Harper College Hiring for Graphic Arts Design and Technology Full-Time Tenure Track Faculty at Palatine, IL Full Time

Schedule Information:  This position teaches a standard load of 15 contact hours per semester (30 credits per academic year).  This may include release time to be given for chair/coordinator duties. Classes may be offered in day, evening, flex learning and/or online modalities.  Instructors are also expected to hold 10 office hours per week for student support.

Weeks per fiscal year:  Faculty are covered under a 9-month contract period (August thru May)

Benefits:  Health, Dental, Life & Disability Insurance; Sick and Holiday pay; Personal Business; Educational Assistance: Tuition Waivers at Harper & Professional Expense

Position Description and Duties: Harper College is one of the nation’s premier community colleges and one of the largest, serving approximately 30,000 students annually in Chicago’s northwest suburbs. The College’s academic programs prepare students for rewarding careers and for transfer to four-year universities. Harper offers associate degree and certification programs, advanced career programs, workforce training, professional development, continuing education classes, accelerated degree options for adults and developmental education programs.  In 2022, Harper also received the distinction of being recognized as a Top 25 semifinalist for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence.

Harper College invites applications for a full-time tenure-track faculty position. Candidates needs to be skilled in instructing Graphic Arts Design and Technology (GRA) students, classroom management and understand pedagogy for community colleges. Candidates should possess expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, color management, preflight, package design (including Esko), graphic design for print, and printing technologies.  This position will be involved in all departmental events, workshops, meetings, event planning, and recruitment.  Candidates should be able to cover concepts of the graphic arts industry.  Ideal candidates should also be able to guide students through implementing industry standards and best practices in and out of the classroom.

Successful candidates should be able to create an effective learning environment that promotes and enhances the critical thinking and problem-solving abilities of GRA students.   Troubleshooting and classroom management in a technological environment is necessary.  Knowledge of and prior experience with the Blackboard learning management system is ideal.

Within this program, students can earn an AAS Degree in Graphic Arts within one of four specializations: Graphic Design, Web Design, Print Graphics and Package Design.  There are 10 certificates in this program that a student can achieve.

Responsibilities of the position:

Departmental Duties:

• Collaborate with local high school partners to promote program and assist with recruiting prospective students; manage dual credit
• Assist in the development of print and digital marketing materials
• Provide overall management of GRA labs and classrooms; Maintain Virtual Lab
• Maintains good communication with Dean, Program Coordinator, colleagues, industry partners and students
• Knowledge and familiarity with technology and software including computers, and web-based sources such as Blackboard
• Deliver learner-centered instruction at a variety of times and locations in response to institutional needs and meet student data reporting deadlines
• Must be skilled in: Production, Teamwork and Project Management, Legal and Ethical Considerations, and Communication; willing to work with industry to maintain our recertification with the: Accrediting Council for Collegiate Graphic Communications, Inc. (ACCGC).
• Assess student assignments using rubrics, standardized curriculum across sections, facilitate design review and photography review meeting; offer sections in different modalities
• Assess new course offerings; help create courses; work with industry to offer experiential courses to meet learning outcomes
• Participate in ongoing student success initiatives in the graphic arts industry, including Dscoop, Printing United, Pack Expo and other events to engage current and recruit new students.  Host alumni events to assist in continuous feedback and improvement. Advise the Graphic Arts Design Club
• Use Starfish and work with Access and Disability Services to support student needs
• Other duties as assigned

Educational Requirements: A bachelor’s degree and/or an appropriate credential in the field, and the equivalent of one year’s full-time non-teaching work experience (2000 hrs.) in the field.

Experience Requirements: At least five years’ work experience in the Graphic Arts industry with expertise in digital press processes, graphic design, prepress and packaging required.  Must show teaching capabilities related to the community college level instruction.

Preferred Requirements:  Master’s Degree in the field of Graphic Arts or related field and 5 years of teaching and/or work experience as a graphic arts professional within this industry.  Proficient in the current Adobe Suite applications in print graphics pertaining to each course, current prepress/print production industry experience.  

Application Review Date:  Applications are accepted until the position is filled though priority will be given to applications received on or before: January 22, 2024.

Special Notes:

*You will not be able to complete the application without attaching the following documents:

*Official transcripts required upon hire.

*Employment is contingent upon a Criminal Background Check

*Employment Sponsorship is not available

Harper College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We strive to create an inclusive learning and working environment where individual differences and identities are respected, valued and embraced. We encourage women, people from historically underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.