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 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 August 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 WCUs Instructional Site at Biltmore Park in Asheville.

WCUs 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 Masters 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

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 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.