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.

Come join Western Carolina Universitys dynamic team of educators in our growing Graphic Design program, in the Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts.

Western Carolina Universitys School of Art and Design is seeking an entry level, tenure track design faculty with a focus in Design & Visual Communications. This is a full time nine-month Assistant Professor position.

Beginning: August 2025.

Situated in the School of Art & Design (https://www.wcu.edu/learn/departments-schools-colleges/fpa/artdesign/index.aspx), the Graphic Design program merges illustration, brand and identity design, print, motion, experience, and product design into a dynamic and growing interdisciplinary curriculum. The curriculum is designed to be shaped by each faculty members evolving research interests and the industrys changing needs. The desired candidate will have a desire to foster and encourage positive studio culture among students.

Teaching: This is an entry level, tenure-track faculty position. A successful applicant should demonstrate knowledge in the practice of contemporary design and be able to teach entry-level to senior-level design courses. Topics of instruction may include, typography, layout design, design thinking, design foundations, Illustration, interactive, motion design and animation. Applicants are expected to be proficient with the Abode Creative Suite and technical skills related to various analog and digital formats.

The faculty member is expected to be a passionate design practitioner who demonstrates the ability to engage, inspire, and mentor students; integrate innovative pedagogical and technological approaches, and multicultural perspectives into instructional methods; foster collaborative teaching and educational opportunities through diverse and innovative projects, curriculum, and experiences; and promote the efforts of the program in the university and throughout the community. In support of the programs strong commitment to diversity, the faculty members are expected to foster a welcoming, equitable, and accessible learning environment for all students.

Research: The faculty members creative research activity should make a significant contribution to a body of knowledge within design or design related fields reflecting a high standard of quality. The faculty member must demonstrate an active professional career and scholarly activities related to the programs curriculum and support the broader mission and initiatives of the school, and University. Candidates who can demonstrate an active, dynamic, and ambitious professional practice are strongly encouraged to apply.

Service: As a member of a community-oriented, program and School, the faculty member will provide service such as assisting with student, department, and school-wide initiatives contributing to discussions that support the student community and the administration at each level; academic advising; supporting recruitment initiatives for the undergraduate graphic design program; fostering community engagement opportunities; and serving on program, school, and university committees. In addition, the faculty member is expected to engage in professional associations and provide professional service. Other responsibilities may be assigned by the area coordinator, school, or university administration.

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. For best consideration application materials should be submitted by November 22, 2024.

To be considered, you must apply online. Hard copy application materials are not considered. Please attach the following.:

The anticipated starting date is August, 2025.

*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.

For questions or additional information, please contact Ron Laboray, Director, of the School of Art and Design, via email: [email protected], or John Seefeldt, Graphic Design search committee chair, via email: [email protected].