Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas 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 Americas 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 Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems 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 on the main campus in Cullowhee, NC.

We are recruiting for faculty positions in electrical engineering, or a closely related field, at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor of Practice. The Professor of Practice positions at WCU are intended for industry practitioners or faculty with considerable professional experience in business and industry that have an interest in bringing their experiences to the classroom. Responsibilities include teaching, course and curriculum development, engagement with regional business and industry, and student advising. While these are teaching focused positions, research and scholarship opportunities are also available, and activities that further develop professional and technical competence and expertise are expected.

Professors of Practice routinely teach in multiple topical areas at the undergraduate and graduate levels in electrical engineering and electrical and computer engineering technology. Candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas are highly desired:

This is a nine-month fixed-term position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor of Practice. Rank will be determined at the point of hire. The anticipated start dates are August 2025 or January 2026.

For more information on the School of Engineering + Technology please visit set.wcu.edu. For more information regarding this position, contact Dr. Andy Ritenour at aritenour@wcu.edu.

WCUs Engineering and Engineering Technology programs are accredited by ABETs EAC and ETAC, respectively. Successful candidates will be expected to support the Universitys external engagement mission and our Quality Enhancement Program (QEP). Applicants are encouraged to visit the WCU website www.wcu.edu to learn more about WCU and details regarding the QEP.

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.

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 a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of teaching philosophy, statement of scholarship plans, 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. Andy Ritenour at aritenour@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 masters degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The masters degree transcript must have a notation such as 'Degree Awarded,' 'Degree Conferred,' or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.