Dean College of Performing and Visual Arts

The Dean of the College of Performing & Visual Arts is the chief academic and administrative leader of the College which includes the Schools of Art and Design, Music, and Theatre Arts and Dance. The Dean is a key member of the University’s academic leadership team and is responsible for advancing the academic quality, creative excellence, student success, financial sustainability, and external impact of the College.

This is a pivotal leadership role at a consequential moment for the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). As UNC considers how it will distinguish itself and serve Colorado and the region in the future, the performing and visual arts represent an area of significant institutional strength, visibility, and opportunity. The Dean will not only lead the College but will shape what the arts can become and how they contribute to the University’s evolving identity, educational mission, and public impact.

The Dean will provide strategic and entrepreneurial leadership; align programs and resources with areas of strength and opportunity; cultivate a culture of academic excellence, collaboration, and shared governance; and expand the College’s reach through partnerships, philanthropy, community engagement, and innovative educational and artistic opportunities.

Lead the College in defining and advancing its distinctive academic and artistic identity and its role in UNC’s future.
Develop and execute a forward-looking strategy that identifies areas for investment, growth, redesign, partnership, and,
when appropriate, consolidation or discontinuation. Advocate for the unique academic, artistic, production, facilities,
and accreditation needs of the disciplines of the College. Foster innovation across disciplines and encourage new
models of education, creative practice, performance, exhibition, and engagement. Work collaboratively with School
Directors, faculty, staff, students, other deans, and University leadership to translate institutional priorities into a
focused strategy for the College and to position the College as a distinctive area of strength for UNC.

Ensure academic quality and appropriate accreditation while continually evaluating the College’s academic portfolio in
relation to student demand, enrollment, student outcomes, professional and workforce opportunities, institutional
mission, cost, and capacity. Lead strategies to recruit, retain, and graduate students in collaboration with College
enrollment staff, School Directors, faculty, and central enrollment offices. Support curricular innovation and develop
educational opportunities responsive to emerging learners, professions, and markets while maintaining the artistic and
scholarly standards of the disciplines. Coordinate the mission and goals of the University, College, and Schools with the
requirements of pertinent professional accrediting bodies (NAST, NASM) and the Higher Learning Commission.

Strategically allocate faculty, staff, budget, space, facilities, and other resources to advance College and University
priorities. Use evidence and data to inform decisions regarding academic capacity, faculty workload, staffing, program
sustainability, and investment. Develop organizational structures and operating practices that enable the College to use
its resources effectively and sustainably. Represent College resource needs to central administration and oversee budget
development, equipment, technology, and other major resource requests.

Recruit, develop, evaluate, and retain excellent faculty and staff;…