Assistant Professor Fashion Merchandising and Apparel Design

Assistant Professor Fashion Merchandising and Apparel Design

Job ID : 290593

Location : Statesboro, Georgia

Full / Part Time : Full Time

Regular / Temporary : Regular

About Us

Join Our Team at Georgia Southern!

Georgia Southern is a dynamic university with three vibrant campuses in Hinesville, Savannah and Statesboro serving the communities in Southeast Georgia. As a Carnegie Doctoral / R2 institution, our world-class scholars instruct about 26,000 students in associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral level degree programs. Whether you are seeking the charm of a small town, the traditions of a historical / urban destination near the beach or supporting our military service members and their families, Georgia Southern offers its faculty and staff the best of all worlds!

Beyond an ideal location, there is a place for you to work in an exciting environment abounding with opportunities for personal and professional growth. We are steeped in tradition and devoted to academic distinction in teaching, scholarship and service. In 2018 Forbes Magazine listed Georgia Southern, along with 10 other Georgia companies or institutions, as one of America's Best Midsize Employers. Georgia Southern University is passionate about serving our region while preparing our students to be lifelong scholars, leaders, and responsible stewards of their communities and the world.

To learn more about Georgia Southern's Vision, Mission and Values please click here : https : / / president.georgiasouthern.edu / performance-excellence / mission-values /

Location

With more than 26,000 students and 141 degree programs, Georgia Southern University is the largest comprehensive university south of Atlanta. Our hands-on, practical approach to learning, and faculty dedicated to teaching, ensure you are prepared for your career and life after graduation.

Statesboro Campus

1332 Southern Drive

Statesboro, GA 30458

Department Information

Within this setting, the School of Human Ecology is a dynamic and growth-oriented applied research unit with over 17 faculty and staff. We serve over 700 undergraduate majors enrolled in four unique, specialized disciplines : Interior Architecture and Design, Human Development and Family Science, Fashion Merchandising and Apparel Design, and Recreation and Tourism Management. Each program focuses on human behavior and experience with a shared mission to enhance quality of life.

Whether exploring the multifaceted aspects of human development and family science, delving into the nuances of interior design, unleashing creative potential in fashion merchandising and apparel design, or navigating the outdoors in recreation and tourism management, each program offers comprehensive, evidence-based learning. Our approach emphasizes impactful research and creative activity, hands-on learning experiences that bring theory to practice, and a supportive, mentoring environment for students and faculty. We maintain an active undergraduate research program and demonstrate a passion for community and global engagement. We also house the Child Development Center, an on-campus laboratory serving 64 children that provides student training opportunities and supports faculty research.

The Fashion Merchandising and Apparel Design program serves a varied population of undergraduate students pursuing careers in fashion and related industries. Program facilities include dedicated apparel construction labs, a computer-aided design lab with industry-standard software, a visual merchandising studio, and access to collaborative maker and resource spaces. The program maintains strong connections with community partners, industry professionals, and alumni to provide students with experiential learning and professional development opportunities. Current faculty expertise includes apparel design, product development, merchandising, and the integration of sustainable and creative practices. This new position will expand the program's teaching and research expertise, strengthening our ability to prepare students for the global fashion industry and enhancing the program's regional and international impact.

Job Summary

Reporting to the School of Human Ecology Chair, the Assistant Professor of Fashon Merchandising and Apparel Design position requires undergraduate teaching, developing and sustaining a productive program of research and / or creative scholarship, and providing service to the School, college, and university, as well as engaging in student success initiatives and professional development. The position is an academic (10 month) tenure-track appointment

Required Qualifications

• Earned terminal degree (Ph.D., MFA) in Fashion Merchandising or Apparel Design, or a closely related field with at least 18 graduate semester hours in Fashion Merchandising or Apparel Design, by August 1, 2026.
• Demonstrated ability to teach some combination of the following undergraduate courses : Intro to the Fashion Industry, Intro to Apparel Construction, Intro to Computer-Aided Design, Apparel Product Development, and / or Advanced Computer-Aided Design.
• Record of advancing or potential for a strong and growing research and scholarship agenda in fashion merchandising and apparel design (e.g. production of research / creative activities) with focus in one or more areas of interest : Apparel and Retail Technology and / or Digital Design Technology.
• Record of or potential for securing external funding (e.g. grants, fellowships, sponsored research, or industry partnerships) to support scholarship / creative activities in fashion merchandising and apparel design.
• Ability to build and maintain industry and community partnerships that provide experiential learning and professional opportunities for students.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, students, and external partners.
• Willingness to engage with institutional student success initiatives.
• Commitment to internal and external service at the departmental, college, and university levels, including but not limited to curriculum development, program assessment, recruitment, and outreach.
• Commitment to engaging with best practice initiatives in instruction and pedagogy, mentoring, and curriculum design and development.

Preferred Qualifications

Proposed Salary

Commensurate with experience.

This is an exempt position paid on a monthly basis.

Required Documents to Attach

A complete application consists of a letter addressing the qualifications cited above; a curriculum vitae; official or unofficial graduate transcripts; a research statement / philosophy; a teaching statement / philosophy; the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least three professional references; and, if available, two more course evaluations. Other documentation may be requested.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

Consistently exhibit engaging customer service

Ability to support various constituencies served by the University

Proven proficiency with computers including Microsoft Office, Google, and / or applications as required for specific position

KNOWLEDGE

Adhere to University policies and procedures to meet Institutional goals and support University's mission for student success

SKILLS

Effective communication (verbal and written), organizational and human relations skills

Apply Before Date

Open Until Filled

Screening of applications begins October 20, 2025 and continues until the position is filled. Preferred start date is August 1, 2026.

Contact Information

Search Chair : Kyler Arnold

Email : karnold@georgiasouthern.edu

Telephone : 912-478-7899

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https : / / www.usg.edu / policymanual / section8 / C224 / #p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https : / / www.usg.edu / policymanual / section6 / C2653 .

Conditions of Employment

All work (with limited exceptions such as research and study abroad outside activities such as grading and email correspondence) for Georgia Southern University must be completed while the employee is physically present in the state of Georgia, unless specifically authorized by the university for a specific purpose and limited period of time within current policy.

Faculty are expected to contribute to the vibrant university community by engaging students, participating in events, and performing other responsibilities on-campus.

Faculty may be required to teach, conduct research, or perform service duties on any of the three campuses. Georgia Southern provides accessible transportation options between campuses.

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Georgia Southern University, as determined by Georgia Southern University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test.

Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Georgia Southern University is a Tobacco and Smoke-Free Community.

Equal Employment Opportunity

More information about the institution is available through http : / / www.georgiasouthern.edu or https : / / www.georgiasouthern.edu / degrees / bs-fashion-merchandising-apparel-design . The names of applicants and nominees, vitae, and other non-evaluative information may be subject to public inspection under the Georgia Open Records Act. Georgia Southern University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. Individuals in need of reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in the search process should notify Human Resources : (912) 478-6947.

Other Information

This is not a supervisory position.

This position will not be required to drive.

This role is not considered a position of trust.

Background Check

Standard + Education

To apply, visit https : / / careers.hprod.onehcm.usg.edu / psp / careers / CAREERS / HRMS / c / HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=39000&JobOpeningId=290593&PostingSeq=1

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