Assistant Professor of Practice - Civil Engineering

Assistant Professor of Practice - Civil Engineering

Department: School of Engineering & Technology

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 College of Engineering and Technology (cet.wcu.edu) 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 construction management 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 on having faculty with significant industry experience. Our culture embraces faculty-student interaction through experiences such as undergraduate research. We are committed to changing the lives of our students and their families through a transformative experience at our main rural campus setting in the mountains of western North Carolina, and at sites in Asheville and across western NC. The colleges programs are instrumental to the economic vitality of the region and are advancing the university to be one of the nations premier regional comprehensive institutions. We are creating leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs with the foundation and skills needed for transformative careers in engineering, construction, and beyond.

To support our growth, we invite applications for a Fixed Term Assistant Professor of Practice of Civil Engineering with teaching and professional expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Structural Engineering
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Transportation Engineering
• Water Resource Engineering
• Construction Engineering

The position is a nine-month fixed term position with an anticipated start date of August 2026.

Candidates will be expected to play a collaborative role in initiatives for partnerships with K-12 schools, community colleges, government agencies, and industry. This position is also expected to provide a considerable level of service to the School, College, and University including student advising and mentoring, planning and leading outreach activities, organizing and mentoring student clubs and organizations, and other similar student and industry focused activities. Additionally, candidates may have opportunities to teach summer courses and lead other efforts in the summer months for additional compensation.

For more information on the School of Engineering + Technology please visit set.wcu.edu. More information about our CE-allied Construction Management program is found at cm.wcu.edu. Our Engineering, Engineering Technology, and Construction Management programs are accredited by ABETs EAC, ETAC, and ANSAC, respectively. The college has been recognized by U.S. News and World Report as a top tier Undergraduate Engineering program for the past several years.

Successful candidates will be expected to support the Universitys external engagement mission. Applicants are encouraged to visit the WCU website www.wcu.edu to learn more about WCU.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required for this position:

Candidates will be expected to teach across a broad range of civil engineering topics. Applicants must demonstrate potential for sustained excellence in teaching, service and professional competency. Candidates should have a strong commitment to contribute to the intellectual and practical lives of students and other stakeholders of the School, College, University, and Construction Industry.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Possess an earned Masters degree or equivalent in civil engineering, construction engineering, or architectural engineering.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred candidates will have one or more of the following:

• Professional engineering licensure and registration.
• University-level teaching experience
• Professional civil engineering design and/or construction related experience.

Position Type: Permanent Full-Time