St. Thomas University’s Gus Machado College of Business invites applications for qualified adjunct faculty members to teach courses within the Fashion Merchandising and Design Program. The successful candidate will provide high-quality, student-centered instruction in fashion design and related technical areas while supporting the University’s mission of developing ethical leaders for the global community.
The adjunct faculty member will bring current industry knowledge, technical expertise, and professional experience into the classroom. The position requires the ability to teach studio-based and applied courses, provide constructive critiques, assess student learning, and prepare students for professional careers in fashion design and related industries.
Course assignments are made according to enrollment, program needs, faculty credentials, and the candidate’s areas of expertise.
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Apparel design and garment construction
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Beginning, intermediate, and advanced sewing techniques
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Flat-pattern development and patternmaking
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Draping, garment fitting, and alterations
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Fashion illustration and visual presentation
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Technical drawing, technical flats, and specification development
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Textiles and materials for apparel
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Computer-aided fashion design
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Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign
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Digital patternmaking and three-dimensional garment-design technology
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Technical design, product development, and production processes
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Collection, concept, and portfolio development
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Sustainable and ethical fashion design
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Senior capstone and fashion showcase preparation
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
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Teach assigned Fashion Design courses in accordance with approved course descriptions, learning outcomes, syllabi, and program requirements.
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Develop and maintain course materials, lesson plans, demonstrations, assignments, projects, rubrics, and assessments.
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Provide hands-on instruction in garment construction, patternmaking, draping, illustration, technical design, digital design, or other assigned areas.
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Demonstrate the safe and appropriate use of sewing machines, cutting equipment, dress forms, industrial equipment, and other studio tools.
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Maintain an organized, safe, professional, and inclusive classroom or studio environment.
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Evaluate student work using established grading criteria and provide timely, constructive, and actionable feedback.
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Conduct individual and group critiques that strengthen students’ technical, creative, analytical, and professional skills.
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Maintain accurate attendance, grading, and student-performance records.
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Submit grades, attendance reports, assessment materials, and other required documentation by established deadlines.
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Use the University’s learning management system to communicate with students, post course materials, record grades, and support instruction.
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Hold scheduled office hours or provide students with reasonable opportunities for academic assistance.
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Identify students who may require additional academic support and communicate concerns to the Program Director in a timely manner.
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Participate in course and program assessment activities, including the collection and evaluation of student-learning evidence.
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Support curriculum alignment and continuous improvement within the Fashion Merchandising and Design Program.
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Incorporate current fashion-industry practices, technologies, sustainability considerations, and ethical standards into instruction.
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Promote professionalism, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, ethical leadership, and career readiness.
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Assist students in preparing professional portfolios, collections, technical packages, presentations, and other industry-relevant work when applicable.
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Support program activities such as exhibitions, fashion shows, competitions, guest lectures, workshops, portfolio reviews, and employer-engagement events when requested.
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Collaborate professionally with the Program Director, full-time and adjunct faculty, staff, and other University offices.
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Comply with all University policies, academic procedures, credentialing requirements, and faculty expectations.
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Perform other instructional duties related to the assigned course or program as appropriate.
Candidates must meet the University’s faculty credentialing requirements and possess one of the following:
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A master’s or terminal degree in Fashion Design, Apparel Design, Textile and Apparel Design, Costume Design, Technical Design, Fashion Studies, or a closely related discipline; or
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A bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design or a closely related field combined with substantial, current, and documented professional experience directly related to the courses being taught, subject to institutional credentialing approval.
Candidates must also demonstrate:
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Professional experience in fashion design, apparel development, garment construction, patternmaking, draping, technical design, product development, or a related area.
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A professional portfolio demonstrating relevant creative, technical, or industry work.
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Proficiency in the techniques, technologies, equipment, or software required for the assigned course.
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Strong oral, written, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
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The ability to teach and mentor students from diverse academic and cultural backgrounds.
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A commitment to student success, professionalism, ethical leadership, and the mission of St. Thomas University.
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Previous college- or university-level teaching experience.
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An MFA, MA, MS, or other graduate degree in Fashion Design or a related field.
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At least three to five years of relevant professional fashion-industry experience.
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Experience in apparel design, patternmaking, draping, garment construction, technical design, product development, or collection development.
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Proficiency in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign.
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Experience with digital fashion-design platforms, three-dimensional garment-design software, or computer-aided patternmaking systems.
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Experience developing technical flats, specification sheets, technical packages, line sheets, and professional portfolios.
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Knowledge of sustainable design practices, ethical sourcing, textile innovation, and contemporary fashion-industry standards.
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Experience mentoring students, supervising design projects, or preparing student work for exhibitions, competitions, or fashion shows.
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Current professional relationships within the fashion, apparel, textile, retail, or creative industries.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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Strong technical and creative expertise in the assigned instructional area.
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Ability to explain complex design, construction, and production concepts clearly.
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Ability to demonstrate techniques effectively in a studio or laboratory environment.
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Knowledge of current fashion trends, technologies, production practices, and professional standards.
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Strong planning, classroom-management, grading, and recordkeeping skills.
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Ability to provide constructive critiques while supporting student confidence and development.
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Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, meet deadlines, and respond promptly to students and administrators.
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Ability to work collaboratively with full-time and adjunct faculty.
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Professionalism, reliability, discretion, and sound judgment.
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Commitment to continuous improvement and evidence-based assessment of student learning.
Teaching and Scheduling Expectations
Adjunct faculty appointments are made on a course-by-course and semester-by-semester basis. Courses may be offered during daytime, evening, weekend, online, hybrid, or accelerated formats according to program needs.
Adjunct faculty must be available to:
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Attend required orientation, onboarding, and training sessions.
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Complete institutional credentialing and compliance requirements.
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Prepare the course before the beginning of the semester.
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Teach during all scheduled class periods and arrange approved coverage when an emergency arises.
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Respond to student communications within established University expectations.
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Submit attendance, grades, assessment results, and required documentation on time.
Appointment to the adjunct faculty pool does not guarantee a course assignment. Course offerings depend upon enrollment, scheduling needs, faculty qualifications, and institutional approval.
Required Application Materials
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Current curriculum vitae or résumé.
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Copies of unofficial graduate and undergraduate transcripts.
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List of relevant software, technical, studio, and industry competencies.
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Evidence of prior teaching effectiveness, when available.
Official transcripts and additional credentialing documentation may be required before an appointment is finalized.
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Work is performed in classroom, laboratory, online, or hybrid instructional environments.
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The position may require standing for extended periods, demonstrating equipment and construction techniques, and moving light instructional materials or supplies.
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The faculty member must follow all posted safety procedures and ensure students use studio equipment appropriately.
