Job Details

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 main Cullowhee, NC campus.

Western Carolina University seeks a dynamic scholar at the assistant professor level in Global Black Studies (GBS) beginning in August 2025. The successful candidate will assume directorship of the program within one to three years of employment. This is a tenure track, nine-month position.

Program directors receive an administrative course release each semester. The successful candidate must demonstrate expertise centered in Black Studies and continue build the intellectual identity of the GBS program. The successful candidate must have a PhD in Black Studies or a related discipline with experience in Black Studies. The successful candidate must assure an exciting and collegial environment for faculty, students, and staff by fostering interdisciplinary campus, regional, and national collaboration and continue to shape the curriculum, mission, and community outreach of the program. The successful candidate must teach courses within the GBS program and within another department at WCU that is appropriate for their expertise.

The directors duties will include:

The director will collaborate with department heads, the deans, and work with a board of interested faculty, students, and community members who will aid in supporting, developing, and promoting programming.

Western Carolina University holds inclusive excellence as a core value, and we work together to foster a welcoming community, where all are respected and know they belong.

A terminal degree (PhD or M.F.A) in a discipline that would fit in one of the departments within the College of Arts and Sciences. https://www.wcu.edu/learn/departments-schools-colleges/cas/

A scholarly record that demonstrates academic contributions related to fields in African American, African Diaspora or Africana studies, broadly conceived.

Ability to teach an introductory interdisciplinary course on African/African American studies.

2-5 years of teaching experience in higher education at a college or University.

Administrative experience in curriculum development or program development.

Experience in community-based participatory research or community outreach.

Experience in developing service learning or internship opportunities for students.

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin in early December 2024 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. Munene Mwaniki at mfwaniki@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 masters degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The masters degree transcript must have a notation such as "Degree Awarded," "Degree Conferred," or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.