Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies

Position: Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies 112643
Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies 112643

Job no: 493848
Work type: Faculty
Location: Stillwater
Categories: Faculty/Instructor

Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Graduate Education, and Research

August 2026

POSITION:

The College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS) at Oklahoma State University invites applications and nominations for the position of Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Graduate Education, and Research. The successful candidate will be eligible for appointment as a tenured faculty member at the rank of Associate Professor or Full Professor, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

This position plays a central role in shaping the faculty workforce, ensuring excellence in hiring, evaluation, and advancement while fostering a supportive and high-performing academic environment. By integrating faculty affairs with research and graduate education, the Associate Dean strengthens the College's ability to achieve sustained growth, national recognition, and long-term impact. Critically, these responsibilities will increase the Dean's capacity to engage in development work in collaboration with the OSU Foundation.

Oklahoma State University is a Carnegie-designated R1:
Doctoral University - Highest Research Activity, and CEHS is nationally recognized for research and scholarship that integrate theoretical rigor with practical and societal impact. The Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies will be an integral member of the college leadership team at a time of optimism, momentum, and significant opportunity for growth.

LEADERSHIP ROLE AND EXPECTATIONS:

Reporting directly to the Dean of the College of Education and Human Sciences, the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs, Graduate Education, and Research serves as a senior academic leader with primary responsibility for faculty affairs across the College, including oversight of faculty lifecycle processes, policy alignment, and strategic workforce planning. This role ensures excellence, equity, and compliance in all faculty-related processes, including reappointment, promotion, tenure (RPT), hiring, evaluation, and recognition.

In addition to leading faculty affairs, the Associate Dean provides strategic oversight of the College's graduate education portfolio and research enterprise. The position advances faculty success, supports scholarly productivity, and strengthens institutional impact through integrated leadership across faculty development, graduate training, and sponsored research.

The Associate Dean is expected to:

Promote a culture of research excellence, innovation, creativity, and mentorship across the College

Foster interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaborations within CEHS, across OSU, and with external partners

Strengthen the College's national and international research visibility and impact

Advance graduate education through strategic enrollment management, graduate program development and support, funding development, and student success initiatives

The successful candidate will value shared governance and collaborative leadership and will be committed to working in a team-based, dynamic academic environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

FACULTY AFFAIRS LEADERSHIP

The Associate Dean serves as the Dean's primary liaison for faculty affairs, ensuring effective management of faculty policies, processes, and development.

Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure (RPT):

Lead and oversee all RPT processes, ensuring consistency, transparency, and compliance with university policies.

Advise School/department heads and faculty on dossier preparation, timelines, and expectations.

Ensure equitable and rigorous evaluation standards across units.

Faculty Lifecycle Management:

Collaborate closely with the College's Business Office and Human Resources on faculty recruitment, onboarding, contracts, evaluations, and separations.

Provide oversight of faculty workload policies, annual reviews, cumulative review, and performance management.

Assist the Dean in addressing faculty grievances, disciplinary actions, and termination processes when necessary.

Endowed Positions and Faculty Resources:

Oversee the appointment, renewal, and review of endowed chairs and professorships in collaboration with the Dean's Office and OSU Foundation.

Manage budgets associated with endowed positions and ensure appropriate allocation and stewardship of funds.

Develop policies and practices that maximize the strategic use of endowed resources to support faculty excellence.

Faculty Development and Mentorship:

Design and implement comprehensive faculty development initiatives, including onboarding, mentoring, leadership development, and mid-career support.

Maintain a structured multi-year orientation and success program for new faculty.

Promote a culture of collaboration and scholarly achievement.

Policy Alignment and Governance:

Ensure College-level faculty policies align with university standards and best practices.

Partner with College leadership to develop, revise, and implement shared…