"Assistant Professor in Early American History - 002052"

Assistant Professor in Early American History - 002052

Western Carolina University

Department: History

About WCU:

Western Carolina University continues to rank high on Forbes Best Employers lists each year. Including:
2025 - Ranked 1st in the top 100 employers in North Carolina in Forbes Americas Best Employers by State list.
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.

Position Summary:

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

The Department of History at Western Carolina University invites applications for a nine-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Early American History to begin in August 2026.

The position comes with a 3/3 course load with teaching responsibilities to include survey courses in early American History, African American History, History of Slavery, pre-1865 U.S. History, and other upper-level and graduate offerings related to teaching/research interests. The position is expected to contribute to WCUs Global Black Studies program.

The WCU History Department holds inclusive excellence as a core value, and we work together to foster a welcoming community, where all are respected and know they belong.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Minimum Qualifications:

Ph.D. in History preferred; ABD considered with degree conferral by August 17, 2026.
Degree must be from an appropriately accredited institution.

Preferred Qualifications:

(Not specified in detail)

Position Type:

Permanent Full-Time

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin October 31, 2025 and continue until the position is filled.

Please include the following: letter of application, current CV, teaching philosophy list of 3 professional references with complete contact information, and unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the masters degree level and higher. Letters of recommendation and sample teaching materials such as syllabi may be requested at a later date.

For questions or additional information please contact the chair of the search committee Dr. Rob Ferguson at 828-227-3502 or rhferguson@email.wcu.edu or the department chair Dr. Alex Macaulay at (828) 227-3497 or macaulay@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.

AA/EOE
Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity Employer...