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Endowed Professor - Musical Theatre - #000698

Employer
Western Carolina University
Location
Cullowhee, NC

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Faculty Jobs
Arts & Humanities, Fine & Performing Arts
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

Job Details

Posting Number:

FAC610P

Quick Link for Internal Postings:

https://jobs.wcu.edu/postings/22866

Classification Title:

Endowed Professor

Working Title:

Endowed Professor - Musical Theatre - #000698

Department:

School of Stage & Screen

About WCU:

Western Carolina University has been named to the 2022 “America’s Best Employers by State” list by Forbes, ranking 14 out of the top 100 employers in North Carolina. 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. WCU’s main campus is nestled in a beautiful valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 50 miles west of Asheville. WCU is located just 25 miles from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, one of the nation’s most spectacular and most visited national parks. The entire region is known for its excellent quality of life and access to outdoor activities.

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.

Also offered are free group exercise classes multiple times per week, a discounted membership to the campus recreation center, and free vaccine and booster shots offered on campus.

Position Summary:

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

The School of Stage & Screen in the David Orr Belcher College of Fine & Performing Arts at Western Carolina University (WCU) seeks a high-level working practitioner in the field of Musical Theatre for the Carolyn Plemmons Phillips and Ben R. Phillips Endowed Professor in Musical Theatre.This endowed position is a residential position in our dynamic nationally recognized Musical Theatre BFA Program. Salary is highly competitive and enhanced by an endowment fund.

This is a 10-months per year fixed-term faculty position. Review of applications will begin immediately. For full consideration, application materials must be submitted by February 10th, 2023.

Anticipated begin work date is August 2023.

The Musical Theatre BFA program at WCU adheres to the following core values. Authentic Curiosity, Daring Experimentation, Joyful Contribution, and Radical Critical Thought. Through individual alignment with these core values, we build a diverse, inclusive, and compassionate community that values and honors its members and holds space for growth, inspiration, security, and excellence.The purpose of the Distinguished Professor in Musical Theatre is:

  1. To train and educate the next generation of Musical Theatre students to the highest-level industry standard.
  2. To engage a variety of current and emerging leaders in the industry who have an ongoing stake in the future of the profession to collaborate with our student population.
  3. To attract new and diverse students to the arts at WCU through participation and representation; and
  4. To promote WCU to the forefront of artistic developments in the industry, both nationally and elsewhere.
Primary responsibilities include:● Residency Requirement: The Distinguished Professor must maintain an on-campus residency to meet the teaching and learning requirements of the musical theatre program, however, time will be afforded to pursue professional opportunities and continue artistic creative work externally. The successful candidate is expected to engage in the daily operations of The School of Stage and Screen through the Musical theatre program and other related assignments.

Student Development: The Distinguished Professor will teach courses, masterclasses, and workshops at the undergraduate level in their area of expertise to shape the next generation of musical theatre industry professionals. The Distinguished Professor will be expected to engage their professional contacts to augment WCU’s training program.

Recruitment and Promotion: The Distinguished Professor will actively engage with prospective students, including those not within our current scope of outreach, and consult with WCU Faculty and Leadership on new recruitment initiatives. Their engagement should actively increase the visibility of WCU’s programs on the national and/or international scale.

Ongoing Creative Activities: The Distinguished Professor will maintain their ongoing scholarship and creative activities within the industry. While in residency, these activities should include significant WCU student involvement on campus, and externally when possible.The School of Stage and Screen is housed in the Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts. The School serves approximately 180 majors in BFA programs in Musical Theatre, Film & Television Production, Acting, Entertainment Design & Technology, and the BA in Stage & Screen. It also houses a flourishing Dance Minor.

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.

Minimum Qualifications:

Successful candidates will possess:
• A Terminal degree (MFA, PHD, or the equivalent of) in a field directly related to the musical theatre profession (with a minimum of 18 Graduate Credit Hours completed in the teaching discipline) plus significant professional experience at a national or international level.

OR

• A distinguished reputation and achievements/honors in Musical Theatre that evidences a career of extensive national and/or international professional experience (i.e.: Broadway, LORT, etc).

