Teaching Assistant Professor, Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Communication
Location: Hickory, North Carolina
Faculty Position: Full-time, nine-month, non-tenure track position
Position Summary
Lenoir-Rhyne University's College of Fine Arts and Communication seeks applications for a faculty member with expertise in rhetoric, composition or communication studies. The candidate will teach the two-semester course sequence Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Communication (WRD), which blends instruction in written and oral communication with digital competencies, with an emphasis on rhetoric.
The first course in the sequence, Reading and Research, provides focused instruction in critical reading, comprehension, and analysis using a range of print, oral and digital texts. It also emphasizes information literacy and research. To practice these skills, students create a range of written, oral and digital pieces. The second course, Written, Oral and Digital Composing, allows students to hone their skills as they develop and investigate their own research question. Students create and revise logical, research-based texts in a variety of modes. Both courses feature real-world problem-solving and equity-based grading.
The position begins in August 2026. Successful candidates will demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching excellence, relationship building and inclusivity.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Teach 24 credit hours (3/3 teaching load) during the academic year.
- Demonstrate innovative approaches to teaching and learning.
- Employ equity-based course design and grading models.
- Foster an inclusive and respectful learning environment.
- Collaborate with other instructors and the coordinator of the WRD sequence.
- Contribute to program, college and university service and leadership as appropriate.
- Engage in scholarly and professional activities consistent with faculty expectations.
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
- Earned master's degree from an accredited institution required; terminal degree preferred.
- Ability to teach in person on the Hickory campus.
- Evidence of teaching excellence.
- Demonstrated commitment to professional development.
- Ability to engage with the campus community and contribute to university service and shared governance.
Preferred Qualifications
- Publications or presentations related to the scholarship of teaching and learning.
- Experience teaching composition and public speaking.
- Training in digital composition.
- Experience with curriculum design and course development.
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
While completing the application, candidates will be prompted to submit a:
- Letter of Application, specifically discussing how the candidate meets the needs of the position
- Curriculum Vitae, including the names and addresses of three references
- Statement of Teaching Philosophy as it relates to LR’s Teaching Scholar Model
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. Jennifer Heller, at jennifer.heller@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 Fine Arts and Communication
The College of Fine Arts and Communication is committed to developing well-rounded graduates who are perceptive readers and listeners, persuasive writers and speakers, and skilled artists and educators. Our curricula strive to express, enrich, and elevate the human condition by providing students with interdisciplinary experiences that strengthen their abilities to create, collaborate, and contribute to the public good. The college offers bachelor’s degrees in communication studies, English, music, theatre, and visual art and an MFA in Creative Writing.
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.