Job Details

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 Americas Best Employers by State list.
2024 - Ranking in the top 8.5% on Forbes Americas 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 Americas 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 Americas Best Employers by State list.
Western Carolina University is the UNC systems 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.

The School of Health Sciences invites applications for a Visiting Professor in the Nutrition and Dietetics program. This is a full-time, in-person appointment, with the possibility of remote or hybrid work, with the rank determined by qualifications and experience. This is a fixed-term position. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Start date is January 1, 2026 with an end date of May 15, 2026.

Responsibilities of the position in the spring include: (1) teaching graduate clinical courses in the Dietetic Internship program; (2) advising and mentoring students; (3) shepherding the self-study; and (4) serving as the Interim Dietetic Internship Program Director and Clinical Education Coordinator.

We seek candidates who demonstrate their ability to work with and be sensitive to the educational needs of first generation, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and rural populations; and support the Universitys commitment to Honoring Our Promise. The Nutrition & Dietetics program is committed to building a community whose members have diverse cultures, backgrounds, and life experiences. Salary and rank are commensurate with academic qualifications and experience for a regional comprehensive university. Opportunities for summer teaching with an additional summer stipend are available.

The Nutrition & Dietetics program is housed in the 160,000 square foot, state-of-the-art Health and Human Sciences Building and is part of the robust and engaged School of Health Sciences. The Nutrition & Dietetics program consists of the ACEND-accredited Dietetic Internship program, a 22-month Master of Health Sciences (MHS) - Nutrition concentration program with new cohorts that begin each Fall semester. This program works collaboratively with the ACEND-accredited Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) program. Both programs are accredited by ACEND. For more information visit: Nutritiondietetics.wcu.edu or hs.wcu.edu.

The School of Health Sciences offers undergraduate programs in Emergency Medical Care, Environmental Health, Integrated Health Sciences, Nutrition & Dietetics-DPD, and Recreational Therapy. Graduate programs include the Master of Science in Athletic Training and the Master of Health Sciences. The MHS program offers concentrations in Emergency Medical Care, Health Education, Health Management, and Nutrition & Dietetics/Dietetic Internship. Additional programs within the College of Health and Human Sciences include Communication Sciences and Disorders, Nursing, Physical Therapy, and Social Work. A collaborative environment conducive to interdisciplinary teaching, scholarship and service exists within the School and College of Health and Human Sciences. The Western North Carolina rural, aging and medically underserved location provides numerous and rich opportunities for community partnerships, collaborative research, and grant acquisition. More information on the School can be found on the website: hs.wcu.edu and information on the College can be found on the website: chhs.wcu.edu.

Western Carolina University is a regional comprehensive university with more than 12,000 students with its main campus located in Cullowhee, NC. Part of our mission is to inspire student learning through innovative teaching, nationally recognized programs, exceptional support, and a robust connectedness with surrounding communities in Southern Appalachia, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The county and surrounding areas provide residents a high quality of life with its proximity to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, diverse outdoor adventures, a thriving arts community, and mild year-around temperatures.

Please include the following:

For questions or additional information please contact Dr. Ericka Zimmerman, epzimmerman@wcu.edu

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