Position Title:

Visiting Professional Lecturer in Fashion Merchandising

Department/School:

School of Communication & the Arts

Salary/Pay Rate:

$70,000 - $75,000

Job Summary:

The School of Communication and the Arts at Marist University invites applications for a full-time Visiting Professional Lecturer in Fashion Merchandising, an open area of specialization, beginning Fall 2025. Primary duties include teaching undergraduate courses within the Fashion Merchandising major across the Fashion Business, Fashion Promotion and Product Development concentrations.

Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong analytical and creative skill set, deep knowledge of the latest disruptions within the fashion industry, and the ability to teach and critique student work based on the standards of the fashion industry.

The Marist Fashion Department is dedicated to educating, inspiring, and preparing students to become responsible leaders in the fashion and related industries by fostering a global perspective through inclusion, innovation, and experiential learning.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Seven years of relevant industry-related experience
• A strong desire to teach at a student-centered university

Essential Functions:

• Teach four course sections per semester. Course topics may include the following: Global Merchandising, Sustainability, Apparel Supply Chain, Visual Merchandising, Trend Forecasting & Analysis, Buying, Product Development.
• Mentor senior capstone thesis projects as appropriate.
• Meet with students outside of class time for additional instruction as appropriate.
• Mentor student scholarship competition entries as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree or terminal degree (in Fashion Merchandising or a related discipline, such as an MBA).
• Three or more years of teaching at the collegiate level with evidence of effective teaching.

Required Application Documents:

Cover Letter, Resume, Teaching Statement, Contact Information of 3 Professional References, and sample syllabus that includes evidence of inclusive teaching.

Advancing candidates may be asked to provide additional documentation.

Benefits:

The position includes a comprehensive benefit package*. Benefits for this position include but are not limited to the following:

• Unlimited paid sick time.
• 14+ paid holidays per year.
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurance programs at a 15% employee / 85% employer contribution rate. Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Dependent Care (FSD).
• Life insurance.
• Generous short-term and long-term disability programs and workers compensation.
• 403(b) defined contribution plan:
  • First 6 years University contributes 7.5%, Employee contributes a mandatory 4%.
  • University contribution increases to 10.5% in year 7, and 12% after 15 years.
  • Employee contribution decreases to 1% in year 7. Remains 1% thereafter.
  • Typical eligibility requirements: 1 year of service and 1,000 hours with Marist University.
• 403(b) Tax Deferred Annuity – Roth option available. Voluntary, up to IRS maximum contribution.
• Tuition Benefits:
  • Up to 16 undergraduate credits per semester. Up to 18 graduate credit per academic calendar. Eligibility extends to employee, spouse, and dependent children under age 26.
  • University pays 100% tuition only.
  • Eligible dependents may be Reimbursed up to $2,000 per semester towards tuition at another accredited institution.

*Eligibility requirements including waiting periods and/or employee probationary periods may apply at the discretion of the University.

About the Department/School:

The Fashion Department at Marist successfully prepares its students to enter the world of fashion and pursue careers in merchandising, planning, product development, retailing, operations, fashion promotion, event production, and a gamut of other employment opportunities. Students gain the skills, knowledge and internship experiences within an encouraging academic environment to help them flourish in the fashion industry.

The Fashion Department is housed in the School of Communication and the Arts, which prepares students for careers in communication, media, fashion & art practices, building valuable skills that complement a foundation in a liberal arts education. With nationally ranked programs and Centers of Excellence in Sports Communication and Social Media, we foster an inclusive and engaged community of industry experts and research faculty dedicated to student success. We aim to inspire students to become empathetic and ethically responsible professionals with an understanding of the values of community engagement, sustainability, and social responsibility. Marist’s location in the Hudson Valley offers a traditional college experience that is only a train ride away from the rich cultural and professional opportunities New York City has to offer, while our global campus in Florence, Italy gives students the opportunity to expand their world.

We have innovative, undergraduate academic programs in Art and Digital Media, Communication, Fashion, Film and Television, Games and Emerging Media, and Music as well as graduate programs and dual degree programs in Integrated Marketing Communication (online), and Museum Studies (Florence).

About Marist University:

Founded in 1929, Marist is a comprehensive, independent four-year institution whose signature educational approach blends the liberal arts with pre-professional studies and emphasizes experiential learning to enrich classroom instruction. With campuses in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Florence, Italy, plus over 70 programs offering a variety of international study, Marist is a portal to the world and is devoted to nurturing a welcoming, inclusive community. Through six schools offering almost 50 majors, Marist cultivates the intellectual growth and well-being of its more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students and encourages them to color outside traditional academic lines as they pursue coursework and personal experiences that provide valuable occupational expertise and reflect their individual passions. Marist has been acclaimed a top institution in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal/College Pulse, Princeton Review, and others. To learn more, please visit https://www.marist.edu/about 

Type of Position:

Full-time

Classification:

Faculty (Full-Time)

Months per Year:

9

Work Schedule:

Time as required for teaching and service.

Location:

Marist University Main Campus

Number of Position Openings:

1

Equal Employment Statement:

Marist University is committed to creating a diverse workforce on our campus by ensuring that barriers to equal employment opportunity and upward mobility do not exist here. To this end, the University will strive to achieve the full and fair participation of all members of the Marist community.

Equal opportunity means employment, development, and promotion of individuals without consideration of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, or veteran status unless there is a bona fide occupational requirement which excludes persons in one of these protected groups. The University will review its employment policies and procedures to ensure that barriers which may unnecessarily exclude protected groups are identified and eliminated. The University will also explore alternative approaches if any policy or practice is found to have a negative impact on protected groups.

Marist's policy of non-discrimination includes not only employment practices but also extends to all services and programs provided by the University. It shall be considered a violation of University policy for any member of the community to discriminate against any individual or group with respect to employment or attendance at Marist University on the basis of race, color, disability, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other condition established by law.