Assistant Professor (tenure-track) - Interior Design - #000614

Department

Department School of Art & Design

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 main Cullowhee, NC campus. Due to the tremendous growth of the program, the School of Art and Design at Western Carolina University is seeking to fill the newly established position of Assistant Professor for a full time, nine-month, tenure track position in the Interior Design Program. Anticipated begin date of January 1, 2027 (with the possibility of August 2027).

Western Carolina University is nestled in the picturesque Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina, and only 45 minutes from Asheville, one of the premier creative and cultural centers in the southeast. Currently, the Interior Design Program at WCU has 115+ majors, a private program office and dedicated studio classrooms, with four existing faculty members and two adjunct faculty. Responsibilities will include scholarly activities, and teaching undergraduate level studio/ lecture courses, with a teaching load of 3 classes in the fall semester and 3 classes during the spring semester (3/3).

Additionally, participation in service and faculty activities within the Interior Design Program, the school, college and university level are required. Activities may include, but are not limited to, curriculum development, recruitment and retention of students, adherence with CIDA and NASAD guidelines, and student advising.

The Interior Design Program in the School of Art & Design is dynamic, cohesive, interactive and continually evolving. Both the College and the Interior Design Program pursue an innovative curriculum that aims to simultaneously develop disciplinary knowledge, establish scholarship, as well as integrate skills and core topics essential for the professional practice of interior design. The Interior Design Program is CIDA and NASAD accredited.

Applicants should have expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• CADD / REVIT technical expertise
• Building systems
• Human factors

• MFA , Master of Arts or Master of Science in Interior Design, Master of Arts or Master of Science in Sustainable Architecture, Master of Architecture, or related terminal design degree earned by the start date
• NCIDQ certification or eligibility to take the NCIDQ examination