Chair, Division of Multi-disciplinary Design
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Posting Details
The University of Utah, an AA/EO employer, encourages applications from all qualified individuals, and provides reasonable accommodation to the known disabilities of applicants and employees. The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students, staff, faculty and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education, employment opportunities, and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented groups.
| Proposed Faculty Rank | Associate Professor/Professor |
|---|---|
| Department | 01138 - Design |
| City | Salt Lake City, UT |
| Track | Tenure Track |
| New Position to Begin | July 1, 2022 |
| Details | The University of Utah College of Architecture + Planning is seeking candidates to fill the position of Chair of the Division of Multi-Disciplinary Design at the rank of tenured associate professor or professor. Multi-disciplinary Design (MDD) at the University of Utah was founded in 2013 as a digital, physical, and platform product design program. MDD is a new approach to undergraduate design education that has proven innovative and successful in educating design professionals, leaders, and scholars. Our curriculum acknowledges the diverse and complex context in the professional community into which our students enter, and seeks to educate thinkers and makers to the highest standard. This broad perspective encourages students to see the connections between these design specialties and focus on the process of design as a creative idea and development framework as well as a creative pursuit. Our courses and activities emphasize critical framing skills to understand when it is appropriate to have a design response and when it is not, and calibrate their response to the given circumstance, place, and people that it affects. The program currently offers a Bachelor of Science and a Minor in Design. The program has over 220 declared majors, minors, and pre-majors. Please visit our website to see faculty and student work: www.design.utah.edu
College of Architecture & Planning The College of Architecture + Planning at the University of Utah comprises award-winning and highly recognized faculty, entrepreneurial students, and staff who form an innovative, creative community. The College’s vision is centered on “the ethic of care” and focuses on four commitments in all of our teaching, scholarship, and service: responsibility, resilience, respect, and response. It is known for its Utah Anti-Racism Agenda, its close connection with Utah’s professional communities (including its Downtown Center), and its culture of nurturing risk-taking and innovation. Structurally, the College comprises the School of Architecture, the Department of City and Metropolitan Planning, and the Division of Multi-disciplinary Design. The College is a diverse and vibrant community of scholars with a wide range of scholarship interests. Positioned on the East Bench of the Wasatch mountain range and part of the “silicon slopes,” the University of Utah is the flagship of the state higher education system and a member of the American Association of Universities (AAU). The U is a comprehensive university that includes a robust health science and research campus that provides ample collaboration opportunities. The Milken Institute rates the U as having the second-most creative innovation ecosystem in the nation. Located in a unique regional landscape, Salt Lake City has beautiful scenery, multiple outdoor recreation opportunities, convenient transit, and an active design and art community. In addition, Salt Lake City has a large LGBT population and a vibrant foodie scene. Chair Description The Chair is the leader and administrator for the MDD division, charged with partnering with faculty, staff, and students to continue and enrich the division’s aspirations in alignment with the vision of the College. The Chair is responsible for student and faculty recruitment, hiring and evaluation, curriculum development, budget oversight, and division governance. In addition, the Chair will be a faculty member and is expected to contribute their perspective, research, and teaching effort (one class per semester) to complement our team of scholars and educators. The successful candidate will: 1) articulate a compelling vision for the future of the MDD program, building upon the strengths that have been established; 2) have demonstrated ability to form relationships within affiliated design areas and outside such as business, engineering, medicine, and the broader design community; 3) be a strong advocate for design’s ability for transformative positive social change, with a demonstrated focus on environmental, heath, racial and/or spatial inequities and disparities; 4) Have an exceptional record of creative, professional, scholarly and/or academic activities and demonstrate the ability to mentor diverse faculty in their creative work, research and practice; 5) demonstrate and value the importance of place and sense of belonging in design education; 6) demonstrate a balance between practice and academic leadership; and 7) exhibit the ability to lead through exemplary collaborative and open processes and within shared governance. Minimum qualifications include a terminal degree in a design discipline (such as product, experience, platform, architecture) or closely related field; tenurable in a design or design-related program; professional practice experience; and a strong record of creative and research work including publications, built works, and exhibits. Previous administrative experience and participation in design-related organizations at the international and national levels are all highly desirable characteristics. Also, the demonstration of facilitating a diverse community of scholars is important. Qualified applicants must submit: 1) a curriculum vitae; 2) a letter of intent that includes statements of pedagogical objectives for professional education, personal scholarship objectives, and how they are related; 3) a 1-page statement addressing the School’s Statement on Systemic Racial Injustice (http://soa.cap.utah.edu ); 4) a selected portfolio (8MB max) and/or link to online material demonstrating their strengths for this position (upload to "Applicant Document – Other); 5) a list of three references (with a phone number, physical, and email addresses, and relationship to the candidate) in support of the application. References will not be contacted prior to receiving the candidate’s consent. The review of applications begins December 1, 2021, and will continue until a candidate is appointed. The appointment is targeted to start July 1, 2022. Please address questions for this position to Jim Agutter, Chair Search Committee, agutterja@design.utah.edu. |
| EEO/Non-Discrimination Information | The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students, staff, faculty and patients from diverse backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education, employment opportunities, and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented groups.
Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, such as minorities, women, qualified persons with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. Veterans’ preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities. The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran’s status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action: Director/ Title IX Coordinator |
| Notice | The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems (“URS”). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS’ post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules. This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen. https://safety.utah.edu/safetyreport This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South. |
| Special Instructions for Candidates | Qualified applicants must submit: 1) a curriculum vitae; 2) a letter of intent that includes statements of pedagogical objectives for professional education, personal scholarship objectives, and how they are related; 3) a 1-page statement addressing the School’s Statement on Systemic Racial Injustice (http://soa.cap.utah.edu ); 4) a selected portfolio (8MB max) and/or link to online material demonstrating their strengths for this position (upload to "Applicant Document – Other); 5) a list of three references (with a phone number, physical, and email addresses, and relationship to the candidate) in support of the application. |
| Open Date | 09/13/2021 |
| Close Date | |
| Open Until Filled | Yes |
| Requisition Number | PRN00735CF |
| Type | Faculty |
Posting Specific Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- List of References
- Applicant Document - Other
- Commitment Statement - Explain how you will further the goal of building a culturally diverse and inclusive educational environment.
- Appropriate discharge document (such as a DD-214 – Member Copy 4) – Veteran Only – Call 801.581.2169
- Addendum to the University of Utah - Veteran Only - Call 801.581.2169 after submission
