Teaching Assistant Professor, Counseling - HKY
Location: Hickory, North Carolina
Faculty Position: Full-time, nine-month, non-tenure track position
The College of Education & Human Services at Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track Teaching Assistant Professor of Counseling beginning Aug 10, 2026. This nine-month appointment is housed within the School of Counseling and Human Services and serves the University’s CACREP-accredited M.A. in Counseling program. This position is contingent upon final budgetary approval.
All faculty positions at Lenoir-Rhyne University carry a 24-credit annual teaching load, with the possibility of reassigned time for administrative responsibilities such as clinical coordination.
Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching excellence, student mentorship, scholarly and professional engagement, and active participation in campus service and citizenship.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Teach graduate-level courses in the CACREP-accredited M.A. in Counseling program.
- Maintain regular in-person office hours on the Hickory campus.
- Contribute to program, college, and university service and leadership as appropriate.
- Collaborate with LR’s Graduate Admissions Office to support enrollment and recruitment efforts.
- Develop and sustain strong partnerships with clinical placement sites.
- Engage in scholarly and professional activities consistent with faculty expectations.
- Participate in curriculum development and program assessment activities aligned with CACREP standards.
All position requirements outlined above reflect the minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the role competently. This description is not intended to be exhaustive. Faculty may be assigned additional responsibilities and are expected to acquire new skills as needed. Lenoir-Rhyne University reserves the right to modify position responsibilities as appropriate.
Required Qualifications
- Terminal degree in Counseling and/or Counselor Education from a CACREP-accredited institution.
- Ability to teach in person on the Hickory campus.
- Commitment to maintaining regular office hours and fulfilling service or leadership responsibilities on site.
- For fall 2026 hire eligibility, official confirmation of successful dissertation defense must be submitted by July 31, 2026.
Preferred Qualifications
- Credentials and experience to teach courses in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and/or School Counseling.
- Evidence of exemplary college-level teaching effectiveness.
- Experience teaching in multiple instructional modalities, including in-person and online formats.
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with admissions teams and external clinical partners.
- Commitment to fostering a supportive, student-centered learning environment.
Compensation
Lenoir-Rhyne University offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Salary details will be shared with candidates during the interview process.
Application Process
To complete the online application, visit: http://www.lr.edu/employment.
To ensure full consideration, completed applications must be submitted by March 20, 2026. The search will continue until the position is filled.
Applicants should submit:
- Letter of application specifically addressing qualifications and experience
- Current curriculum vitae or resume
- Statement of teaching philosophy
- List of three professional references (including name, current position, email, address, and phone number)
The University’s mission, vision, and values statements may be reviewed using About LR.
Questions regarding the position or search process may be directed electronically to the search committee chair, Dr. Astra Czerny, at astra.czerny@lr.edu.
Lenoir-Rhyne University promotes a welcoming campus environment that is integral to the university's commitment to excellence in engagement and education. We are particularly interested in candidates who have demonstrated experience nurturing a welcoming community, working with faculty, staff and/or students from all walks of life and/or incorporating varied perspectives and traditions in their current or previous positions. This commitment is rooted in our Lutheran tradition of fostering wisdom, nurturing vocation and preparing students for lives of purpose while serving the common good.
About the College of Education and Human Services
The College of Education & Human Services provides research-based instruction and intensive clinical experiences that prepare students for impactful careers serving individuals and communities. The college offers undergraduate programs in elementary education, middle grades education, secondary education, and human and community services. At the graduate level, the college offers master’s degrees in teaching, human services, clinical mental health counseling, and school counseling.
About Lenoir-Rhyne University
Lenoir-Rhyne University is a co-educational, private, comprehensive institution founded in 1891, with its traditional campus located in Hickory, North Carolina, a city of more than 40,000. The university has additional graduate centers in Asheville, N.C., and Columbia, S.C. Situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Lenoir- Rhyne is less than an hour’s drive from Charlotte, and the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of about 365,000. The university now offers more than 45 undergraduate and 20 graduate degree programs to approximately 2,400 students. Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to liberate mind and spirit, clarify personal faith, foster physical wholeness, build community, and promote responsible leadership for service to the world. Affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), Lenoir-Rhyne is open to people from all religious and non-religious backgrounds.
Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Policy
Lenoir-Rhyne University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities that are free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation.
LR is committed to creating a safe campus environment for all members of the LR community, including, but not limited to, those who identify as transgender and gender non-conforming. To that end, LR does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex (including sex stereotypes and sex characteristics), ethnicity, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable law.
To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program, activity and employment, LR has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment, and for allegations of retaliation.
LR values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.