Founding Director, School of Creative Technologies

Title: Founding Director, School of Creative Technologies
Division Name: Academic Affairs
College/Unit: Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts
Department: School of Creative Technologies
Campus Location: Normal, IL

The Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University is seeking applications for the Founding Director of the School of Creative Technologies. The College is looking for a dynamic leader to advance the strategic, operational, and financial directions of the new school, which is evolving from the long-standing interdisciplinary program formerly known as Arts Technology. The Founding Director will collaborate with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and university administration to foster a culture of excellence and belonging in alignment with ISU's strategic plan, Excellence by Design.

The Director may be called upon to teach one or two courses per academic year. Because the School is in its foundational stages, we are seeking candidates who can quickly adapt and be flexible in this regard.

The position is a twelve-month position. The salary range is $125,000-135,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience. A comprehensive benefits package is included.

University Benefit Highlights:
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time

For more University Benefit information: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/

Information regarding eligibility for participation in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program can be reviewed here https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/insurance/

The Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University includes the Wonsook Kim School of Art, the School of Creative Technologies, the School of Music, and the School of Theatre, Dance, and Film -all of which have rich and varied curriculums. The College is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and student body committed to teaching and working in multicultural environments. The Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts recognizes that a diverse faculty, staff, and student body enriches the educational experiences of the entire campus and the greater community. Candidates who have experience working with a range of faculty, staff, and students, and who can contribute to the culture of openness, belonging, and mutual support are especially welcome to apply.

Creative Technologies (CTK) currently offers two STEM-designated undergraduate degrees (BA, BS) and one STEM-designated graduate degree (MS), with four sequences: 1) Interdisciplinary Technologies, 2) Accelerated Creative Technologies, 3) Game Design, and 4) Audio and Music Production. Additionally, a minor in Game Design is available. The Founding Director will prioritize expanding the curricular and co-curricular portfolio to create clear pathways to completion for students from underrepresented groups within creative technologies. https://finearts.illinoisstate.edu/creative-technologies/

Illinois State University, IllinoisState.edu, was founded in 1857 as Illinois' first public university. We enroll approximately 21,000 students in six colleges. Our new strategic plan, Excellence by Design: 2024-2029, lists our seven core values: Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity. By acting on these values, we create a learning environment that results in our university being the first-choice public university in Illinois for high-achieving, motivated students who seek an individualized educational experience combined with the resources of a large university. Learn more about Illinois State's Metrics of Excellence at IllinoisState.edu/PointsofPride.

Bloomington-Normal: Illinois State University is located in the growing twin cities of Bloomington and Normal, with a metro population of approximately 172,000. The community is also home to Illinois Wesleyan University, Heartland Community College, St. Joseph Medical Center, Carle BroMenn Medical Center, COUNTRY Financial, State Farm Insurance's International Headquarters, Central Illinois Regional Airport, and electric truck manufacturer Rivian Motors. The community has distinguished itself for its outstanding school systems, and its citizens' high level of educational attainment, as well as its parks and recreation, health care, vibrant fine arts scene, job growth, economic opportunity, historic sites, and low crime rates. Bloomington made Livability's top 100 Best Places to Live (2024) and ranked No. 3 on College Values Online's list of Best Small College Towns in America (2024). Bloomington-Normal is conveniently located about three hours from Indianapolis; two hours from both Chicago and St. Louis; and an hour from Peoria, Champaign-Urbana, Decatur, and Springfield. Many of these locations are accessible from Bloomington-Normal via Amtrak, which is located one block from Illinois State's campus. For more information on our community, visit visitbn.org.

$125,000-$135,000 commensurate with qualifications and experience

1) Terminal degree or international equivalent in music, theatre, dance, film, art, design fields, architecture, engineering, computer science, applied technologies, or other fields related to creative technologies in the contemporary world.

2) Recognized nationally or internationally for academic achievements in teaching and scholarship that merit appointment with tenure at the rank of Professor.

3) Research and teaching expertise in technology-based digital arts design (broadly defined), entertainment engineering and design, E-sports production, multimedia arts and technology, animation and illustration, creative programming/coding, interactive installations, AR/VR/XR, AI, Blockchain, algorithmic thinking and immersive storytelling, Internet of Things (IoT), UI/UX, augmented creativity, motion graphics, game-based learning, data painting, audio and music production, or other experiential activities that promote tech-forward innovations across disciplines found at ISU.

4) Experience with integrating creative technologies into interdisciplinary contexts, with possible applications in areas such as healthcare, engineering, education, business, applied sciences, and beyond.

5) A proven track record of successful administrative experiences, including but not limited to overseeing academic programs, sustaining disciplinary accreditation(s), periodic program reviews, curriculum and course scheduling, budget management, as well as managing people and resources. Additionally, experience in public engagement, (inter)national outreach, recruitment and retention activities, profile-raising efforts, fundraising, securing grant funding, and enhancing creative and scholarly productivity in support of these goals is essential.

6) A demonstratable commitment to the values of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts.

7) Candidates must be able to demonstrate oral proficiency in the English language as a requirement for this position, as mandated by state law.

Varies

July 1, 2025

1) Cover letter - specifically address how your experiences in your field meet the qualifications and expectations of the position as listed.
2) CV
3) List of at least 3 references with contact information.

Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"

Review of applications will begin 16 December 2025.Open until filled.

Kurt LaShure
kalashu@ilstu.edu

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

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

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.