Distinguished Professor of Art - #000609

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.

The School of Art and Design invites applications for a Distinguished Professor of Visual Arts. This initial appointment is a 10-month, full time, five year fixed term position at the rank of Full Professor of Practice, renewable for additional terms at the discretion of the Dean of Fine & Performing Arts. Anticipated begin date of August 2025.

The School of Art and Design is seeking a dynamic leader who will bring creative vision and solid administrative experience to the role of Director of the MFA program. Primary responsibility will be to Direct the Master of Fine Arts program in the School of Art and Design. Responsibilities include recruitment, advising, and administrative leadership, working in conjunction with the Graduate School.

This position requires coordination of the foundations curriculum. The MFA Director will mentor graduate student instructors, serving as the instructor of record and ensuring quality student learning outcomes and a consistent delivery of their foundation courses. The Director of the MFA program is a member of the faculty of the School of Art and Design teaching a two/one course load. The MFA Director will also engage with community partners including WCU Fine Art Museum and Jackson County Green Energy Park. The director will develop opportunities for regional and national engagement with MFA program.

The successful candidate will:

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

MFA in studio art or PhD in art history or terminal degree in related field. Continuous and significant record of professional creative activities and/or scholarship at the national or international level. Teaching experience at the University level from foundations to Graduate level studio.

Knowledge of and demonstrated ability to address 2D-3D foundational needs for both studio and design, and ability to teach in one or more of the following areas: studio art, art history, art theory and criticism. Coordination experience related to mentoring student teachers and a desire to engage with students, colleagues, and community.

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin immediately 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 four (4) professional references with full contact information. Please also include a portfolio with a link to examples of creative works and projects, scholarship and examples of student work.

For questions or additional information please contact Heather Mae Erickson, Associate Professor, School of Art and Design at hmerickson@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.

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