Faculty are essential to Liberty University’s mission of Training Champions for Christ. It is expected that a faculty member model a personal commitment to the goals and values of Liberty University, engage in an active commitment to, and experience of, personal spiritual formation within a biblically informed Christian worldview. Faculty should view their teaching, engagement with students, and scholarship as a means to a significant educational end. They should strive to employ a variety of techniques for the development of good learning conditions, view each student as a unique individual, and insofar as it is possible, provide for individual differences, abilities, and interests.
The Instructor’s primary role is to teach in their areas of expertise, maintain the integrity of course and instructional programs, and to ensure that their delivery is in alignment with the University mission and vision for the student experience. As such, faculty are responsible for creating an academic atmosphere of mutual respect and consideration for individual dignity. Faculty members may be asked to aid in the development of curriculum in the residential and distance education environments, as well as engage in research/scholarship or creative activity that varies depending upon the expectations of their respective college or school and any additional activities involving service to students and their professional discipline.
Faculty attain the rank of Instructor based upon scholarly and professional achievements. An earned MFA degree at an accredited institution in an area relevant to the faculty member’s area of teaching; at least 18 hours of graduate credit in the specific teaching field is required. Instructors are contracted for 10 months (30 load hours, respectively). Release from contracted teaching load is determined each semester by the Dean, per Liberty University Faculty Handbook.
The faculty member will bring vision and commitment to building a strong art and design foundations program. The faculty member will manage curriculum, teach, and supervise Teaching Assistants (TAs) in foundational courses such as Intro to 2D Design, Intro to 3D Design, Art as Communication, Art Appreciation, Intro to Graphic Design, and Media Design. Faculty must be able to teach both residential and online courses and demonstrate a willingness to participate in professional development activities and conferences, serve on school and university committees, conduct student advising, student recruitment, curriculum, development, assessment, and achieve creative or pedagogical research. The faculty member must be able to operate learning management software and other technological tools utilized to facilitate content creation, communication, and planning. There must be an ability to participate in professional development activities and conferences, serve on school and university committees, conduct student advising, student recruitment, curriculum development, and assessment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in both studio and digital art disciplines with the ability to utilize industry-standard software (Adobe in a Mac environment). Applicants must have a strong commitment to teaching art and design foundations and strictly adhere to Liberty University policies, representing the university in an exemplary manner. A successful applicant must work effectively as a team member, embrace and foster Liberty University’s mission, and successfully operate learning management software to facilitate communication and planning.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
Faculty may be asked to oversee a Graduate Student Assistant (GSA)/Teaching Assistant (TA) if assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CREDENTIALS
The faculty member should have an MFA in a graphic design-centered program. Additionally, the preferred faculty member should have at least three years of teaching experience beyond the Teaching Assistant (TA) position and/or creative professional experience. Applicants should be able to demonstrate evidence of professional/academic activities and achievement, combine theory with practice in a liberal arts context, and demonstrate strong teaching skills. The preferred candidate will have experience with online and/or remote teaching environments and demonstrate pedagogical excellence.
A successful candidate will possess effective communication skills that allow professional representation of Liberty University in a variety of environments with strong organizational skills, computer, and scheduling skills. Applicants must have the ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing to convey clear, well-articulated information and an ability to understand, speak, and write in English to convey messages and correspond articulately and professionally.
Applicants should have excellent problem-solving skills with intuitive reasoning and the ability to analyze information/events while applying accurate judgment to solve problems that are both routine and complex. Candidates must be flexible in a swiftly changing environment.
There may be times this position requires travel to local and campus locations. Candidates are regularly required to sit to perform desk work or type on a keyboard, stand, walk, and climb stairs to move about the campus, hear and speak to effectively communicate, as well as handle materials, reach overhead, kneel, or stoop to conduct business, regularly lifting 10 or fewer pounds.
The working environment in which one will typically perform the essential functions of this position is a climate-controlled setting. It is well-lit, and the noise level is moderate. The working environment also includes the facilitation of events off campus.
The use of one’s personal vehicle (or LU vehicles) may be required for travel in the performance of the essential functions of this position. Proof of a valid Virginia driver’s license, an acceptable DMV record, and liability insurance are required.
This job description is designed to provide an employee with a basic understanding of the essential functions, duties, and responsibilities entailed in the performance of the job with Liberty University (LU). It is not intended to be all-inclusive. This description does not constitute an employment contract, either expressed or implied. Employment with Liberty University is at-will and may be terminated by either the employee or LU with or without advance notice for any reason or for no reason at all. Only the President is authorized to make changes to any LU policy. Job functions and responsibilities are subject to change at the discretion of management. Efforts will be made to provide advanced notice of such changes whenever possible.
Target Hire Date
2025-07-01
Time Type
Full time
Location
Lynchburg - In Office
The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. The University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements. The University’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions), and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.
