Assistant Instructor/Assistant Professor - Fashion & Apparel Merchandising
Company: University of Central Missouri
Job Location: Warrensburg, 64093
Category: Fashion and Textile Design
Type: Full-Time
Location: UCMO - Warrensburg, MO
Job Type: Faculty Full Time
Job Number: 998395
Division: Fashion: Textiles & Clothing
Description
The School of Industrial Sciences and Technology at the University of Central Missouri invites applications for a faculty position in Fashion and Apparel Merchandising, starting August 2026. We are seeking a non-tenure-track instructor with a master's degree in a fashion-related field, or a tenure-track assistant professor who holds a terminal degree and is committed to research, instruction, and service.
The successful candidate will teach fashion merchandising courses that are technology-focused, work with student organizations, develop curriculum, help manage labs, foster industry connections, recruit and advise students, evaluate course outcomes, and engage in professional development and scholarship. Faculty within the College of Health, Science, and Technology at University of Central Missouri support the university's mission of providing student-centered, quality education and are committed to the success of students. This includes quality teaching, advising, collegiality and communication. In addition, faculty provide service to their program, department and university, engage in research, scholarship, and professional development activities. During contractual employment, faculty members are expected to be available to assist, engage, and respond to students, colleagues, departmental, college, and institutional needs.
Examples of Duties
Teaching - The primary responsibility of the faculty is quality teaching in their respective content areas, regardless of delivery format. This entails adequate preparation for courses, effective course design and instruction, and fair and timely evaluation/feedback of student progress. To ensure quality teaching, faculty must be committed to the success of students as well as ongoing assessment of curriculum and of student learning.
- Keep current in your discipline.
- Organize courses to facilitate quality student engagement and high impact practices.
- Assist department/school chairs with scheduling of classes that meet the needs of students.
- Comply with departmental, college, and university standards concerning the academic quality and integrity of their classes.
- Keep current in their use of technology by attending university training sessions and other professional development opportunities.
- Be available to meet students outside the classroom by being available before or after classes by scheduling office hours both in a physical and electronic format to include in person and virtual office hours.
- Assist with department and college assessment and be proactive with modifications to curriculum based on assessment feedback.
Scholarship/Professional Development - The strength of a university rests on the knowledge and skills of its faculty. Faculty must stay current in their field of expertise/teaching area.
- Authoring academic writings.
- Presentation of work at local/state/regional/national conferences.
- Active membership and/or office holding in professional organizations at the local/state/regional/national level.
Service - An expectation of a professional faculty member is to serve the department, college, and university community.
- Attending department/college/university meetings
- Engaging in committee work that will advance the department/college/institution.
- Assisting with student recruitment.
- Participating in graduation and convocation ceremonies.
Advising - A primary responsibility of faculty is the proper, timely, competent and professional advising of students.
- Be knowledgeable of the requirements of their degree programs as stated in the appropriate catalog(s).
- Meet/advise students on academic and non-academic matters (e.g. curriculum mapping, internships, graduate/professional school options and career preparation).
- Provide leadership and promote excellence in student organizations.
Communication - Faculty should communicate effectively and in a timely manner with students and colleagues at all levels of the institution. This implies an understanding of the communication hierarchy within departments, colleges, and administrative levels. Timely communication with students supports other faculty responsibilities (teaching, advising).
- Cultivate a collegial atmosphere when interacting with other faculty/staff within their own department, the college and the university.
- Be responsive and timely. Respond to student phone calls and email messages within university guidelines.
Typical Qualifications
Education:
- A Master of Science degree must be in fashion, apparel, and textiles or a closely related field required.
Experience:
- Communicate effectively in spoken and written English required
- Required evidence of strong teaching record, preferably at the university level, able to teach technology-focused fashion courses with expertise in at least 3 of the following areas:
- Technologies and software typically used in the current fashion industry (Adobe suite, digitizing, CLO, Canva, etc)
- Product development (CAD development), Tech pack development and design communication, textile knowledge
- Assortment planning and buying (merchandising math, Excel, garment specifications and details)
- Merchandise and Global Supply Chain Management
- Flat pattern and draping techniques
- Garment Construction and sewing
- Visual merchandising, space planning, store design
- Styling: color seasons, face shapes, body shapes, proportions, meeting client needs, professional image
- Business planning, strategy, and management to include social media marketing
- Fashion branding strategy and management
- A minimum of three years of experience in the fashion industry is preferred.
- Prior teaching experience at the college or university level, advising students, and working with student groups preferred.
- Experience teaching online with Blackboard, Brightspace, Canvas, or other learning management systems preferred.
Supplemental Information
Reviews of applications will begin on February 1, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. The University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We accept applications from qualified applicants regardless of race, gender, or abilities. Minorities, women, disabled, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
Interested applicants should submit 1) a cover letter; 2) a resume/vita; 3) names and contact information, including e-mail of three (3) professional references on the faculty profile; and 4) copies of transcripts showing completed degrees. Official transcripts and three letters of reference will be requested before the appointment is finalized. The University of Central Missouri requires that all faculty applicants complete the on-line faculty profile at schooljobs.com/careers/ucmo.
Search Committee Chair Contact Information:
Dr. Melissa Abner, Chair, Search Committee
Program Coordinator/Associate Professor
Fashion and Apparel Merchandising Program
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, MO [contact details available in the full listing]
E-mail: [contact details available in the full listing]
Phone: [contact details available in the full listing]
Special Instructions:
- Full-time staff & 12-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks paid vacation per year; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM.
- 9-month faculty benefits-eligible position: Benefits include competitive salary; health, dental, vision, life insurance, AD & D, long-term disability; 3 weeks of accrued sick leave per year; 13 paid holidays; retirement; and generous education assistance for an employee, spouse and dependent children taking classes at UCM.
- Part-time benefits-eligible positions: Benefits include generous education assistance for the employee.
- Temporary, adjunct, student employment, or graduate assistant positions: Benefits are not included.
Completed UCM online application for employment required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
A review will begin immediately and continue until filled unless indicated otherwise.
NOTE: A background check is required for the selected candidate of all staff, faculty, adjunct, and temporary positions and any job offer is contingent on the results of this check. Student employees and graduate assistants do not require a background check to be conducted prior to employment.
The University of Central Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
