Director of African and African American Studies - #212900

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.

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

Western Carolina University seeks a dynamic scholar at the assistant professor level in Global Black Studies ( GBS) beginning in August 2025. The successful candidate will assume directorship of the program within one to three years of employment. This is a tenure track, nine-month position.

Program directors receive an administrative course release each semester. The successful candidate must demonstrate expertise centered in Black Studies and continue build the intellectual identity of the GBS program. The successful candidate must have a PhD in Black Studies or a related discipline with experience in Black Studies. The successful candidate must assure an exciting and collegial environment for faculty, students, and staff by fostering interdisciplinary campus, regional, and national collaboration and continue to shape the curriculum, mission, and community outreach of the program. The successful candidate must teach courses within the GBS program and within another department at WCU that is appropriate for their expertise.

The director's duties will include:

The director will collaborate with department heads, the deans, and work with a board of interested faculty, students, and community members who will aid in supporting, developing, and promoting programming.

Western Carolina University holds inclusive excellence as a core value, and we work together to foster a welcoming community, where all are respected and know they belong.

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, service, and scholarship.

A terminal degree (PhD or M.F.A) in a discipline that would fit in one of the departments within the College of Arts and Sciences. https://www.wcu.edu/learn/departments-schools-colleges/cas/

A scholarly record that demonstrates academic contributions related to fields in African American, African Diaspora or Africana studies, broadly conceived.

Ability to teach an introductory interdisciplinary course on African/African American studies.

2-5 years of teaching experience in higher education at a college or University.

Administrative experience in curriculum development or program development.

Experience in community-based participatory research or community outreach.

Experience in developing service learning or internship opportunities for students.

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin in early December 2024 and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire.

Please include cover letter, curriculum vitae, unofficial transcripts from highest degree earned* and a list of three professional references with full contact information.

For questions or additional information please contact Dr. Munene Mwaniki at mfmwaniki@email.wcu.edu

*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.

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/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; 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. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program.
Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

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.