Assistant Professor - Masters of School Administration - #001384

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. Paid vacation and sick leave accrual begin after first month of employment. 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 at the Biltmore Park instructional site in Asheville, NC.

The Department of Human Services at Western Carolina University ( WCU) invites applications for an Assistant Professor tenure track nine (9) month position in the Master of School Administration ( MSA) Program beginning January 1 or August 1, 2025. The MSA is within the North Carolina School Executive Leadership Program which includes pathways to principal licensure for educators who self-select to earn their MSA or Post Masters Certificate, as well as NC Principal Fellows who are supported by their school districts with fully-funded forgivable loans. Courses are delivered online and hybrid format with face-to-face instruction four Saturdays per semester at WCU's Instructional Site at Biltmore Park in Asheville.

WCU's MSA program prepares P-12 school leaders throughout NC in alignment with NC Standards for School Executives and National Educational Leadership Preparation Standards. Two key pillars of our program are 1) developing formal school leaders with a lens for equity and social justice and, 2) teaching scholar practitioners to use Improvement Science to analyze and address problems in schools and school systems.

Responsibilities: (1) Teach 3 courses per semester (6 per academic year) and advise students in the Master's in School Administration program. Summer teaching opportunities for additional compensation are available. (2) Conduct scholarship activities according to the department and university guidelines. (3) Provide program, department, college, and university service. Collaborate with program director on responsibilities including coordinating curriculum, participating in recruitment activities, reviewing applicants, and advising students. Work collaboratively with other educational leadership faculty within the MSA and EdD programs including recruitment and selection of student applicants, serving as a committee member on EdD disquisitions (dissertation in practice based in Improvement Science), and may occasionally serve as Chair. Perform other related duties as requested within the program, department, college, and university. Applicants should demonstrate excellence in teaching with the ability to teach online and in-person, a record of scholarship, and service through leadership.

NCSELP ( MSA) Program Website

WCU embraces its role as a regionally engaged university and is designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a community engaged university. Preference will be given to candidates who can demonstrate a commitment to public engagement through their teaching, service, and scholarship.

A doctorate in Educational Leadership or related discipline from an accredited institution. P-12 school administrator experience. Ability to teach leadership courses in the MSA program (online, face-to-face, and hybrid delivery) and assist in leading program development initiatives. Licensure in K-12 school administration or licensure eligibility with interest and aptitude to remain current on NC principal licensure requirements. Possess strong communication and organizational skills.

Previous experience teaching online, face-to-face, and hybrid graduate courses. Experience as a principal in a public school. Preferred candidates will also present evidence of - or potential for - writing, securing, and administering grants related to school leadership. Preferred applicants will demonstrate excellence in teaching, leadership, and a record of community/public engagement.

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 Heidi Von Dohlen, Search Committee Chair at hbvondohlen@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.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

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.

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.