Faculty Vacancies

Vacancy - Dean College of Arts and Sciences

(Recruitment Number 41112)

Washburn University invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).  The Dean of CAS is the principal administrator of the College as well as the primary CAS advocate and reports directly to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.  The CAS departments are organized into five academic divisions for representation and governance including Creative and Performing Arts, Humanities, Education/Kinesiology, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences/Mathematics.  The College is made up of 19 departments offering associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees.  Graduate programs include Education, Liberal Studies, and Psychology.  The College of Arts and Sciences employs 157 full time faculty, 12 part time and 158 adjunct faculty. Please see http://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/arts-sciences/index.html for more information. 

Washburn University is a municipally supported, state assisted university comprised of five major academic units: College of Arts and Sciences, School of Law, School of Business, School of Nursing and School of Applied Studies.  In addition Washburn University operates an Office of Academic Outreach which includes concurrent enrollment, online programs and community continuing education.  Approximately seven thousand students are enrolled in undergraduate degree programs and graduate programs at Washburn University.  Washburn University is affiliated with Washburn Institute of Technology which contains over 20 programs serving nearly 1200 students. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences is academically and administratively responsible for the following activities:

Internal Leadership and Management

  • Provide strategic direction in the management and operation of the College.
  • Provide support in enhancing teaching excellence in various ways including faculty development and mentorship.
  • Direct and manage an annual budget in order to accomplish strategic goals including allocations for new and recurring faculty and staff positions.
  • Coordinate efforts to redefine and develop assessment processes to evaluate strategic initiatives.
  • Build and sustain quality face-to-face, hybrid, and online programs serving students and the community effectively.
  • Support interdisciplinary efforts within the college and between academic units.
  • Work cooperatively with department chairs and the College Faculty Council to advance the goals and growth of the College.
  • Lead efforts to provide a comprehensive, effective and assessable General Education program to all Washburn students.
  • Advocate for the role of liberal arts education within higher education.
  • Serve as a steward of current facilities while exploring areas for expansion and improvement.
  • Sustain a collegial, transparent and productive working environment for faculty, staff, students and community constituencies.
  • Support and encourage new and on-going faculty research, scholarship, and creative activities; emphasize and support involvement of students in scholarly activities.
  • Work with the Washburn University Foundation to determine fundraising goals and strategies.
  • Lead efforts to integrate various forms of technology into classroom pedagogies. 

External Leadership

  • Lead the development of partnerships between Washburn University, the College of Arts and Sciences and Topeka, Shawnee County and Northeast Kansas communities.
  • Respond to professional needs now and in the future with input from businesses, educational institutions, and local professional organizations.
  • Work with community advisory boards to maintain and improve programs with multiple entry and exit points.
  • Foster a transparent avenue of communication with various constituencies.
  • Coordinate with Washburn Institute of Technology regarding the Bridge program. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  Earned Doctorate with a record of academic achievement in the discipline meriting appointment as a tenured professor.  Significant experience teaching in higher education complemented by research and scholarly activities.  A record of proven leadership and administrative experience related to the work of the College or related multidisciplinary programs.  Experience with budget management, faculty and staff development and university and community relations.  Broad service experience within a university as well as to external communities.  Proven commitment to affirmative action and campus diversity.  Demonstrated awareness of national issues associated with higher education; general education within a liberal arts tradition , excellence in teaching, scholarship and creative activity, high-impact community service models, and accreditation. 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:  Demonstrated success in working with external partners to obtain resources available for program or curriculum enhancements.  Knowledge of administrative structures within academic units.  Experience in dealing with accreditation processes.  Successful implementation of new instructional techniques, including multimedia technologies and on-line course programs.  Demonstrated success in working with federal, state or private grants. 

Application Procedure:  Interested individuals should forward inquiries and application materials to the College of Arts and Sciences Dean Search Committee, Bradbury Thompson Alumni Center, Washburn University, 1700 SW College, Topeka, KS 66621, vpaa@washburn.edu.  The applicant should include current vitae, names and e-mail information for five professional references as well as a letter outlining experience in academic administration, scholarship, teaching and research.  References will not be contacted without permission of the applicant.  Finalists for the position will be required to provide official copies of postsecondary transcripts. To ensure full consideration, complete application documents should be received by January 2, 2013.  Review of applicants will continue until a suitably qualified candidate has been selected.  Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.  An excellent fringe benefits package is included.  The anticipated start date is June 1, 2013. Employment at Washburn University may be conditioned upon the satisfactory completion of a background check.

TO ENRICH EDUCATION THROUGH DIVERSITY, WASHBURN UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.  CANDIDATES FROM UNDER-REPRESENTED GROUPS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.  http://www.washburn.edu