Assistant Professor of Scenic Design

Updated: 2 months ago
Location: State College, PENNSYLVANIA
Job Type: FullTime

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is the state's designated public liberal arts university, where students learn the essential skills to compete in a fast-paced and technology-driven global society. The university prepares students for successful careers, leadership in communities, problem solving and life-long learning through personalized attention in a residential setting with opportunities for a variety of transformational experiences through its award-winning, high-impact practices. One of only three selective universities within the University System of Georgia and a top 10 ranked public university in the Southeast, GCSU offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 majors, 34 graduate programs, doctorates in education and nursing, professional certificates and continuing education programs. 

As a member of the prestigious Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC), GCSU is committed to fostering a liberal arts environment that values academic preeminence, interdisciplinary inquiry and an inclusive learning community. GCSU enjoys a strong reputation for academic excellence and nationally ranked programs according to US News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Colleges of Distinction - among other ranking sources.

Georgia College & State University takes great pride in combining the educational experience of a private liberal arts college with the affordability of a public university. Faculty and staff are dedicated to student engagement and experiential learning through high-impact practices such as internships, service- and community-based learning, diversity, study abroad opportunities, mentored undergraduate research and a capstone project that fosters intellectual curiosity, reasoned inquiry and critical thinking.

The university's beautiful and historic campus is located downtown in Milledgeville, Georgia, a charming, diverse college town of approximately 19,000 residents in Central Georgia, and only 90 miles southeast of Atlanta. Milledgeville is also the home of noted American author and alumna, Flannery O'Connor, '45, and the college community enjoys many exciting literary arts programs at O'Connor's former home, Andalusia, now owned by the university. Milledgeville is located on the banks of beautiful Lake Sinclair and Lake Oconee, allowing faculty, staff and students to take full advantage of the environmental and recreational benefits of being part of a lake community. For cultural, educational and leisure opportunities beyond Milledgeville - Macon and Atlanta are located within easy driving distances.

Georgia College & State University is committed to protecting academic freedom in addition to supporting the freedom of expression as outlined in the University System of Georgia's Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom policy and its Ethics Code of Conduct . For more information, visit us online at gcsu.edu.

The Assistant Professor of Scenic Design will be responsible for teaching courses in scenic design, painting, and other areas of theatre including the core Theatre Appreciation class. The faculty member will also design and construct scenery and props for Theatre and Dance productions in coordination with the Technical Director and mentor student designers. Expectations include bringing innovation to the teaching of design and to the design for productions. The Department of Theatre and Dance seeks a candidate who works collaboratively, collegially, and effectively and whose experience, research, teaching and service contribute to the excellence of the academic community.
Experience with automation, rigging, sound, projections, video, film and new media is a plus.

Faculty - Teaching/Instructing - 
Teaching Responsibilities
- Prepare and teach design courses
- Teach general theatre courses
- Mentor student scenic designers
- Mentor students for conferences
- Create scenic designs and instruct students in design, model making, and scenic renderings
- Ability to contribute to the core curriculum.
Faculty - Professional Development - 
Faculty are expected to conduct research and develop within the profession. The following represents some research and professional development possibilities:
Professional Development
- Attend professional training and development on campus and at conferences and workshops
Scholarly and Creative Endeavors might include:
- Publishing in the discipline
- Professional/Academic scenic design
- Presentations at professional conferences
- Grants received or applied for
- Membership and participation in professional organizations
Faculty - Service to Institution - 
Service to the Institution
- Support Guest Artists and Community Outreach
- Serve on departmental and university committees.
- Direct, advise and participate in special theatre programs or projects such as guest artist program and community outreach
- Other service to the institution
Faculty-Service to the Department
- Interest in departmental mission and goals
- Mentor students for conferences
Faculty - Public Service - 
Public Service is often a part of faculty service expectations and might include activities such as the following:
- Participate in community outreach and engagement
- Mentor and oversee students working in the community 
- Consulting work
- Provide continuing education service, instruction, or program development for department, school, college, or university
- Membership and participation in community organizations
- Other significant services to the community
Ability to work collegially with others in service to the broader University community.
All Georgia College faculty share the responsibility of teaching our core curriculum and providing foundation courses for majors and non-majors alike. To carry out our public liberal arts mission, we seek faculty with the desire and ability to engage students as they launch their intellectual journey.

Educational Requirements
Applicants must have a terminal degree (MFA) in Scenic Design or related field and a record of excellence in teaching and artistic or scholarly activity, especially in the field of scenic design and technology.
Must meet SACSCOC accreditation requirements stated in C.S. 3.7.1 (www.sacscoc.org (faculty credentials))

Additional Preferred Qualifications
At least two years of academic teaching experience; experience in general education; experience in design and production; experience integrating high impact, engaged pedagogies and new technologies into the curriculum.
Additional expertise in one area such as teaching scenic painting, sound design, film technology, or other field is a plus.
Evidence of methodological innovation and creative teaching strategies is highly desirable.
Demonstrable understanding of Georgia College & State University's mission and about working closely with high-achieving students within an academic community dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through learning and scholarship.
Ability to work collegially with others in service to the University.
Preferred Experience
Professional design work for regional or educational theatre.

  • Cover Letter
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Transcripts 
  • Portfolio
  • Teaching Philosophy 

KNOWLEDGE
CAD/Vectorworks, QLab, 3D printing, and/or other design programs.

Georgia College & State University (GCSU) is committed to the fundamental principle of equal opportunity and equal treatment for every prospective and current employee. No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or genetic information, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination, under any program or activity conducted by GCSU.

Georgia College & State University is a national award-winning institution in areas of student success and achievement. It strives to achieve excellence in the composition of its community, educational programs, university policies, research and scholarship, campus life, employment practices, extracurricular activities, and community outreach. It is a priority of the university to be a welcoming and inclusive environment so that its campus culture will enhance the ability of its community members to succeed in their endeavors, to be respected as individuals, and to feel a sense of belonging. Please visit Equal Employment Opportunity for more information.

This is not a supervisory position.
This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
This position will not be required to drive.
This role is considered a position of trust.
This position requires a purchasing card (P-Card).
This position will not travel
This position does not require security clearance.

  • Criminal Background Check 
  • Education Verification

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