Visiting Assistant Professor - Sociology - #001668

Western Carolina University Inc; Cullowhee (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Western Carolina University seeks a Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology for the Spring 2027 semester on the main Cullowhee, NC campus. The fixed-term appointment requires teaching a 4-course load in the undergraduate sociology program, with preference for health sociology, global/transnational sociology, and organizational/industrial sociology.

Open to all sociological specialties. The position will be housed in the Department of Anthropology and Sociology and focuses on teaching

Qualifications

• Teaching undergraduate sociology courses.
• Preference for candidates with health sociology, global/transnational sociology, or organizational/industrial sociology backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Teach a 4-course load in the undergraduate sociology program for Spring 2027.
• Open to all sociological specialties; preferred courses related to health, global/transnational, or organizational sociology.

Skills

Teaching

Sociology

Course planning

Job description

Visiting Assistant Professor - Sociology - #001668

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Position Summary

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

The Department of Anthropology and Sociology at Western Carolina University invites applications for a fixed-term Visiting Assistant Professor of Sociology, to teach solely in the spring 2027 semester. The Visiting Assistant Professor will teach a 4 course load within Western Carolina University’s undergraduate sociology program. This position is open to all sociological specialties, but candidates with backgrounds in health sociology, global and transnational sociology, organizational and industrial sociology, or related areas will be given preference as the primary courses to be taught will be related to one or more of those specialty areas.

Working Title Visiting Assistant Professor - Sociology - #001668

Department

Department Anthropology & Sociology

About WCU

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes ‘Best Employers’ lists each year. Including:
2025 – Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers by State’ list.
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.

Benefits

• 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.

Position Type

Permanent Full-Time

Number of Months Per Year

9

Open Date

11/06/2026

Open Until Filled No

No

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

• letter of application
• current CV
• teaching statement (no more than two pages)
• scholarly statement (two pages maximum)
• list of three professional references with complete contact information
• unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the master’s degree level and higher

*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 master’s degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The master’s degree transcript must have a notation such as Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.

For questions or additional information please contact Ben Steere at [e-mail]

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).