Assistant Professor - Spanish - #004767

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.

The primary location of this position is on the main Cullowhee, NC campus.

Western Carolina University's Department of World Languages department seeks a 9-month tenure-track Assistant Professor of Spanish to teach face-to-face (exclusively) at our Cullowhee campus, with an anticipated start date of August 2025.

The teaching load for this position is 3-3, and the starting salary is fixed at $62,000, which includes excellent benefits. Summer teaching (at additional pay) may also be available.

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

PhD in Spanish, Spanish Linguistics, Romance Languages (w/ Spanish concentration), Latin American Studies, Latinx Studies, Applied Linguistics, or closely related field. Regardless of specific degree, candidates must have at least 18 graduate credit hours in Spanish ( SPAN prefixes on transcript) and demonstrate advanced language skills in speaking, listening comprehension, reading, and writing in both Spanish and English. Candidates must have two or more years of experience teaching various levels of Spanish language courses at the college level.

Preference will be given to candidates who:
(1) demonstrate innovation and excellence in teaching in the classroom and promoting student engagement outside the classroom in co- and extra-curricular activities;

(2) have experience or strong interest in developing and/or leading short-term, faculty-led study abroad trips and promoting semester and year-long study abroad programs;

(3) have an active research agenda above and beyond the publication of their dissertation, and who can articulate a reasonable plan to meet and exceed scholarly requirements for tenure and promotion at WCU;

(4) are qualified to teach other languages offered in the department or in support of the Latina/o Studies minor;

(5) have PhD in hand;

(6) demonstrate potential for growth into leadership positions in the department and beyond.

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin one month after the posting date and continue until position is filled.

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

Additionally, a minimum of two professional letters of recommendation should be emailed directly from the referees to Dr. Michael Martinez, chair of the search committee, at mlmartinez@wcu.edu. Inquires about this posting may be made to the same address.

*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.

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