WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY. The Program in African American and African Studies is seeking an Associate or Full Professor to join our program as Director of African American and African Studies, effective July 1, 2027. The position comes with tenure and includes the expectation of Director for an initial term of three years, with the possibility of renewal for a second three-year term.
Qualifications: An earned Ph.D. in African American/Africana/Black Studies or a related field in the arts, humanities, and social sciences where the candidate has pursued research and teaching in African American/Africana/Black studies is required for the position. Qualified applicants will demonstrate their commitment to provide intellectual and institutional leadership for the program, demonstrate a strong record of pedagogical excellence at the undergraduate level and published scholarship in the discipline of African American/Africana/Black Studies and aligned interdisciplinary area(s) of expertise, and exemplify dedication to faculty development, mentorship, and fostering an inclusive academic climate.
Position Summary: This individual will be expected to define and execute a strategic vision for the growth, sustainability, and intellectual impact of the African American and African Studies program in alignment with college and institutional goals, manage program operations, mentor junior and mid-career faculty, teach courses in African American and African Studies at the undergraduate level, engage in scholarly activities, build and sustain meaningful partnerships with university departments and local organizations, and participate in departmental, College, and University service.
About Wake Forest University: Founded in 1834, Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational institution dedicated to academic excellence in liberal arts, graduate, and professional education. With more than 5,400 undergraduates and 3,800 graduate and professional students, Wake Forest is a collegiate university offering a vibrant, intellectual community with a rich cultural life, an impressive array of facilities, and a strong athletics program competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Since its founding, the University has adopted the motto Pro Humanitate, which is exemplified by a deep institutional commitment to public service and engagement with the world. For more information, visit: about.wfu.edu.
Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, a beautiful, mid-sized city centrally in the Piedmont-Triad region of North Carolina. To learn more about Winston-Salem, visit: www.visitwinstonsalem.com.
Application Instructions: Review of applications will begin immediately. The following materials should be submitted: letter of application, curriculum vitae, statement of research/scholarly inquiry, statement of teaching philosophy, and evidence of teaching effectiveness (such as course evaluations and comparative benchmarks). Applications that include all required information and are submitted on or before December 1, 2026 will be given full consideration. To apply, visit: hr.wfu.edu/careers. Inquiries should be directed to Prof. Shanna Greene Benjamin, Chair of the Search Committee, at afam@wfu.edu or to Wake Forest University Human Resources at askhr@wfu.edu. Wake Forest University conducts background investigations for all final faculty candidates being considered for employment.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement: The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability, and military or veteran status.
Accommodations for Applicants: If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact AskHR@wfu.edu or 336-758-4700.
