Dean for the Mario J. Gabelli School of Business

Roger Williams University seeks a Dean for the Mario J. Gabelli School of Business
Click here to view position profile: https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/RWU_GSB_Dean_Profile.pdf
Location: Bristol, Rhode Island

The Position:
Under the direction of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean for the Mario J. Gabelli School of Business is the principal academic administrative leader of the school and works to advance the missions of both the university and the school. The next Dean will provide decisive and visionary leadership of the school, serving as a champion for the school and its programs with alumni, donors, industry and community partners. The Dean will also collaborate with other academic leaders and support units on campus to further emerging centers of excellence, including for the Blue Economy and Real Estate. The Dean will ensure the highest quality for academic programs, serve as an advocate for faculty scholarship, and be a tireless advocate for diversity and inclusion.  The Dean will work collaboratively with the faculty to expand the portfolio of distinctive programs at the graduate and undergraduate level and contribute to innovative interdisciplinary programming with other schools across the university.

Responsibilities:
Advocacy: The Dean represents the school with external constituencies, including donors, alumni, industry and community partners. The Dean works directly with the school’s board of advisors to seek input and engagement on school programs and strategic direction. The Dean is also a champion for faculty and student success. Working closely with Office of Institutional Advancement and the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects, the Dean is responsible for securing external funding for the school. The Dean collaborates closely on the development and presentation of funding proposals and works with faculty to develop initiatives and programs that will inspire support.  

Strategy and Planning: The Dean is responsible for the development, articulation and implementation of a strategic vision for the school. Working with other leaders on campus and in collaboration with GSB faculty and staff, the Dean will align the school’s strategic plan with the strategic goals of the university. 

Academic Program: The Dean is responsible for program development and operation. The Dean leads the faculty in the continuous improvement and innovation of the school’s academic programand also monitors and ensures compliance with the standards required for maintenance of AACSB accreditation.

Teaching and Learning: The Dean is responsible for recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning. The Dean is responsible for promoting effective teaching by encouraging the professional development of faculty in various areas, including the use of inclusive teaching strategies and the use of technology for learning. The Dean oversees and supervises the faculty, including through the promotion and tenure process. The Dean also supports the mentoring of faculty in the area of research and supports faculty research at all stages of career development.  

Student Recruitment and Retention: The Dean works closely with Enrollment Management and Marketing colleagues at the university to promote the school and its programs to prospective students. Working closely with colleagues from Academic Affairs, Student Life, the Center for Career and Professional Development, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access, the Dean works to identify and address opportunities to improve student success and engagement.

Operations: The Dean develops, implements and administers the school’s budget and manages the school’s day-to-day operations. The Dean directs, manages and evaluates staff in the school. Current direct reports include the Associate Dean, Assistant Dean, Director for Assurance of Learning and Executive Assistant.  

Qualifications:

• A terminal degree in business or related field of study.
• Teaching experience in higher education.
• A record of scholarship consistent with the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.
• Demonstrated commitment to teaching excellence.
• An understanding of factors that impact student success. 
• Demonstrated success as a collaborative leader who has built internal and external partnerships. 
• An aptitude and enthusiasm for fundraising and development efforts.
• Track record of academic innovation and program leadership.
• Well-developed interpersonal, management, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to establish organizational priorities and make difficult choices among competing demands.
• Ability to foster continuous and open communication for faculty, non-faculty, students, and external constituents.
• Experience with managing budgets and personnel effectively.
• Understanding of the requirements and process to maintain AACSB accreditation.

About the School of Business:
The Mario J. Gabelli School of Business (GSB) prepares students to thrive in a dynamic, global marketplace characterized by constant change and endless opportunities by offering a variety of business majors and minors. The school is accredited by the world’s largest business education alliance, AACSB International, which represents the highest standard of achievement for business schools worldwide. Our school’s namesake, Mario J. Gabelli, the renowned investor and Chairman and CEO of GAMCO Investors, Inc., has had a long history of philanthropy with RWU, including his donation for a major renovation of the Gabelli School of Business in 1995 and serving as a longtime Trustee on the RWU Board of Trustees. 

GSB is a leader in experiential education. From regional to national competitions, internship experiences, and on-campus resources including the Stoico Center and Bloomberg Lab, students are immersed in a variety of learning experiences. In addition to a powerful undergraduate business portfolio, GSB offers an accelerated MBA 4+1 that enables students to earn an MBA in just one year and 3+3 Juris Doctor and Bachelor’s Program that allows students to gain a business degree and J.D. from RWU in six years instead of seven. 

The Gabelli School is keenly aware that the business world needs more powerful women leaders and diverse representation throughout the C-Suite leadership. Research has shown that organizations with diverse management and leadership ranks are more successful. The school is passionate and committed to its role and opportunity to shape future leaders. 

