Assistant Professor Apparel Design and Merchandising

Tenure Status: Tenure Track

Department: College of Fine and Applied Arts

Minimum Qualifications

Earned terminal degree (MFA or PhD) from an accredited institution in apparel design, merchandising, retail technologies, or a related field preferred.

Terminal degree/ABD candidates will be considered if all requirements are completed by August 2025.

Areas of Interest (No Minimum Level Required)

The Apparel Design and Merchandising program is looking for candidates with knowledge of and experience with apparel design and product development (from initial concept to consumer acquisition), merchandising, and marketing of apparel and textile products.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in merchandising with complementary skills in apparel design. We are seeking candidates who can demonstrate an aptitude for the following:

1. Ability to teach three or more of the following:

Apparel construction
Patternmaking by hand.
Draping.
Sustainability in the apparel industry.
Computer-aided design (illustration applications; 2D and 3D patterning - Lectra, Browzwear); Adobe Creative Suite
Buying and retail math
Visual merchandising
Styling
History of Apparel

2. Evidence of potential for effective curriculum development and commitment to teaching of upper and lower-level studios and classes in a college/university environment.

3. Professional industry experience and/or teaching experience at the college level.

4. Evidence of or potential for productive research/creative scholarship.

5. Evidence of or potential for program, department, university, and

professional service.

Description of the Department or Unit

The Department of Applied Design offers three NASAD accredited undergraduate majors with nearly 500 students: Apparel Design and Merchandising (majors and minors), Industrial Design with concentrations in Furniture and Product Design, and Interior Design. The department includes design studios, 15,000 square feet of prototyping space, computer labs, and designated classrooms.

The Apparel Design and Merchandising program focuses on design, merchandising and marketing of apparel and textile products providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the global apparel and textile complex. Students acquire the skills necessary for the process of apparel product development from concept to consumer including design, production, distribution, marketing, and merchandising. Students meet challenging classroom and studio experiences, engage with industry professionals and collaborative opportunities, and participate in field trips and study trips to New York and Europe. Students are required to complete an internship, and ADM program graduates have obtained industry positions in all aspects of the apparel and textile complex.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Primary responsibilities will include developing and teaching courses in upper and lower-level studios, CAD classes, materials and processes courses, as well as other support courses in the apparel design and merchandising program area.

Additional responsibilities will include advising students, recruiting, maintaining labs/materials, program development, providing instruction that fosters students' success in their chosen area of study, as well as participating actively in departmental governance and performing academic service to the university and college. Maintaining a high level of related scholarly/creative work is required.

Proposed Date of Hire: 08/04/2025

Suggested Salary Range: $68-$70K

Evaluation of Applications Begins: 11/06/2024

Appalachian State University

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Assistant Professor Apparel Design and Merchandising