Lowe's Tech Distinguished Professor and Program Director in Cybersecurity

Appalachian State University; Boone (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Appalachian State University invites applications for the Lowe's Tech Distinguished Professor and Program Director in Cybersecurity. This tenure-track position is open to associate or full professors and includes leadership of the cybersecurity curriculum and program development within the Walker College of Business.

The successful candidate will teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels, lead program initiatives, mentor junior faculty, and oversee the cyber range and related competitions,

Qualifications

• Ph.D. or terminal degree in IS/Cybersecurity from AACSB-accredited institution.
• Current academic rank of associate or full professor.
• Leadership in cybersecurity curriculum and program development.
• Distinguished teaching record in cybersecurity (face-to-face or online).
• Teaching certification in cybersecurity (ISACA/ISC2) is desirable.
• Active international cybersecurity research with grant funding experience.
• Willingness to mentor junior faculty in research productivity.

Responsibilities

• Hold a 9-month faculty position with a 5-year renewable endowed appointment.
• Excel in teaching, research, and service for undergrad and grad education.
• Engage in university, public, and professional service and stakeholder relations.
• Serve as Cybersecurity Program Director for an initial three-year period.

Skills

Cybersecurity leadership

Teaching experience

Curriculum development

Mentoring faculty

Education

PhD in Information Systems / Cybersecurity

Job description

Lowe's Tech Distinguished Professor and Program Director in Cybersecurity

Tenure Track

Associate or Full Professor

Position Number: 096741

VISA Sponsorship is available for this position. All candidates must be eligible to work and live in the U.S.

Department: Computer Information Systems - 255100

Working Location: Boone, North Carolina

Position Summary

Minimum Qualifications:

1. A Ph.D. or similar terminal degree such as DBA or DSc in Information Systems, Cybersecurity, or a closely related field from an AACSB- or equivalently accredited institution.
2. Current academic rank of full professor or associate professor.

Areas of Interest and Preferred Qualifications (No Minimum Level Required):

1. Demonstrated leadership in cybersecurity curriculum and academic program development or advancement.
2. Evidence of a distinguished record in teaching face-to-face and/or online courses in cybersecurity.

Teaching:

• Cybersecurity Professional Certification from a well-recognized certification body including but not limited to ISACA or ISC2

Research and Creative Activities:

• An active and internationally recognized record in Cybersecurity research
• Experience and success in securing grant funding

Service:

• Ability and willingness to engage in professional outreach, including advisory board and career events, and with the academic profession
• Ability and willingness to engage in curriculum matters and program development
• Ability and willingness to mentor junior faculty in research productivity demonstrated by evidence from current or previous institutions.

License/Certification Required: N/A

Department Description

The Department of Computer Information Systems is housed in the Walker College of Business https://business.appstate.edu/ at Appalachian State University. The Walker College of Business is committed to ensuring that its graduates are equipped to succeed in an increasingly innovative, multicultural, and interdependent world. Details about department programs and faculty/staff can be found at https://cis.appstate.edu/.

The Lowe's Tech Distinguished Professorship in Cybersecurity is open to the academic ranks of full professor as a distinguished professor, or associate professor as a distinguished scholar. The professorship holder will maintain a high level of professional service and leadership beyond the University.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will hold a 9-month faculty position. The initial appointment to this endowed distinguished professorship will be for a period of five years and will be renewable based upon satisfactory annual performance.
• The successful candidate will be committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service in an institution dedicated to undergraduate and graduate education.
• The candidate will be expected to perform university, public, and professional service as part of the workload including the management of relationships across multiple stakeholder groups.
• The candidate will serve as the Cybersecurity Program Director for an initial period of three years.

Duties of this role will include:

• Leading faculty collaboration to develop and implement program curricula
• Engaging with undergraduate and graduate students and assisting with job and internship placement
• Management of the setup and administration of the cyber range and competitions
• Other responsibilities include promoting the program, building relationships, and performing other duties as assigned by the department chair

Position Details

• Type of Position: Full Time Position
• Appointment Type: 1.0
• Number Of Months Per Year: 9
• Physical Demands of Position: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Posting Details

• Proposed Date of Hire: 01/01/2027
• Suggested Salary Range: Salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• ABD Consideration: N/A - ABD is not applicable for this position. See Minimum Qualifications.

ABD with reduction in rank and salary: ABD will be considered for this position. Evidence of successful defense of the dissertation must be received by July 31 for a fall hire or November 30 for a spring hire. If confirmation of defense is not provided by the deadline, the candidate will receive a new one-year fixed-term contract and be hired at the rank of Instructor. The candidate's salary will also be reduced to a lower rate commensurate with other full-time instructors in the same department. However, if degree verification is provided before the end of the one-year fixed-term contract, the candidate will be returned to the rank of assistant professor with commensurate compensation beginning July 1 of the following academic year.

No ABD consideration: Only candidates with an earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution will be considered for the position. Since ABD will not meet the minimum requirements, ABD will not be considered.

UNC System Code (Section 610(2)) Special Faculty Hires: The continued employment of a special faculty member during the term appointment may be made expressly contingent on items such as the continued availability of funding from any source, on enrollment levels, or any other contingency established by the institution.

Posting Date: 08/18/2026

Open Until Filled: Yes

Evaluation of Applications Begins: 08/24/2026

Search Chair Name: Robert Shane Sharpe

Search Chair Email: [e-mail]

Posting Number: FA00593P

Quick Link: https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/55581