About This Role:

Architecture, Planning, and Design at Kansas State University invites applications for Professor of Practice/Director of the Kansas City Design Center beginning as early as mid-July 2024. Located in the heart of downtown Kansas City, the Kansas City Design Center (KCDC) is a nationally recognized, multi-disciplinary, service-learning design center that operates as a nonprofit partnership among local civic leaders, professional designers, and the design programs at Kansas State University. The incoming director will have the unique opportunity to leverage KCDC's strong foundation to establish a vision that shapes the center’s future. The Professor of Practice/Director is a full-time, 12-month appointment reporting to the Dean consisting of 50% teaching, 30% administration, and 20% service directed towards the efforts of KCDC, housed in the Dean’s Office in the College of Architecture, Planning, and Design (APDesign) reappointed annually by the Dean. Salary will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications.

The successful candidate will serve three important roles in supporting KCDC’s mission:

Teaching: in their academic role, the successful candidate will teach multidisciplinary studio and seminar-style courses at KCDC to a KC-based student cohort, who typically relocate from K-State’s Manhattan Campus to attend the program and will include a mix of students from Architecture, Interior Architecture, Industrial Design, Landscape Architecture, and Regional and Community Planning programs. The Director & Professor of Practice will work to develop semester-long or year-long engaged projects with relevant stakeholder groups (public, non-profit, and professional) in the city and the larger region, seeking partnerships and project funding as appropriate to support project success, and disseminating project outcomes through publications, the KCDC website, and public exhibits. The successful candidate will lead the academic side of KCDC, including having responsibility for course management, student instruction and evaluation for courses they teach. In the past KCDC has had strong links to design and planning programs at the University of Kansas in Lawrence and the University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC) through affiliated faculty and student enrollment. The topics and scope of prior KCDC projects can be found on the KCDC website: https://www.kcdesigncenter.org/kcdcstudio

Administration: the successful candidate will also be tasked with leadership of KCDC on the administrative side: interfacing with the KCDC Executive Board; advancing KCDC’s goals in consultation with APDesign administration and a faculty advisory committee; and managing operational functions of KCDC with the support of the full-time Program Coordinator. The successful candidate will also promote KCDC’s programs to on-campus APDesign students as well as potential future students.

Service: the Director & Professor of Practice will also lead the service mission of KCDC, which includes building and maintaining strong relationships with constituencies relating to the KCDC’s mission and programs; participation on city boards and committees; connecting with local design practices; and enhancing KCDC through public and professional programming such as symposia, lectures, and career fairs.

The successful candidate will have a strong multidisciplinary background, with the ability, perspectives, and energy to drive KCDC’s mission and shape its future. 

Why Join Us:

The mission of the College of Architecture, Planning, and Design (APDesign) is to be a comprehensive design community comprising all scales of the design and planning endeavor, informed by a culture of inquiry, focused on the significant issues facing our society including environmental stewardship, social equity, economic viability, and aesthetic delight in support of the University’s mission as a Land Grant institution. The main campus is located approximately 120 miles west of Kansas City in Manhattan, KS. APDesign is a nationally recognized college whose core professional degrees rank consistently in the top 10 public programs in the nation and whose students are among the most successful and successfully employed graduates at K-State, (https://apdesign.k-state.edu/). For decades, the Kansas City Design Center (https://www.kcdesigncenter.org/) has offered an off-campus urban experience for APDesign students, promoting design excellence in the built environment through education and public service initiatives situated in Kansas City and the surrounding region. KCDC has received numerous local and regional design awards from the American Institute of Architects and the American Society of Landscape Architects. Additionally, it is regularly recognized within the Kansas City community for its distinctive role in service over the years. To learn more about the rich history of KCDC’s projects, partnerships, and collaborations since 2009, see KCDC’s Project Impact summary on the KCDC website. Kansas City (pop. 508,000 and growing) and the greater Kansas City Metro Area (including communities in Kansas and Missouri with a pop. of 2.4M people) is frequently recognized as one of the most livable urban areas in the U.S. and features access to world-class civic and cultural amenities, vast and diverse opportunities for outdoor recreation, a thriving entertainment district, extensive opportunities for urban living, and a convenient central U.S. location. KCDC is located within the heart of downtown Kansas City at 1111 Main St., on the corner of 11^th and Main immediately adjacent to the downtown streetcar line. 

Kansas State University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, paid time off – vacation, sick, and holidays. To see what benefits are available, please visit: https://www.k-state.edu/hcs/benefits 

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

Kansas State University embraces diversity and promotes inclusion.  The University actively seeks individuals who foster a collegial environment and cooperative interactions with coworkers, students, and others.  The University is dedicated to promoting the Principles of Community.

Worksite Options:

This position is eligible for hybrid worksite. Work is performed partially remote and partially on employer premises or designated assignment location.

Visit this link for K-State’s guidance and policies on remote work and flexible work arrangements.  Remote work agreements are required for all flexible work arrangements and are subject to review.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Terminal professional degree in an environmental design discipline, master’s in architecture, interior architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, or planning. 
• Demonstrated excellence in written and visual communication, requisite for the design disciplines. 
• Evidence of leadership accomplishments 
• Experience and success working and/or collaborating in multidisciplinary/transdisciplinary environments. 
• Experience and success in teaching, including in alternative educational settings (not necessarily a school or university setting) 
• Interest and ability to fulfill the administrative and service roles of Director. 

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Extensive and creative professional practice experience in architecture, interior architecture, interior design, landscape architecture, or planning. 
• Experience with organizing Community Engaged Design 
• Teaching experience in higher education, accredited college or university. 
• Experience in leadership at any level within a service or non-profit organization. 
• Record of service to the academic and professional communities. 

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

How to Apply:

Please submit the following documents:

1. Letter of intent that addresses the qualifications and articulates a vision for the future of KCDC.
2. Curriculum vitae
3. Three academic and/or professional references with full contact information.
4. A portfolio documenting academic and/or professional experience.

Direct all inquiries via email to Assistant Professor, Kendra Kirchmer, Search Committee Chair, kirchmer@ksu.edu. Review of candidates will begin March 22, 2024, and continue until the position is filled.

Screening of Applications Begins:

Review of candidates will begin March 25, 2024, and continues until the position is filled.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range:

Salary commensurate with experience and consistent with the position sought.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Kansas State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran.

Background Screening Statement:

In connection with your application for employment, Kansas State University will procure a Background Screen on you as part of the process of considering your candidacy as an employee.