Dean of the School of the Arts

Company Description:

Dean College is a private, residential New England college grounded in a culture and tradition that all students deserve the opportunity to discover and exceed their greatest aspirations. A personal and transformative community since 1865, Dean tirelessly inspires our students to unimagined heights through personalized support and integrated delivery of academic, co-curricular and experiential learning. Our graduates are lifelong learners who thrive in their careers, embrace social responsibility and demonstrate leadership.

Recognized as a Top Regional College by U.S. News & World Report for eleven consecutive years and named a College of Distinction for five consecutive years, Dean serves approximately 1,200 full-time students and 400 part-time students and offers more than 50 combined bachelor's and associate degree programs and specializations, as well as a robust schedule of continuing studies, EMT and certificate programs throughout the year.

Dean College is perfectly situated in Franklin, Massachusetts, which is conveniently located between Boston and Providence, Rhode Island and is accessible to Boston by commuter rail. The Dean College/Franklin station is only a five-minute walk from campus. Approximately 87 percent of the College's student population lives on campus.

Dean provides a supportive academic environment that thrives on hands-on engagement and exceptional teaching. This community-wide commitment of always going the extra mile for students is known as The Dean Difference.  Outside of the classroom, students participate in 16 athletic teams and more than 30 on-campus groups and organizations.

Ninety-six percent of our bachelor's degree students are employed or enrolled in graduate school within 12 months of graduation. Alumni are hard at work in top-ranked graduate programs and are employed by organizations such as Universal Studios, Dell Technologies, Liberty Mutual, Kraft Sports + Entertainment, the Boston Ballet, and more.

What is The Dean Difference?
The Dean Difference isn't any one thing. It's not a program or a professor. It's not a single class or a club. It's the way our academics support networks and community overlap, interweave and magnify each other. Our difference unites us. It's our secret formula. It's the nucleus around which we orbit. It isn't one thing, it's everything

Job Description:

Dean College invites applications for the position of Dean of the School of the Arts. We seek a dynamic, inspiring, visionary leader with experience building and sustaining programs in the performing arts. The School of the Arts strives to be a center for the study, practice, and management of the performing and creative arts.

Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean provides academic and strategic leadership and oversight of the school's academic programs and its artistic productions. The Dean oversees undergraduate degree programs in Arts and Entertainment Management and Theatre, and directs all general education course offerings in music and art. The School's academic degree programs include a B.A. in Arts and Entertainment Management; a B.F.A. in Acting; a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre; a B.A. in Theatre with tracks in Technical Theatre, Theatre Studies, and Performance as well as an A.A. in Theatre/Musical Theatre. The School produces multiple Main Stage productions (minimally two musicals and two plays), several black box student productions and a senior showcase for industry professionals each year. It also offers a summer intensive program in Musical Theatre.

Working collaboratively with the Vice President and the academic leadership of the College, the Dean will shape the strategic direction of School as well as help execute the operational plans of Academic Affairs. The Dean builds a collaborative and collegial academic environment where faculty provide outstanding undergraduate teaching and academic support to students with a variety of learning differences. The Dean represents the School within the College, and at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels.

The next School Dean will elevate the school's stature by:

• Furthering the implementation of the school's new B.F.A. degree programs
• Expanding School's role as a cultural resource for the College, the Franklin community and the region, including helping to shape newly established partnerships
• Developing new and creative partners that enhance student learning experiences and internship opportunities
• Inspiring the faculty to incorporate multicultural voices and emerging media/creative technologies in the curriculum as well as in the productions of the school
• Ensuring the curriculum includes current, relevant content, skills and experiences that allow our students to be "employees of choice" upon graduation

Core responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Program planning and development, with a focus on building the regional and national visibility of the bachelor's degree programs to grow enrollment and enhance retention
• Collaborating with the Office of Enrollment Services & Marketing on marketing the bachelor's and associate degree programs in the School
• Leading academic program reviews, student learning outcomes assessment, and curriculum development, as well as facilitating the development of the course schedule each semester
• Hiring, training, mentoring, and supervising full-, part-time and adjunct faculty; encouraging and supporting their professional development
• Managing budget oversight for the academic programs and the school productions
• Encouraging and fostering a collaborative and collegial academic environment of teaching and learning across the School; hosting regular school meetings to promote effective communication
• Teaching one course each semester

Given the extensive interdependence among the College's performing arts programs, the Dean will work collaboratively with the Dean of the Joan Phelps Palladino School of Dance.

Requirements:

• An earned doctorate and/or master's degree in a field related to the creative and performing arts, such as theatre, arts and entertainment management, and/or performing arts, is required
• A record of professional accomplishment and experience in the performing arts is strongly preferred; experienced performing arts professionals with college-level teaching experience are encouraged to apply
• Must have college-level teaching experience, particularly with undergraduate students
• Have at least five years of progressively responsible academic administrative experience at the level of department chair or higher
• The ability to think strategically and work collaboratively regarding program development, faculty development, enrollment management, and resource management with the goal of growing programs within the School
• Experience with, and a demonstrated passion for, providing transformational learning experiences for a diverse population of undergraduates at varying stages of academic readiness in a liberal arts college environment

To be a part of The Dean Difference and lead the School of the Arts into the future, please submit a completed application by April 7, 2023. 

Additional Information:

Dean College is an equal-opportunity, Title IX institution and pledges to recruit, select and promote diversity by providing equality of opportunity in higher education for all persons, including faculty and staff with respect to hiring, continuation, promotion, and applicants for admission, enrolled students and graduates without discrimination or segregation.

The College is interested in candidates who have the communication skills and cross-cultural abilities to maximize their effectiveness with diverse groups of colleagues, students, faculty, and community members. All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis.

Dean College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law.

This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in College programs, services, and activities. A pre-employment background screen is required for all employees.

Application Instructions:

Please submit your Resume/CV, Cover Letter, all unofficial transcripts; and contact information of three references. (PLEASE NOTE: Applications that are incomplete will not be considered).

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