Composed of experienced academics and accomplished business professionals, the faculty and staff are experts in merging theory with practice. Both inside and outside the classrooms, they help guide students to successful careers. Teaching assistants or graduate assistants are not used in the classroom. The talented and dedicated faculty and practitioner faculty, most of whom are drawn from the most senior levels of corporate leadership, provide all classroom instruction. 

About the Institution:
Roger Williams University (RWU) dedicates our mission to strengthening society through engaged teaching, learning and research.  

Roger Williams University prepares our students to be successful leaders and innovators in today’s rapidly changing world. With our commitment to academic excellence, engaged learning and student success as the foundation of our mission, RWU delivers a world-class education and inclusive student experience. 

RWU offers 50 majors and robust offerings of graduate and professional programs across eight schools of study including Rhode Island's only law school, with campuses on the coast of Bristol and in the heart of Providence, RI.

We are distinguished by small class sizes, a 14-to-1 faculty-to-student ratio that enables personal attention in the classroom, and a focus on undergraduate and graduate research and community engagement. A Roger Williams education blends the strength of liberal arts and professional studies, providing all students with the depth and breadth of interdisciplinary thinking and well-rounded knowledge necessary to succeed in this interconnected, global world.

Roger Williams University seeks to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. RWU values diversity, equity and inclusion and respect for all races, genders, identities, and abilities and is committed to creating a thriving community that encourages lifelong learning, professional development, and academic innovation. To learn more about Roger Williams University's commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please visit https://www.rwu.edu/who-we-are/diversity-equity-inclusion.

Leadership 
On August 19, 2019, Ioannis Miaoulis (pronounced YAH-nis Me-OW-lis) became the 11th President of Roger Williams University. Prior to his appointment at RWU, President Miaoulis served as the President and Director of the Museum of Science in Boston and as the Assistant Provost and Dean of the School of Engineering at Tufts University.

In his first three years at the university, President Miaoulis has helped lead transformations at the university in leadership, philanthropy and planning. RWU successfully navigated the phases of the pandemic with a best-in-class approach to testing, tracing and vaccinations. Through this time RWU was still able to launch its Excellence by Design strategic plan framework (below) and has transformed the culture of philanthropy for the university. RWU has increased annual giving by 60% since President Miaoulis joined the university three years ago. Recently, RWU secured its largest ever gift to the university: a $20 million investment in our School of Architecture and emerging real estate programming, resulting in the naming/dedication of the Cummings School of Architecture and launch of the Cummings Institute for Real Estate. 

Strategic Action Plan 
With a unique mix of liberal arts and professional programs, top-notch faculty, the state’s only law school, and hubs of innovation in Providence and Bristol, Rhode Island, RWU is poised to align its efforts and provide what the world needs from a modern, comprehensive university. As a result, the university continually seeks new partners, adapts strategies and focuses on making a difference with the communities and organizations served by the institution. Click here to learn more about RWU’s action plan.

A foundational element of our academic planning is a renewed focus on interdisciplinary initiatives that span across schools, programs, faculty, expertise and student opportunities to deliver a real-world, well-rounded education. Two areas of distinction for the university that hold significant opportunity and engagement for the active participation of the business school are focused on the Blue Economy and Real Estate.

Blue Economy. With 10% of the workforce in Rhode Island working within industries tied to the regional ocean economy, new opportunities for partnership, research and student opportunities exist for RWU and our business school. Many existing programs at the university already have a distinctive focus on marine and coastal economies, policy, and sustainability. The business school has potential to align its focus with blue innovation and to act as a key partner in Rhode Island (the “Ocean State”) and across various industries growing the blue economy.

Real Estate. Our region presents the perfect backdrop to real-world real estate challenges with complicated regulatory issues, challenging site selection, coastal and environmental issues, historic preservation and zoning complexities. Our emerging Real Estate programming will span undergraduate and graduate studies and practicing professionals in full-time and part-time studies. 

Accreditations 
Roger Williams University is accredited by several different accreditation bodies including the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE; formerly NEASC), the Association to Advance Collegiate Business Schools (AACSB), the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), and the American Bar Association (ABA); among others. Click here to view all RWU’s accreditations.  

To Apply:
Roger Williams University, in consultation with Summit Search Solutions, Inc., will begin a confidential review of application materials immediately and continue until the position is filled; parties who apply by November 17, 2022, will be given first consideration. Please submit your CV and cover letter outlining your interest in and suitability for this position. All applications and nominations will be held in confidence. 

To apply online, go to: https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su330

For more information or to offer recommendations:
Arasi Adkins
Senior Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
Direct: 336-693-7612
aadkins@summitsearchsolutions.com

Roger Williams University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. Applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact 1-401-254-3028 for assistance.