Dean, Faculty of Human Kinetics

The University of Windsor is a comprehensive, student-focused university with more than 16,000 students enrolled in a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs across 9 Faculties: Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Business, Education, Engineering, Human Kinetics, Law, Nursing, Science, and Graduate Studies. UWindsor has strong student-faculty relationships, exceptional award-winning faculty and innovative staff. With comparatively small class sizes and a comprehensive array of student services, clubs and associations, UWindsor provides students with a friendly and supportive learning environment. UWindsor has five priorities that directly impact its students: providing an exceptional undergraduate experience; pursuing strengths in research and graduate education; recruiting and retaining the best faculty and staff; engaging and building the community through partnerships; and promoting international engagement. The University overlooks the Detroit River on one of Canada’s most beautiful waterfronts and is minutes away from North America’s busiest international border crossing. This location speaks to UWindsor’s strength as an internationally oriented, multi-discipline institution that actively enables a broad diversity of students, faculty and staff to make a better world through education, scholarship, research and engagement.

The mission of UWindsor’s Faculty of Human Kinetics is to inspire students to be lifelong learners and leaders by engaging them in the study of human movement and in opportunities ranging from high-performance sport to leisure and recreation. This mission is carried out by two highly interrelated units: the Department of Kinesiology and the Division of Athletics and Recreational Services. Kinesiology is the academic unit where students complete bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees under the tutelage of some of the most gifted teachers and brightest researchers that the field has to offer. Athletics and Recreational Services includes all of the Lancers varsity and club teams, some of the most progressive and diverse campus recreation and intramural programing you will find in North America, and some of the finest athletic facilities in Canada.

Supported by a $55M commitment from UWindsor’s undergraduate, graduate, and part-time student unions, the University of Windsor broke ground on the new $73M Lancer Sport and Recreation Centre in the Fall of 2019, which will provide its students and local community with a triple gymnasium with seating for 2,000 spectators, a state-of-the-art 13,000 square foot fitness centre, an eight-lane 25m pool, new social and study areas (including the Alumni Lounge), three multipurpose rooms, and refurbished outdoor fields. These programs and facilities provide countless opportunities for student employment and experiential learning, and facilitate dozens of community partnerships. Needless to say, the Faculty of Human Kinetics serves as a major hub of campus and community activity and is a tremendous source of Lancer pride.

The University of Windsor invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean, Faculty of Human Kinetics.

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President Academic, the Dean of Human Kinetics is responsible for the effective leadership and strategic direction of the Faculty of Human Kinetics. The Dean provides a balanced and inclusive vision and direction for both components of the Faculty – the Department of Kinesiology and the Division of Athletics and Recreational Services. The Dean will actively build and maintain relationships within and outside the University, advocating on behalf of the Faculty of Human Kinetics. The Dean also supports the culture of philanthropy across campus and specifically for the Faculty of Human Kinetics. The Dean will promote, support, and foster a research-intensive culture in the academic Department of Kinesiology and foster a collegial and collaborative culture in the Faculty.

As the successful candidate for the position of Dean, Faculty of Human Kinetics, you are an accomplished scholar, you possess a record of academic and research achievements, and are a successful academic administrative leader. Candidates must hold a PhD, or equivalent terminal degree, in Kinesiology or a related discipline, and be appointable at the rank of full professor.

You have successfully supported and contributed to the research-intensive culture of your department or Faculty, while also ensuring excellence in teaching and learning. You create a student-centered culture and will ensure the Faculty and the facility are a positive and welcoming place for all students. The ideal candidate will have an understanding of or experience with high-performance sport, specifically postsecondary varsity sport policies and regulations. You will also possess diverse knowledge of the Canadian sport and recreation systems and key trends in the province and country. You will understand how to operate successfully in a multiple collective agreement environment encompassing academic faculty members, athletics and recreation staff, coaches, and athletes. You will also have experience balancing the importance of the academic department with the role of athletics and recreational services for the university community. You have experience building and sustaining strong community engagement through values-based partnerships. You are a strong communicator and adept at presenting to large and small groups, in both an academic and non-academic setting. As the Dean, you are a strong advocate of equity, diversity, and inclusion and an engaging problem solver who is respectful and a good listener. The appointment of the Dean is for five years, renewable, and is expected to commence July 1, 2021.

Consideration of candidates will begin immediately. Nominations or applications should be submitted in confidence to Jane Griffith and Sam Walton at: sam@leadersinternational.com .

The University of Windsor is a welcoming community committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in its teaching, learning, and work environments. In pursuit of the University’s Employment Equity Plan, members from the designated groups (women, Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity) are encouraged to apply and to self-identify. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

 In accordance with the provincial legislation, accommodation will be provided by Leaders International and the University of Windsor throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, upon request, to applicants with disabilities.