DONNA KARAN PROFESSORSHIP IN FASHION DESIGN 
Department of Fashion Design
Parsons The New School for Design
New York, NY

Parsons The New School for Design, a division of The New School
University, seeks a full-time Professor in the Department of Fashion
Design to develop and lead graduate studies in this field. This
professorship was made 
possible by a generous endowment from Donna Karan through the
Karan-Weiss Foundation. Donna Karan is a distinguished alumna of
Parsons, and she has continued her engagement with and support of the
School as a member of its Board of Governors, a guest critic in the
Fashion Design program, and a donor.

Opportunity 
An intensive two-year MFA program in Fashion Design and
Society,scheduled to launch in fall 2008, is envisioned as an advanced
academy for the study of fashion design that will provide a more
sophisticated critical education for designers who already demonstrate
exceptional talent in the field. This program will integrate social and
cultural awareness with design work and the cultivation of a personal
point of view. To complement the MFA in Fashion Design and Society a
suite of professionally oriented MS programs 
and transdisciplinary research-based MFA programs are also being
developed in collaboration with other departments at Parsons.

Reporting to the Chair of the Fashion Design Department, the Donna
Karan Professor of Fashion Design will be responsible for the
design,development and leadership of the department's graduate programs,
in particular the MFA program. The general duties of Donna Karan
Professor of Fashion Design will include (but are not limited to) the
following:

Academic & Scholarship Responsibilities 
* Design and implement a compelling curriculum for the MFA in Fashion
Design and Society;
* Leadership role to prepare and teach innovative studio and/or theory
courses within the MFA program;
* Oversee the development of complementary, integrated graduate
programs for Fashion Design;
* Promote, introduce and facilitate integrated and interdisciplinary
study opportunities at Parsons and the university in cooperation with
other Parsons Chairs/Directors and relevant New School divisions;
* Oversee the recruitment, hiring, development, support, and ongoing
evaluation of graduate faculty in support of School and University
affirmative action goals;
* Contribute to the academic and professional advancement of the
department, school and university, by undertaking a body of creative
practice and/or scholarship that promotes the academic culture and
reputation of the department;
* Support the educational and personal development of students through
liaison with the student affairs department, the monitoring of
enrollment, admissions, and active participation in retention efforts
and
strategies;
* Foster the academic culture by supporting departmental, school and
university strategies designed to develop faculty teaching, scholarly,
professional and/or research work;
* In collaboration with the department Chair, facilitate the strategic
moves within the new department structure that will enable a culturally
rewarding and academically critical environment for faculty and
students;

Administrative & Managerial Responsibilities 
* Actively participate in the shared work and mission of the school and
the university, specifically providing sustained engagement in strategic
future and academic planning;
* Work with the Dean's Office to prepare and facilitate the required
accreditation processes for the MFA in Fashion Design and Society
including documentation for State and National accreditation bodies;
* Foster a positive working environment for staff and students in the
program, ensuring good communication among and between faculty,students
and staff, and involving all constituents in meaningful participation in

decision-making and planning;
* Efficiently manage the program budget and resources including use of
facilities;
* Participate on special projects, collaborative efforts, public
outreach, alumni affairs, development, and fund-raising;
* Manage the program's administrative support staff.

Selection Criteria 
For appointment, the successful candidate should have:
* A graduate degree in Fashion Design or a related field of study;
* An interest in theory and criticism in the field as well as in the
studio learning environment, specifically around issues of
Sustainability and Globalization as they relate to Fashion and Society;
* The qualifications, experience and standing to develop and lead
programs of international reputation;
* A strategic vision for the department's graduate programs relevant
and achievable within the school and university context;
* Practice, scholarship and/or research of national and international
significance;
* The proven ability to provide studio-based and/or theory-based
leadership to foster excellence in research and scholarship within the
department;
* A strong commitment to the importance of teaching at all levels and
to innovation in curriculum design and teaching methods;
* Excellent writing and interpersonal communication skills;
* The proven ability to manage finances and infrastructure development
in a complex environment;
* A record of effective academic and professional leadership and
positive consultative dialogue;
* The ability to take an active role in the development and continued
improvement of academic standards;
* The ability to help further develop the School's critical public
programs in this field, both in terms of exhibitions and public
lecture/seminar programs;
* An interest in working with other relevant Parsons Departments, New
School divisions and centers to facilitate ongoing efforts to establish
joint degrees and integrated and inter-disciplinary study opportunities
across the school and university;
* Experience with accreditation processes preferred.

Additional information on this position can be found at 
http://faculty.parsons.edu/jobopportunities/KaranProfessorship.pdf .

Application Procedure 
Please visit the New School's Online Career Center
(http://careers.newschool.edu) to submit online a letter of application
relating experience and interests to the opportunities and requirements
of the position, and also attach a Curriculum Vitae by January 15, 2007.
Please also complete online the Application for Employment 2006.

Start Date: July 1, 2007.

Salary: Competitive.

Benefits: Tuition and comprehensive health insurance.

The New School, as well as its individual academic divisions, is
committed to a policy of equal opportunity in all its activities and
programs, including employment and promotion. It does not discriminate
on the basis of 
race, color, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, religion,
sex, sexual orientation, age, physical disability, veteran or marital
status.

____________________________________
Maria Pozapalidis
Assistant Director for Faculty
Office of the Dean
Parsons The New School for Design
66 Fifth Avenue, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10011
Direct: (212) 229-8951 x4203
Fax: (212) 243-1420

http://parsons.newschool.edu/