Assistant Professor of Practice - #251065

Western Carolina University; Greater London; On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established educational institution is seeking an enthusiastic Assistant Professor of Practice to join their growing engineering program. This role involves teaching foundational engineering courses, fostering student engagement, and collaborating with a dynamic faculty team. The university prides itself on its commitment to student success and community engagement, offering a supportive environment for both faculty and students. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication skills and a passion for teaching, contributing to the development of future engineering leaders in a vibrant academic setting.

Benefits

Dental Insurance

Health Insurance

Tuition Waivers

Paid Parental Leave

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Community Service Leave

Group Exercise Classes

Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering or closely related discipline required.
• Previous academic teaching experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Teach first-year engineering courses and support student development.
• Collaborate with faculty to enhance student learning experiences.

Skills

Teaching Experience

Communication Skills

Curriculum Development

Student Engagement

Education

Master's Degree in Engineering

PhD in Engineering

Job description

Assistant Professor of Practice - #251065

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

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, statement of teaching philosophy, unofficial transcripts from highest degree earned, and a list of three professional references with full contact information.

For additional information or questions contact Dr. Gretchen Dietz at [e-mail].

Posting Details

Posting Information

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.

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 and service.

Posting Number	FAC804P
Quick Link for Internal Postings	https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/30132
Classification Title	Assistant Professor - Practice
Working Title	Assistant Professor of Practice - #251065
Department	School of Engineering & Technology
About WCU
Position Summary	The primary location of this position is the Cullowhee, NC campus. The anticipated begin work date is August 2025. This is a nine-months per year fixed-term faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor of Practice. The College of Engineering and Technology at Western Carolina University (WCU) is growing! The University has received substantial support from the North Carolina legislature to expand engineering to meet the rapidly growing needs of the region and state. Our engineering and engineering technology programs feature project-based learning embedded throughout the curricula, preparing our students for professional practice and advanced study. Industry engagement is a hallmark of our programs, and we pride ourselves as having faculty with significant industry experience. Our culture embraces faculty-student interaction through experiences such as undergraduate research. We are committed to changing the lives of our students and their families through a transformative experience in our rural main-campus setting in the mountains of western North Carolina. The College's programs are instrumental to the economic vitality of the region and are advancing the university to be one of the nation's premier regional comprehensive institutions. We are creating leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs with the foundation and skills needed for transformative careers in engineering and beyond. The primary responsibilities of this position involve teaching and collaborating with a team of faculty to develop and deliver first-year experience (FYE) introductory engineering courses. The successful candidate will play a key role within the Engineering Discovery faculty team, working together to create a supportive and engaging learning environment for students. We are looking for individuals with strong communication skills, enthusiasm, empathy, and a passion for teaching foundational concepts to first-year College of Engineering students. The successful candidate will take part in bolstering engineering identity development as well as sense of belonging for first year students. Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to excellence in higher education, supporting students from diverse backgrounds, and helping first-year College of Engineering students thrive. Additionally, candidates will actively contribute to the department's undergraduate teaching efforts, assist with career exploration initiatives, and support various Engineering Discovery programs and activities. Other duties include participating in accreditation processes, program assessment, and providing service to the department, College, and University as needed.
Carnegie statement
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position
Minimum Qualifications	A master's degree in engineering, engineering technology, or a closely related discipline from an appropriately accredited institution prior to the start date Previous academic teaching experience
Preferred Qualifications	A PhD or equivalent terminal degree in engineering, engineering technology, or a closely related discipline from an appropriately accredited institution Experience with recruitment, retention, and advising of students Three or more years of relevant business or industry experience
Position Type	Permanent Full-Time
Number of Hours Per Week
Number of Months Per Year	9

Posting Text

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, statement of teaching philosophy, unofficial transcripts from highest degree earned, and a list of three professional references with full contact information.

For additional information or questions contact Dr. Gretchen Dietz at [e-mail].

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 Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; 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. Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call [phone] or email at [e-mail].

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.

Open Date	02/26/2025
Close Date
Open Until Filled	Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Background/E-Verify
Credential Verification
EOE
University Safety

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application


2. Curriculum Vitae


3. Teaching Philosophy


4. Unofficial Transcripts


5. List of references

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).