Founding Faculty Professor

Job Description:

Job Title: Founding Faculty Professor
Reports to: STEM University President
FLSA Classification:Exempt

Location:Bentonville, Arkansas (On-site)

Date Reviewed:4/24/2026

About STEM University

STEM University is a new higher education institution being developed in Bentonville, Arkansas to advance new models of STEM education and workforce development. The university is designed to deliver a flexible, experiential educational model that combines rigorous STEM instruction with an entrepreneurial and business-infused mindset.

The institution will focus on areas such as artificial intelligence, automation and robotics, mobility, health technology, energy systems, and entrepreneurship. Through strong partnerships with industry and regional organizations, STEM University aims to prepare students with practical, high-demand skills needed for the evolving knowledge economy.

The university will develop a distinctive educational model based on experiential learning, stackable credentials, flexible entry and exit pathways, and strong industry engagement. STEM University plans to enroll its first undergraduate class in 2029 and establish a new national model for innovative STEM higher education. Additional information about the university's founding vision can be found here: Alice L. Walton Foundation announcement.

STEM University is a placeholder title and will be formally named as the institution continues to develop. Initially, faculty will be hired by Art and Wellness Enterprises and immersed in a broader ecosystem on the Crystal Bridges Campus for Art and Wellness, providing shared operational services and subject matter expertise in areas such as curriculum development and K-12 collaboration models, in close proximity to the Alice L. Walton School of Medicine (AWSOM).

The Founding Faculty Model

STEM University seeks to recruit a small cohort of three to four exceptional founding faculty members who will serve as institutional architects. These individuals will work directly with the President and founding leadership team to design the academic model, shape the culture of teaching and learning, and establish the university's identity. The university anticipates hiring at least one senior faculty member(s) with experience in upper administration.

This model reflects a deliberate departure from conventional hiring practices. Rather than filling predefined disciplinary roles, the university is prioritizing individuals with the capacity to build programs, create new approaches to STEM education, and operate at the intersection of academia, industry, and entrepreneurship. The founding faculty cohort will play a central role in developing the curriculum, launching experiential learning environments, and forming the external partnerships that will define the institution.

The Opportunity

This is a rare opportunity to help create a new model of undergraduate STEM education that is interdisciplinary by design and grounded in real-world problem solving. Founding faculty will contribute to an academic framework that integrates engineering, computing, applied sciences, and entrepreneurship, with a strong emphasis on experiential learning and innovation.

The university aims to position itself among the most forward-thinking institutions in the country, drawing inspiration from pioneering models while advancing a distinct vision shaped by the opportunities of Northwest Arkansas and the broader knowledge economy. The goal is to build an institution unlike others, supported by the recruitment of exceptional faculty.

Responsibilities

Founding faculty will be deeply engaged in curriculum design, working collaboratively to develop an integrated undergraduate experience that embeds experiential learning throughout the program. This includes designing interdisciplinary project sequences, incorporating artificial intelligence as both a subject and a pedagogical tool, and aligning coursework with real-world applications.

They will also contribute to the development of the university's experiential learning environment, including the creation of a maker-centered ecosystem where students can design, prototype, and build solutions. This environment will serve as a cornerstone of the university's academic model and a key differentiator in its approach to STEM education.

In addition, founding faculty will play a critical role in establishing partnerships with industry and regional organizations. These relationships will inform the curriculum, provide opportunities for applied learning, and ensure alignment with workforce and innovation needs.

As members of the founding academic leadership team, these individuals will help shape institutional priorities, recruit future faculty, and contribute to the governance and long-term development of the university.

Candidate Profile

The university seeks individuals who combine academic excellence with a demonstrated capacity to build and innovate. Candidates should hold a terminal degree in a STEM or closely related field and have significant professional experience, ideally spanning academia, industry, or both.

Successful candidates will have a strong record of teaching or curriculum development, along with evidence of having created programs, laboratories, or initiatives that extend beyond traditional academic roles. Equally important is a mindset oriented toward building rather than maintaining, experimenting rather than optimizing, and collaborating across disciplines to create new forms of value.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must meet all minimum qualifications by the start date:

• PhD or terminal degree in a STEM discipline or closely related field (e.g., engineering, computer science, applied sciences, data science, or interdisciplinary STEM field), or demonstrated experience leading major higher education initiatives, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 3 years of STEM teaching, training, or instructional experience, which may include:
  • Graduate teaching assistantships
  • Instructor-of-record experience
  • Co-teaching, guest lecturing, or formal teaching training programs
• Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and participation in a cohort-based model
• Evidence of effective teaching, mentoring, or training in STEM-related domains
• Demonstrated involvement in curriculum design or program development, including at least one of the following:
  • Designing new courses, programs, or academic pathways
  • Leading curriculum redesign initiatives
  • Developing interdisciplinary or applied learning experiences

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 7-10 years of relevant professional experience, including at least one of the following:
  • Faculty appointment
  • Senior role in industry, research labs, or applied innovation environments
• Demonstrated experience working at the intersection of academia and practice (industry, startups, or applied research environments preferred)
  • Experience with AI, robotics, health tech, energy systems, or entrepreneurship
  • Background in experiential learning environments (e.g., maker spaces, labs, studios)
  • Demonstrated industry partnerships or commercialization experience
  • Record of external funding, venture creation, or translational impact
• Documented experience contributing to or leading the creation of new initiatives, such as:
  • Academic programs, centers, or labs
  • Experiential learning environments (e.g., maker spaces, design studios)
  • Industry partnerships or applied learning programs
• Candidates must demonstrate:
  • Orientation toward innovation over tradition
  • Willingness to build new systems rather than maintain existing ones
  • Comfort with ambiguity, iteration, and startup-like environments
  • Commitment to experiential, student-centered STEM education
• Experience preparing grant proposals as Principal Investigator (PI), co‑PI, or key personnel
• Evidence of interdisciplinary or team-based research or teaching
• Experience mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate researchers
• Training or experience in inclusive pedagogy, lab management, or mentoring

Application Process

• Applications will be accepted for 30 days from posting and may remain open until all positions are filled.
• Applicants should submit the following materials along with their application on our careers site:
  • Letter of interest highlighting essential qualifications and interests (no more than 2 pages)
  • A detailed curriculum vitae including examples of curriculum, programs, or initiatives they have developed
  • A forward-looking vision statement addressing the question, "What should undergraduate STEM education look like in 2036?"