Assistant Professor of African American History - #002052

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Carolina University seeks a Visiting Assistant Professor of African American History starting August 2025. This one-year position includes teaching responsibilities in U.S. History and African American History, along with an emphasis on inclusivity and departmental service. Applicants with a Ph.D. or ABD status by tenure are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Tuition waivers for up to three courses per year

Employee development programs

Qualifications

• Ph.D. from an accredited institution, preferred; ABD candidates considered.
• Inclusive excellence as a core value.
• Courses in pre-1865 U.S. History, African American History, and related subfields.

Responsibilities

• Teach a 3/3 course load including African American History and U.S. History.
• Contribute to departmental service and foster an inclusive learning environment.
• Engage in research aligned with teaching interests.

Skills

Teaching

Research

Public History

Education

Ph.D. in History

Job description

Visiting Assistant Professor of African American History - #002052

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Thank you for your interest in this position. To be considered, you must apply online at https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/26512 (Position #002052). Online submissions must include a cover letter, current curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts, a teaching philosophy, and a list of two references with full contact information. Sample teaching materials such as syllabi may be asked for at a later date. Review of applications will begin June 27th and continue until the position is filled. For questions or additional information, please contact the chair of the department Dr. Alex Macaulay at 828-227-3497 or [e-mail] .

Working Title Visiting Assistant Professor of African American History - #002052

Department

Department History

About WCU

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.

Position Summary

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

The Department of History at Western Carolina University invites applications for a one-year Visiting Assistant Professor in African American History to begin in August 2025. The position comes with a 3/3 course load with teaching responsibilities to include courses in pre-1865 U.S. History, African American History surveys, History of Slavery and other upper-level offerings related to teaching/research interests. Subfields in Public History and/or Atlantic World are desirable. Ph.D. from accredited institution in History preferred; ABD candidates will be considered with degree conferral by August 2025. The WCU History Department holds inclusive excellence as a core value, and we work together to foster a welcoming community, where all are respected and know they belong.

Western Carolina University is a 12,000 student campus in the University of North Carolina system that offers more than 120 areas of study for undergraduates and more than 50 graduate-level programs. WCU is committed to the Boyer model of scholarship, the stewardship of place, integrated learning, and engagement. The campus is located in a beautiful mountain setting between the Great Smoky and Blue Ridge mountains, 50 miles west of Asheville, North Carolina, and only minutes from Cherokee, NC and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. from accredited institution, in History preferred; ABD considered with degree conferral by August 2025.

Degree must be from an appropriately accredited institution.

Preferred Qualifications

Position Type

Position Type Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week

Number of Months Per Year

Number of Months Per Year 9

Posting Text

Open Date

Close Date

Open Until Filled No

Special Instructions to Applicants

Thank you for your interest in this position. To be considered, you must apply online at https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/26512 (Position #002052). Online submissions must include a cover letter, current curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts, a teaching philosophy, and a list of two references with full contact information. Sample teaching materials such as syllabi may be asked for at a later date. Review of applications will begin June 27th and continue until the position is filled. For questions or additional information, please contact the chair of the department Dr. Alex Macaulay at 828-227-3497 or [e-mail] .

Background/E-Verify

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.

EOE

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].

University Safety

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.

Required Documents

Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Curriculum Vitae

Unofficial Transcripts

List of references

Teaching Philosophy

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).