Adjunct Faculty Instructor

About the role

The San Mateo County Community College District is committed to achieving educational equity for all students, aligning with its Strategic Plan goals of success, equity, and social justice. The district provides a rich, dynamic learning experience that emphasizes collaboration, lifelong learning, and preparing students to become global citizens and socially responsible leaders. Joining the team means being part of an inclusive, innovative, equity‑focused community that views higher education as a matter of social justice.

Responsibilities

• Teach courses in fashion design and/or fashion merchandising
• Maintain expertise in current teaching and discipline technologies
• Consult with students during regularly scheduled office hours
• Perform other duties as required by contract, collective bargaining agreement, and general institutional needs (including possible evening class assignments)

Requirements

Any bachelor's degree or higher and two years of professional experience, or any associate degree and six years of professional experience. Professional experience is required when the applicant possesses a master's degree and must be directly related to the teaching assignment.

Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to, and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff as these factors relate to equity‑minded practice inside and outside the classroom.

Note: If you believe your degree, academic background, or professional achievements are equivalent to the stated minimum qualifications, you may complete the Application for Equivalence – For Faculty Positions. Three means of demonstrating equivalency are:

• Degree Equivalence – possession of a degree with similar content; equivalence established via transcript and coursework analysis.
• Academic Background Equivalence – completion of at least 24 semester units (or equivalent) in the academic field, plus a broad cultural education and detailed study of the discipline.
• Professional Achievement Equivalence – demonstration of equivalence to general education requirements and evidence of outstanding professional achievement and/or substantial training in the field.

Qualifications

Knowledge of successful techniques and methods in teaching fashion that emphasize cooperation, collaboration, and active student engagement, fostering independent, creative learners with higher‑order thinking skills.

Awareness of career options in fashion: sales associate, retail buyer, store manager/owner, fashion director, designer, pattern maker, theater customer, visual merchandiser, internet fashion marketing, and direct industry work experience.

Understanding of consumer behaviors.

Skills

• Successful experience teaching college‑level courses in Fashion Design and/or Fashion Merchandising
• Skill in promoting fashion, including advertising, publicity, and special events
• Ability to organize and explain materials appropriately for students with different abilities, levels of preparation, and cultural experiences
• Capability to teach theoretical and practical applications of the subject matter suited to students' abilities
• Experience using a computer to prepare correspondence, memoranda, and other written materials
• Commitment to integrating writing skills across the curriculum
• Willingness to learn the various computer programs used by the college

Pay

Placement on the adjunct faculty salary schedule is based on education and credited experience. Pending course assignment, initial hourly rates are:

• Lab Course (Salary Schedule HB): $89.20 – $130.94 per hour
• Lecture Course (Salary Schedule HC): $103.85 – $151.07 per hour

Schedule

Semester assignments as needed.