Assistant Professor Of Practice or Open Rank - Interior Design

42130BR

Department of Design DOD

Position Description

The Department of Interior Design in the College of Health and Human Sciences at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 9-month, Assistant Professor of Practice to begin September 1, 2026.

About the University

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School. The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.
About Lubbock:Referred to as the "Hub City" because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock's Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.

About the College

As one of the four original colleges at Texas Tech University at its founding in 1925, the College of Health & Human Sciences (CHHS) has a rich history of investing in students, preparing them to impact the world around them. The College of Health & Human Sciences provides multidisciplinary education, research, and service focused on individuals, families, and their environments to improve and enhance the human condition. The college offers a wide range of outstanding and nationally recognized undergraduate and graduate programs and encompasses seven academic units that include Community, Family & Addiction Sciences; the Department of Design; Family & Consumer Sciences Education; Hospitality and Retail Management; Human Development and Family Sciences; Interdisciplinary Human Sciences; Nutritional Sciences; and the School of Personal Financial Planning. In further supporting its vision of providing premier research, outreach, and educational programs that enhance human well-being worldwide, the CHHS is also home to six centers and five institutes. When they graduate, our students are making an impact as educators, healthcare professionals, financial planners, hospitality managers, fashion merchandisers, designers, counselors, and nutrition experts.

About the Department/School/Area

The Department of Design serves approximately 300 undergraduate and 30 graduate students. Research and teaching emphasize design for health and wellness, both indoor and outdoor learning environments, sustainable design practices, and design innovation. The undergraduate Interior Design program, one of the first CIDA-accredited programs in the United States, provides students with a foundation of education and success for creative and employable interior design fields. Many of these undergraduates earn a minor in Architecture. Over the recent years, our undergraduate alumni have consistently placed in Interior Design Magazine's annual top interior designers' "30 under 30" list. Additionally, our award-winning graduate students are engaged in both research translation (Master of Science) and original research (Doctor of Philosophy) applied to the interior and near environments with a research focus on current problems in health and human-centered sciences. While they are graduate students, most have published their findings in peer-reviewed academic journals.

This is an exciting time for the Department of Design as we now are an integral member of the Texas Tech University Design Village, an innovative new facility that will enhance student collaboration and learning experiences by fostering collaboration among key colleges: Architecture, Agriculture (Landscape Architecture Program), Business (Real Estate Program), Engineering (Construction Engineering Program), Health and Human Sciences (Department of Design), Visual and Performing Arts (School of Art). By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, industry partnerships, and innovative learning environments, the Design Village promises to deliver significant benefits to students and the university, positioning Texas Tech University at the forefront of design and technology education. We therefore are recruiting faculty who will provide current knowledge and technological skills for bright students while pursuing research, scholarship, and creative activities.

Major/Essential Functions

At Texas Tech University, the Professor of Practice title is used to recruit individuals with exceptional backgrounds and achievements in academic, business, government, or other professional practice. Primary responsibilities normally will be to teach in an area of expertise, mentor students in professional and career preparation, and liaise with professional contacts and entities on behalf of the department or program.

In line with TTU's strategic priorities to engage and empower a diverse student body, enable innovative research and creative activities, and transform lives and communities through outreach and engaged scholarship, applicants should have experience working with diverse student populations at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels within individual or across the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, and service. [DG1]

As a faculty member in the Interior Design Program, the Assistant Professor of Practice will be expected to excel in teaching and service while contributing meaningfully to the academic and professional community. This position provides a pathway for experienced design professionals to share their expertise with students through engaging lectures, innovative curriculum development, and active mentoring.

Faculty are expected to engage in scholarly and professional activities such as ongoing professional development, committee service, outreach, and advocacy for the design field. The role also emphasizes fostering collaborative and interdisciplinary initiatives, mentoring students, and creating connections between the classroom and the professional practice of interior design.

Organization

Texas Tech University

Faculty Qualifications

• All applicants are required to have earned a MS and/or MA by time of appointment, in Interior Design or a related field.
• Previous experience in interior design professional practice by date of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply.

Preferred qualifications include the following:

• Previous experience in interior design professional practice, by date of hire, either having passed the NCIDQ exam or meeting eligibility requirements to sit for it
• Terminal degree (Ph.D., MFA) in Interior Design or a related field
• Teaching experience in higher education
• Experience with and competency in relevant industry-standard software (e.g. AutoCAD, Revit, Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, SketchUp)
• WELL AP, NKBA, AAHID, or other relevant certification(s) The candidate will be expected to teach undergraduate level courses while providing service to the Department, the College, and the University as appropriate

Duty Point

TTU Lubbock, main campus and affiliated facilities

Safety Information

Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.

Does this position work in a research laboratory?

No

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please include the following documents in your application:

1. Cover letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Transcripts
4. Portfolio
5. Teaching Portfolio
6. Other Document(s) directly related to required qualifications
7. Names of and contact information for at least three professional references, at least one of which speaks to teaching experience and effectiveness.

Job Type

Full Time

Pay Basis

Monthly

Pay Statement

Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan. For additional information, please reference the institutional pay plan by visiting www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/payplan.

Travel Required

Up to 25%

Grant Funded?

No

Job Group

NonTenure track

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.

Salary Grade

800

Applications must be received by

11/14/2025