Bardo Distinguished Professor in Educational Leadership - #001703

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 'America's Best Employers by State' list.
* 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. 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 WCU instructional site at Biltmore Park in

Asheville, NC.

Western Carolina University ( WCU) invites applications for the Bardo Distinguished Professor in Educational Leadership, a 9-month faculty member position at the rank of Professor with tenure within the Department of Human Services in the College of Education and Allied Professions. The Distinguished Professorship designation is considered in five-year renewable terms. Anticipated starting work date is August 1, 2026 with the possibility of starting on January 1, 2027 depending on candidate availability.

The successful candidate will teach, supervise, and advise students in the EdD degree program in Educational Leadership primarily located at the WCU instructional site at Biltmore Park in Asheville, NC. Courses are offered to students in a hybrid format with in-person meetings held one weekend per month during the semester. Additional courses may be taught solely online.

The individual who is chosen to be WCU's distinguished professor in educational leadership will provide visibility and leadership for Western's Department of Human Services as s/he will lead the UNC-II goal for involvement in educational policy at the state, regional and national level. The focus of this work will be to positively influence policy for BK-12 education, community colleges, and the university. The individual will bring and exercise expertise in acquiring extramural funding and doctoral level policy with a preferred focus on rural education in the 21st century. The work of this distinguished professor will create a niche for Western Carolina University to become known for the articulation of policy through to practice as evidenced in our principal and superintendent preparation programs. There will also be a direct link through the Department of Human Services and the professorship in the work on the School University Teacher Education Partnerships ( SUTEP) as policy issues are explored and connected with our local educational agencies (LEAs) on issues of teaching and learning.

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 the following: letter of application, current CV, list of three professional references with complete contact information, and unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the master's degree level and higher*.

For questions or additional information please contact:
Dr. Aarti Bellara ( abellara@wcu.edu), Search Committee Chair and/or

Dr. April Perry ( alperry@wcu.edu), Department Head.

*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 master's degree transcript, if you hold such a degree. The master's degree transcript must have a notation such as Degree Awarded, Degree Conferred or similar phrase, to verify it as your highest completed degree.

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 Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; ethnicity; religion; sex; pregnancy; 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. 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 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.