Dean, School of Arts and Sciences

Dean, School of Arts and Sciences

University of Rochester

Rochester, NY

The University of Rochester seeks an experienced, innovative, strategic leader and active scholar to serve as Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences (SAS).  This is an exceptional opportunity to lead the second-largest academic unit at a highly-ranked institution with an established reputation for combining excellence in teaching with world-class research and service to the state, nation, and globe. Reporting directly to the Provost, the Dean will provide visionary leadership to propel SAS forward and will be responsible for faculty, academic, budget, personnel, general administration and management, and development functions. This is an exceptional opportunity for a creative and collaborative leader to articulate a vision for the School while building on Rochester’s position as one of the nation’s leading private, comprehensive, research universities with a historical commitment to impactful teaching, research, and technological leadership.

The University of Rochester’s historical foundation as an institution committed to research, teaching, and solving problems in science, industry, business, and the arts has established the University as a global leader in higher education. Since its founding, Rochester has been committed to preparing its students for a rapidly changing workforce, and the quality of the student experience has been a central value. Located along the banks of the Genesee River, the University of Rochester is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities for its excellence in research productivity (one of only 28 private universities in the U.S. to earn the distinction). Rochester is consistently ranked among the top 40 national research universities in the United States by notable publications such as U.S. News and World Report, The Wall Street Journal, and Times Higher Education U.S. College Rankings.

This is a particularly exciting moment and an inflection point for Rochester. Sarah Mangelsdorf, a nationally recognized psychologist and higher education leader, assumed the presidency in July 2019. President Mangelsdorf’s vision for Rochester builds on the University’s distinctive strengths and broad excellence while encouraging greater collaboration across schools and promoting key values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. David Figlio, a leading economist specializing in K-12 and higher education research, became provost in July 2022 and is collaborating with President Mangelsdorf and other University leaders to launch an ambitious and distinctive strategic plan in February 2023. The Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, reporting to Provost Figlio, will play a centrally important role in cementing the University of Rochester as one of the world’s leading research universities in its areas of distinction spanning the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Additionally, the SAS and Hajim School of Engineering are undertaking a reorganization effort, which provides additional autonomy for the Dean of SAS to focus on improving existing infrastructure within the SAS, while simultaneously strengthening current interdisciplinary relationships and services between both Schools. The Dean will use that momentum to build new partnerships that improve teaching and research outcomes. This is a time of enormous energy and anticipation, across the campus and within the School of Arts and Sciences.

The next Dean will be a highly productive scholar and deeply collaborative leader, building bridges both within the School and across the University to advance the aspirations that undergird the upcoming strategic plan. The successful candidate will amplify the excellence of all SAS departments and be a staunch champion of the faculty, staff, and students. This position will require a leader who proactively and positively engages external constituencies and stakeholders to develop philanthropic and research funding support for the School. An unwavering and demonstrated commitment to furthering diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is an absolute requisite, as is a passion for the combined commitments to student success, path-breaking research, and community engagement that animate the University of Rochester. 

Isaacson, Miller, the national executive recruiting firm, has been retained to support the search committee. Confidential inquiries, nominations, and applications can be directed to:

Peter Lange, Partner

Robin Dougherty, Managing Associate

Clay Batley, Associate

Isaacson, Miller

https://www.imsearch.com/search-detail/8862

Electronic submission of applications and correspondence is strongly preferred. 

Applications received by February 20, 2023, will receive priority consideration.

The University of Rochester is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to you without regard to race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, age, veteran status, medical condition or disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law.

Please note that the University of Rochester requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Accordingly, successful candidates must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit proof of vaccination prior to the commencement of employment, unless they qualify for a reasonable accommodation for bona fide medical or religious reasons.