Dean, School of Public Affairs

Faculty Level/

Title:

Dean

Working Title:
Dean, School of Public Affairs

FTE:
Full Time 1.0 FTE | Hybrid

Salary Range: $235,000 - $275,000

Position #– Requisition #41193

University of Colorado | Denver

Provide bold, collaborative leadership to advance the School of Public Affairs and position it for long-term success.

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for the School of Public Affairs that aligns with the university's refreshed strategic plan and reflects the opportunities of a leading urban research university.
• Foster a culture of innovation, adaptability, and continuous improvement in response to emerging issues in public policy, public administration, social equity, governance, nonprofit leadership, criminal justice, public finance, and civic engagement.
• Partner with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community stakeholders to identify priorities and achieve measurable outcomes.
• Collaborate with the Provost, Deans, and campus leaders to advance institution-wide goals and initiatives.
• Serve as the chief advocate and ambassador for the School of Public Affairs locally, statewide, nationally, and globally.
• Position the School as a thought leader in addressing complex public challenges facing cities, states, nations, and communities.

Advance excellence in teaching, scholarship, policy engagement, and public service.

• Provide intellectual leadership for undergraduate, graduate, and professional education programs.
• Support faculty excellence in teaching, research, creative work, policy engagement, and community‑engaged scholarship.
• Increase the visibility, impact, and external funding of faculty scholarship and research.
• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships that address pressing public challenges and inform public decision‑making.
• Support applied research, policy analysis, and evidence‑based solutions that contribute to the public good.
• Ensure successful maintenance and continuous improvement of NASPAA accreditation and academic quality standards.
• Strengthen the School's national reputation and ranking as a leading school of public affairs.
• Advance scholarship and educational programs in areas such as public policy, public administration, nonprofit management, criminal justice, public budgeting and finance, sustainability, governance, technology and society, public health policy, and social equity.
• Foster partnerships among faculty, research centers, policymakers, and practitioners to translate knowledge into action and public impact.

Champion a student‑centered culture that promotes access, success, belonging, and preparation for public leadership.

• Lead strategies that increase enrollment, persistence, retention, graduation, and post‑graduation success.
• Prepare students for impactful careers across government, nonprofit, philanthropic, international, and public‑serving organizations.
• Enhance the student experience through experiential learning, internships, capstone projects, community‑engaged learning, and public service opportunities.
• Strengthen pathways that support student achievement, leadership development, and social mobility.
• Expand partnerships that create employment opportunities, policy fellowships, public service experiences, and professional mentorship.
• Foster an inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive and achieve their educational goals.
• Utilize data‑informed decisions to support enrollment management, student success, and program effectiveness.
• Promote civic engagement, ethical leadership, and a lifelong commitment to public service.

Cultivate relationships that advance the School's…