Dean, Graduate School

Position Description:
Fort Hays State University, a regional, comprehensive university, invites applications and nominations for the Dean of the Graduate School.  The role of the Graduate School dean is to be an advocate, facilitator, and collaborator on behalf of the university’s 2800+ graduate students in 21 graduate programs. Much of the university’s research and scholarship efforts are connected to processes with the Graduate School. A successful candidate will be an accomplished scholar who understands the issues associated with delivering and completing a graduate degree, including collection of field data, access to research journals, appreciation for multiple types of scholarship, data management, manuscript editing, grant proposals, etc. This position benefits from a thorough understanding of regulations, accreditation, and compliance associated with graduate-level academic programs. In addition, an understanding of regulations and compliance associated with all levels and types of research, including but not limited to the responsibilities of the IRB and IACUC, is ideal. Experience with online education, particularly at the graduate level, and with international admissions will be beneficial. FHSU values diversity and accessible academic programs, so experience in those realms is preferred. The dean reports directly to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and serves as a member of the Academic Council, the President’s Cabinet, the Senior Leadership Team, and other university groups and committees related to administrative and planning activities. Accordingly, someone in this position is expected to be a strong listener and to thrive in a team-oriented environment. The appointment is a 12-month academic administrative position. 

Expected Leadership and Managerial Activities

Leadership:

• Guide and unify the vision, strategies, and goal setting for graduate programs in alignment with the university vision, mission, values, and strategic plan;
• Promote collegial governance and healthy morale of the Graduate School and the Office of Scholarship and Sponsored Projects, including the hiring, development, and supervision of direct reports;
• Coordinate with Graduate Council to maintain University graduate program policies and procedures;
• Facilitate efficient operations that contribute to the success and timely completion of graduate students;
• Support development of research activities, infrastructure, and opportunities among students and faculty, including but not limited to grant proposals, conference presentations, and undergraduate-research programs;
• Develop and maintain professional relationships and proactive communication with faculty, staff, students, and other constituents;
• Advocate, represent, and serve as the voice of the Graduate School both internally and externally;
• Lead with accountability, courage, composure, and a focus on solutions;
• Effectively collaborate with departments and programs to remain up-to-date, expand offerings, and implement marketing strategies.

Management:

• Manage, empower, and evaluate personnel;
• Effectively manage budgets and financial resources of the Graduate School;
• Ensure that processes and programs are effective, efficient, and contemporary;
• Maintain open and honest two-way communication across the entire university;
• Support diversity and inclusion in all Graduate School endeavors;
• Maintain a healthy balance of flexibility and firmness as it relates to Graduate School policy and procedures;
• Develop collegial working relationships with administration, library, other Academic Affairs units, and university support units;
• Remain current with the developing trends and needs of Graduate Schools at peer institutions;
• Commit to succession planning. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned terminal degree from a regionally accredited program or its equivalent;
• Earned tenure and/or promotion at a regionally accredited institution;
• Record of academic and scholarly achievement that warrants tenure and rank as professor or associate professor;
• Administrative experience (or equivalent) guiding a departmental or college graduate program. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Record of successfully advising master’s students;
• Earned master’s degree;
• Experience with multiple types of graduate programs, including those with specialized accreditation and accelerated pathways;
• Experience with online graduate programs and/or international partnerships as well as traditional, on-campus graduate programs;
• Excellent communication skills, including written, oral, and the ability to listen to make decisions;
• Demonstrated ability to implement a shared strategic vision while supporting a collaborative work environment;
• Passion for graduate education, scholarship and creative activities, and accessible education;
• Demonstrated commitment to building a diverse and inclusive environment for faculty, staff, and students;
• Demonstrated commitment to shared governance, consensus-building, transparency in leadership and management, and data-informed decision making. 

Rank:  Commensurate with experience 

Appointment Date: Negotiable 

Application Deadline:  For full consideration, all materials should be received by December 4, 2020 

Salary: Negotiable 

Benefits: Competitive benefit package; see http://www.fhsu.edu/humanresourceoffice/Prospective-Employees/ 

Application Process:  To apply for this position, please visit https://fhsu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/CAREERS. Only electronic applications submitted through the webpage will be accepted. 

