Dean of the College of Business

Dean of the College of Business

THE OPPORTUNITY
Athens State University invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Business (COB). Reporting directly to the Provost/ Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean is responsible for academic planning, enhancement of programs, curriculum, teaching, scholarship and
services, professional and regional accreditation, recruitment of faculty, faculty development and evaluation, student recruitment, advising, and budget development and allocation of resources, among other duties.

ABOUT ATHENS STATE UNIVERSITY
Athens State University was founded in 1822 by local citizens as the Athens Female Academy. Ownership of the school was transferred to the Methodist Church in 1842 and more than a century later in 1975 it became a public institution. At this point, the state charged the college to educate graduates of junior, community, and technical colleges/institutes. In October 2012, the Alabama legislature approved the first autonomous board to govern the University.

The University celebrated its bicentennial in 2022. Despite epidemics, wars, and economic downturns, the institution has not only endured, but has also grown into a highly respected university with the resilience and agility for ongoing transformation. Athens State is committed to educating all students, especially those who have been historically under served in higher education due to economic and social circumstances.

ACCREDITATION
Athens State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools - Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award bachelor's and master's degrees. Reaffirmation of accreditation occurred most recently in 2021, and the next Fifth- Year Review is scheduled for 2027. The College of Business is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

THE CITY OF ATHENS, AL
Located in the heart of the Tennessee Valley region, roughly 24 miles west of Huntsville, Athens is an attractive, quintessential, Southern city. In recent years, Athens has developed into an industrial and commercial center for Limestone County and a bedroom community within the Huntsville metropolitan area. Athens and its surrounds are booming.

In 2018 its population was estimated to be approximately 26,247. It is expected to continue
to grow rapidly due to the growing automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, government service, and cybersecurity industries. The region has one of the most highly educated populations in the country. To learn more about Athens, please visit https://athensalabama.us.

The Athens-Decatur-Madison-Huntsville region is a great place to live. Housing options include historic homes, riverfront living, new houses, and apartments. The cost of living in Athens is approximately 84 percent of the US average. The climate is subtropical with hot humid summers and cool but not snowy winters. Schools are very reputable. Sports facilities, public parks, hiking trails, golf courses, and fishing opportunities abound. Entertainment is varied and plentiful. Numerous festivals are part of the annual calendar in Athens. According to U.S. News & World Report, in 2021 metro Huntsville was the best place to live in Alabama; the best place to live in the Deep South; and the 3rd-best place to live anywhere in the United States out of the 150 most populous metros.

ACADEMICS
Athens State University is one of a few institutions in the country to offer only upper-division (junior and senior) and graduate programs. University students are typically transfer students primarily from two-year schools in the Postsecondary Education System in the State of Alabama and adults returning to higher education to complete their degrees. Enrollment is generally around 3000 students, consisting primarily of non-traditional students, averaging 30 years of age, with two-thirds being female. Some students are wholly online, but most mix online, in-person, and blended coursework. Students often maintain full-time jobs and have family obligations.

The University offers 34 baccalaureate degree programs and eight master's degree programs,
with more in the approval process. In addition, the University offers 57 minors, 21 concentrations, and 17 certificate programs. See www.athens.edu/ academics/. The three Colleges include: Arts and Sciences, Business, and Education, and each College produces graduates who are career-ready for today's job markets.

Athens State University approaches its distance learning activities with the recognition of its mission to assist transfer students, especially from the Alabama Community College System, in the timely achievement of their professional and career goals. The University has a Distance Learning Policy that sets forth guidelines for courses delivered through distance learning mode. Distance learning activities follow best practices, including those found in Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) "Best Practices for Electronically Offered Degree and Certificate Programs," as well as standards set forth by Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), and quality standards defined under the Quality Matters online education quality assurance and evaluation. Courses offered via distance learning must meet the same quality standards as those that apply to face-to-face instruction. Help Desk services are available to students 24 hours a day and 7 days a week for Learning Management System (LMS) support.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
Athens State University is committed to providing a supporting environment for all who work and learn
at the institution. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values for the University, which embraces all indicators of difference – race/ethnicity, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, and veteran status among others.

To that end, the University has made a conscious decision to make student body demographics more closely resemble the demographic composition of the communities that the institution serves. The University
has identified aspirational enrollment targets, which are hoped to be achieved by the year 2030. Initial data indicate that the University is on the right path to diversifying its student body.

The University also supports its diverse student population through the Office of Student Inclusion Initiatives, which is designed to align programs and activities to grow enrollment of students with underserved/underrepresented backgrounds while meeting the institution's strategic recruiting and retention goals and associated grant objectives.

THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
The mission of the College of Business is to offer programs of study to students that will prepare them for position in business, finance, or government; enhance the professional development of those already employed; and provide an academic framework for graduate study learning to professional positions. The College has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) since 1998.

Faculty and Staff in the College of Business are equipped to provide academic support and meet the academic learning objectives of the College, which is supported by three full-time staff members who hold college degrees. There are 29 full-time faculty, and 21 of them are terminally degreed. The College enrolls 924 undergraduate and 277 graduate students.

With a current portfolio of five graduate degree programs, 11 undergraduate degree majors, 20 minors, and 14 certificate offerings, the College of Business provides relevant preparation in disciplinary studies with a broad range of focus. Graduate programs include the Master of Accountancy and Master of Science with majors in Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Strategic Healthcare Management and Administration, Strategic Human Resource Management, and Strategic Leadership & Business Analytics. The College offers a Bachelor of Science in the following majors: Accounting, Acquisition and Contract Management, Advanced Manufacturing Management, Aerospace Systems Management, Health Care Management, Human Resource Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Management, Management of Cybersecurity Operations, Management of Technology, and Occupational Health and Safety Management. There is also a diverse portfolio of minors and certificates that may be adapted to a student's plan of study. For a full list of programs, please visit www.athens.edu/academics/business.

In Spring 2023, the College of Business will launch a new interdisciplinary master's degree in Cyber Security in cooperation with the College of Arts and Sciences.

The College of Business at Athens State University has strong relationships with a variety of stakeholders including students, community colleges, employers, alumni, and the community. The College works collaboratively with current and prospective employers to develop a strong curriculum capable of preparing job-ready graduates. These relationships also support internship and cooperative education opportunities for students. In order to communicate with stakeholders, the College of Business created strategic partnerships that are both internal and external to the institution. In addition to working with academic and non-academic Student Service departments to best serve the interests of students, the College externally networks with regionally and nationally recognized business leaders to offer relevant workshops and seminars on key business topics and trends. Externally, key partnering relationships are fostered with employers, alumni, professional associations, and the Board of Visitors, who serves as the College of Business advisory board. Unit faculty regularly network and forge relationships with professional association sponsors to enhance student membership, internship, permanent placement, and educational workshop opportunities.

QUALIFICATIONS
REQUIRED
• Ten years of full-time teaching experience at a university with some graduate teaching experience
• Doctorate appropriate for the College
• Record of teaching, professional development/ scholarly work, and service to warrant faculty rank of Professor
• Understanding of appropriate accreditation, preferably having national review
• Administrative experience in higher education

PREFERRED
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including demonstrated success in promoting a positive, inclusive, and collaborative teaching and learning environment
• Reputation as an available and approachable leader who communicates often, openly, and effectively with faculty, staff, and students
• A leadership style characterized by collaboration and mutual respect
• Experience as a dean, department chair, and/or program director
• Experience managing the recruitment, retention, tenure, and promotion processes and a record of mentoring faculty at all career stages
• Experience with online and hybrid teaching environments
• Understanding of the diversity of programs maintained within the College of Business
• Record of successful work with students— especially adult and first-generation college students
• Ability to analyze and use data to drive decision making
• Record of successful fiscal management and strong understanding of budget processes
• Understanding of enrollment, recruitment, and retention
• Experience with creating community partnerships
• Experience with creating and overseeing programs that respond to the needs of the local community

APPLICATION AND NOMINATION PROCESSES
Academic Search is assisting Athens State University in this search. Applications must include, in three separate attachments: 1) a detailed cover letter; 2) a current curriculum vitae (CV); and 3) a list of five professional references with contact information and a brief description of the working relationship with each. References will not be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate and at a later stage of the search. All documents should be in PDF format.

The position is available in July 2023. Nominations and applications should be sent to AthensStateCOB@ academicsearch.org. To ensure full consideration by the Search Committee, applications should be received by Monday, December 19th. Nominators and prospective candidates may arrange a confidential discussion about this opportunity with Eric Richtmyer (eric.richtmyer@academicsearch.org) or Linda McMillin (linda.mcmillin@academicsearch.org), or at 202-332-4049. When submitting a nomination, please include the nominee's full name, position, institution, and email address.

Athens State University, as an equal opportunity/ affirmative action institution, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. Athens State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, disability, religion, genetic information, or veteran status in employment, or admissions to or participation in educational programs and activities. Inquiries or concerns may be addressed to the Office of the Vice President of Enrollment and Student Support Services, 300 N. Beaty St., Athens, AL 35611, 256-233-8175.

jeid-c1f5fd5c01264e1e9550c3c209f2e367