Whichard Visiting Distinguished Associate Professor

East Carolina University ( ECU, https://www.ecu.edu), a member of the 17-campus University of North Carolina System, is committed to being a national model for student success, regional transformation, and public service. Through education, research, health care, community engagement, cultural enrichment and more, ECU enhances the quality of life for our students, our state, and our world, and has launched an exciting strategic plan for 2023-2028, Future Focused - Innovation Driven ( https://strategicplan.ecu.edu/). ECU enrolls around 27,000 students annually, with over 5,000 pursuing graduate or professional degrees. ECU is classified as an R2-Doctoral/Research Intensive University and is located in Greenville, NC (est. pop. 90,000). Greenville is a vibrant, growing, and diverse community that offers a college-town atmosphere, a temperate climate, and outstanding cultural and outdoor recreational opportunities along with an affordable cost of living.

The Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences ( https://thcas.ecu.edu/) is home to sixteen academic departments, several interdisciplinary research centers, and a number of inter- and multi-disciplinary programs ( https://thcas.ecu.edu/undergraduate-programs/) including Ethnic Studies, International Studies, Religious Studies, and African and African American Studies. The comparative nature of these programs encourages faculty collaboration and provides students with opportunities to focus on coursework and research and creative activity to facilitate their international and global interests. The College is committed to enriching the lives of students, faculty, and staff by providing an academic community where the exchange of ideas, knowledge and perspectives is an active part of living and learning.

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures ( https://foreign.ecu.edu/) is a diverse, research-active, and collegial unit that offers a Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages and Literatures with concentration areas including French, German Studies, Hispanic Studies, Global Studies, and Classical Studies; minors in Classical Studies, French, German, and Hispanic Studies; and a Master of Arts in Hispanic Studies. The department embraces the literatures, linguistics, and cultures associated with the languages in our unit. Faculty leaders from the department direct the University's Quality Enhancement Program ( QEP), which aims to develop current students' intercultural competence. Featuring a variety of faculty-led study abroad programs in Latin America and Europe, the Department is interested in pursuing other such opportunities in Africa and the Caribbean.

Faculty routinely collaborate with colleagues throughout the university on discipline-based research, community-engaged research, creative activity, academic programming, and co- and extra-curricular activities. Frequent partners include Public Health, History, Marriage and Family Therapy, and multiple areas in the College of Education. Primary among these is the Department of English ( https://english.ecu.edu), a vibrant and energetic community of teachers, scholars, researchers, and writers offering several undergraduate (BA, BS, minors, certificates) and graduate (MA, PhD) programs. English faculty and students pursue interests and scholarship in literature, multicultural and transnational literature, creative writing, technical and professional communication, rhetoric and composition, folklore, film studies, linguistics, and TESOL.

The Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at East Carolina University, in partnership with the Department of English, invites applications for the Whichard Visiting Distinguished Professorship in the Humanities from scholars and/or writers whose work focuses on issues important to and affecting Spanish-speaking communities in the U.S. or south of the U.S.-Mexico border, through scholarly genres or creative activity, which could include literature, film/television, or folklore.

This appointment starts August, 2025, for up to a three-year appointment term. The faculty member appointed will be hired at the rank of Visiting Associate Professor or Visiting Professor.

The Whichard Distinguished Professor will teach at least one course per semester in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures or Department of English in the candidate's area(s) of expertise.

The Whichard Distinguished Professor will advocate for the importance of studying languages, literatures, and cultures, and will engage not only with students and faculty in the departments, College, and University, but also with the community at large. The person appointed will promote the Humanities on campus and in the region through public programming and other initiatives. Substantial funds to support the development of these programs and events are available through the Whichard Distinguished Professorship.

This position is contingent upon available funding.

For Visiting Associate Professor rank, applicants must have:

* native or near-native proficiency in both English and Spanish;

* demonstrated superior teaching ability and/or excellence in other instructional responsibilities

* a demonstrated commitment to promoting the importance of the Humanities

* an appropriate terminal degree: a PhD degree in Hispanic Studies, Spanish Language and Literature, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Comparative Literature, Romance Languages and Literatures, or a related discipline; or a PhD in English, Folklore Studies, or a related discipline; or an MFA in Creative Writing or a related discipline.

Appointment at Visiting Professor rank requires the above qualifications in addition to demonstrated excellence in teaching and an extensive and distinguished record of publication.

N/A

Preference will be given to candidates with a history of university engagement and participation in academic programming and community building.

Application materials should be submitted online at www.jobs.ecu.edu using position number 949040.

Required application materials include:

1. A cover letter indicating interest in the position, describing relevant qualifications, and indicating plans to use the funds associated with the professorship for programming and other initiatives.

2. A Curriculum Vitae

3. Contact information for three current references

An official transcript and three official letters of reference are required upon employment. Qualifying degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

For inquiries, please contact:

Paul Fallon, search committee chair, fallonp@ecu.edu.

Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting: https://ecu.peopleadmin.com/postings/82438

East Carolina University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer who is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care, belonging and opportunity for our faculty, staff and learners and all stakeholders. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, or veteran status.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act ( ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/ TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.