Michael Ford Hip Hop Architecture Fellowship – University of Detroit Mercy, United States

Job ID

AF9429 -0401-1705

Position Classification

FT Administrator

Position Summary

The Michael Ford Hip Hop Architecture Fellowship at the University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) is a groundbreaking program that aims to connect the field of architecture and Hip Hop culture. This fellowship, committed to nurturing innovative scholarship and creativity, provides a distinctive platform for individuals to explore and enrich the dynamic intersection of Hip Hop and architectural design. As the Fellow, you will explore the multifaceted connections between Hip Hop, urban planning, urban design, and community development as you collaborate directly with renowned Hip Hop architect Michael Ford and the Whitney M Young Jr Award-winning Detroit Collaborative Design Center (DCDC) and faculty. Beyond the UDM SACD classroom, your impact will resonate as you travel to co-facilitate Hip Hop Architecture Camps, engaging with students and communities nationwide. Join us in shaping the future of architectural education through a dynamic fusion of community engagement, music, and culturally relevant pedagogy.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Curricular Development and Instruction

• Co-facilitate Hip Hop Architecture Camps in cities across the United States.
• Co-Teach two undergraduate level Hip Hop Architecture Design Studios.
• Advance the Hip Hop Architecture Camp curriculum for K-12 students and college students.

Event Coordination

• Lecture Series: Lead the development of a city-wide, lecture series exploring the intersection of design and Hip Hop culture.

Community Engagement

• Community Masterplan: The Fellow will edit and advance the development of a neighborhood masterplan based on completed works by youth during The Hip Hop Architecture Camps and students during the UDM SACD design studios. This published plan will be for a specific community within the City of Detroit.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Must hold a master’s degree or higher in architecture or a related field. Licensure is not required.
• Must demonstrate expertise or strong interest in Hip Hop culture.
• Must demonstrate teaching experience in architectural design and related subjects.

Preferred Qualifications

• We expect candidates to have a forward-thinking perspective.
• Fellow will work with diverse communities, including youth with English as a second language. Fluency in Spanish is not required but is a bonus.

Physical Requirements

Job may require lifting light weight objects (1 to 10 pounds) with no repetitive bending or stooping.

Work Environment

Occasional exposure to objectionable conditions or variations such as those found in variable weather conditions or light industrial settings.

Salary/Pay Information

$60,000/Annually

Anticipated Schedule

Monday to Friday – 8.30 AM to 5.00 PM

Special Instructions to Applicants

Candidates must apply by completing an application and uploading materials. Materials must include:

• A letter explaining your interest in the position and the school
• A curriculum vitae
• Examples of work including both design and teaching experience (24 pages maximum);
• The names and contact information for three references.

Review of applications will begin Monday, April 8, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. The appointment begins June 1, 2024.  Please direct any questions about the position to the Dean of the School of Architecture & Community Development, Dan Pitera, FAIA at piteradw@udmercy.edu . Please copy Brigette Murphy-Barbee murphybr@udmercy.edu on all other email correspondence.

Our School of Architecture & Community Development is the only accredited architecture program based in Detroit, and is internationally known for its long history of providing a social, economic and environmental justice-driven and student-centered educational approach. We have always taken particular pride in our expertise in public interest design and civic engagement. SACD is also home to the Detroit Collaborative Design Center (DCDC), a professional practice with full-time staff supported by student employees providing design, planning, and community engagement services to the non-profit community using a “teaching-hospital” model for architects. SACD seeks to recruit and retain a diverse faculty as a reflection of university mission and our commitment to providing excellent, student-centered education for our diverse student body.

For additional information about the School, visit our website: sacd.udmercy.edu. The School of Architecture & Community Development has recently completed a name change transition and is currently working through the corresponding graphic branding and identity update to its website.

Employee Benefits

At the University of Detroit Mercy, we continually strive to provide a high-quality, comprehensive benefits package to our valued employees. We offer our employees the following benefits:

1. Medical-

Three health plans to choose from with a large national provider network.

2. Dental-

UDM’s School of Dentistry FREE to you and your dependents.

Option to purchase additional dental plan through UNUM.

3. Vision –

Exams and lenses every 12 months.

4. Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Accounts offered.

5. Employee Assistance Program-

Provided to everyone in your household.

6. Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.

7. Life and AD&D –

1x base salary up to $100,000

8. Option to purchase additional life insurance, accident insurance, and/or critical illness insurance.

9. Tuition Remission Benefit for you, your spouse, and children.

10. Retirement Plan –

UDM provides matches up to 8%

Michigan’s largest, most comprehensive private University, University of Detroit Mercy is an independent Catholic institution of higher education sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and Society of Jesus. Detroit Mercy seeks qualified candidates who will contribute to the University’s mission, diversity, and excellence of its academic community. University of Detroit Mercy is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action Employer with a diverse student body and welcomes persons of all backgrounds.