Dean of the Patton College of Education

Ohio University (OHIO) invites inquiries, nominations and applications for a transparent, inclusive and innovative leader to serve as the next dean of the Patton College of Education.

As the oldest public university in the state, OHIO has long been a regional and state — and now, online — leader in preparing students for successful careers. Ohio University's total enrollment is over 28,000 students from across the country and online. More than 15,000 of those students are undergraduates studying at the residential campus in Athens —a quintessential college town in the Appalachian foothills of beautiful southeast Ohio.

Founded in 1804 and guided by world-class faculty members, OHIO is home to more than 250 academic programs across business, communications, healthcare, social sciences, the arts and STEM. The university provides access to industry and hands-on experiences at an affordable cost, which is why Ohio University is ranked No. 1 Best Value public university in the state of Ohio, according to U.S. News & World Report.

The Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education prepares educators, practitioners and human service professionals to be leaders. With a 136-year history, the college is committed to creating lasting change that makes the fields of education and human services more inclusive, both in practice and in the way, people think about them. The Patton College has more than 100 faculty members, serving more than 1,300 undergraduate and 750 graduate students who delve into what matters, leading by experience in the classroom, workplace, community, and the world at large. The College is home to the Department of Counseling and Higher Education, the Department of Educational Studies, the Department of Recreation, Sport Pedagogy, and Consumer Sciences, and the Department of Teacher Education.

Reporting to Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs, the new dean will be a visionary leader for the Patton College, providing strategic direction amidst the changing backdrop of higher education and invigorating the faculty through the creation of a vibrant vision for a contemporary college of education that highlights each department. The new dean will be an inclusive leader with experience shaping an organizational culture that encourages collaboration, engagement, and innovation. The dean will be an experienced leader of diversity efforts, particularly in relation to the recruitment and retention of students, faculty and staff. To continue to grow and attract new students, the dean will support strategic programming by helping faculty to modernize degree pathways and offer high-demand online graduate degrees. They will develop impactful relationships with alumni, donors, and friends, and enhance community partnerships throughout the region.

The position requires a terminal degree and the ability to meet the requirements for tenure as a full professor in a discipline within The Patton College of Education. The new dean will have a proven record of success as an academic and administrative leader with supervisory experience equivalent to that of a chair or higher. The new dean will have a strong commitment to shared governance and bring a transparent, collaborative, and team-oriented approach to leadership. As a member of the Council of Deans, the dean will serve as a university leader who is an effective advocate for the Patton College.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile. WittKieffer is assisting Ohio University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by November 13, 2023.

Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer's candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: Charlene L. Aguilar, Ed.M., Lauren Bruce-Stets and Corin Edwards at OhioU-PattonCOEDean@wittkieffer.com.

There shall be no discrimination against any person in employment or educational opportunities because of race, color, religion, age, ethnicity, national origin, national ancestry, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military service or veteran status, mental or physical disability, or genetic information, except as explicitly provided for in this policy.

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