Wilson College invites applications for an innovative and collaborative leader to serve as Program Director of our low-residency Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program. This is an exciting opportunity for an accomplished artist-educator to shape the future of a nationally distinctive graduate program that embraces artistic experimentation, interdisciplinary collaboration, social engagement, and human ecology.
The successful candidate will provide artistic and academic leadership while maintaining an active creative practice and mentoring the next generation of artists.
Wilson's MFA is a transdisciplinary community of artists dedicated to a broad definition of contemporary practice. Students pursue individualized work across concentrations in choreography, creative writing, devised performance, interdisciplinary arts, musical theatre directing & choreography, theatre directing, and visual arts within the context of human ecology and social engagement.
A defining feature of the program is its emphasis on somatic practice, with coursework grounded in Laban Movement Analysis and Bartenieff Fundamentals, creating a rich environment for artistic inquiry, collaboration, and innovation.
Reporting to the Dean of Professional & Graduate Studies, the Program Director provides artistic, academic, and administrative leadership for the MFA program. The Director works collaboratively with faculty and campus partners to support student success, strengthen enrollment, oversee curriculum, and ensure the continued excellence of the program.
This is an ongoing, promotion-eligible, non-tenure-track faculty appointment at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor, commensurate with experience.
The Program Director will:
Teach a minimum of four (4) graduate courses annually, including at least one course during the MFA Summer Residency (supported by administrative course releases).
Teach across face-to-face, hybrid, and online modalities as needed.
Advise and mentor graduate students and serve on MFA thesis committees.
Maintain an active portfolio as a working artist in dance, theatre, devised performance, or interdisciplinary practice.
The Program Director plays a central role in growing and sustaining the MFA program by:
Leading recruitment and retention initiatives for graduate students.
Collaborating with the Dean and the Offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Marketing & Communications to establish and achieve annual enrollment goals.
Partnering with the Dean of Professional & Graduate Studies, the Dean of Student Success, and MFA faculty to support student persistence and success.
Working collaboratively with the MFA faculty, the Program Director will:
Teach a minimum of four graduate courses annually, including instruction during the Summer Residency.
Advise and mentor students throughout their graduate experience, including service on thesis committees.
Lead curriculum development and revision in collaboration with the Dean and program faculty.
Coordinate assessment activities and participate in regular program review.
The Program Director provides day-to-day leadership for the MFA program by:
Coordinating all aspects of program operations in collaboration with the Dean and MFA faculty.
Organizing regular MFA faculty meetings.
Collaborating with the Dean on the recruitment and hiring of adjunct faculty and guest artists.
Partnering with faculty to design and facilitate student orientations.
Maintaining program policies, handbook, and catalog materials.
Representing the MFA program on the Graduate Studies Council.
The annual MFA Summer Residency is a cornerstone of the program. The Program Director leads its planning and execution by:
Developing the residency schedule.
Coordinating faculty assignments and guest artist participation in collaboration with the Dean.
Managing faculty and guest artist agreements.
Coordinating with Residence Life regarding summer housing for students.
Reserving classrooms, studios, exhibition spaces, performance venues, and other campus facilities.
Organizing works-in-progress presentations and Critical Response Process sessions.
Coordinating the summer mentor rotation.
Directing the residency's culminating informal presentation.
As a member of the faculty, the Program Director participates in shared governance and serves on program, school, and college committees.
Master of Fine Arts in a discipline represented within the curriculum.
College teaching experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary artistic practice in both academic and professional settings.
An established national professional artistic record in dance, theatre, devised performance, interdisciplinary practice, or a related field.
Graduate-level teaching experience.
Certification as a Certified Movement Analyst (CMA) or another internationally recognized performance-oriented somatic practice or training system.
Experience facilitating artist feedback using Critical Response Process.
At Wilson College, you'll join a collaborative academic community where creativity, interdisciplinary scholarship, and student mentorship are central to our mission. Located in historic Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Wilson offers the opportunity to shape a distinctive graduate program while continuing your own artistic practice within a supportive and innovative environment.
If you are excited to lead a vibrant community of artists and help shape the future of interdisciplinary graduate education, we encourage you to apply.
At Wilson College, we value our employees and are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, well-being, and professional growth. Full-time, on-site employees enjoy:
Robust Health Benefits: Including medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus college-paid basic life and long-term disability insurance.
Spending Account Options: Access to employee-funded Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for both healthcare and dependent care needs.
Retirement Planning: A Defined Contribution Retirement Plan with TIAA to help you plan for the future.
Educational Benefits: Tuition remission for employees and their families for undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs, as well as access to Tuition Exchange scholarships through a national consortium of colleges.
Wilson fosters a supportive, collegial work environment that prioritizes work-life balance. Employees benefit from:
Flexible dining options and free access to our on-campus fitness center.
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential support and resources.
As a qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit employer, Wilson College employees may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
