Dean of Deep Springs College

Deep Springs College seeks applicants for the position of College Dean to begin in June of 2025. The appointment is full-time with extensive benefits (including free housing and meals) and remains open to mid-career or senior level candidates in any area of academia including the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, or fine arts. A terminal degree such as a Ph.D. is highly desired but not necessarily required for applicants with prior administrative experience. The anticipated salary for this position is between $120,000 - $140,000. The initial appointment will be for three years and is renewable for at least one additional three-year term. Deep Springs College does not offer tenure; our Faculty Chairs typically receive two consecutive three-year appointments.

The ideal candidate will be a seasoned and passionate teacher with an enthusiasm for Deep Springs College’s unique educational program. The College Dean sets the overall academic tone and standards for educational excellence; we are looking for someone with a demonstrated commitment to supporting students and working effectively as a leader of faculty. In addition to being an intellectual leader, the ideal candidate will also have democratic instincts and a genuine collaborative spirit. Given the need to partner with students on all aspects of the academic program we require someone with great enthusiasm, high expectations, and patience for working with young adults who are deeply committed to the three pillars of academics, self-governance, and labor. We also seek someone who is excited to serve and live in a small, close-knit community located in an isolated and beautiful desert environment. For the right person, the College Dean position is like no other. Deep Springs is a place that changes lives and sustains a profound hold on the imaginations of its staff, faculty, and students while they are here and long after they leave.

The College Dean works very closely with the President, faculty, and student body to support and strengthen every aspect of the academic program and student experience at Deep Springs. While this is primarily an administrative position, the Dean is expected to teach one self-designed course per semester (two courses per academic year). In addition to teaching, the Dean’s responsibilities include: 1) faculty recruitment, development, oversight and mentoring, 2) student advising and support, college transfer advising and serving as academic registrar, 3) oversight of the academic budget, course scheduling and course evaluations.

Deep Springs College is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin, religion, age, or disability. More information about our commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion can be found on our website.

Application Procedures

We will begin reviewing applications on October 11, 2024 and will continue to accept new applications until the position is filled. To apply, please email the following materials to "zink@deepsprings.edu" using the subject line “College Dean Application” - initial inquiries or questions about the application process can be sent to the same email address:

●      Cover Letter that addresses your connection to the Deep Springs mission

●      Curriculum Vitae

●      Statement of Teaching Philosophy and Experience

●      Statement of Research or Professional Works

●      Statement of Administrative or Managerial Experience

If you are offered an interview, we will also request:

●      Three (3) Letters of Recommendation

About Deep Springs College

Deep Springs College is a private, nonsectarian, fully accredited 2-year college program for academically gifted young people, located on a small cattle and alfalfa ranch in a beautiful, remote area of the White Mountains on the California-Nevada border. Admission to Deep Springs is highly selective; in recent years the applicant acceptance rate ranged from 2-4% and the College requires great commitment from admitted students as reflected in the President’s letter to potential applicants. All of the college’s 26-30 students receive full scholarships plus free room and board. After two years at Deep Springs, students transfer to highly selective universities and colleges.

The college aims to educate students for a life of leadership and service by combining high-level academic coursework in the liberal arts, rigorous labor on the ranch, and broad student self-governance of community and academic affairs. Students milk cows, wash dishes, assist in the office, cook, clean, harvest alfalfa, and tend cattle, horses, and gardens. All members of the Deep Springs community (the students, faculty, staff, president, and resident families) live on-site and take part in fostering and developing community life, at the same time respecting each others’ need for privacy.