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The Board of Regents for Oklahoma State University (OSU) invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the Honors College.

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Oklahoma State University

Established in 1890, Oklahoma State University is a modern land-grant university, fostering student success through a blend of tradition and innovation. OSU’s goal is to become the preeminent land-grant institution in the country through a bold university strategic plan. Classified as a Carnegie R1 (Very High Research Activity) university, its leaders are advancing the institution further by supporting excellence across the tripartite mission of student instruction, ground-breaking research, and extending the university’s knowledge and expertise to the communities we serve. OSU has more than 35,000 students and employs more than 7,000 faculty and staff across its system, with students from all 50 states and more than 100 nations.

OSU has five campuses: Stillwater, which includes the College of Veterinary Medicine; OSU-Tulsa; OSU-Oklahoma City; OSU Institute of Technology in Okmulgee; and the OSU Center for Health Sciences in Tulsa. OSU also boasts 16 agricultural experiment stations and 77 county extension offices across the state.

The City of Stillwater provides the perfect setting for a comprehensive research university and is important in attracting top faculty members because of the environment the community provides for OSU employees and their families. With a population of more than 48,000, Stillwater is the quintessential college town. It is the tenth largest city in Oklahoma and is conveniently located between the two largest cities in the state, Oklahoma City and Tulsa. As Stillwater's largest employer, OSU is committed to working with business and city leaders to provide economic development opportunities in Stillwater. The city has a diverse economy with a foundation in aerospace, agribusiness, biotechnology, optoelectronics, printing and publishing, and software and standard manufacturing. Stillwater has been named one of the "6th Fastest Growing Small Towns in America" by Forbes.com and one of the top 100 places to live by CNN/Money Magazine.                                                                                                             

The Honors College

Honors education at OSU began in the mid-1960s in the College of Arts and Sciences and for the past 30 years, the university-wide honors program has been recognized as a leader in the National Collegiate Honors Council. The honors curriculum consists of special team-taught interdisciplinary honors courses, topical honors seminars, complementary honors add-ons, unique study abroad courses, and honors sections of some regular catalog courses in the disciplines. These courses are provided for, and limited to, Honors College students. The Honors College serves approximately 3,800 undergraduate students from all five academic colleges and offers approximately 110 honors course options per semester. Additional faculty members in the academic colleges provide support for Honors College students by supervising honors contracts and honors thesis projects every semester.

The Honors College is supported by eight full-time advisors, three teaching professors, a program manager, an executive administrative assistant, and an associate dean. Each teaching professor has a secondary role running one of the college’s programs (experiential learning or K-12 outreach) and teaches two honors courses each semester. Each advisor also has a secondary role, such as recruitment outreach or assisting with K-12 outreach. The Honors College also houses the Thoma Scholars program and provides support for the Horizon Scholars program. Additionally, the OSU-Tulsa campus houses an honors program that is fully supported by our program.

In 2009, the Honors College relocated to historic Old Central, the oldest building on the OSU-Stillwater campus. Advisors are also officed in Stout Hall, the optional residential dorm for the program. The Honors College continues to grow in student population; approximately 17 percent of the OSU undergraduate student population is also a member of the honors program. The new dean will have many opportunities to build on its strong legacy and shape its direction as the college continues to evolve to meet our students’ unique interests and needs. Further information about the programs and uniqueness of the Honors College can be found at https://honors.okstate.edu/.

The Role

The dean should articulate a compelling vision for the Honors College and the role of honors education at a comprehensive land-grant university. The dean reports to the provost and senior vice president of the Division of Academic Affairs and is responsible for providing academic leadership and administrative management of all programs and activities associated with the Honors College. The dean collaborates with the deans and faculty of OSU’s academic colleges and the chief academic officers to implement the university’s mission to attract talented, motivated and creative students and provide them with an intensive academic experience.

QUALIFICATIONS: The successful candidate will have an earned doctorate or other earned terminal degree, with a distinguished record of achievement in teaching, research and service that meets qualifications for appointment at the rank of professor with tenure in an academic discipline offered at OSU; meaningful experience in academic leadership and honors teaching; and the ability to work and communicate effectively with all stakeholders of the college.

The dean should also have an understanding of the breadth of disciplines and programs found at OSU; demonstrate intellectual leadership that will inspire others; have proven skills in strategic management; have an understanding of scholarship and the value of interdisciplinary collaboration; demonstrate a capacity to work effectively with faculty, staff, students and leaders in business, industry, and other educational agencies and institutions; and have evidence of the ability to attract and manage external funding.

Application Process

While applications and nominations will be accepted until a successful candidate has been appointed, interested parties are encouraged to submit their materials by February 27, 2026, to receive optimal consideration.

Nominations and application materials, which should include a letter indicating the applicant’s interest, experience and qualifications for the position, and curriculum vitae, must be submitted electronically to:

Martin M. Baker, Managing Partner, Buffkin/Baker: martin@buffkinbaker.com

Oklahoma State University, as an equal opportunity employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non- discrimination. Oklahoma State University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate based on race, religion, age, sex, color, national origin, marital status, disability, or veteran status with regard to employment, educational programs and activities, and/or admissions.