Director of the Cherokee Center - #000355

Western Carolina University has been named to the 2022 "America's Best Employers by State" list by Forbes, ranking 14 out of the top 100 employers in North Carolina. Forbes has also ranked Western Carolina University in the Top 100 of America's Best Midsize Employers for 2023. Western Carolina University is the UNC system's westernmost campus and has been consistently ranked as one of the top 15 public regional institutions in the South. WCU's main campus is nestled in a beautiful valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains, 50 miles west of Asheville. WCU is located just 25 miles from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, one of the nation's most spectacular and most visited national parks. The entire region is known for its excellent quality of life and access to outdoor activities.
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. Paid vacation and sick leave accrual begin after first month of employment. 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 in Cherokee, NC.

The WCU Cherokee Center, an office for outreach and partnership development, was established in Cherokee, North Carolina, in 1975. The Center is responsible for bridging activities between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and WCU. The Western Carolina University campus is situated within the ancestral homelands of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. At WCU our work seeks to embrace and connect to this Cherokee landscape as we work to reinforce our mission at WCU. We will work to actively engage our community with the extraordinary indigenous identity and culture of this special place that was once known as Two Sparrows Place.

Western Carolina University invites applications for a new director for the WCU Cherokee Center. The directorship is a critical position responsible for bridging activities between the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) and WCU. The Director has primary responsibility for implementation of the Cherokee Center's Strategic Plan, which was developed jointly with community members from both the EBCI and WCU. The Director will also focus on recurring themes of recruitment, retention, and mentorship of EBCI members enrolled or desiring to enroll at WCU. The Director will work closely with other departments on campus including but not limited to Cherokee Studies, Health Sciences, Research Administration Admissions, Student Affairs and Educational Outreach.

Other Essential Responsibilities Include:

Essential qualifications include superior communication skills and an ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies internal and external to WCU. Facilitation and collaboration skills are also critical. Documented experience in achieving desirable outcomes through a multi-organizational team approach is vital. The successful candidate must exhibit evidence of exemplary leadership in supporting and facilitating strategic initiatives, and excellent management, supervisory, and budgetary skills. Experience in obtaining and managing external funding is desirable.

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. At least two - five years of professional experience in facilitating programs and projects and managing personnel and budgets.

Master's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Demonstrated experience working with Indigenous communities.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until a candidate has been selected.

Applicants must apply online. A cover letter, resume, and list of at least three professional references to include their complete contact information. These are required attachments.

PLEASE COMPLETE ALL AREAS OF THE APPLICATION. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE GIVEN CONSIDERATION IN THE REVIEW PROCESS.

For questions or additional information, please contact Andrew Denson, search committee chair, at denson@wcu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks.

Western Carolina University uses E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.dhs.gov/E-Verify. Proper documentation of identity and employability are required at the time of employment.

All new employees are required to have listed credentials/degrees verified within 30 days of employment. All new employees who will be teaching are required to provide official transcripts within 30 days of employment. Transcripts should be provided for the highest earned degree and/or the degree which is being used to satisfy credential/qualification requirements.

Western Carolina University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race; color; religion; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; national origin; age; disability; genetic information; political affiliation; National Guard or veteran status, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations, and policies, and the policies of The University of North Carolina. Additionally, the University promotes the realization of equal employment opportunity for minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program.
Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please call (828) 227-7218 or email at jobs@email.wcu.edu.

The Western Carolina University Annual Safety Report is available online at or in hard-copy by request at the office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, 227 HFR Administration Building, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7147) or the Office of University Police, 111 Camp Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723 (828-227-7301). The report, required of all universities participating in Title IV student financial aid programs, discusses crime statistics, procedures for reporting suspicious or criminal activity, security, police authority, crime prevention strategies, university policies on substance abuse and sexual offenses, workplace violence and fire safety.