Metro State University, a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, is seeking to hire an Assistant Professor in Cinema Production. This is a .75 FTE, fixed-term position within the Department of Fine Arts and will start on August 18, 2025. A fixed-term position is a one-year position that can be renewed up to three times.
Responsibilities
Faculty members are expected to:
Demonstrate the ability to teach most to all aspects of cinema production (screenwriting, producing, directing, cinematography, film editing) as well as video arts and cinema studies courses effectively to a post-traditional student population and contribute to meaningful assessment of student learning.
Engage in scholarly activity, creative achievement, and/or research.
Provide evidence of continuing preparation and study.
Contribute to student growth and development through advising and assistance.
Engage in service to the university and community, including bringing film screenings to the community in Film Space, Metro State?s digital theater (Founder?s Hall Auditorium).
Demonstrate a commitment to serving a diverse student body by delivering a student-centered education and using approaches that support equitable outcomes for all students.
Provide excellent learning environments through in-person, online, and/or hybrid course modalities.
Minimum Qualifications
A minimum of a master?s degree in Cinema/Film/Media Production, or a closely related field.
Experience teaching Cinema/Film/Media Production & Editing at the undergraduate level.
Demonstrated interest in faculty position that prioritizes teaching and emphasizes teaching excellence.
A plan for scholarly activity, creative achievement, and/or research in the specified discipline(s), or related disciplines.
Effective communication skills (written & verbal) to communicate with a variety of persons and groups.
Demonstrated experience working collaboratively with students and colleagues who are culturally, economically, and linguistically diverse.
Specific Technical, Computer, and/or Software skills (Final Draft or other Screenwriting software programs, Adobe Premiere Pro and other apps within the Adobe Creative Suite, Cinema Camera Systems, etc).
Preferred QualificationÂ
A completed terminal degree in the specified discipline(s). Preference will be given to those with MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Cinema/Film Production or Film/Media/Cinematic Arts or Fine Arts.
Experience producing, directing, editing at least 1 professionally produced film (short or feature; documentary, experimental, animation, or live-action), as well as demonstrated achievement in professional film production as evidenced by filmmaking awards, exhibitions, fellowships, and/or grants.
Experience in extensive practicing and/or teaching at the undergraduate level 1-2 of the following additional disciplines: Cinema Studies, Film Producing, Photography, Video Installation Art, Animation.
Interest in a high degree of engagement with students outside of the classroom (mentoring, clubs/student organizations, student filmmaking, film festivals, etc.)
Interest in developing and teaching Film Production and Producing courses such as Producing the Independent Film, Creative Financing and Distribution, Video Storytelling for Social Media, Documentary Film Production, with significant focus on creative, low-budget, cooperative, & equitable filmmaking.
Ability to collaborate with colleagues to serve program goals and initiatives.
Demonstrated effectiveness teaching at a post-secondary level.
Experience developing course curricula at a post-secondary institution.
Demonstrated contributions to assessment of student learning at a post-secondary institution.
Professional development and/or expertise in culturally responsive pedagogy, anti-racist pedagogy, and/or universal design.
Experience as an academic advisor for students at post-secondary institution.
Other Requirements
Notice: In accordance with the Minnesota State Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, employees driving on university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to Minnesota State?s vehicle use criteria and consent to a motor vehicle records check.
Work Shift (Hours / Days of work)
Telework (Yes/No)
About
Metro State University empowers learners to transform their lives and communities through relevant, student-centered education in an inclusive, anti-racist, and supportive learning environment.
Metro State University provides an excellent, inclusive, and engaging education to eliminate opportunity gaps and empower our students to lead our communities to a prosperous and equitable future. The university offers programs leading to baccalaureate, masters, and applied doctoral degrees. We provide accessible, high quality liberal arts, professional, and graduate education with continued emphasis on marginalized groups, including adult learners. Metro State is a five-time recipient of the Insight into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, most recently in 2023. Federally recognized as a Minority Serving Institution, its employees serve more than 9,000 post-traditional learners, two-thirds of whom identify as belonging to communities of color or American Indian nations, are first in their family to attend college, and/or are eligible for Pell Grants. Since we do not operate residential facilities, Metro State University students all commute to class locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, or take their courses wherever they are through our many distance-learning and hybrid course offerings, allowing Metro State to truly be ?where learning meets living.? Metropolitan State is recognized by CollegeNet as a leading higher education promoter of social mobility for students (Ranked # 31 out of 1,206 in 2024). Recognized in 2008 and 2016 by the Carnegie Foundation for Community Engagement, the university is committed to academic excellence and community engagement through curriculum, teaching, scholarship, and services designed to support an urban mission. As a member of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System, Metro State University actively works to achieve the Equity 2030 goal of the system, with initiatives to close disparities among student groups that focus on academic programs, policies and procedures, and effective student support. In addition, equity and anti-racism strategies are focused on building an inclusive and welcoming campus climate, hiring and retaining a diverse workforce, and developing our capacity to serve students in a culturally responsive manner. The university is finalizing a new strategic plan, with the draft goal of enhancing its legacy of student success by becoming the region?s premier institution for high-quality, accessible, and equitable education, promoting social mobility and community engagement.
