What are the responsibilities and job description for the Instructor, Fashion Designer position at ST THOMAS UNIVERSITY INC?
POSITION PURPOSE
The Instructor / Professor of Fashion Merchandising will teach undergraduate courses in the Fashion Merchandising & Design program, support student advising and career readiness, contribute to curriculum and assessment work, and strengthen the program through industry engagement, professional practice, and student-centered instruction. The position is intended to support growing enrollment and provide consistent course coverage across fashion merchandising, fashion business, trend forecasting, textiles, promotion, sustainability, product development, and related areas.
ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
- Teach assigned undergraduate Fashion Merchandising and Fashion Merchandising & Design courses in alignment with approved course learning outcomes, program learning outcomes, catalog descriptions, and university academic standards.
- Prepare syllabi, course calendars, lectures, assignments, rubrics, exams/projects, Canvas course shells, and instructional materials that reflect current fashion industry practice.
- Deliver high-quality instruction using applied, student-centered teaching methods, including presentations, critiques, case studies, projects, industry examples, and experiential learning activities.
- Assess student learning, provide timely feedback, submit grades by established deadlines, and maintain accurate academic records in accordance with university policy.
- Advise and mentor students on academic progression, internships, professional development, portfolio/career preparation, and fashion industry pathways.
- Support program assessment, including collection and review of student learning artifacts, SLO/PLO assessment, curriculum mapping, and continuous improvement activities.
- Participate in curriculum development and course revision to keep the program current with industry trends, sustainability, global sourcing, retail technology, consumer behavior, and fashion business practices.
- Contribute to student recruitment and retention through open houses, admitted student events, advising events, student showcases, and other program visibility efforts.
- Build and maintain professional relationships with fashion industry partners, alumni, advisory board members, employers, guest speakers, and internship sites.
- Participate in departmental, college, and university service, including meetings, committees, assessment activities, accreditation/program review support, and program events.
- Maintain scheduled office hours and communicate regularly with students, faculty, program leadership, and college administration.
- Assist with the daily operations of the Retail Innovation Studio, including supervising students and supporting merchandise organization, inventory, and presentation.
- Model professionalism, ethical leadership, inclusive teaching, and commitment to the mission of St. Thomas University.
RECOMMENDED COURSE COVERAGE
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High-Priority Course Areas |
Examples of Courses |
Rationale |
|
Fashion Business / Merchandising |
Introduction to the Fashion Industry; Fashion Branding; Fashion Merchandising Mathematics; Retail Management |
Core area for merchandising instruction and student career preparation. |
|
Trend, Textiles & Product Development |
Fashion Trend Forecasting; Textiles for Apparel; Product Development |
Supports applied knowledge in consumer trends, materials, product planning, and industry workflow. |
|
Promotion & Visual Merchandising and Apparel Development |
Fashion Promotion & Visual Merchandising; Strategic Brand Management; Fashion Entrepreneurship |
Supports business, marketing, visual presentation, event, and brand-building skills. |
|
Global / Ethical Fashion |
Sustainability & Human Rights in Fashion; International Fashion & Sourcing; Fashion Law |
Supports ethical, cultural, environmental, sourcing, and global industry learning outcomes. |
|
Professional Readiness |
Professional Development in the Fashion Industry; Internship; Portfolio/career preparation activities |
Supports advising, workplace readiness, internship supervision, and employer engagement. |
MINIMUM AND PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
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Minimum Qualifications |
Preferred Qualifications |
|
|
BUSINESS / ACADEMIC JUSTIFICATION
- Provides dedicated faculty capacity for Fashion Merchandising courses and reduces reliance on last-minute adjunct staffing.
- Supports growth in Fashion Merchandising & Design enrollment and improves continuity for students across required courses.
- Strengthens advising, internship preparation, employer engagement, recruitment, and student retention.
- Supports assessment, program review, curriculum mapping, and accreditation-related documentation for the program.
- Adds professional fashion business expertise in merchandising, branding, promotion, sourcing, sustainability, and industry engagement.