Dean, School of Education and Human Sciences

Position Overview

The University of Kansas welcomes applications and nominations for an entrepreneurial, collaborative, and values-driven leader to serve as the next Dean of the School of Education and Human Sciences.

Founded in 1865, the University of Kansas (KU) is the state's flagship public research institution and a proud member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). With five campuses across Kansas, including the main campus in Lawrence, KU serves more than 31,000 students and offers more than 400 degree and certificate programs. KU's mission is to educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that change the world.

Guided by its strategic plan and core values of Integrity, Respect, Innovation, Stewardship, and Excellence (IRISE), KU fosters a vibrant academic community committed to advancing knowledge, building vibrant communities, and serving the public good.

The University of Kansas School of Education and Human Sciences (SOEHS) is a nationally ranked academic unit that educates future teachers, administrators, counselors, psychologists, and health and sport professionals. The Dean will provide leadership to approximately 125 faculty and staff who support 2,200 full-time undergraduate and 900 full-time graduate students. The School is consistently recognized for its leadership in special education, curriculum and teaching, and human development.

Guided by its 2024 strategic plan, SOEHS advances mission-based priorities in student success, research and discovery, and healthy, vibrant communities‑aligning closely with the University's broader strategic vision.

The School is consistently ranked among the top education programs in the country, earning the No. 8 spot among public universities and No. 15 overall in U.S. News & World Report's 2025-26 "Best Graduate Schools." Its graduate program in special education is ranked No. 1 among public universities and No. 2 overall, while the curriculum & instruction program ranks No. 18 among public institutions.

SOEHS also offers top-tier online programs, including a No. 2 ranking for its online master's in special education and No. 10 for its online Ed.D. in educational administration.

The next Dean of SOEHS will join a lively academic community deeply committed to academic excellence and student success. This is a pivotal moment for SOEHS, with opportunities to build on its nationally recognized programs and collaborative culture.

By fostering transparency, shared governance, and trust, the Dean will unite faculty, staff, and students around a shared mission of preparing ethical and thoughtful leaders in education and the human sciences and guiding the School into its next era of excellence.

Candidates for the Dean position must possess a distinguished record of academic leadership and scholarship that qualifies them for appointment as a tenured full professor in one of the departments of SOEHS. They should demonstrate progressive leadership experience in higher education administration, including oversight of academic programs, faculty development, budgeting, and strategic planning. A robust research background, understanding of grant funding, and a track record of supporting research excellence and student success are essential.

The ideal candidate will have a proven commitment to transparency, along with the ability to foster interdisciplinary collaboration across departments in the SOEHS and with external partners. Strong communication skills and fundraising experience are strongly preferred.

The Dean serves as the Chief Academic and Administrative Officer of the School of Education and Human Sciences (SOEHS) and is responsible for providing forward-looking, collaborative, and consistent leadership to ensure the School's long‑term success. The Dean of the School of Education and Human Sciences, along with the 11 other deans on the Lawrence and Edwards campuses, reports to the university's Chief Academic Officer/Provost & Executive Vice Chancellor of KU Lawrence and Edwards campuses.

KU's dynamic team of academic deans and leaders embraces innovation and is charged with generating excellence and strong measures of performance.

The Dean will be a strategic thinker who can ensure the School's research enterprise, educational programs, and administrative services will engage and energize faculty, staff, current and future generations of students, donors, alumni, and community partners. The Dean will be expected to work in alignment with the Lawrence and Edwards campus strategic plan and support the School's strategic plan. A key priority will be securing partnerships and collaborations that advance the University and School's mission, increase its impact, and elevate its reputation.

The Dean ensures that the School can attract, develop, retain, and promote talented academic and administrative staff in alignment with KU's goals, objectives, and mission as an R‑1, AAU institution. Additionally, the Dean's…