Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies

About SAIC

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world's most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities.

SAIC's undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world-as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O'Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

About the Department

The School of the Art Institute (SAIC) is a leading private college of art and design located in downtown Chicago, a city defined by rich cultural diversity, outstanding architecture, and innovative public art. Enrolling 3,1735 degree-seeking students, SAIC is one of the largest accredited independent schools of art and design in the United States, and is distinguished by its interdisciplinary approach to art and design education.

The Undergraduate Division serves approximately 2700 students across five undergraduate degree programs: BFA in Studio, BFA in Writing (BFAW), BFA in Art Education (BFAAE), BA in Art History (BAAH) and BA in Visual and Critical Studies (BACVS). Central to the undergraduate experience at SAIC is the Academic Spine, a sequence of required courses designed to develop critical thinking, professional readiness and prepare students for careers as practicing artists, designers, scholars, educators, and creative professionals.

Position Summary

The Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies represents the undergraduate division to both internal and external audiences and serves as a core member of the undergraduate division leadership team, providing essential administrative oversight and support for undergraduate programs and initiatives. Reporting to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies, the Associate Dean leads programmatic initiatives, oversees student learning outcomes assessment, and manages routine institutional processes to effectively deliver the undergraduate curriculum.

In support of institutional priorities to strengthen post-graduation outcomes, this role ensures that curriculum, enrollment planning, and academic support structures prepare students for professional success and timely degree completion.

The Associate Dean provides academic and administrative oversight of undergraduate programs, collaborating with department chairs, program coordinators and faculty on new initiatives and changes in curricula through the appropriate approval process, and implements policies and procedures related to the undergraduate degree programs and academic departments. This includes supporting, developing and integrating career readiness competencies and professional development opportunities throughout the undergraduate curriculum.

This position works closely with the Dean of Faculty, the Associate Provost for Academic Programming and Curricular Analysis and the Director of Academic Program Review and Assessment to implement institutional priorities. This role reports to Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Office of the Dean of Faculty and the roles reporting to this position are the Director of the Academic Spine, the Director of English for International Students and the Editorial Advisor of F News

Responsibilities

Curriculum Development

* Supports the Dean of Undergraduate Studies in the development of initiatives related to undergraduate programs and, when applicable, coordinates with the Associate Provost for Curricular Planning & Analysis, the Director of Academic Program Review and Assessment, Computer Resources and Information Technology (CRIT), the Registrar, Student Affairs and the Office of Campus Enrichment on the implementation of undergraduate curricular requirements and initiatives, including but not limited to the Academic Spine, Independent Study, the Off-Campus-Study requirement, the Global Awareness and Social Responsibility requirement, Studio Symposia, etc.

* Analyzes enrollment data and institutional reports on an ongoing basis to inform planning decisions and identify opportunities for program improvement

Curriculum Management

* Collaborates with the Office of International Affairs and Office of Study Abroad on Study Trip planning, procedures, awards, and review

* Updates Student Affairs staff on relevant changes to the curriculum, particularly how such changes impact advising and registration

* Provides oversight of the Studio Symposia identification and approval process, including proposal review and coordination with faculty and departments

* Partners with the Dean of Administration, Budget, and…