Job Details

Assistant Professor - Educational Leadership/Research - 000182
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Position Number: 5814321
Location: Cullowhee, NC
Position Type: Education - Edu. Admin & Leadership (study of)

Assistant Professor - Educational Leadership/Research - 000182

Western Carolina University

Department: Human Services

About WCU:

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes 'Best Employers' lists each year. Including:

2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 34 out of the top 400 employers across all industries.

2023 - Ranked in the top 20% on Forbes 'America's Best Midsize Employers' list, WCU was ranked 97 out of the top 500 employers across all industries.

2022 - Ranked 14th in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South.
Employees of WCU are provided a comprehensive benefits package as well as other resources, policies and programs to ensure a happy and healthy work/life balance. Benefit eligible employees have access to dental, vision and health insurance plans - eligibility begins on the first of the month following date of hire. Retirement plan contributions begin on the eligibility date following election and include employer contributions for either a defined contribution or a defined benefit plan. Optional disability plans are also available.
Eligible employees have access to tuition waivers for up to three courses per academic year; employee may enroll at any of the constituent UNC System campuses. Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus, pretax flexible spending accounts, 12 paid holidays and 24 hours of paid community service leave each year. Leave earning employees (staff and 12-month faculty) who work at least half of the working days of their first month of employment will begin accruing vacation and sick leave immediately. Paid parental leave after 12 months of continuous service.
WCU offers an abundance of training and development programs, certifications, workshops and conferences - many of which are offered free of charge.

Position Summary:

The primary location of this position is the Biltmore Park Instructional Site in Asheville, NC.

Western Carolina University invites applications for a tenure-track 9-month position as Assistant Professor in Educational Leadership (Educational Research). The start date is August 1, 2025.

The Educational Leadership Ed.D. program runs year-round, allowing for summer teaching opportunities for additional compensation. This role includes teaching master's and doctoral level courses in educational research methods (e.g., improvement science, action research, qualitative and quantitative design and methods, program evaluation, and policy analysis), using online, face-to-face, and hybrid delivery instruction methods. In addition to teaching, this position will chair and serve on committees for the culminating project in the Educational Doctorate in Leadership program (disquisition). Applicants should demonstrate excellence in teaching, a record of scholarship, and service through leadership. Applicants should be willing to collaborate with faculty on program development, research, and student support. In order to support the EdD's central focus on equity and social justice work, we seek a candidate who can demonstrate the tenants of the profession in their research and practice.

Responsibilities:

Teach 3 research methods courses per semester (6 per academic year) in programs such as: Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Masters of School Administration, Masters of Counseling, and Masters of Higher Education Student Affairs. Additionally, there will be summer teaching responsibilities for additional compensation.
Conduct research and other scholarly activities according to the department and university guidelines.
Provide program, department, college, and university service. Collaborate with program director on responsibilities including curriculum, recruitment activities, reviewing student admissions applicants in both the EdD and MSA programs, and advising students. Work collaboratively with other educational leadership faculty within the MSA and EdD programs. Chair EdD Disquisitions (capstone project based in Improvement Science) and serve as a committee member on disquisitions. Perform other related duties as requested within the program, department, college, and university.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:
Minimum Qualifications:

PhD or EdD in research methods, educational leadership, higher education, or a related educational field (with a minimum of 18 research credits completed) earned by August 1, 2025, from an appropriately accredited institution.
Ability to teach research methods (qualitative, quantitative, and Improvement Science)
Possess strong relational, communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated competence in Improvement Science methods.
Previous teaching in higher education, including online, face-to-face, and hybrid.
Knowledge of and/or experience in teaching in a CPED (Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate) program.
Experience assisting graduate students with conducting and disseminating research and collaborating on interdisciplinary and team curriculum development and instructional delivery.
Evidence of-or potential for-an active research agenda and securing grants.
Experience in administrative positions in higher education or P-12 school settings.

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include cover letter, curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts from highest degree earned* and a list of three professional references with full contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Dr. Emily Virtue, Search Committee Chair, at evirtue@email.wcu.edu

*All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript of their highest attained degree, showing all completed coursework and the date the degree was conferred. The transcript must state "Degree Awarded," "Degree Conferred," or a similar phrase. For candidates who are ABD, please submit your most recent doctoral program transcript along with your master's degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The master's degree transcript must have a notation such as "Degree Awarded," "Degree Conferred," or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.

AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

University Safety
The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at University Annual Safety Report or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.

To apply, please visit: https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/29087