Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas 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 Americas 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 Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems 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.

The primary location of this position is the Cullowhee, NC campus. The anticipated begin work date is August 2025. This is a nine-months per year fixed-term faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Practice.

The College of Engineering and Technology at Western Carolina University (WCU) is growing! The University has received substantial support from the North Carolina legislature to expand engineering to meet the rapidly growing needs of the region and state. Our engineering and engineering technology programs feature project-based learning embedded throughout the curricula, preparing our students for professional practice and advanced study. Industry engagement is a hallmark of our programs, and we pride ourselves as having faculty with significant industry experience. Our culture embraces faculty-student interaction through experiences such as undergraduate research. We are committed to changing the lives of our students and their families through a transformative experience in our rural main-campus setting in the mountains of western North Carolina. The Colleges programs are instrumental to the economic vitality of the region and are advancing the university to be one of the nations premier regional comprehensive institutions. We are creating leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs with the foundation and skills needed for transformative careers in engineering and beyond.

The primary responsibilities of this position involve teaching and collaborating with a team of faculty to develop and deliver first-year experience (FYE) introductory engineering courses.

The successful candidate will play a key role within the Engineering Discovery faculty team, working together to create a supportive and engaging learning environment for students. We are looking for individuals with strong communication skills, enthusiasm, empathy, and a passion for teaching foundational concepts to first-year College of Engineering students. The successful candidate will take part in bolstering engineering identity development as well as sense of belonging for first year students.

Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to excellence in higher education, supporting students from diverse backgrounds, and helping first-year College of Engineering students thrive.

Additionally, candidates will actively contribute to the departments undergraduate teaching efforts, assist with career exploration initiatives, and support various Engineering Discovery programs and activities. Other duties include participating in accreditation processes, program assessment, and providing service to the department, College, and University as needed.

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, statement of teaching philosophy, unofficial transcripts from highest degree earned, and a list of three professional references with full contact information.

For additional information or questions contact Dr. Gretchen Dietz at gdietz@wcu.edu.