Goodnight Distinguished Professor

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Position Information

Working Title Goodnight Distinguished Professor Position Number F610179 Appointment Type Permanent - Full Time FTE 1=9/10 month -Faculty only

Position Overview

Be an Eagle - Where Purpose Takes Flight!

Are you ready to make an impact? At North Carolina Central University (NCCU), we are more than an institution—we are a community rooted in a legacy of excellence and transformation. A historically Black university located in Durham, North Carolina, also known as ‘The City of Medicine,’ NCCU has been a cornerstone of education since 1910, fostering innovation and progress.

Join our team and enjoy a comprehensive benefits package and exclusive perks designed to support your work-life balance. At NCCU, your professional growth will be nurtured, and your contributions will help shape the future for our students and the community we serve. Become part of a legacy that drives change and achievement.

An opportunity awaits you at NCCU, where your purpose can take flight.

Visit NCCU.edu.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

“The NCCU School of Education offers undergraduate, graduate, licensure and professional development programs to train students to become teachers, principals, counselors, as well as serve as mentors to community schools. The School offers traditional, classroom-based instruction as well as synchronous and asynchronous online/web-based instruction. Faculty and staff offer diverse knowledge and experience, providing students with a unique learning experience using the latest technology; small class sizes provide easier access to peers and instructors. The primary goal of the School of Education is to prepare educators for Diverse Cultural Contexts in the 21st Century.”

Primary Purpose of Position

The Goodnight Distinguished Professor (DP) of Early Literacy (Goodnight Professor) at North Carolina Central University (NCCU) will join seven other distinguished professors to serve as a network of early literacy expertise with the purpose of advancing the University of North Carolina System’s current literacy initiatives across 15 educator preparation programs, through engaging in outreach and dissemination of best practice. The Goodnight Distinguished Professors may serve on statewide literacy committees in an advisory capacity to elevate how UNC System institutions are ensuring the production of well-prepared teachers of reading. In addition, the cadre of professors will enhance partnerships with school districts across North Carolina to foster collaboration between teacher education programs and current teachers in the field.

Qualifications

The Goodnight Professor will be assigned to the Department of Curriculum and Instruction for the purpose of establishing scalable programs to ensure the preparation of teacher candidates in evidence-based practices in literacy instruction aligned with the University of North Carolina System Literacy Framework, and to expand continuing support for teachers of reading. The Goodnight Professor will collaborate with literacy faculty in the Birth-Kindergarten, Elementary, and Special Education programs at NCCU. The SOE places great emphasis on understanding of and respect for equity, social justice, and belonging among students and colleagues; therefore, we encourage applications from professionals who can help us achieve these goals. We seek a candidate with the following qualifications:

The DP Candidate should have a proven track record of teaching evidence-based early literacy practices, currently known as “the science of reading,” within a teacher education or P12 setting; and who can demonstrate the articulation of current reading research into effective classroom practice. Additionally, the candidate must have an earned doctorate in Elementary Education, Reading/Literacy, Early Childhood, Special Education, or a closely related field from an accredited university and the ability to hold a faculty rank of tenured Full Professor.

Required Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

The DP Candidate should have a proven track record of teaching evidence-based early literacy practices, currently known as “the science of reading,” within a teacher education or P12 setting; and who can demonstrate the articulation of current reading research into effective classroom practice.

Minimum Education/Experience

The candidate must have an earned doctorate in Elementary Education,

Reading/Literacy, Early Childhood, Special Education, or a closely related field from an

accredited university and the ability to hold a faculty rank of tenured Full Professor.

Licenses or Certification required by Statute or Regulation

NC Teaching License or eligibility for NC Teaching License

Equal Opportunity Employer

Consistent with the policy of the State of North Carolina, North Carolina Central University (NCCU) reaffirms that it has been, and will continue to be, the policy of this University to be an equal opportunity employer. North Carolina Central University is committed to providing educational opportunities and prohibits discrimination against students, applicants, employees, or visitors based on race, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, or veteran status. Any individual alleging discrimination based on sexual orientation cannot grieve beyond the University’s internal grievance process. In keeping with this policy, and to further the principle of equal opportunity, all other personnel matters such as recruitment, selection, hiring, promotion, compensation, performance appraisal, disciplinary actions, benefits, transfers, separations, reduction in force, grievance procedures, company-sponsored training, education, tuition assistance, and social and recreational programs will also continue to be administered in accordance with this policy.

Key Responsibilities and Related Competencies

Function Administrative Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

“Service includes outreach as a literacy champion and facilitator of professional development and seminars for and/or in collaboration with partners such as regional school systems and North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teachers (NCCAT). There may be additional opportunities to serve on state-level literacy efforts associated with North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and/or other organizations. Serve as mentor to junior faculty. Share effective evidence-based literacy practices for teacher candidates at NCCU and across the state. Collaborate with faculty on unique teacher candidate early field experiences.

All Goodnight and Spangler Distinguished Professors of Early Literacy will join an endowed professor state network, charged with the following:

• Design and implement engagement opportunities for faculty (e.g., seminar series, symposiums, etc.).
• Serve in an advisory capacity for progress in the UNC System’s literacy initiatives to include enhancements to the Literacy Framework Implementation Guide.
• Consult on possible video/online literacy lessons to serve as a resource for teacher educators, candidates, and in-service teachers.
• Elevate how UNC System institutions are ensuring production of well-prepared teachers of reading and support in-service teachers as they become more masterful practitioners.
• Significantly enhance the capacity of schools to employ evidence-based practices in

reading instruction with fidelity.”

Function Research Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

Research in early literacy with the goal of advancing evidence-based early literacy knowledge. Articulate the importance and integration of current reading research. Research efforts should lead to publication in peer reviewed journals and dissemination at state, national, and/or international conferences. Procurement of grant funding that supports the mission of the School of Education.

Function Instructional Describe the specific tasks and responsibilities related to the function.

Teaching responsibilities include a reduced course load (i.e., 2-2) consisting of undergraduate literacy courses and/or internship supervision. The DP will serve as a model for effective, high-quality evidence-based literacy practice.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number F000101 Open Date 02/25/2026 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Date Position Available 07/01/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants

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Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV
• Unofficial Transcripts (official required from selected candidate)
• Letter of Recommendation 1
• Letter of Recommendation 2
• Letter of Recommendation 3

Optional Documents

• Cover Letter
• Other Document
• DD-214 (Veterans Only)

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).