Lenoir-Rhyne University
Location: Hickory, North Carolina
Faculty Position: Full-time, non-tenure track position in
Political Science
Position Summary
Lenoir-Rhyne University’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences seeks
applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track faculty member at the rank of Teaching Assistant Professor in political science (or as
determined by the provost) beginning in August 2026. Promotion is per the Lenoir-Rhyne University Faculty Handbook.
Essential
Duties and Responsibilities
- Minimum of an earned master’s degree from an accredited institution, or equivalent, with a
terminal degree preferred. - 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, with professional development and service expected. Although scholarship is not required for this position, it is an additional
activity that a teaching assistant professor can choose as part of their professional pathway requirement. Successful candidates will
display a commitment and capacity for teaching excellence, student mentorship, and collaborative work.
Preferred
Qualifications
- Expertise in international relations or comparative politics, with the ability to teach broadly in both
areas. - Demonstrated ability or interest in teaching research methods.
- 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/minors. - Commitment to fostering student opportunities in high-impact practices, including
undergraduate research and applied/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
While completing the application, candidates will be prompted to
submit:
1. Letter of application,
a. The application letter should discuss specifically how one’s professional experiences and
perspectives relate to the needs of the position and of Lenoir-Rhyne University.
2. Curriculum Vitae (including the names and addresses
of three references).
3. Statement of teaching philosophy, that explains how you incorporate varied perspectives and traditions in your
teaching and learning.
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 March 6, 2026. Any questions regarding the
position or the search process should be submitted electronically to the search chair, Dr. Clinton Jenkins, Assistant Professor of Political
Science, at Clinton.Jenkins@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 Humanities and Social Sciences
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences prepares
students for life by cultivating critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and cultural understanding. As a distinctive hub of
scholarly and vocational transformation, the college equips graduates for meaningful service in the world. Our faculty is dedicated to
mentoring, empowering, and challenging students to make a lasting impact in their communities. The college includes undergraduate programs
and coursework in criminal justice, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, religious studies, sociology, and world languages.
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.
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