Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

The Dean is the senior academic and administrative officer of the College of Arts and Sciences, which includes approximately 30 academic majors with additional sub majors, minors, and certificate programs, all within the Divisions of Humanities and Fine Arts, Science and Mathematics, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Interdisciplinary Programs, and Pre-Professional Programs. The College of Arts and Sciences also plays a key role in administering the General Education and University Requirements program and high-school dual and early credit program. This is a full-time, twelve-month appointment reporting to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Responsibilities: 

The Dean represents the College to a wide range of campus, professional, and community constituencies.

The Dean provides vision for the College and possesses the leadership, planning, coordination, and supervisory skills in matters related to all budget, personnel, programs, and services of a multidiscipline College and will advise the Provost and Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs on these matters. The Dean’s responsibilities include:

• Advocate for public funding of higher education in Wisconsin.
• Oversee and support the development of the College’s personnel, including hiring, retention, tenure, and promotion.
• Encourage and support research, scholarly and creative activities of faculty, academic staff, and students, consistent with the mission of the University.
• Provide support and guidance to the College’s existing domestic and international cooperative partnerships, and leadership in developing new ones.
• Coordinate certification and accreditation activities related to the College’s academic departments and programs.
• Collaborate with the College of Education, Business, and Allied Health and the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences to ensure courses in the College of Arts and Sciences meet requirements and/or accreditations for their programs. Support cross-college interdisciplinary programs.
• Understand and oversee the College of Arts and Sciences budget and advocate for the budgetary needs of the college and its programs.
• Work with student and alumni advisory boards to enhance programing.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Required Qualifications

• Earned terminal degree (in one of the disciplines in the College) from an accredited institution
• Holds faculty credentials necessary to be eligible for an appointment as a tenured professor in one of the College’s departments
• Familiarity with, and ability to advocate for, all disciplines represented in the College
• A record of administrative competence demonstrated through a minimum of 3 years prior experience as a dean, director, assistant/associate dean, academic department chair, or other comparable administrative position
• Demonstrated commitment to the liberal arts
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategies and budgets and implement those strategies for high impact
• An understanding of and commitment to shared governance
• Demonstrated ability to develop, support, and strongly advocate for diversity and inclusivity in all its forms
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement high-impact public and private partnerships including local, national, and international collaborations
• Evidence of data-informed decision making and effective strategies to support enrollment and retention
• Ability to nurture an environment that values excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service and where faculty (of all ranks and status), staff and students are valued and respected

Preferred Qualifications

• Ability to advocate for college/programs based on intrinsic value, make informed decisions, and clearly articulate the reasoning for those decisions, especially concerning matters of budgetary significance affecting programmatic offerings
• Strong understanding of faculty and staff required job responsibilities and where job duties surpass the defined responsibilities concerning teaching, research and creative activities, and service
• Ability to listen to and effectively communicate with colleagues and constituents at all levels
• Ability to engage with administrators to actively shape, guide, and protect the priorities of the college while creating a shared vision with other colleges and the university
• Cognizance of relevant trends and forecasts, and the publics’ views, needs, and expectations of public higher education
• An effective communicator and proactive advocate for the University’s and College’s values in a way that engages the public’s views and understanding
• Experience in developing and implementing successful transdisciplinary programs within or across colleges by fostering collaborations among internal and external stakeholders
• Understanding and advocacy for college- and department-specific technology and equipment requirements, including a vision for the impact these have and will have on education
• Ability to articulate and facilitate a long-term vision for the College within the context of the University’s mission, vision, and values
• Familiarity with fund development activities and the ability to work with appropriate entities on campus in planning and facilitating such efforts
• An understanding of the opportunities and challenges regional public universities have in an increasingly competitive higher education landscape

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants are required to apply online. UWRF will not consider paper, emailed or faxed applications.  Applicants are required to provide: 

• Curriculum Vitae 
• Unofficial Transcripts (highest degree earned)
• Letter of interest specifying qualifications and experience (cover letter)
• Diversity Statement 
• Names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses of at least three references who can specifically comment upon your experience and professional preparation (references) 

Inquiries should be addressed to: 
Dan Paulus
Professor and Search Chair
dan.paulus@uwrf.edu 

Deadline to Apply: Initial review of applications will begin upon receipt. For full consideration, applicants should submit all required materials by March 19, 2023.  

UW-River Falls does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources at 715-425-4941.

View our excellent benefits at: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf