Assistant Professor, Entertainment Art/Animation

Assistant Professor, Entertainment Art/Animation

Department of Visual Arts

College of the Arts

Assistant Professor

Fall 2027

The Department of Art at California State University, Fullerton,
invites applications for a tenure track Assistant Professor
position in Entertainment Art/Animation with an appointment to
begin Fall 2027.

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and
Employment
This position is open and available to all
regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin.
Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws,
California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) provides equal
opportunity in education and employment without unlawful
discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color,
ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity
means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the
resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a
university environment and in their communities. CSUF complies with
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in
Higher Education Act, California's Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section
31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and
federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU's Nondiscrimination
Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment,
segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all
forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all
university programs, policies, and practices.

In addition, California State University, Fullerton is a leading
public university known for its strong academic programs and
commitment to student success. As one of the largest campuses in
the CSU system, Cal State Fullerton fosters innovation,
collaboration, and professional growth. The university values
teaching, research, and service, creating an environment where
students, staff, and faculty can thrive. Cal State Fullerton is a
designated Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Asian American and
Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution. The
university also received the prestigious Seal of Excelencia in 2021
and 2024 from Excelencia in Education, the nation's leading
authority on Latinx student success. Cal State Fullerton is an
equal opportunity employer with a diverse student population of
over 45,000 and a faculty and staff population of 4,000. Cal State
Fullerton is firmly committed to helping students achieve academic
excellence, career success, and economic mobility. Joining Cal
State Fullerton means becoming part of a dynamic team dedicated to
making a meaningful impact. We continuously seek individuals from
various disciplines who share the university's mission and core
values. We welcome you to consider joining the Titan community.

CSUF is committed to retaining all faculty and has established
affinity groups you can join to support your success.

Position

The successful candidate for this tenure track assistant professor
position may be asked to teach a range of courses such as story and
visual development, storyboarding, life drawing for animation,
character animation, digital tools and 2D animation pipeline, and
animatic and animation film production. Specific Entertainment
Art/Animation courses could include:

• Life Drawing for Animation
• Principles of Animation
• Introduction to Storyboard
• 2D Animation Pipeline
• Visual Storytelling for Animation and Games
• Construction and Layout for Animation
• Intermediate Character Animation
• Storyboard Animatic Production
• Animation Production
• Special Studies in Entertainment Art/Animation – Capstone

The successful candidate is expected to have experience with
standard industry software for 2D animation production including
Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom, other high-end 2D animation
software, as well as familiarity with current emerging technologies
in animation production. Those with the following
software/experience will receive special consideration: Adobe
Creative Suite, Toon Boom Harmony, Toon Boom Storyboard Pro,
Procreate, TV Paint, and other animation production and drawing
software.

The successful candidate will participate in the life and
development of the department, recruitment, and outreach efforts.
They will contribute to a dynamic student-centered animation
program with a track record of growth and distinction derived from
awards earned by its students, the successful art careers of its
alumni, and the professional achievements of its faculty.

CSUF faculty are committed teacher/scholars who bring research
and creative discovery to life for students in classrooms, labs,
studios, and individually mentored projects. They teach broadly in
the curricula of their departments, advise students, and serve on
departmental and university-wide committees. The primary
responsibilities of the person in this position will include the
development and teaching of introductory and core courses in the
discipline and the development of courses in their area(s) of
specialization. Specific courses that this person will teach
include Life Drawing for Animation, Principles of Animation,
Introduction to Storyboard, 2D Animation Pipeline, Visual
Storytelling for Animation and Games, Construction and Layout for
Animation, Intermediate Character Animation, Storyboard Animatic
Production, Animation Production, Special Studies in Entertainment
Art/Animation – Capstone. This person will also be responsible for
producing scholarship and creative work commensurate with the
requirements for tenure. The successful candidate will also be
expected to contribute to and participate in the life and
development of the department, advise students, serve on
committees, and participate in the broader university and
disciplinary communities.

Required Qualifications

• MFA or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited

institution in animation or in a related discipline to be completed
by Fall 2027 is desired. Accreditation can be from a University
outside of the U.S.

• Demonstrated ability to teach courses in animation principles,

storyboarding, cinematic language, visual development, character
animation/acting, industry standard software, and thesis animation
production.

• Sustained practice and presentation of creative, scholarly, or

professional work in the field of animation production.

• Proven track record of working collaboratively in culturally

diverse settings, fostering an understanding of and respect for
unique experiences, and cultural practices.

• Ability to teach student-centered thesis animation classes in

which students express personal vision and voice through the
completion of personal 2D animated films for theatrical
screening.

• Knowledge of and commitment to achieving CSUF's strategic plan

and COTA mission and goals.

Preferred Qualifications

• Willingness to examine and remediate one's instructional,

relational, and classroom practices to more effectively engage and
support students.

• Demonstrated excellence in and commitment to teaching of a

highly diverse student population, including varied socioeconomic
status, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability,
age, and gender identity, etc.

• Demonstrated ability to work with computers and other

technologies such as Adobe Creative Suite, Toon Boom
Harmony/Storyboard, which are utilized in providing high-quality
instruction and support to students.

• Demonstrated ability to adapt to emerging 2D animation

production processes.

• College-level teaching experience in animation.
• Industry relations and knowledge that may support student

success in academics and career advancements.

• Evidence of leadership, communication, organizational, and

management skills, which might include successful recruitment and
outreach efforts.

• Experience working in a professional animation production

pipeline.

Application

A complete online application must be received by electronic
submission to be considered. To apply, please visit http://hr.fullerton.edu/workforce/careers.html,
choose full-time faculty, search for the position
562520, and provide the following required
materials:

• Cover letter in which you respond to the required

qualifications and preferred qualifications within the
Entertainment Art/Animation discipline.

• Curriculum vitae.
• Graduate Transcripts (unofficial copies are sufficient for

initial review).

• Research statement.
• A teaching philosophy describing your pedagogical

practices.

• 12-15 examples of student work relevant to the position. Please

upload a PDF with a link to animated work (if applicable)

• Sample Syllabi, Sample Assignments and Sample Teaching

Materials (if applicable)

• Portfolio of the candidate's expertise related to the position

(requirements below)

• The Portfolio can be a combination of independent and

professional work in the field of character-based animation.

• Links to your personal completed films and/or contributions

from professional animation productions.

• The Portfolio must feature current work and include at least

12-15 examples. In addition, animated reels are strongly
encouraged. Reels should not be longer than 2 minutes. Please show
work that reflects solid drawing skills (figure/character
construction, animation, storyboard, etc.) and digital skills
(current industry software) as well as your areas of
expertise.

• Please upload a PDF with a link to reels (if included) and

links to your online portfolio or webpages (for example,
ArtStation, IG, LinkedIn, etc.)

• Reels must include a shot breakdown clearly specifying what you

were responsible for in the material presented.

• candidate statement on commitment to inclusive excellence (no

more than 500 words):

• Inclusive excellence

is a strategic framework that recognizes the importance of
diversity, equity, and inclusion in achieving organizational
success and high-quality learning and teaching. It's a way of
thinking and acting that integrates these values into all aspects
of an institution, from curriculum and pedagogy to recruitment and
hiring. Essentially, it means that excellence is not just about
achieving high standards, but also about ensuring that all members
of the community have the opportunity to thrive and contribute
(Williams et al., 2005).

• With the Inclusive Excellence Statement, we aim to learn about

the applicant's perspective on their past and present contributions
to and future aspirations for promoting and engaging with a diverse
student population. This statement should showcase the candidate's
professional experience, intellectual commitments, and/or
willingness to teach and create an academic environment supportive
of all students, including but not limited to those of diverse
ages, abilities, cultures, ethnicities, gender identities,
languages, religions, and sexual orientations.

-
Cal State Fullerton serves a student body that reflects the
rich cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic mosaic of Southern
California. Please provide concrete examples of how you, as a
faculty member, will support our students in one or more of the
following areas, which fall under the areas of awareness and
understanding, experience and commitment, and future plans.

• Your contributions (past, present, or future) to embedding

perspectives that are reflective of the student population into
your teaching and/or scholarship.

• Your experience in service activities that are reflective of a

diverse student population.

• Your experience and commitment to mentoring and providing

opportunities to a diverse student body inside and outside the
classroom environment.

• Your experience integrating creative activities that are

inclusive of the identities of our student body and
communities

• A list of three references with relevant contact

information.

• Semi-Finalists must submit three letters of

recommendation. Please have these ready for the referents to
submit. On the References page of the online application, enter
information and email addresses for three referents who will
provide a confidential letter of reference for your application. At
the appropriate time in the search process, they will receive a
request via email along with information on uploading the letter.
You can verify that CSUF has received each letter by logging back
into your applicant portal.

• Finalists will be asked to have each of their

three referents submit a letter of recommendation. Please have
these ready for the referents to offer should you proceed to this
search phase.

• Semifinalists and/or finalists may be asked to submit

additional materials for further consideration (e.g., scholarly
articles, portfolio, etc.).

Semi-Finalists:

• Semi-finalists will be invited to a zoom interview.

Finalists:

• Over a one-day period, finalists will be invited to participate

in a series of interviews, a teaching demonstration, and an artist
talk on campus.

• Additional material such as current course outlines, course

assignments, and rubrics may also be requested.

• Finalists will be required to have three letters of

recommendation submitted.

• Please have these ready for the referents to submit. On the

References page of the online application, enter information and
email addresses for three referents who will provide a confidential
letter of reference for your application. At the appropriate time
in the search process, they will receive a request via email along
with instructions for uploading the letter. You will be able to
verify that each letter has been received by CSUF by logging back
into your applicant portal.

• Finalists will be required to submit official transcripts.

Please do not send additional materials until requested to do
so. The finalists for the position will be contacted when to submit
and are required to submit all materials for full
consideration.

Please direct all questions about the position to: Dr. Arnold
Holland, Dean of the College of the Arts at aholland@fullerton.edu with
“Entertainment Art/Animation search” in the subject line.

Application Deadline
To be assured full
consideration, all application materials must be received by
December 15, 2026. The anticipated appointment
date is August 2027.

The Department
The Department of Visual
Arts serves approximately 3000 undergraduate art majors and 24
graduate students, with 27 full-time and 100+ Lecturer faculty. The
department offers both a BA in Art and BFA in Art with 13 areas of
concentration, in addition to an MA and MFA in Art with 9 areas of
concentration. CSUF is located about 30 miles from downtown Los
Angeles in metropolitan Orange County and presents a full range of
fine arts and professional programs including a nationally
recognized art gallery located in the Visual Arts complex and the
Grand Central Art Center, a 45,000 sq. ft. graduate
studio/residence/exhibition facility located 15 minutes from
campus. The Department of Visual Arts at California State
University, Fullerton, is fully accredited by the National
Association of Schools of Art and Design. For more information
about the Department of Visual Arts and the College of the Arts,
please refer to the website https://www.fullerton.edu/arts/art/.

Compensation
The Assistant Professor
(Academic Year) classification salary range is $6,221 to $13,224
monthly (12 monthly payments per academic year). The anticipated
hiring range is $6,884 to $7,022 per month.

Salary offered is commensurate with experience and
qualifications. In addition, the California Equal Pay Act prohibits
employers from paying its employees less than those of the opposite
sex and/or another race or ethnicity for substantially similar work
(https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/california_equal_pay_act.htm).

Summer research grants, moving expenses, start‐up funds, and a
reduced teaching load may be available.

CSUF Benefits
An excellent comprehensive
benefits package is available that includes health/vision/dental
plans; spouse, domestic partner and dependent fee‐waiver; access to
campus child‐care; and a defined‐benefit retirement through the
state system along with optional tax sheltering opportunities. For
a detailed description of benefits, please visit https://hr.fullerton.edu/total-wellness/.

New employees hired by the CSU for the first time who first
become CalPERS members on or after July 1, 2017, are subject to a
10-year vesting period for retiree health and dental benefits.

Additional Information
Multiple positions
may be hired from this recruitment based on the strength of the
applicant pool.

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications and is
subject to budgetary authorization and any California State
University System faculty contract increases. Summer research
grants, moving expenses, start‐up funds, and a reduced teaching
load may be available.

International Candidates
California State
University, Fullerton, is not currently sponsoring any
new H-1B petitions for staff, management, or
faculty positions.

For tenure-track faculty positions, California State University,
Fullerton is currently not sponsoring H-1B
applicants subject to the $100,000 fee established by the
"Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain
Nonimmigrant Workers" issued on September 19, 2025. Individuals in
the U.S. who hold a valid lawful nonimmigrant status visa can have
a petition filed on their behalf to change their status to H-1B
without being subjected to the fee. For example, the fee does not
apply to an H-1B petition filed by an individual presently in the
U.S. who is an F-1, J-1, or O-1 status holder.

CSU Policies
The person holding this
position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California
Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and must comply with the
requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083, revised July
21, 2017, as a condition of employment.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be
completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be formally
offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete
the background check may affect the application status of
applicants or the continued employment of current CSU employees who
apply for the position.

Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified
applicants with disabilities who self‐disclose.

Notice of
Non-Discrimination based on Gender or Sex and Contact Information
for Title IX Coordinator.

In accordance with the California State University (CSU)
Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose
business operations reside within the State of California. It
requires hiring employees to perform CSU-related work within the
State of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus
instruction, as assigned, and come to campus when needed. The CSU
also prohibits hiring and retaining employees working permanently
from a business location outside of the United States.

Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have
received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision
determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the
last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the
minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of
employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of
the application process must also sign a release form that
authorizes the release of information by the applicant's current
and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated
allegations of misconduct.

To apply, visit https://careers.pageuppeople.com/873/fl/en-us/job/562520/assistant-professor-entertainment-artanimation
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