Assistant Professor of Fashion at Stephens College

Description

The Fashion Program at Stephens College prepares students to excel in the global fashion marketplace as distinctive, creative, and ethical professionals. We are committed to providing a respectful, supportive, and collaborative community that cultivates intellectual agility, marketable creativity, technical excellence, and a passion for learning and leadership. Stephens College is a member school of the Fashion Scholarship Fund, and the fashion program is recognized both nationally and internationally as a fashion school of high caliber.

Type: Permanent 9-month faculty position, non-tenure track, beginning August 2026

Responsibilities:

• Teach and develop undergraduate courses in both lecture and studio formats.
• Advise undergraduate students in the fashion program.
• Participate in faculty governance at the program, school, and college levels.
• Pursue professional development and scholarship continuously.
• Collaborate closely with faculty, the chair of fashion, and the Dean of the Women’s College to shape the ongoing development of the fashion curriculum.
• Nurture individual students’ design abilities with a strong commitment to design education.

Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• MFA or Ph.D. with at least one degree in fashion, apparel, fashion technology (CLO 3D), or a closely aligned degree.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, CLO, or Browzwear and ability to teach technology-focused fashion courses.
• Experience in the fashion industry within the areas of product development.
• Ability to manage and coach groups toward mastery of skills needed to succeed in the global fashion marketplace.
• Proven accomplishments in developing connections with industry to provide opportunities for student and departmental projects/outreach.
• Strong skills in both written and visual communications from an informed fashion perspective.
• Proficient in creating innovative and visually appealing surface fabric designs, integrating dyeing techniques, surface design elements such as beading and hand detailing.
• Additional expertise in at least two of the following areas: apparel design process management, product development, draping and patternmaking, fitting, bespoke or better sewing skills, fashion promotion and events, fashion drawing and/or illustration, or sustainable and global issues within fashion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a fashion designer or technical designer, patternmaker, supply chain management.
• Record of innovative teaching in higher education.
• Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, including working with groups, meeting deadlines, and effective communication and motivation skills.
• Experience in program and curricular development and assessment.

Founded in 1833, Stephens College is the second-oldest women's college in the United States, dedicated to providing innovative, experiential, and career-focused education across various disciplines. Located in Columbia, Missouri, Stephens College continues to be a leader in women's education, fostering a community where students are empowered to lead, innovate, and excel. The college also provides flexible, co-educational master’s degrees and certificates for working professionals, and is home to the co-educational Conservatory for the Performing Arts at Stephens College.

Ranked (over and over again) as one of the best college towns in America, Columbia, Missouri, is home to 36,000+ college students and 118,000 residents. Columbia — conveniently located approximately 100 miles from both Kansas City and St. Louis — has it all: big-time college sports, film, music and arts festivals, a high-energy arts community, amazing recreation, and a great downtown with lots of places to eat, shop, snack and check out the latest bands. The Columbia community offers outstanding health care options, as well as excellent educational opportunities for every level of student (including our own Children’s School).

Stephens offers an attractive benefits package that includes health insurance, an Employee Assistance Program, Supplemental Retirement Annuity, Faculty/Staff Grants, tuition waivers and tuition paid undergraduate classes for dependents.

Be a part of this amazing community of innovative thinkers, doers and dreamers.

Stephens is an Equal Opportunity Employer and will recruit and employ qualified personnel without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or status as a veteran.