Dean College of Natural Sciences

Grand Canyon University! One of Arizona’s leading institutions of higher learning. Located in the Valley of the Sun in the heart of Phoenix, Arizona. GCU is an institutionally accredited, private, nondenominational Christian University.

The Dean of the College of Natural Sciences provides strategic, academic, and operational leadership for all programs, faculty, and initiatives within the College. This role advances academic excellence, fosters a Christ-centered learning community, and drives innovation and growth aligned with the mission and vision of Grand Canyon University.

GCU is a missional, Christ-centered university with an innovative and adaptive spirit that addresses the world’s deep needs by cultivating compassionate Christian community, empowering free and virtuous action and serving others in ways that promote human flourishing.

Through academic excellence, the university equips students with knowledge of the Christian worldview, instilling in them a sense of purpose and vocational calling that enables them to be innovative thinkers, effective communicators, global contributors and transformative leaders who change their communities by placing the interests of others before their own.

The Dean operates at a strategic leadership level, ensuring that academic, operational, and student success systems are effectively led through a distributed, centralized, shared-services model. The Dean sets vision, direction, ensures accountability, and removes barriers to execution while empowering leaders across curriculum, operations, and faculty performance. The Dean is expected to lead sustainable enrollment growth across ground and online modalities through strategic program development, market alignment, and effective collaboration with university partners.

Location:

3300 W. Camelback Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85017

• Promote and model a Christ-centered worldview in all aspects of leadership, decision-making, and faculty engagement
• Foster a strong sense of community and shared purpose among faculty, staff, and students
• Support the development and integration of Christian character and professional virtue education, associated with healthcare and science professions
• Encourage integration of faith and learning across curriculum, instruction, and student engagement

• Lead program innovation and expansion, including online, general education and pre-requisites (ABSN), bridges, AI integration, free enterprise integration, and other emerging program opportunities
• Support the University’s commitment to growth with quality programs, ensuring scalability without compromising academic standards

• Ensure the integrity, rigor, and consistency of all academic programs
• Provide executive oversight of curriculum, instruction, and assessment within the greater university systems
• Ensure programs meet/maintain accreditation and regulatory standards
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement; assessments lead to measurable actions resulting in improved learning outcomes and increased retention
• Support scholarly activity, student-focused research, program recognition, and opportunities for institutional visibility and impact

• Establish clear ownership, accountability, and performance expectations
• Ensure alignment between curriculum, faculty execution, operations, and student outcomes
• Build shared-services systems with other colleges and university departments that promote efficiency, transparency, and reliability at scale

• Ensure effective faculty oversight through Assistant Deans, including performance, engagement, and accountability
• Promote instructional excellence, pedagogical development, and innovation in teaching
• Support faculty in integrating faith, learning, and professional preparation
• Foster a culture of continuous growth, mentorship, and academic professionalism

• Provide oversight of college budget, resource allocation, and financial performance within university expectations
• Ensure responsible…