PLUS
• Demonstrated teaching experience at the collegiate and/or professional level (workshops, seminars, and/or formal classes).
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate within the scope of a collegiate production environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

● Significant experience in creative collaboration and the artistic promotion of diverse content.
● Record of excellence in teaching and successful engagement of students in creative activities and training at the collegiate level.
● Preference will be given to candidates who are currently developing or have previously developed creative projects in the theatre industry and are willing to develop new work in residency at WCU.

Position Type:

Permanent Full-Time

Number of Months Per Year:

10

Open Date:

01/06/2023

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Application must be made online. Hard copy materials will not be accepted for review.

Interested applicants must submit the following attachments: Letter of Application; Resume or Curriculum Vitae detailing professional experience; unofficial transcripts from highest earned degree; and a list of three professional references (including full contact information).

Please direct questions to Claire Eye (Department Head; School of Stage and Screen) at eye@email.wcu.edu

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.

Organization

Western Carolina University banner

About Us

Western Carolina University offers a collaborative community of faculty and staff eager to partner together to support the success of our students and our institution. We attract employees who are inspired to work in higher education because of the difference we can make together in the lives of the more than 10,000 students who study at WCU. For a few other reasons WCU is a great place to work:

Do you like being involved in the local community? So do we. We have robust service learning and community outreach efforts that invite students, faculty and staff to serve our local community in an ever-growing number of ways.

Western Carolina University has been named the Top Adventure College in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. Our main campus in Cullowhee is situated 15 minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway. We have a biking and hiking trail on campus and many more in the area.

We attract students who are eager to excel. WCU has the oldest and largest Honors College in the UNC system and is consistently among the Top 5 institutions nationally for undergraduate research projects accepted to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research.

We are a cultural hub for the region. Our College of Fine and Performing Arts produces professional-quality theater under the direction of Broadway star Terrance Mann, and our music programs are recognized as some of the best in the state. Our Pride of the Mountains Marching Band has been invited to the Macy's parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade.

Our healthcare programs are some of the most competitive in the southeast and are housed in an incredible LEED-certified facility complete with some of the best technology in teaching along with community clinics for applied learning.

For more information, please visit our website at http://www.wcu.edu/

Awards

Western Carolina University (WCU) has been honored in multiple areas demonstrating our commitment to our students, faculty, staff and our community.  Our distinguished faculty includes national award-winning authors, nationally and internationally recognized experts, and winners of Emmy, O’Henry, and National Endowment for the Arts awards – to name a few.  WCU has been named a Top Green College by Princeton Review, is among the Top 5 for Undergraduate Research in the nation, and has been named by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance as a Best College Value.  Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine has named WCU the Number 1 Outdoor Adventure College for three years running.  The WCU Pride of the Mountains Marching Band is a Sudler Trophy recipient, having led the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rose Bowl Parade.  WCU is ranked by U.S. News & World Report in the Top 12 Best Online Programs for the Military as well as #27 among institutions in the South for Best Colleges for Veterans.

Faculty and Staff are honored annually with a broad range of Teaching, Scholarship and service honors.  For more information, please visit our website at http://www.wcu.edu/

Benefits

Western Carolina University offers a wide array of high quality benefit plans from which to choose. These include comprehensive health and welfare insurance plans, a choice between two retirement programs, both of which provide a valuable retirement benefit, as well as optional retirement savings opportunities. Employees also benefit from a generous leave program. For more information please visit our benefits page at UNC Benefits

Diversity and Inclusion

Western Carolina University has a commitment to recruiting and retaining diverse employees who bring to our campus varied perspective and cultural understanding. Our Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Programs aspires to strengthen diversity as an integral component of excellence at WCU. Among public universities, our institution leads the region in student body diversity, and our diversity metrics are growing.

Mission and Vision

Our Mission (who we are):

To improve individual lives and enhance economic and community development in our region, state and nation through engaged learning opportunities in our academic programs, educational outreach, research and creative activities, and cultural activities. 

Our Core Values and Guiding Principles (what guides and inspires us):

Excellence in Scholarship, Teaching, and Learning

Collaboration with and Respect for our Communities

Free and Open Interchange of Ideas

Responsible Stewardship and Organizational Effectiveness

Organizational and Environmental Sustainability

Cultural Diversity and Equal Opportunity

Our Vision Statement (who we want to be):

To be a national model for student learning and engagement that embraces its responsibilities as a regionally engaged university.

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