Open Rank - Director - Engineering Discovery Program - #241037

Posting Number FAC707P Quick Link for Internal Postings https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/27274 Classification Title Assistant/Associate/Full Professor Working Title Open Rank

• Director

• Engineering Discovery Program - #241037 Department Office of the Dean, Engineering & Technology About WCU

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.

Position Summary

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

The College of Engineering and Technology (CET) at Western Carolina University (WCU) is growing!

The University has received substantial support from the North Carolina legislature to expand engineering to meet the rapidly growing needs of the region and state. Our engineering and engineering technology programs feature project-based learning embedded throughout the curricula, preparing our students for professional practice and advanced study. Industry engagement is a hallmark of our programs, and we pride ourselves as having faculty with significant industry experience. Our culture embraces faculty-student interaction through experiences such as undergraduate research. We are committed to regional economic development and changing the lives of our students and their families through a transformative experience at our rural main campus setting in the mountains of western North Carolina, and at sites in Asheville and across western NC. The college's programs are instrumental to the economic vitality of the region, and are advancing the university to be one of the nation's premier regional comprehensive institutions. We are creating leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs with the foundation and skills needed for transformative careers in engineering and beyond.

About the Position:

The College of Engineering and Technology at Western Carolina University invites applications from accomplished individuals with an earned PhD or equivalent degree in engineering to serve as the Inaugural Director of our Engineering Discovery Program. This is a 12-month position, including a base 9-month tenure/track faculty appointment. Rank determination will be made at the point of hire based upon the candidate's qualifications. Application review will begin on or before May 20, 2024.

The Engineering Discovery Program comprises a first-year experience for the college's students; advising, student recruiting, retention and success initiatives; and pedagogical innovations that include our focus on hands-on student experiences. The Director of the Engineering Discovery Program will play an instrumental role in developing, leading, coordinating, and deploying the program and courses. The director will be responsible for designing the structure, curriculum, pedagogy, and assessment of the program, as well as ensuring consistency in course content, standards, and instructional modes across different classes and majors. In addition, the director will supervise the program's faculty, provide guidance and support to faculty teaching in the college's degree programs and related departments college- and campus-wide, and will teach relevant classes as appropriate. In collaboration with the university's Coulter Faculty Commons, the director will lead the innovations in course development and delivery in the college. As a result, the Engineering Discovery program will increase persistence to degree completion and cultivate highly sought after students that are ready for professional practice and are prepared to tackle challenges facing our region, nation and beyond.

We are seeking an individual who possesses a strong background in disciplinary and/or engineering education research, as well as an established pedagogical track record in working with undergraduate engineering students.Further, the director will have experience working effectively with industry and other stakeholders to identify real world problems or challenges for students to solve. The director will have an interest in engineering education best practices, research, and assessment and the educational skills needed for the next 50 years. Candidates must be committed to recruiting and providing high-quality education to a diverse student body at the undergraduate level.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities Include:

• Lead a nationally recognized first-year experience and Engineering Discovery Program at WCU;

• Recruit and retain a diverse student population;

• Foster an environment for CET students to excel and thrive through curricular and co-curricular experiences;

• Lead the unit's staff in the areas of advising, marketing and communications, recruiting, and retention;

• Collaborate closely with constituents campus-wide;

• Work in conjunction with campus leadership and university advancement to secure external support for initiatives and programmatic needs;

• Demonstrate a commitment to teaching excellence;

• Prepare and teach undergraduate and/or graduate classes;

• Prepare and provide assessment data, accreditation data, and other requested data;

• Continue to expand professional influence in the academic discipline through research and publications;

• Engage in service within the academic unit, the university, and the profession.

Carnegie statement

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.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position Minimum Qualifications

PhD or equivalent degree in an engineering discipline and a demonstrated progressive record of accomplishments in a similar or related organization.

Preferred Qualifications

Two or more years of leadership experience in a similar or related organization.

Position Type Permanent Full-Time Number of Hours Per Week Number of Months Per Year 12

Posting Text

Open Date 04/19/2024 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants

Review of applications will begin on or before May 20, 2024 and will continue until a candidate has been selected for hire. Applicants must submit the following:

• Full curriculum vitae and cover letter summarizing their interests and qualifications for the position.

• Statement of teaching philosophy describing their conceptualizations of teaching and learning, and teaching and assessment methods, and how their teaching practices will engage students from a range of backgrounds and experiences.

• Statement of scholarship plans;

• Full contact information for at least three academic or professional references; and

• unofficial transcripts from the highest earned degree.

For questions or additional information, please contact the College of Engineering and Technology at 828-227-7368.

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.

Credential Verification

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.

AA/EOE

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.

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.