Visit the Metro State University website to learn more about the university, our programs, and our students. Learn more about Minnesota State Colleges and Universities at their website.
Description of College/School/Unit: The College of Liberal Arts, located in St. Paul, MN, consists of programs in humanities, social sciences, communications, and the arts. These fields constitute the beating heart of a university education and of a society committed to socially equitable progress. Liberal Arts degrees prepare students for success and understanding in professional, social, and personal pursuits. The exceptional curricula and caring faculty bring fresh perspectives and expertise into the classroom on a wide variety of topics and socially relevant competencies. Learn more on the College of Liberal Arts webpage. The college includes the following departments: Ethnic, Gender, Historical, and Philosophical Studies; Fine Arts; Professional Communication; Social Science; Technical Communication and Interaction Design; and Writing, Literature, and Language. The college includes 41 full-time faculty, 107 part-time faculty, and 6 staff who serve over 900 majors/pre-majors as well as the majority of the University?s students through general education courses.
The School/Academic Department: The Metro State Fine Arts Department offers accessible bachelor?s degrees in Screenwriting, Studio Arts, and Theater. Metro?s Interdisciplinary curriculum also includes digital arts, media and film production.
Our faculty are award-winning working artists and scholars. The Fine Arts Department promotes campus and community events such as gallery exhibits, artist talks, film screenings, and theater productions of established playwrights as well as original student work.
Please note: Filling of this position is dependent upon budget.
Salary: Salary is commensurate with education and experience and is determined by the salary placement process as outlined in the Inter Faculty Organization (IFO) Master Agreement.
Employment for this position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement for the Inter Faculty Organization (IFO) which can be found at on the Minnesota State Employee and Labor Relations 2023-2025 IFO Bargaining Agreement
For the most current information on the Inter Faculty Organization, go to www.ifo.org
*To comply with privacy and data practices requirements, please refrain from including personal information or photographs in your application materials.
Applications must be received by 12:01 AM on Closing Date: February 3, 2025
Qualified applicants are required to attach the following documents to their online application:
Cover letter of interest addressing your qualifications for the position;
Current curriculum vita or resume;
A statement of your teaching philosophy and examples of teaching effectiveness, particularly as it relates to equity and anti-racist pedagogy (limit 2 pages);
Names of four (4) references with addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers; at least two (2) of the references must be able to address teaching effectiveness; and
Transcripts - Valid unofficial copies of your transcript showing conferred/awarded date of your highest attained degree, with your name and the academic institution?s name/logo are required. If doctoral study is in progress at the time of application, submit the most recent transcript showing your course of study and progress to date. We are not able to accept copy/paste word documents with a list of courses/grades. If selected for hire, official original transcripts will be required.
Links to Films/Portfolio
Additional materials may be requested at a later date.
For TTY, call Minnesota Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) at 7-1-1 or 1.800.627.3529
If you have other questions related to this job announcement, please contact Human Resources, at 651.793.1275 or email at [email protected].
Metro State University is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
The university provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.
Metropolitan State University offers over 60 baccalaureate majors, 10 master?s degrees, and 2 doctoral programs. Founded in 1971, the university is a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and is the only state university in the Twin Cities. It is a comprehensive urban university committed to meeting the higher education needs of those who live and work in the 13 county metropolitan area.With a strong tradition of individualized educational programs, we are fully committed to high-quality, affordable education for working adults. Faculty, staff and more than 11,000 full- and part-time students reflect the area?s rich diversity, provide a highly student-centered environment and demonstrate unwavering commitment to civic engagement.