Dean, College of Liberal Arts

Black Hills State University is seeking an innovative, experienced leader to serve as the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. The Dean reports directly to the Provost and will work closely with faculty to maintain and enhance high‑quality academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels and to foster an innovative environment that engages students and faculty.

The mission of the College of Liberal Arts is to provide all students at BHSU with the opportunity to acquire a broad liberal education in the areas of fine and applied arts, humanities, mathematics, media, and social sciences.

• Ensuring that challenging academic majors and minors are offered in the various disciplines of the College to help prepare students for their future careers.
• Guiding students into career‑appropriate coursework through individualized advising by faculty mentors.
• Fostering research and other creative activities with faculty and students, leading to personal and professional growth.
• Supporting alliances with the outside community, such as through the Center for American Indian Studies.
• Contributing to the progress of the University, supporting the general education program, and enhancing the quality of life in our state and region through service activities.

• Provide transformative leadership and advocacy for the College of Liberal Arts at Black Hills State University.
• Work collegially and collaboratively with leadership across campus to support the priorities of the University.
• Foster an environment of innovation, collegiality, collaboration, and support where faculty, staff, and students thrive.
• Assure ongoing quality and improvement in College of Liberal Arts academic programs through the review and assessment of existing programs and the development of new academic program opportunities and projects when appropriate.

• Lead, with the assistance of three school chairs, strategic planning for the College of Liberal Arts in alignment with university priorities.
• Oversee ongoing program‑level assessment, assessment of student learning outcomes, and use of assessment results for improvement.
• Contribute to institutional effectiveness, retention, and completion initiatives.

• Perform annual evaluation of faculty and staff performance.
• Participate in faculty recruitment, hiring, onboarding, retention, and succession planning.
• Review faculty, staff, and student grievances and petitions within the College of Liberal Arts.
• Make recommendations related to tenure, promotion, sabbaticals, and professional development.
• Address student concerns related to academic progress, conduct, and appeals at the college level.
• Review course schedules that serve program and student needs for all courses offered by the College of Liberal Arts on the main campus, the Rapid City campus, and online.
• Oversee faculty instructional workload, course assignments, and the use of adjunct faculty to ensure academic quality, equity, and compliance with university policies.

• Identify opportunities for new degree programs, certificates, minors, and concentrations aligned with institutional mission, workforce needs, and student demand.
• Support program and university accreditation efforts as appropriate.
• Work with professional student advisors and faculty mentors to ensure proper student recruitment, advisement, retention, and degree progress.
• Support shared governance through collaboration with the Faculty Senate and standing committees.

• Work with University Advancement to maintain and cultivate relationships with the alumni and friends of the College of Liberal Arts to secure financial resources through development efforts and initiatives.
• Identify, attract, and strategically manage financial resources for the College of Liberal Arts (including state appropriations, revenue programs, and private gifts and grants).
• Represent the College of Liberal Arts and the University to the state university system and to the community at the local, regional, national, and international levels.
• Represent the College of Liberal Arts and carry out other duties as assigned by the provost.
• The finalist must possess strong interpersonal, communication, and problem‑solving skills, paired with a commitment to high personal and professional integrity.

• The successful candidate will have a terminal degree in a discipline housed in the BHSU College of Liberal Arts or a related discipline.
• A distinguished record of accomplishments in the areas of teaching, research, and service.
• Evidence of strong leadership that includes a record of progressively more responsible administrative experience and budget management.

Black Hills State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Black Hills State University and the Board of Regents ensure that all employment practices are free of discrimination.