Assistant Professor of Practice - Costume Design - #001655

Western Carolina University; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Practice - Costume Design. This 9-month, fixed-term role focuses on teaching costume design and technology, makeup for stage and screen, and related Stage and Screen courses.

The successful candidate will design 2–3 productions per year, mentor student designers, and collaborate with the costume shop manager and faculty to meet production timelines and budgets.

Qualifications

• MFA in Costume Design and/or MFA in Costume Technology with professional design experience.
• Demonstrated prior experience teaching at the University level.

Responsibilities

• Teach costume design and technology, makeup for stage and screen, and related Stage and Screen courses.
• Design 2–3 productions per year and mentor student designers in costume design for both stage and screen.
• Collaborate with the costume shop manager, Technical Director, and Faculty Designers to meet production timelines and budgets.
• Maintain a 4/4 teaching load with releases for significant design assignments.

Skills

Costume design

Theatrical makeup

Teaching at university level

Education

MFA in Costume Design

MFA in Costume Technology

Job description

Assistant Professor of Practice - Costume Design - #001655

The primary location of this position is the main Cullowhee, NC campus. The School of Stage and Screen is housed in the Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts at WCU and consists of the Film and Television Production, Musical Theatre, Acting for Stage and Screen, Entertainment Design and Technology, and Dance programs. The School serves approximately 200 majors. Western Carolina University's School of Stage and Screen seeks an Assistant Professor of Practice - Costume Design. This is a 9-month, fixed-term position with an anticipated begin work date of August 2026. Primary duties include teaching costume design and technology, makeup for stage and screen and other Stage and Screen courses as needed. This position will design 2-3 productions per year (Typically musicians), and mentor and assist student designers in costume design for both stage and screen. This position works closely with the costume shop manager on meeting production deadlines and works closely with the Technical Director and Faculty Designers to ensure all production timelines are met. The ideal candidate will possess excellence with costume design and technology, time management, and budgeting. This position teaches a 4/4 load including releases for significant design assignments.

Minimum Qualifications

• MFA in Costume Design and/or MFA in Costume Technology with professional design experience.
• Demonstrated prior experience teaching at the University level.

Position Type

Permanent Full-Time

Number of Hours Per Week

40

Number of Months Per Year

9

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, visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

Credential Verification

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.