Academic Dean

Payne Theological Seminary

Job Title                                 Academic Dean-                     Tt

Track

Campus                                  Payne Theological Seminary

                                                1230 Wilberforce-Clifton Road

                                                Wilberforce, OH  45384

Job Type                                Full-Time

Is this split and/or fully

grant funded?                        No

A community of Christian learners and teachers, Payne Theological Seminary is dedicated to academic excellence in the tradition of African Methodism. Founded by the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1894, Payne is committed to the preparation of African American and other leaders for ministry in the tradition of liberation, reconciliation, social justice, and the dignity of all humankind. Payne is the oldest free-standing African American seminary in the world and has a reputation for Africentric theological education.

Position Overview

The primary responsibility of the Academic Dean is to maintain the integrity of Payne’s degree programs through scholarly instruction, routine assessment, analysis, and initiating change when necessary. The process should be consultative, involving the faculty and President. The Academic Dean reports to the President and serves as a member of the Cabinet.

The Academic Dean serves as the chief academic officer of the Seminary and is responsible for the design, development, and delivery of all academic programs in a seminary that has made a full commitment to distance education through blended and online instruction. The preponderance of Payne’s courses are offered online, and Payne is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) to offer the Master of Divinity degree fully online. Payne currently serves approximately 230 students in the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry programs. The Academic Dean supervises full-time and part-time faculty as well as staff members. In addition, the Academic Dean ensures the quality of academic programs; prepares and administers the department’s annual budget; carries out strategic planning; recommends appointment, promotion, and termination of faculty and provides teaching and research faculty development resources, including encouraging, supporting, and advocating for excellence in teaching.

The Academic Dean promotes the vision, mission, and values of the Seminary through the activities and programs of the Seminary and works with other seminary administrators to assure the well-being and success of the Seminary. The Academic Dean leads ongoing program review and assessment and supports curriculum and program development.

Minimum Qualifications

• Possess a terminal academic degree from an accredited seminary or university or equivalent
• Demonstrate accomplishments or credentials that would merit appointment as full-time faculty
• Possess three years of management or administrative experience at the level of department head, chair, research director, center director, dean or the equivalent
• Serve as theologian and scholar and teach a minimum of two courses per year
• Demonstrate administrative leadership capabilities with the capacity to encourage consensus
• Possess awareness and understanding of the new ATS Standards for accreditation of theological seminaries
• Possess the experience or demonstrated ability to implement and monitor ATS Standards in administration of a theological curriculum
• Possess the experience or demonstrated ability to relate to constituencies and publics critical to fulfillment of the educational mission of Payne Theological Seminary. These include: the Payne faculty, Payne students and alumni, the Payne administrative Cabinet and staff, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Dayton area Church Caravan (an ecumenical worship and social justice ministry that partners with Payne in theological education and social action), the Association of Theological Schools, and scholarly bodies such as pertinent disciplinary organizations and the American Academy of Religion
• Demonstrate proficiency in and experience with MS Office, G Suite, Blackboard, and Student Information Systems

Payne Theological Seminary is an equal opportunity employer. Payne provides a learning and working environment that is enriched by the diversity of all our members. Individuals of religious, racial, ethnic, gender identity, nation of origin, or disability groups that have traditionally had less representation in higher education are encouraged to apply.

Review of candidate materials will begin immediately. Applications should include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and three professional references (one must be from current employer). Inquiries, applications, and nominations should be directed to Payne Theological Seminary, ATTN: Academic Dean Search Committee:

deansearch@payneseminary.edu

or

P.O. Box 474

Wilberforce, OH  45384-0474