Assistant Professor of Practice - Costume Design

Position: Assistant Professor of Practice - Costume Design - #001655
Location: Cullowhee

Posting Number FAC
878P Quick Link for Internal Postings (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Classification Title Assistant Professor - Practice Working Title Assistant Professor of Practice - Costume Design - #001655 Department School of Stage & Screen 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 '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.

Position Summary

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

The School of Stage and Screen is housed in the Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts at WCU and consists of the Film and Television Production, Musical Theatre, Acting for Stage and Screen, Entertainment Design and Technology, and Dance programs. The School serves approximately 200 majors.

Western Carolina University's School of Stage and Screen seeks an Assistant Professor of Practice - Costume Design. This is a 9-month, fixed-term position with an anticipated begin work date of August 2026. Primary duties include teaching costume design and technology, makeup for stage and screen and other Stage and Screen courses as needed. This position will design 2-3 productions per year (Typically musicals), and mentor and assist student designers in costume design for both stage and screen.

This position works closely with the costume shop manager on meeting production deadlines and works closely with the Technical Director and Faculty Designers to ensure all production timelines are met. The ideal candidate will possess excellence with costume design and technology, time management, and budgeting. This position teaches a 4/4 load including releases for significant design assignments.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Required for this Position

Minimum Qualifications

* MFA in Costume Design and/or MFA in Costume Technology with professional design experience.

* Demonstrated prior experience teaching at the University level.

Preferred Qualifications Position Type Permanent Full-Time Number of Hours Per Week 40 Number of Months Per Year 9

Posting Text

Open Date 01/06/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants

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, unofficial transcripts showing degree conferral dates for all degrees at the master's degree level and higher*, and a link to a portfolio online resource.

For questions or additional information please contact Victoria Depew at vdepew

* 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…