Director of Global Understanding in Anthropology

East Carolina University ( ECU) ( https://www.ecu.edu), a member of the 17-campus University of North Carolina System, is committed to being a national model for student success, regional transformation, and public service. Through excellence in education, research, health care, community engagement, and cultural enrichment, ECU enhances the quality of life for our students, our state, and beyond.

The Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences ( https://thcas.ecu.edu/) is home to 15 academic departments. Harriot College's vision is to be an engine of access, knowledge, and opportunity for all learners through transformative education, innovative research and creative activities, and meaningful community engagement.

The Department of Anthropology at East Carolina University offers a BA and MA in Anthropology, as well as graduate and undergraduate certificates in areas including Cultural Resources Management ( CRM). Our programs provide students with a broad education in anthropological subfields while offering specialized training and applied experiences that prepare graduates for a range of professional pathways. We currently have eleven full-time faculty whose teaching and research encompass a wide range of topics (https://anthropology.ecu.edu/faculty/). The department takes pride in active field opportunities, excellent laboratory facilities, and partnerships with museums, federal agencies, and community organizations that engage students in hands-on research and experiential learning. Faculty collaborate regularly with colleagues across the Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences-including those in History, Biology, and Earth, Environment and Planning-as well as with research facilities and programs in the Brody School of Medicine, the Coastal Studies Institute, and the NC Office of State Archaeology Queen Anne's Revenge Conservation Lab.

Our collegial department is deeply committed to fostering a culture of support, belonging, and opportunity. The department encourages research and teaching that contribute to student success, public service, and regional transformation in eastern North Carolina and the broader world through engagement, public scholarship, and applied anthropology.

More information can be found at https://anthropology.ecu.edu

INTERNAL POSTING: Open only to applicants currently employed by East Carolina University.

The Global Understanding (GU) Director in Anthropology provides leadership and oversight for GU courses taught by graduate students within the department. This position serves as the primary liaison between the Department of Anthropology, participating graduate instructors, Global Academic Initiatives ( GAI), and Global Partners in Education ( GPE) international partners. The Director supports graduate instructors, ensures program quality and consistency, and promotes effective communication, collaboration, and community building across all stakeholders involved in the delivery of GU courses.

East Carolina University invites applications for the Director of Global Understanding in the Department of Anthropology beginning February 2026. The Director will work with the Director of Graduate Studies and GAI, as appropriate, to identify, recruit, and assign graduate students to teach GU course sections, ensuring that all graduate instructors complete required training and maintain ongoing professional development through GAI/ GPE. In addition, the Director will assist in developing and conducting graduate instructor training-including summer sessions-and support the continuous improvement of these programs. The role includes convening weekly in-term meetings with graduate instructors to share experiences, discuss course progress, and troubleshoot challenges; serving as the first point of contact for instructional or partner-related issues; conducting structured observations for each section twice per semester and providing feedback; and offering individual mentoring sessions as needed. The Director also serves as the departmental liaison to GAI, maintaining regular communication regarding course assignments, updates, and emerging needs, and participating in monthly check-ins to report on course progress, challenges, and achievements. Additional responsibilities include introducing graduate instructors to their international partners, assisting with the development of positive working relationships, and communicating periodically with partner instructors to gather feedback, promote engagement, and build community.

The Director will maintain consistent communication with the Director of Graduate Studies regarding instructor progress and any significant performance concerns, utilizing Midterm Mentoring sessions for additional guidance when appropriate, and complete and maintain global understanding training. Further duties involve creating and maintaining shared communication templates, timelines, and resources to support effective course delivery; monitoring instructional quality to ensure alignment with departmental standards and program expectations; and facilitating the exchange of effective practices and lessons learned among graduate and partner instructors. Finally, the Director ensures that all ANTH GU graduate instructors meet assessment and compliance requirements, including administering pre- and post-course student surveys, completing link reports after each partner connection, and encouraging student completion of the SSOI instrument.

Contingent upon the availability of funding.

A master's degree in Anthropology or related field is required, as well as demonstrated record of effective teaching in Global Understanding.

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Completion of Global Understanding education training preferred.

Screening will begin February 25, 2026. At www.jobs.ecu.edu, applicants must complete a candidate profile, submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for two current references. After the application is submitted, two official letters of reference, which should address teaching, qualifications, and management skills, will be requested; references will receive an email invitation from PeopleAdmin.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

East Carolina University is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for our employees. ECU prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability.

Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act ( ADAAA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at (252) 737-1018 (Voice/ TTY) or ADA-Coordinator@ecu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. ECU participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. If highest degree earned is from an institution outside of the U.S. and its territories, final candidates are required to have their degree validated as equivalent to the degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S.

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity at (252) 328-9847 or toll free at 1-866-489-1740 or send an email to employment@ecu.edu. Our office is available to provide assistance Monday-Friday from 8:00-5:00 EST.