Dean, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and College of General Studies

University of Pittsburgh

Dean, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences

and College of General Studies

The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) invites applications and nominations for the Bettye J. and Ralph E. Bailey Dean of the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and the College of General Studies. As the leader of the most comprehensive school in one of the city’s most important civic institutions, the next dean has numerous opportunities to develop signature initiatives that could positively impact the school, the University, the city of Pittsburgh, and the world.
 

Since 1787, the University of Pittsburgh has never stopped pushing the edge of what’s possible. From research achievements to the quality of its academic programs, Pitt ranks among the best in higher education. As one of the largest institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania and one of oldest in the United States, the University is a state-related public institution and a member of the Association of American Universities. With a total enrollment of nearly 30,000 students on the Pittsburgh campus, Pitt is internationally respected as a center for learning and research that is consistently ranked by the Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education College Rankings as the top public university in the Northeast.

The Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences (Dietrich School) constitutes the liberal arts core of the University of Pittsburgh. Through its 45 departments and programs, organized into three divisions, the Dietrich School is the educational home of nearly 13,000 graduate and undergraduate students. In the summer of 2006, the University’s College of General Studies (CGS) joined what was then called the School of Arts and Sciences, expanding the community of learners.

The Dietrich School and CGS host a number of exciting and inspiring programs that are at the leading edge of academic inquiry and that help prepare students for a changing world. The Dietrich School’s top-quality graduate programs and superb, highly selective liberal arts undergraduate curricula integrate traditional disciplines with interdisciplinary and international perspectives. These programs take advantage of the breadth of the University and its urban environment. Graduate and professional students number 1,170, and they conduct cutting-edge research and scholarship and contribute to the school’s teaching mission. The school is home to 40% of the University’s students pursing research PhDs. Undergraduate demand has steadily grown over the past decade with Fall 2021 applications representing a 92% increase over 2012 numbers. The Dietrich School enrolls approximately 11,750 undergraduates, and an additional 679 students pursue programs through the College of General Studies. Undergraduate students can choose from more than 85 different majors and minors and 16 certificates in the Dietrich School, as well as six majors and 14 certificates in CGS. Post-graduation outcomes for the class of 2021 resulted in a 97% placement rate for Dietrich School undergraduates and 95% placement rate for CGS graduates, representing a nearly 10% increase over the last decade. The College of General Studies is responsible for a major sector of the University’s continuing education offerings and is the University’s primary means of engaging non-traditional learners. As such, there have been recent investments in enhancing and expanding online education via CGS.

Nationally and internationally recognized faculty members excel at translating their research and scholarly expertise into multiple levels of educational instruction, resulting in regular “top 10” rankings in History and Philosophy of Science, Psychology (General, Biological, Clinical, and Developmental), Philosophy, Sports Sciences, Women's Studies, and a number of programs ranked in the top 100 in the world (including Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Earth Science, Economics, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics, Political Science, and Statistics). The Dietrich School comprises 850 full-time faculty—which include 340 tenured faculty, 78 tenure stream faculty, and 432 appointment stream faculty—plus 277 part-time faculty. Faculty are world-renowned and include members of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the National Academy of Sciences, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

The faculty and departments of the Dietrich School have created—and wish to expand on—an environment where a diverse and inclusive community of students, faculty and staff can work and learn together. The school has a long-standing Diversity Committee; offers a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training Series; and has participated in recent University-wide Latinx and Race and Social Determinants of Equity, Health and Well-Being faculty cluster hiring initiatives. Access and diversity programs for graduate students include the Hot Metal Bridge Post-Bac Program, the K. Leroy Irvis Fellowship Program, and the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Program. Undergraduate diversity initiatives include TRIO SSS, the BRIDGES Program, and the Broadening Equity in STEM Center. The recent launch of Pitt’s publicly available course on Anti-Black Racism has garnered national attention and was spearheaded by faculty within the Dietrich School. The McCarl Center for Nontraditional Student Success is a critical resource within CGS.

As the largest unit and cornerstone of the University, the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and the College of General Studies are central and defining components in Pitt’s prominent role in research and public higher education. Thus, the Dean must intrinsically understand the centrality and value of the arts, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities in the preparation of the next generation of students, as well as their role in the realization of the full potential of a research-intensive University.

Reporting to Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Ann E. Cudd, the Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the school, and a key academic leader within the University. The Dean will set and implement the strategic direction for the Dietrich School, in alignment with the University’s strategic plan, the Plan for Pitt. The Dean is responsible for advancing the school’s mission and operations through thoughtful personnel and management decisions, retention and enhancement of faculty and staff talent, aligning budget decisions with strategy, academic program creation and management, and development functions. The Dean will have oversight of a $258 million budget and lead a seasoned administrative senior staff.

The University of Pittsburgh invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Dean of the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences and College of General Studies. Interested candidates should confidentially submit a curriculum vitae and letter of interest (Adobe PDF files preferred) addressing the areas for impact and qualifications described in the position specification, which may be found here, to Pitt.DSAS@russellreynolds.com.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity, and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets.

For fullest consideration, materials should be received as soon as possible and preferably by January 16.