Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
Portland State University
Position Details
Proposed Start Date09/16/2026RankCP - Asst Professor of PracticeWorking TitleDePreist Visiting Assistant Professorship in Graphic DesignPosition NumberD96203RepresentationAU - AAUP Faculty TypeFixed Term Instructional (up to 3 years)Fixed Term End Date:06/15/2029Position FTE1.0Term of Service9 month
Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
About Portland State University’s Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design
Portland State University (PSU) is Oregon’s only urban public research university, located in the heart of downtown Portland. Founded in 1946, PSU has grown into a vibrant and remarkably diverse institution offering more than 200 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs across a wide range of fields. Known for its inventive, community-focused approach, PSU emphasizes experiential learning, real-world impact, and partnerships with local organizations and industries. Regularly recognized as one of the nation’s most innovative, affordable, and diverse research universities, PSU lives its motto, “Let knowledge serve the city,” by uplifting the region through education, research, inclusion, and social mobility.
Within this context, the Schnitzer School of Art + Art History + Design helps students explore the many ways artists and designers serve and shape society. Bringing together students from a variety of backgrounds, the School fosters exchange, experimentation, and the crossing of conventional aesthetic boundaries. Its degree programs include a BFA in Art Practice, a BFA in Graphic Design, a BA/BS in Art & Design, and a BA/BS in Art History. Emphasizing community, visual literacy, craft, and the critical exploration of ideas, the School provides opportunities for students to connect traditions of visual art, the social dimension of art and design, and their own emerging forms of expression.
About the Graphic Design Program
Portland State University’s Graphic Design program (PSU.GD) prepares students to be curious, adaptable, and community-engaged communication designers. We emphasize collaboration, experimentation, and social relevance across our curriculum. Students gain a strong foundation in typography, visual systems, and conceptual thinking while having opportunities to explore advanced technologies and interdisciplinary approaches.
As part of a vibrant urban research university, PSU.GD draws on its location in Portland’s design-rich culture and close connection to adjacent programs like Art Practice and Social Practice MFA. Our students benefit from cross-disciplinary opportunities, mentorship, and public-facing design work that connects classroom learning with real-world impact.
Position Summary
The College of the Arts and the School of Art + Art History + Design at Portland State University invite applications for the James DePreist Visiting Professorship in Graphic Design, beginning Fall 2026. This is a full-time, fixed-term, non-renewable, three year position (1.0 FTE, 9-month). The DePreist Professorship honors the legacy of James DePreist, a visionary conductor and educator committed to access, equity, and excellence in the arts. This position reflects his values by supporting inclusive design education and broadening representation in the field of Graphic Design.
Created as a position to provide new educators with teaching experience and interactions with other university professionals, this position is intended to provide a well-rounded view of academic life through instruction, research, service, and outreach.
We are seeking a practicing designer and educator whose teaching and creative work show a commitment to supporting first year students as they build foundational skills, confidence, and a strong voice in Graphic Design. Candidates should have a forward-thinking design practice grounded in experimentation and inclusive design, with a broad perspective that spans analog, digital, and technological approaches.
We welcome applicants with a wide range of design interests and experiences—including, but not limited to, areas such as creative coding, UX/UI, extended reality (XR), motion, experiential design or speculative design.
This position also requires an engaged, community-minded educator looking to contribute to the development of a contemporary, equity-focused design curriculum, while mentoring students from diverse backgrounds in a highly collaborative environment.
This is a 1.0 FTE, three-year position, non-renewable. The position begins September 16, 2026.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Typically, a Full-time Fixed Term position teaches 36 credits during the three-quarter academic year. However, this position involves an instructional workload reduction of 8 credits for funded DEI community-engagement and outreach.
The successful candidate will have an active scholarly research agenda; a commitment to teaching lower division courses in the area of his/her/their expertise; and an interest in the possibility of engaging local underserved communities and the Multnomah public school system.
Primary ActivityI - InstructionalMinimum Qualifications
- MFA or equivalent terminal degree in Graphic Design, Digital Media, or related field.
- An active creative practice with evidence of professional accomplishments in Graphic Design and/or emerging technologies.
- Teaching experience at the college or university level.
- Demonstrated interest in inclusive and interdisciplinary education.
- Proficiency in design software and technologies relevant to contemporary design practice.
- Strong foundation in design fundamentals: typography, layout, concept development, and critical thinking.
- Experience teaching first-year or foundational design courses.
- Experience with community-engaged design or collaborative projects.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience developing curriculum for first-year or foundational design courses.
- Background in one or more of the following: typography, publication design, motion design, creative coding, interaction/UX design, physical computing, XR/AR/VR, speculative design.
- Demonstrated commitment to inclusive and equitable pedagogy.
- Familiarity with curriculum development and interdisciplinary initiatives.
Key Cultural Competencies
- Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
- Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
- Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
- Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
Environmental Stewardship
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Professional Standards of Conduct
At Portland State University, all employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner which maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff. It is the responsibility of every member of the Portland State University community to conduct themselves in accordance with our PSU Professional Standards of Conduct
Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the first quartile to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.
The starting annual salary for this position will be between $74,016 and $74,727, but may be negotiated above this range, dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.
An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.
Supplemental Questions Reference Requests
Accept ReferencesYesMinimum Number of References3Maximum Number of References3Cutoff DateSpecial Instruction for Reference Provider
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- * Please state the specific field or discipline in which you received (or will receive) your terminal degree.
(Open Ended Question)
- * How did you first find out about this position?
- PSU website
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- Chronicle of Higher Education
- Higher Ed Jobs
- HERCJobs
- Referral
- Professional Listserv- please specify in comment box in the next question
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Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
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