Associate Dean - College of Arts & Sciences

Job Title: Associate Dean – College of Arts & Sciences

Position Summary

The Associate Dean is a critical member of the Avila University leadership team which is dedicated to building innovative education, nurturing our academic environment, ensure core values of inclusivity, respect, and spiritual growth, and help Avila become a premier university of access.  This position is ideal for someone who is passionate about education, leadership, and the positive impact of learning and personal development. At the direction of the Dean or Provost, assume the role of the Dean at functions, events, or activities in the absence of the Dean or as directed. The Associate Dean is a 12-month appointment structured as 80% administrative and 20% faculty appointment (either tenured or non-tenured depending on candidate experience and existing faculty rank).

Responsibilities:

• Faculty Development: Promote faculty excellence in teaching, research, and service through development of appropriate programming. Provide mentorship and support that encourages professional growth and alignment with our university’s mission.
• Faculty and Personnel Matters: In collaboration and at the direction of the dean, oversee the evaluation processes for faculty and academic staff, ensuring that processes are implemented in a timely, constructive, and consistent fashion, and aligned with our educational goals.
• Policy Development: Develop and refine policies that enhance our academic community's integrity and operational efficiency. Ensure these policies support our mission and comply with educational standards.
• Liaison with Advising/Student Success: Collaborate with the Advising and Student Success teams to create a supportive environment that enhances student engagement and success. Your role will ensure that faculty contributions are aligned with student needs and institutional goals.
• Faculty Grievances: Handle faculty grievances with a balanced and compassionate approach, fostering a community of respect and understanding.
• Prospective Student Visit Contact: Act as an academic contact for prospective students and their families during campus visits, showcasing the academic opportunities and community spirit that define our university.
• Faculty Appointment: Teaching 6 credit hours per academic year within a discipline that can be found in a school in the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Assessment and Accreditation: Collaborate with the Associate Dean, Dean, and Provost to advance initiatives related to assessment and programmatic and institutional accreditation matters and other quality assurance initiatives.
• Other: Represent the College of Arts and Sciences in the Dean’s absence and other duties assigned by the College Dean. 

Qualifications:

• An earned doctorate or equivalent terminal degree is required.
• Previous academic rank needs to be attained at either Associate Professor or Professor.
• Demonstrable experience in academic leadership with a proven track record in curriculum development, teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels, and assessing the impact and outcomes of academic programs.
• A minimum of three to five years' experience in the administration and management of programs, with responsibilities that could include strategic planning, budget oversight, and/or personnel management.
• Demonstrated capability to mentor and support the professional growth of both full-time and part-time faculty members coming from diverse academic and industry backgrounds, across various interdisciplinary programs and disciplines.
• A working knowledge of, and a deep appreciation for, the principles of shared governance within a university setting.
• Proven success as a collaborator with the ability to forge and maintain coalitions with a diverse range of individuals and stakeholders, aiming to achieve strategic outcomes and advance institutional goals.
• Strong interpersonal skills complemented by superior oral and written communication abilities, as evidenced by your application materials and professional interactions.
• Ability to contribute to a climate that supports a diverse student body, serves first-generation college students, multilingual learners, and contributions to equity and social justice through their work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD. or other doctorate in a discipline relevant in the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Demonstrated experience relevant to student services, including enrollment management, advising, and retention.
• Ability to thrive in a matrix environment while bridging interests of multiple stakeholders from different perspectives.
• Strong interest in new paradigms of higher education with development of novel programs and academic innovation to drive enrollment.
• Multilingual skills highly preferred.

Benefits:

This is a full-time position, eligible for the usual and customary benefits. Avila University’s comprehensive benefit package includes a generous holiday schedule, tuition remission for employee and dependents, vacation and sick leave, employee assistance program, retirement benefits and health insurance. 

The Community:

Kansas City, a two-state metropolitan area with a population of nearly two million, offers a wide variety of cultural, educational and social life opportunities.  Avila University, a Catholic university founded and inspired by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, provides undergraduate and graduate education in the liberal arts and professional studies, preparing lifelong learners who make meaningful contributions to the global community.

Additional Employment Information:

Avila University is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of, sex, race, religion, age, color, sexual orientation, disability, national or ethnic origin, marital status, veteran's status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.  

Avila University requires the successful completion of a background check as a condition of employment.