Title: Henry Wolf Professorship and Director of Graduate Studies in Communication Design

Posting Number: 06070067
Position Type: Faculty
Position Status: Full-Time
Department: PSD/Design & Tech MFA

Responsibilities: Parsons The New School For Design, one of the largest schools of design in North America, is seeking applicants, pending budget approval, for a full time professor in Communication Design with specific responsibility for developing a new graduate program/s in the field.

Opportunity

The position provides a significant opportunity to take a leadership role in developing new graduate (MFA) studies in Communication Design. Parsons has a very ambitious agenda of academic development over the next decade, particularly in terms of graduate studies. Graduate studies in Communication Design, broadly conceived, is a significant part of this growth, especially as developed in conjunction with its sister program in Design and Technology, and other graduate programs at Parsons. The development of graduate studies in Communication Design has major potential in terms of linkage and engagement with practice, applied research and in terms of helping to establish a vibrant critical and intellectual discourse. This faculty position will play an essential leadership role in realizing these possibilities, both practically and intellectually. This is an excellent opportunity for those interested in exploring the future of media and communication design in an academic environment that encourages open collaboration, bold experimentation and intellectual entrepreneurship.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Academic & Scholarship Responsibilities

- Design and implement a compelling curriculum for
graduate studies in Communication Design;

- Leadership role to prepare and teach innovative
studio and/or theory courses within the MFA program;

- Oversee the development of complementary, integrated
graduate programs for Communication Design;

- Promote, introduce and facilitate integrated and
interdisciplinary study opportunities within the
department, at Parsons and the university in
cooperation with other Parsons Chairs/Directors and
relevant New School divisions;

- Oversee the recruitment, hiring, development,
support, and ongoing evaluation of graduate faculty in
support of University affirmative action goals;

- Contribute to the academic and professional
advancement of the department, school and university,
by undertaking a body of creative practice and/or
scholarship that promotes the academic culture and
reputation of the department;

- Support the educational and personal development of
the MFA students through liaison with the student
affairs department, the monitoring of enrollment,
admissions, and active participation in retention
efforts and strategies;

- Foster the academic culture by supporting
departmental, school and university strategies designed
to develop faculty teaching, scholarly, professional
and/or research work;

- In collaboration with the department Chair,
facilitate the strategic moves within the new
department structure that will enable a culturally
rewarding and academically critical environment for
faculty and students.

Administrative and Managerial Responsibilities

- Actively participate in the shared work and mission
of the school and the university, specifically
providing sustained engagement in strategic academic
planning;

- Work with the Dean's Office to prepare and facilitate
the required accreditation processes for graduate
studies in Communication Design including documentation
for State and National accreditation bodies;

- Foster a positive working environment, ensuring
effective communication among and between faculty,
students and staff, and involving all constituents in
meaningful participation in decision-making and
planning;

- Participate on special projects, collaborative
efforts, public outreach, alumni affairs, development,
and fund-raising.

Selection Criteria

For appointment, the successful candidate should have:

- A PhD or MFA in a relevant discipline and/or
equivalent professional standing;

- The qualifications, experience and standing to
develop and lead programs of international reputation;

- Practice, scholarship and/or research of national and
international significance;

- A strong commitment to the importance of teaching at
all levels and to innovation in curriculum design and
teaching methods;

- Have a developed philosophy of the roles of
communication design today and a demonstrable interest
in theory and criticism in the field as well as in
studio practice;

- Show an understanding of recent research developments
in areas such as interaction-design, user-centered
design and the social, critical and political
implications of communication design;

- The ability to help further develop the School's
critical public programs in this field, both in terms
of exhibitions and public lecture/seminar programs;

- An interest in working with other relevant Parsons
departments, New School divisions and centers to
facilitate ongoing efforts to establish joint degrees
and integrated and inter-disciplinary study
opportunities across the school and university;

- Experience with accreditation processes preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:

Job Family: Parsons The New School for Design

Special Instructions to Applicants: A letter of application relating experience and interests to the opportunities and requirements of the position, together with Curriculum Vitae should be submitted online. Please note that application material submitted online only will be reviewed and considered. Please also complete the online Application for Employment 2006.

Further information regarding the position can be obtained from Ted Byfield, Associate Chair, Department of Communication Design and Technology, Parsons The New School for Design, 66 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011. Tel: 212-229-8908 or by fieldt@newschool.edu

Additional information on this position can be found at http://faculty.parsons.edu/jobopportunities .

Posting Date: 12-18-2006
Closing Date: Open Until Filled