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 the main campus in Cullowhee.

The Western Carolina University School of Music invites applications for an Assistant Professor of Music - Flute. This is a nine-month, tenure track position with an anticipated start of August 2026. We seek a dynamic teacher and accomplished flutist who can engage and inspire students while modeling the depth and breadth of musical experiences essential to success in todays evolving arts landscape.

Responsibilities

Western North Carolina is a region rich in the arts, and WCUs David Orr Belcher College of Fine and Performing Arts brings together the traditions and resources of the region with the talent of our students to serve as the heart of art and culture in WNC. The Belcher College of combines training with performance, community engagement and business and entrepreneurship skills to prepare young musicians, actors, writers, film makers, directors, visual artists, and designers for diverse careers in the art, film and performance industries. The faculty, students, staff, and leadership of the Belcher College strive to create an artistic and scholarly home that reflects the people we serve, now and in the future, a home where everyone feels empowered to realize their full, authentic selves as a valued and contributing member. We believe in the power and passion of the fine and performing arts to positively and proactively influence our changing world, and commit to leveraging that power to ensure the inclusive world we desire.

The WCU School of Music faculty and students perform 150-200 concerts and recitals each year on Westerns campus and on tours throughout the region and nation. Our student performing ensembles include traditional and innovative performance opportunities including bands, choirs, chamber music, and a wide variety of technology-enhanced ensembles exploring jazz, commercial, and experimental styles. The School of Music offers degree programs in Performance, Music Education, Commercial Music and Audio Production, and Music in the Liberal Arts that are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM).

Application materials must be submitted online. Review of applications will begin January 20, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled.

Please include the following:

For questions or additional information please contact Andrew Adams at aadams@email.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.