Required Application Documents:  Applicants should submit a cover letter addressing the minimum and preferred qualifications, a resume/CV, a one-page statement of the applicant’s view of trends in graduate education, and names and contact information of at least three professional references. Applicant documents should be submitted in a single PDF. 

If you have questions regarding the position or would like to nominate a potential candidate, please contact:
Name: Dr. Grady Dixon, Search Committee Chair
Email: pgdixon@fhsu.edu        
Phone: 785-628-4536 

About the FHSU Graduate School:
The Graduate School is the unit responsible for organizing and supervising the 21 graduate programs of the university and developing them toward their highest level of excellence. It is also the unit responsible for facilitating, encouraging, and coordinating the research efforts of the university via the Office of Scholarship and Sponsored Projects. 

FHSU offers the following graduate degrees:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
• S. in Advanced Professional Studies
• S. in School Psychology
• A. in English
• A. in History
• B.A.
• F.A.
• Master of Liberal Studies (17 concentrations)
• Master of Professional Studies (16 concentrations)
• S. in Biology
• S. in Communication
• S. in Counseling
• S. in Educational Administration
• S. in Geosciences
• S. in Health & Human Performance
• S. in Instructional Technology
• S. in Psychology
• S. in Special Education
• S. in Speech-Language Pathology
• Master of Science in Education (M.S.E.)
• Master of Science in Nursing (M.S.N.) 

Additional information about FHSU Graduate School is available at https://www.fhsu.edu/academic/gradschl. 

About Fort Hays State University:
Founded in 1902, FHSU is a leading, forward-thinking university of the Midwest, with student enrollment of more than 15,500 (including 4,500+ on the Hays campus, a unique China partnership program with enrollment of 4,000 students, and Virtual College enrollment at over 7,000).  Over 400 faculty and more than 500 professional and staff support and guide degree and certificate programs for the associate’s, bachelor's, and master's programs, and for the Doctorate of Nursing Practice, representing 31 departments within these academic divisions: 

• College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
• W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship
• College of Education
• College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
• Peter Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics
• Graduate School 

Fort Hays State University provides exceptional opportunities for students from Kansas, the region, and the world, and the University attracts goal-oriented students who want premier learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom combined with one-to-one attention and support. FHSU students graduate with the knowledge, professional skills, and confidence to have a competitive edge in their chosen careers. Upon graduation, 95% of FHSU students find a job or placement in graduate school. 

About Hays, Kansas:
Candidates will discover a locale where professional satisfaction and career achievement are paired with an optimal quality of life. Fort Hays State University is located in Hays, Kansas, a vibrant, growing community of over 20,000 that takes great pride in the University's presence. Hays is a celebration of historic and contemporary contrasts, evidenced in its frontier roots highlighted throughout the city and local museums and in its redeveloped downtown area where residents enjoy one-of-a-kind restaurants, unique shopping, and a vibrant arts scene. This community’s commitment to the future inspires Hays businesses to reinvest locally. 

A welcoming and family-centered community, Hays offers premier healthcare services, a growing high-tech and retail business community, and excellent Pre-K and K–12 schools in both the private and public sectors. The City of Hays has long been known as a safe community, and the FHSU campus is recognized by the National Council for Home Safety and Security in 2018 as one of the Top 100 Safest College Campuses in America. For entertainment, recreation, education, employment, or simply for a comfortable place to live, residents of all ages will find in Hays the elements that contribute to a safe, enjoyable, and fulfilling lifestyle. 

Notice of Non-discrimination – Fort Hays State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, national origin, color, age, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability or veteran status. 

Background Check: Final candidate will have consented to and successfully completed a criminal background check. 

Notice to KPERS retirees applying for a position: Recent legislation changes working-after-retirement rules for both you and your employer if you go back to work for a KPERS employer. Please contact your KPERS representative or www.kpers.org for further information on how this might affect you.