Associate or Full Professor and Chair of Product Design

The Department of Product Design at the University of Kentucky invites applications for the next Department Chair. Building on an existing foundation of collaborative iteration, the new Chair will lead the next chapter of the Product Design program in its pursuit of impactful education and expanded community, industry, and international partnerships. From its inception, the Product Design program has aspired to provide accessible, timely, and critical education in the technical and ethical considerations of designing new solutions to the world’s most pressing issues;

ideal candidates will articulate an actionable vision for maintaining product design’s relevance in the ever‑changing landscape of design practice.

The Chair of the Department of Product Design is a full‑time faculty position with administrative responsibilities. Administration is anticipated to be 40% of the chair’s distribution of effort, with the remaining 60% allocated to teaching and research. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Design, the Chair is responsible for the overall academic, administrative, and fiscal leadership of the Department.

The Chair will provide leadership in defining the strategic priorities and vision for the program and in enhancing its visibility, brand, and reputation. In this role, the Chair will be responsible for continuing to advance and strengthen curricular offerings; fostering excellence in teaching, research, and engagement; strategically managing the program’s enrollment; overseeing the hiring of new full‑time and part‑time faculty;

supporting the career advancement of faculty members; advancing innovation and multidisciplinary activities, and working collaboratively with College leadership and departmental faculty to effectively manage program resources. The Chair should promote a work and learning environment that fosters entrepreneurship, growth, collaboration, and shared governance.

The position will commence on July 1, 2026. This is a 12‑month appointment at the rank of associate or full professor. The term of appointment is four years and is renewable for an additional four years. Salary is competitive and based on qualifications and experience.

• Oversee the operational and fiscal management of the Program;
• Develop course schedules and faculty teaching assignments;
• Evaluate the effectiveness of courses, the program, and curriculum;
• Actively mentor faculty members and support their ongoing efforts to advance scholarly and creative activities;
• Guide Product Design faculty through performance review processes, and clearly communicate specific University and College policies that inform such processes;
• Represent and advocate for the Department and College to external constituencies including alumni, members of the profession, other university units and potential partners;
• Pursue scholarship, endowment, and other philanthropic opportunities for students and the department;
• Facilitate the resolution of issues and problems that may arise between faculty, staff, and students;
• Serve on University and College‑wide committees;
• Maintain currency in teaching and learning tools, methods, and pedagogical approaches;
• Maintain a scholarly agenda, including continued research and publication or distinguished creative or design practice;
• Foster interdepartmental collaboration and enhance the reputation of the University of Kentucky College of Design in academic and professional circles as well as the community at large; and
• Work with the Student Success team to recruit and retain talented undergraduate and future graduate students while strategically managing enrollment.

The Chair must possess the ability to lead the department in a way that prioritizes its collaborative, iterative approach to design education, grows its academic excellence, maintains its collegial quality, and develops opportunities for sustainable development and growth. Ideal candidates should demonstrate:

• Completion of PhD, MFA, MA, MDes, MS, or equivalent terminal degree in industrial design, product design, or relevant discipline;
• Ability to meet the requirements for the rank of…