Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean (VPAAD)

Announcement and Job Overview

Saint Paul School of Theology (SPST) is seeking its next Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean (VPAAD). The VPAAD is the Chief Academic Officer of the Seminary and has oversight of the school’s educational programs. The VPAAD leads the faculty in shaping and articulating a common vision of theological education, which serves the school’s mission to form people for innovative and creative Christian ministry. The VPAAD supervises the faculty and academic staff in fulfilling their educational ministry and works actively with the faculty to facilitate its ongoing formation, with particular attention to mentoring newer faculty members.

Saint Paul was founded to provide theological education in the country’s heartland. Today, we are unique with one location on the site of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection (Resurrection) in Leawood, Kansas and the other on the Oklahoma City University (OCU) campus. The connections with Resurrection and OCU embody the Seminary’s deep commitment to intentional relationships—collaborating with these and other diverse partners to provide exceptional opportunities for student learning and growth. Courses are offered on-campus, online, and in hybrid formats. 

Saint Paul is centered in God’s self-revelation in Christ and rooted in the Wesleyan tradition. As such, we foster personal and social holiness, are open to learning from all realms of human knowledge and engage with ecumenical and inter-faith partners.  In keeping with these commitments, we seek to increase the presence of students from various denominations and faith backgrounds.

Saint Paul is committed to increasing racial/ethnic and other forms of diversity within our community. Our current Strategic Plan lifts up this commitment. We continue to seek diverse representation in our student body, faculty and staff, and Board of Trustees. 

Since its inception, Saint Paul has been committed to wholistic theological education, which brings together rigorous engagement with scripture, tradition, and theology; experience of and reflection on practices of ministry; and experiential learning in a broad array of settings. In short, we believe in theological education oriented to the life of the church.  

From the 1960s, when our Board, faculty, students, and alumni helped to integrate the lunch counters in Kansas City, to our current work in Oklahoma with indigenous communities, we have continued our deep commitment to social justice.  Our courses and community life address racial, gender, and ecological justice, and affirm cultural diversity. We walk with and learn from those marginalized in society and provide our students with opportunities for training in community organizing.

The candidate chosen will convey a compelling vision for theological education as it addresses present and future challenges.  The new VPAAD will have a distinguished record of achievement as a scholar, teacher, and leader, and a strong record of service to church, academy, and community. This person must meet Saint Paul’s criteria for appointment as a full professor or associate professor. The successful candidate will have administrative experience in a complex organization, will demonstrate competence to maintain and strengthen high-quality theological education, and show ability to help lead the Seminary.

Additionally, the successful candidate will have relational skills for working constructively with students, staff, faculty, and the other members of the Executive Leadership Team. Relational skills include the ability to work collaboratively with all members of the Saint Paul community and maintain confidentiality and appropriate boundaries. The candidate will possess intercultural competence and the ability to lead the community in directions that are open and responsive to cultural and theological differences.

A summary of Saint Paul’s current Strategic Plan is available at https://www.spst.edu/strategic-planning/

Location: This position will be located at Saint Paul’s Leawood, KS campus at Church of the Resurrection.

Experience: a minimum of 6 years of prior faculty experience in a theological education

Education: The qualified candidate will hold a Ph.D or equivalent in a theological discipline.

Compensation: Competitive with similar sized schools

Saint Paul is committed to fostering a diverse community of learning and formation with a supportive and respectful environment. We believe that the diversity of our faculty, students, and staff is essential to the fulfillment of our mission. Saint Paul is an equal opportunity employer and gives consideration for employment to candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military service, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Nominations and expressions of interest should be sent to Dr. James Brandt, chair VPAAD Search Committee: vpaadsearch@spst.edu

Prospective candidates should include a letter expressing interest, a current curriculum vita, and contact information for three references. Confidentiality will be maintained in the search process; references will be contacted only the explicit consent of the applicant. While nominations and applications will be accepted until a new VPAAD is selected, interested parties are encouraged to submit their materials before October 15, 2021, to endure full consideration.