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. Paid vacation and sick leave accrual begin after first month of employment. 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.

WCU, a regional comprehensive university in the University of North Carolina System, is in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina about 50 miles west of Asheville. The university is also in reasonable proximity to both Knoxville, TN and Atlanta, GA. WCU's Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders is comprised of fourteen faculty and staff. The department offers a CSD undergraduate degree and minor and a graduate degree in Speech-Language Pathology.

Western Carolina University (WCU) seeks candidates for the Catherine Brewer Smith Endowed Professorship in its CAA accredited Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD). This is a nine-month tenure track position with an anticipated start date of August 2024.

The Catherine Brewer Smith Professorship was established in the late 1990s by the generous gift of the Brewer Smith family. The endowment provides funding for a faculty member at the rank of professor who is an established leader in the field of Speech-Language Pathology. Indicators of eligibility include an active agenda as an expressive scholar, the receipt of or potential for external funding, and innovative teaching/service to the profession of Speech-Language Pathology. The endowment provides a competitive salary and a professional development fund which is replenished annually. The Brewer Smith professor is expected to write and pursue external funding, teach one course per term (in their area of expertise), and provide leadership/mentorship to students and faculty in CSD. Western Carolina University recognizes and rewards all legitimate forms of scholarly activity described by Ernest Boyer: scholarship of discovery, scholarship of integration, scholarship of application, and scholarship of teaching and learning.

Areas of importance for the Brewer Smith Professor include:

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

Earned doctorate in speech-language pathology or closely related field from an accredited institution; eligibility for the rank of professor within WCU CSD; evidence of excellence in teaching/research/service; and eligibility for CCC-SLP and NC license.

Interprofessional experiences; evidence of and interest in collaboration with students and faculty peers; evidence of strong interpersonal and communication skills, effective collaboration, and collegiality.

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 references.

For questions or additional information please contact Department Head and search chair, Leigh Odom, at kmodom@wcu.edu

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 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.