experience in a four-year higher education institution.

·        Sustained record of successful aptitude for academic administration.

·        Minimum of 5 years significant and sustained creative and professional achievement.

·        Demonstrates the ability to navigate conflict with professionalism and empathy, fostering a respectful, solutions-oriented, and growth-minded environment.

·        Demonstrated strength in organization, collaboration, problem-solving, and verbal and written communication, with consistent completion of tasks in a timely manner.

·        Excellent ability to work efficiently, cooperatively, and collaboratively in a team environment.

·        Demonstrated experience in promoting and implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

·        Technological proficiency and adaptability for teaching and administrative responsibilities in the discipline.

PREFERRED SKILLS and EXPERIENCE:

●       Demonstrated experience in academic administration within a studio-based art and design program, with an understanding of curriculum coordination, faculty support, and more than 5 years of sustained experience in student advising.

●       Proven ability to cultivate collaborative, inclusive, and student-centered environments, with a record of building professional networks and fostering interdisciplinary partnerships.

●       Deep understanding of the administrative role as one of shared leadership—supporting not only faculty, but also the Chair and departmental operations with professionalism, discretion, and a collaborative spirit.

DOCUMENTS NEEDED TO APPLY:

·        CV

·        Cover Letter 

·        Portfolio of Creative Work

APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 30, 2025