Fayetteville State University, located in Fayetteville, NC and a constituent institution of the prestigious University of North Carolina system, is seeking an accomplished scholar, teacher, and mentor to serve as the Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy.
Founded in 1867, Fayetteville State University (FSU; University) is a public, comprehensive, historically Black university, and is the second oldest state assisted institution in North Carolina. Since 1972, FSU has been one of 17 institutions within the broader UNC System.
Situated on a scenic campus of more 156 acres, FSU serves a diverse student population and is known for its strong commitment to academic excellence, community engagement, and social mobility. FSU offers robust and innovative degree programs rooted in the liberal arts tradition. The university advances knowledge through the integration of teaching, learning, research, and public service. FSU strives to meet the educational, career, and personal aspirations of its students from rural, military, and other diverse backgrounds so that they are equipped with academic and practical knowledge to serve local, state, national, and global communities as enlightened citizens, globally astute leaders, and engaged solution creators.
The University offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs through its colleges and schools, including programs in business, education, social work, nursing, psychology, criminal justice, intelligence studies, and the sciences. FSU has many nationally ranked academic programs, including the school of nursing and online MBA. In addition to exceptional pre-professional programs, FSU has a proud tradition in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. FSU also touts phenomenal Army and Air Force ROTC programs that annually develop students into nationally ranked cadets, prepared to lead successfully in the US military.
FSU emphasizes small class sizes, personalized instruction, and faculty mentorship. Students benefit from research opportunities, internships, leadership development, and community service initiatives that prepare them for professional success and civic responsibility. The University also provides flexible learning options, including online and hybrid programs designed to meet the needs of working adults and non-traditional students.
Campus life at FSU is vibrant and student-centered, featuring numerous student organizations, Greek life, cultural events, and NCAA Division II athletics. The Broncos compete in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA). With a strong legacy rooted in access and empowerment, Fayetteville State University continues to advance its mission of transforming lives through education, innovation, and service.
Fayetteville State University, a Historically Black College and University and the second oldest public university in North Carolina, offers robust and innovative bachelor’s and master’s degree programs rooted in the liberal arts tradition as well as the Doctor of Education. The university advances knowledge through the integration of teaching, learning, research and public service. FSU strives to meet the educational, career and personal aspirations of its traditional and non-traditional students from rural, military and other diverse backgrounds so that they are equipped with academic and practical knowledge to serve local, state, national and global communities as enlightened citizens, globally astute leaders and engaged solution creators.
We accomplish our mission through:
Fayetteville State University, the second oldest public university in North Carolina and a constituent institution of the University of North Carolina System, will be the regional university of choice for students from rural, military, and other diverse backgrounds who are poised to become visionary leaders who transform communities, states and nations.
Academics
o Broadwell College of Business and Economics (BCBE)
o College of Education (COE)
o Lloyd College of Health, Science, and Technology (CHST)
o College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS)
Students
Faculty
Campus & Facilities
For more information about FSU, please visit www.uncfsu.edu.
Institutional and College Accreditations
Programmatic Accreditations
U.S. News & World Report 2025-2026
Military Times – "Best for Vets: Colleges" 2025
Forbes Advisor 2025
Online MBA Today
The Princeton Review 2027
Affordability Rankings
Other Rankings
The City of Fayetteville is the seat of Cumberland County, NC. With a population of approximately 208,000, Fayetteville is the sixth largest city in the state. Fayetteville is adjacent to Fort Bragg, the largest military installation by population in the world, with over 50,000 active-duty personnel and another 15,000 civilian employees, and home to the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne and the U.S. Army Special Operations Command. Approximately 7,000 soldiers transition annually, many choosing to stay in the area. Ft Bragg also infuses about $4.5 billion a year into the region’s economy.
Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, and L-3 Communications are all recognized as top ten American defense contractors located in Fayetteville. Other notable employers include the Cape Fear Valley Health System, the Cumberland County Public School System, and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.
Located 50 miles away from Raleigh and less than 100 miles away from Wilmington and the Atlantic Ocean, Fayetteville is within driving distance of many of the beaches, mountains, and cities in the coastal South. Fayetteville also has a regional airport that connects residents and visitors to the world through Charlotte and Atlanta.
