Teaching Assistant Professor, Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing - HKY
Location: Hickory, North Carolina
Faculty Position: Full-time, non-tenure track position in the School of Nursing in the area of psychiatric mental health nursing.
Lenoir-Rhyne University’s College of Health Sciences seeks applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track faculty member at the rank of teaching assistant professor in the School of Nursing with expertise in psychiatric mental health nursing beginning in August 2026. Promotion is per the Lenoir-Rhyne University Faculty Handbook.
Required Qualifications
- Minimum of an earned master’s degree from an accredited institution, or equivalent, with a terminal degree preferred.
- Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience in psychiatric mental health nursing
- Evidence of teaching excellence.
- Demonstrated commitment to Lenoir-Rhyne's Teacher-Scholar Model.
- Demonstrated initiative in professional development.
- Ability to engage with the campus community and contribute to university service and governance.
Teaching responsibilities include 24 credit hours (4/4 course load) across the academic year and include clinical supervision of students. Although scholarship is not required for this position, faculty may choose to engage in scholarly activity as part of their professional pathway requirements. Successful candidates will display a commitment and capacity for teaching excellence, student mentorship, and collaborative work.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with or interest in various instructional modalities, including in-person and asynchronous formats.
- Demonstrated excellence or interest in academic and professional advising of majors and minors.
- Commitment to fostering student opportunities in high-impact practices, including undergraduate research and applied or experiential learning.
Compensation
Lenoir-Rhyne University offers a competitive salary and benefits package. Salary transparency is a priority; detailed information will be provided to candidates during the interview process.
Application Process
Applicants should submit:
- Letter of application specifically addressing specifically how one’s professional experiences and perspectives relate to the needs of the position and of Lenoir-Rhyne University.
- Current curriculum vitae
- Statement of teaching philosophy, that explains how you incorporate varied perspectives and traditions in your teaching and learning.
- 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.
The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, please submit materials by June 1, 2026. Any questions regarding the position or the search process should be submitted electronically to the search chair, Dr. Kerry Ogrodowczyk, Teaching Assistant Professor of Nursing, at kerry.ogrodowczyk@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 College of Health Sciences
The College of Health Sciences provides current and practical knowledge and skills that prepare students for success in differing health science careers. The college offers four undergraduate degrees in exercise science, nursing, public health, and sports management. At the graduate level, the college offers a Master of Science in Exercise Science, Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Occupational Therapy, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP/FNP and DNP/PMHNP, and Post-Master’s DNP), a Doctor of Health Sciences (DHSc), and a Post-Master’s Certificate – Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) .
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.