Wake Forest University, the Department of Computer Science, and the Center for Entrepreneurship seek candidates for an endowed Presidential Chair to begin in 2019, with the possibility of a multi-year appointment. This non-tenure track professorship, established by Katherine and Dickerson Wright, will be awarded to an outstanding candidate with current knowledge in computing applications and technology as well as expertise in technology entrepreneurship and venture creation.
Job Description
Areas of interest in computing technology include, but are not limited to, data/information analytics, cloud computing, blockchain, software engineering, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, technology product management, design thinking, and business creation involving technology products. A strong industry and startup network, either regional or national, that can be opened to students is highly desirable.
The successful candidate will be a "technology evangelist" who is capable of engaging students and faculty from computer science and entrepreneurship, exposing them to the outside world, and complementing and enriching the strong liberal arts education provided at Wake Forest. Teaching experience in higher education would also be an asset to the candidate.
The position is defined flexibly in order to leverage the applicant's particular experience. These basic guidelines shape the position:
- real-world experience in business and industry, especially with regard to computer-related technology, entrepreneurship, and networking
- an earnest interest in and enthusiasm for direct engagement with students
- a commitment to full- or part-time teaching on the Wake Forest campus each semester, or the equivalent, with the teaching contributions defined flexibly (detailed below)
- ability to teach courses linking computer science, entrepreneurship, and current practice in business and industry
- the ability to connect real-world experience with the students' academic learning
- a willingness to share the individual's network of contacts, and experience in cultivating such a network
- a willingness to serve on university or community advisory boards or to directly interact with existing committees and boards, where this seems beneficial
- ideas for developing an internship program for students
- creative ideas for activities and interactions that would benefit both students and faculty
This endowed Presidential Chair appointment could be full-time, or part-time if candidates choose to also remain actively engaged in their entrepreneurial careers. Contact time with students and faculty can be molded in creative and non-traditional ways. For example, teaching responsibilities may entail a semester-long course that meets once weekly, a course that meets on weekends, or an intensive immersion course of shorter duration. Student or faculty talks, workshops, seminars, and in-person interactions with boards and committees could also be part of the individual's contribution to academic life. Organizing and guiding student field trips to technology hubs in the United States and directly sharing a network of business contacts are other examples of highly-valued activities that could be associated with this position. We envision someone actively engaged in academic life, offering students strong connections between their classroom learning and the real-world of technology-related business and industry.
Application Process
An application consists of a current CV and a one- to two-page personal expression of interest that includes a description of the applicant's areas of expertise, along with creative ideas shaping the position and connecting the academic perspective with real-world experience. We will request confidential letters of recommendation from the finalists for the position. Formal review of applications begins November 1, 2018 and continues until the position is filled. Interested individuals should apply online at Wake Forest University Careers (
http://www.wfu.careers). All documents can be combined and uploaded as one pdf file.
Questions concerning the position may be directed to Professor Jennifer Burg, chair of the search committee (
burg@wfu.edu). Questions concerning the application process may be directed to
wakejobs@wfu.edu.
About Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational institution dedicated to academic excellence in liberal arts, graduate, and professional education. Founded in 1834, the University is annually ranked among the top 30 national universities. With 5,100 undergraduates and 3,000 graduate and professional students, Wake Forest is a collegiate university that offers a vibrant intellectual community with a rich cultural life. The university has a deep institutional commitment to public service and engagement with the world, as indicated by the motto "pro humanitate." For quick facts about the University, go to
http://www.wfu.edu/visitors/quickfacts.html.The university has a growing Computer Science Department notable for its emphasis on direct faculty-student interaction, a strong undergraduate research component, links to The Center for Entrepreneurship, creative curriculum based on hands-on learning, connections to the new campus makerspace, and integration into the liberal arts environment through interdisciplinary courses and projects. The Center for Entrepreneurship offers engaging courses and co-curricular activities and serves the entire Wake Forest campus. Its signature program is the Startup Lab -- Wake Forest's competitive startup accelerator that has created several successful startups since its inception in 2016. The university's School of Business consistently has received very high rankings among nationwide business schools. Additionally, the new engineering program has garnered notice in it's innovative approach and brand new facilities partnered with the biomedical sciences program and the medical school in Wake Downtown.
Wake Forest University welcomes and encourages diversity and inclusivity, and seeks applicants with demonstrated success in working with diverse populations. Wake Forest University is an AA/EO employer and values an inclusive and diverse learning community and campus climate. Wake Forest offers benefits to same-sex and different sex domestic partners.
About Winston-Salem, NC
In addition to Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem is the home of Winston-Salem State University, The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and Salem College. The city's business initiatives of interest include The Winston-Salem Innovation Quarter with its "See, Hear, Do" and "Venture Cafe" series, Winston Starts , and The Center for Design and Innovation . Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is part of the beautiful Piedmont Triad metropolitan region, which has a population of more than 1.5 million and is listed among the top 35 best places to live in North America by Cities Ranked and Rated. Known as the state's "City of the Arts and Innovation," Winston-Salem offers a vast array of arts experiences ranging from music venues to galleries to theatre and film festivals. With two major hospitals, the city has a large focus on health services, and also offers the Wake Forest Innovation Quarter. The city is ranked among the top 50 US cities for affordability on national surveys.
Additional Job Description
Time Type Requirement: Part time
In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations for all final faculty candidates being considered for employment.
Wake Forest seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply. In order to provide a safe learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations for all final candidates being considered for employment.
The application link can be found here:
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Rebecca Gill
Associate Professor
Merlo Presidential Chair in Communication and Entrepreneurship
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem NC
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