Dean School of Arts & Sciences

Position Summary

The Dean of Arts & Sciences possesses exceptional knowledge and skills to advance the distinctive mission and values (Competence, Community, Compassion & Commitment) of Mount Mary University. The Dean provides a supportive climate informed by a deep understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion practices that foster collaboration between Schools and the larger University community. They demonstrate outstanding qualities in leadership, collegiality, teaching, professional development, and community service.

The Dean must work effectively with internal and external constituencies to establish strategic partnerships across disciplines. The Dean must have knowledge of and ability to support programmatic and University accreditation. They work with the University's Administration, Alumni & Donor Relations Office, and Faculty to identify and cultivate donor prospects and grant opportunities. The Dean will provide overall direction for budgetary and fiscal affairs and will be responsible for the financial viability of academic programs and the Institution y must be an articulate representative and advocate for the School of Arts & Sciences and University.

The Dean reports directly to and collaborates closely with the Vice President for Academic Affairs

• Provides collaborative support to the Division Chairs and faculty in the form of collegial, transparent communication;
• Leads the School of Arts & Sciences in strategic planning initiatives targeting accreditation, curriculum and co-curriculum development, enrollment growth, retention and persistence efforts, and cost effectiveness. Utilizes and accurately interprets metrics provided by the Institutional Effectiveness and Business Offices to ensure academic quality and integrity of programs;
• Works collaboratively with Division Chairs to develop and maintain budgets and is responsible for the overall management of fiscal resources of the School;
• Serves as a visible leader of the School of Arts & Sciences and develops relationships with corporate and community partners to establish internships and other applied academic opportunities. Proactively seeks out fundraising and grant opportunities that will further strategic initiatives working collaboratively with the Director of Grants Management, faculty, Alumnae & Donor Relations, and University Marketing & Communications staff;
• Works in joint partnership with academic programs to utilize discipline-specific expertise that will facilitate innovative change. Works with deans and faculty in other academic Schools to further interdisciplinary collaboration and efficiencies across core curriculum course content and offerings.
• Collaborate with Student Affairs administration and Student Success Program staff to provide support services and faculty professional development that strengthens academic experiences and creates student sense of belonging;
• Works with the faculty to develop and propose new programs, and to facilitate required approval processes for new academic programs. Works with Division Chairs and the Registrar's Office to ensure integration of changes into the overall curriculum and the University Catalog;
• Provides oversight and overall coordination of course schedules constructed by the Division Chairs and in collaboration with the other School Deans;
• Advocates for academic technology that will enhance the integrity of discipline-specific curriculum;
  Reviews Core and program assessment of student learning outcomes prepared by faculty at the end of each academic year to ensure that they are complete and accurate. Assists chairs and faculty in coordinating Program Reviews, writes an evaluative summary of the final product and reviews annual updates before submitting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs;
• Serves on search committees for full-time faculty in the School of Arts & Sciences and works with Division Chairs and Human Resources to process employment agreements for adjunct faculty with other School Deans. Provides support to the Division Chairs to coordinate resources for new faculty (e.g., office space, computers, keys, etc.);
• Attends regular meetings and participates in Deans Council. Coordinates and leads regular Division Chair/Faculty meetings in the school, including those associated with accreditation. Ensures that there is timely communication between appropriate constituencies about action items that arise
• Serves on University committees and taskforces as needed
• Attends programmatic Advisory Board meetings. Provides support to assess Advisory Board related initiatives for alignment with the University's strategic plan;
• Works collaboratively with constituencies, providing ongoing mentoring for full-time tenure-track faculty to meet promotion and tenure criteria. Focus on encouraging teaching excellence, University and community service, scholarship, and professional development. Evaluates portfolios for Division Chairs applying for promotion and tenure. Writes…