Associate Dean School of Mathematics & Science Foundations

Title: Associate Dean of the School of Mathematics & Science Foundations

Employee Classification: Academic Assoc Dean

Campus: University of North Texas

Division: UNT-Provost

Sub Division-Department: UNT-College of Science

Department: UNT-College of Science - Gen-124000

Job Location: Denton

Salary: Compensation is competitive and commensurate with the candidate's qualifications, experience, and discipline, in accordance with university guidelines and available funding.

FTE: 1.00

Retirement Eligibility: ORP Eligible

The Associate Dean of the School of Mathematics & Science Foundations (SMSF) will serve as the executive leader of the new school. Reporting directly to the College of Science Dean, the Associate Dean will play a crucial role in developing and guiding SMSF as it becomes a key component of UNT's efforts to improve student academic success and career outcomes in STEM‑related areas.

The Associate Dean will be responsible for leading SMSF toward success in its goals, which include:

• Ensuring horizontal and vertical alignment, consistent assessments, and coordinated curricula in foundational science and mathematics courses.
• Providing resources and structures to develop student self‑efficacy.
• Promoting and developing innovative, evidence‑based teaching practices that advance student success.
• Driving student engagement, timely degree completion, and career readiness.
• Supporting instructors with ongoing professional development while incentivizing and rewarding continuous improvement in instruction.

The Associate Dean of SMSF will be responsible for recruiting, evaluating, and supporting instructors (both full‑time and part‑time) who teach courses within the school. Faculty affiliated with SMSF will initially be selected from the ranks of existing instructors who teach foundational courses within COS departments.

Outstanding candidates for this position will bring experience in curricular reform or other high‑impact academic initiatives, a deep understanding of barriers to student success in science and mathematics courses and ideas for how to address them, strong leadership and teamwork skills, and a readiness to innovate and seek bold solutions.

The launch of SMSF will entail close collaboration between the new Associate Dean and the Ad Hoc Committee on the Formation of SMSF, which is currently drafting frameworks for governance and operations, curriculum and academic structure, discipline‑based education research (DBER) strategy, and student success efforts in the new school.

The position is expected to come with a faculty appointment in one of the COS departments.

• A Ph.D. in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Science or Mathematics Education Research, or a closely related field.
• Experience teaching introductory and/or advanced science or mathematics courses as a university faculty member.

• Previous academic leadership experience (e.g., as a Department Chair or Associate Dean).
• A documented record of successful academic initiatives that support student success.

The University of North Texas System is firmly committed to equal opportunity and does not permit
-and takes actions to prevent- discrimination, harassment (including sexual violence, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking), and retaliation on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application, employment practices, and facilities; nor permits race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, veteran status, or sex discrimination and harassment in its admissions processes, and educational programs and activities.

UNT System Administration promptly investigates complaints of discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation and takes remedial action when appropriate. System Administration also takes actions to prevent retaliation against individuals who oppose any form of harassment or discriminatory practice, file a charge or report, and testify, assist, or participate in a related investigation or proceeding.