Fayetteville has been recognized four times as an “All-American City” by the National Civic League, and is known as a community of “History, Heroes and a Hometown Feeling.” Fayetteville has a variety of tourist attractions and museums, such as the Airborne & Special Operations Museum, the Fayetteville Transportation Museum, and the Cape Fear Historical Museum. Residents and tourists can also enjoy hiking through Cape Fear River trails, strolling through Veterans Park and the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens, stepping back in time in the revitalized downtown historic district, or visiting Segra Stadium to cheer on the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, a minor league baseball team. Fayetteville's Marksmen hockey, Mustangs football, Fury soccer, and Stingers basketball also provide options for sports and entertainment.
For more information about Fayetteville, please visit: www.fayettevillenc.gov.
The Goodnight Distinguished Professor in Early Literacy, within the FSU College of Education, is an endowed faculty position established to support and enhance research, teaching, and service in the field of early literacy. This role is critical to driving impactful initiatives that improve literacy outcomes among young learners, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
Responsibilities by Key Activity
The College of Education at FSU is committed to preparing highly qualified educators and leaders who are competent, committed, and caring. The College supports academic excellence through innovation in teaching, research, and service, and addresses the educational needs of diverse and underrepresented populations, especially in rural and underserved communities.
The commitment of the College is to prepare facilitators of learning and other school personnel who:
The College enjoys a proud heritage of preparing professionals who are sensitive and responsive to the diverse needs of students, parents, and the community. Graduates from our programs are employed throughout the state and nation. Our education alumni demonstrate that they have the knowledge, skills, and disposition to be effective P-16 practitioners and can teach diverse populations in a variety of educational settings. The College is successful in, and guided by, a strategic goal to effectively serve the children of Southeastern North Carolina and beyond.
We will build upon our College of Education's proud legacy of strong undergraduate and graduate academic programs designed to prepare effective, high-quality teachers and other educational leaders. Our vision is to produce professionals who will positively impact the lives of 21st Century children, local educational agencies, communities, and organizations for global competitiveness.
Our College of Education prepares knowledgeable, reflective, and caring professionals in the fields of education, research, and service. Our highly qualified faculty ensure that our candidates participate in prescribed activities, cutting edge instructional practices offered through multiple modes of delivery, on-going assessments, and field-based internships. As a result, our completers have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to support student learning within a framework of family and community and are able to participate in a diverse, technological, and global society. The COE proudly prepares transformational educators and leaders through licensure only options and degrees at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels for the southeastern region of the state, nation, and the global community.
For more information about the FSU College of Education, please visit: https://www.uncfsu.edu/academics/collegesschools-and-departments/college-of-education
To make a nomination, provide a referral, or for additional information, please use the contact information below. While applications and nominations will be accepted until a successful candidate has been appointed, interested individuals are encouraged to submit their materials as soon as possible for full consideration as review of submitted materials will begin immediately. The ideal start date is summer 2027.
To apply, please submit a resume and/or vita, and cover letter, to: FSUGoodnightProfessor@buffkinbaker.com.
Martin Baker, Partner & Practice Leader, Buffkin / Baker
336-721-9100
Ken Carrick, Partner, Buffkin / Baker
980-296-5401
Janny DeLoache, Associate Partner, Buffkin / Baker
704-377-7828
Fayetteville State University is committed to equality of educational opportunity and employment and does not discriminate against applicants, students, or employees based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, genetic information, National Guard or veteran status. Moreover, Fayetteville State University values diversity and actively seeks to recruit talented students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds.
Buffkin / Baker is a partner-led executive search firm specializing in Healthcare, Higher Education, Private Equity, Technology/Digital, Consumer, and Non-Profit sectors. Each partner, a leader in their field, brings over a decade of retained search experience, contributing to a collective total of more than 300 years in search and over 400 years in industry and operational expertise. The firm operates from multiple locations, including Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Chattanooga, Cleveland, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Simons Island, Tampa, Washington, DC, and Winston-Salem. We are proud partners of Panorama, a global network specializing in executive search and placement, executive recruitment consulting, leadership development advisory, board evaluation, and executive succession planning.
