Working/Functional Title

Specialist in Apparel and Textile Design

Position Summary

The Department of Art, Art History, and Design at Michigan State University seeks a dynamic and creative colleague with a strong commitment to teaching in our vibrant Apparel and Textile Design Program. Candidates with technical skills for equipment maintenance are especially encouraged to apply. The position is a one-year, full-time position for a Specialist -- Teacher with possibility of renewal, commencing August 2025. The successful candidate should be team-oriented and committed to advancing the Apparel and Textile Design discipline through the innovative use of traditional and modern technologies. Applicants should be passionate about creating a new generation of practitioners, demonstrate knowledge of historical and contemporary trends in the Apparel and Textile Design discipline, and innovatively and critically engage students across the practice of Apparel and Textile Design.

The successful candidate will teach ?ve courses in the 2025-2026 academic year, with additional duties in technical support of the ATD area. Available courses include introductory and potential to teach advanced level classes in Apparel and Textile Design. Technical support may include:

• maintaining inventory of machine parts and supplies
• service and repair, including:
  • Sergers
  • Rolled Hem Machines
  • Juki Industrial Sewing and Serging Machines
  • Cover Stitch Machines
  • Janome Sewing Machines
  • Bernina Sewing Machines
  • Silver Reed Knitting Machines
  • Weaving looms
  • Gravity irons
  • Dress Forms
  • Mannequins
• preparation of backdrops and lighting in the photography studio
• overseeing the ATD Resource Library, fabric bolt inventory, archive, and collections (student work, vintage periodicals, and textile science materials)
• maintenance of general office supplies
• working with student studio supervisors and faculty for studio needs and technological support
• coordinating serger workshops for intro-level courses
• holding industrial machine workshops and safety workshops for students
• serve as safety officer and supervisor of ATD area facilities 

The Apparel and Textile Design program emphasizes creativity and experimentation that mingles design with art. Students combine ?ne art, couture, and technical design to create original avant garde garments, which re?ect an understanding of global issues such as sustainability and cultural dress. We seek a faculty member who has a strong commitment to teaching in a vibrant Apparel and Textile Design Program, which emphasizes a diversity of conceptual and technical practices leading to the BA and BFA degrees. In addition to Apparel and Textile Design, the department offers undergraduate major degree programs in Art History and Visual Culture, Art Education, Graphic Design, and Studio Arts. Serving over 500 majors, the department is home to more than 60 faculty and staff, including 27 tenure system faculty members who are committed to active research agendas and creative practice across a range of art and design ?elds.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Masters

Desired Degree

Doctorate -MFA or Ph.D.

Minimum Requirements

Master's degree in Apparel and/or Textile Design or a related discipline

College-level teaching experience

Strong skills in the areas of design, as well as concept development, and innovation

Experience in apparel construct