Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences

Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences

Introduction

Western New England University seeks an inspiring and creative leader who is an institutional thinker and academic champion to serve as its next Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. Western New England University is a comprehensive private institution that prioritizes teaching excellence, scholarship that contributes to the public good, and a commitment to service and engagement. We have entered our second century maintaining an emphasis on the education of the whole student, now in the context of a 21st century New Traditional University. Our next decade will be marked by a continued dedication to excellence, visionary thinking, flexibility, and entrepreneurial spirit, to meet the demands of a diverse and global society, the accelerating pace of technology, and attention to sustainability. We strive to develop as a comprehensive institution offering an integrated program of liberal and professional undergraduate and graduate education while establishing ourselves in a position of national leadership. 

Western New England University serves undergraduate and graduate students in professional programs and the liberal arts across five schools: the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Business, the College of Engineering, the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, and the School of Law. In 2020, we enrolled a total of 3590 students including: 2486 undergraduates; 363 law students; 465 graduate and adult learners; 219 pharmacy students and 91 occupational therapy students. Students come from 39 states and 22 countries, though the majority are regionally based. Of the undergraduate student population, 59% male, 26% represent diverse communities and 56% of full-time undergraduates reside on campus.

Our Core Values

• Excellence in Teaching, Research, and Scholarship
• Student-centered Learning
• A Sense of Community
• Cultivation of a Pluralistic Society
• Innovative Integrated Liberal and Professional Education
• Commitment to Academic, Professional, and Community Service
• Stewardship of our Campus

Our Vision and Position

In academic year 2020-2021 Western New England University experienced its first presidential transition in over two decades. In a message to the WNE community on September 10, 2020, our new President, Dr. Robert Johnson, characterized his initial tenure as being composed of three phases: stabilization, revitalization, and innovation. In particular, during the 2020-21 academic year the community focused on financial stabilization to ensure a solid foundation, while strategically moving toward the future. The next two years will be focused on revitalization and innovation. To plan for our future vision, during his first 100 days, Dr. Robert Johnson engaged the campus community in visioning sessions with the theme The Future is Now: Vision 2025. More than 400 individuals shared perspectives through small group conversations, open forums, and an online survey. From this process, President Johnson established the Strategic Direction of WNE - One University, One Vision- which articulates the shared ambition for WNE’s future, identifies immediate actionable areas of strategic focus, and provides the basis for a position statement, vision and framework for the University’s strategic direction over the next five years. This WNE future vision will guide initiatives with results monitored through annual tactics with affiliated resources, metrics, and accountability.

Our position in the higher education market space is defined by the following statement:

WNE is a New Traditional University preparing learners and earners for the future of work, equipping them to create value and thrive in a complex and hyperconnected world.

Five themes permeate, empower and give life to the vision. They represent what is necessary to achieve the vision across the University, making it actionable in a comprehensive and cohesive way. This holistic focus ensures students receive the best possible education and experience, and graduate with a competitive career advantage:

• Theme One: Provide a Student-Centered Experience
• Theme Two: Become a Laboratory for Academic Innovation
• Theme Three: Promote Innovation and Transformation
• Theme Four: Establish Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Theme Five: Enhance Culture and Excellence

Our Next Dean of the College of Arts & Science

The Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences shall serve as the visionary and creative leader of an outstanding and dedicated faculty that excels in teaching and scholarship. The Dean carries the primary responsibility for maintaining the academic quality of the undergraduate and graduate programs through the promotion of excellence in teaching and scholarship; and the close interaction of students and faculty. The Dean works directly with the faculty in addressing curricular, personnel, and budgetary matters; respects and upholds the principles and processes of shared governance; and assures that all university policies and procedures are followed.

The Dean must be able to balance the roles of faculty advocate while being a member of the University’s academic leadership. This entails understanding both College- and institution-wide perspectives and responsibilities. Success requires teamwork within the College and collaboration with the deans of the four other schools that comprise our University. By serving on the Management Council and the Deans’ Council, the Dean will have an opportunity to interact and enhance collaboration among schools and administrative and support offices, contributing to the development and implementation of consistent and key university-wide policies.

While the following list is not exhaustive, the most important responsibilities of the Dean include:

• Leading College efforts toward achieving the University’s holistic vision while also creating and implementing a plan for the College that is in alignment with University goals;
• Leading, and coordinating college strategic planning and curriculum development;
• Being an excellent steward of College and University resources;
• Engaging in the budget process;
• Supervising, evaluating, and supporting academic departments and faculty in a manner that promotes excellence in teaching, scholarly and creative productivity, and service;
• Evaluating college administrators, including chairs, and staff;
• Assisting with enrollment and admissions activities
• Ensuring adherence to WNE’s principle of shared governance in academic and curricular matters, and to College and University policies;
• Assisting the Provost and Faculty Senate with the creation, dissemination and implementation of policies, procedures and guidelines;
• Modeling integrity and effectiveness in all areas of work;
• Leading the search for new faculty and staff;
• Leading the process of conducting annual reviews of faculty and staff
• Making recommendations for appointment, salary, tenure, and/or promotion of faculty, following established University policies.
• Ensuring that attention to diversity, equity and inclusion are central to search processes;
• Exceling in data-informed and data-supported decision-making and evaluation of departmental productivity in instruction, research, and service responsibilities;
• Providing recommendations to the Provost regarding sabbaticals and other leaves for faculty.
• Advising the Provost on University academic policies and procedures;
• Leading, consulting and encouraging fundraising in support of the College's goals and the goals of its departments and programs
• Engaging in outreach and public service efforts
• Serving on the Management Council and Deans’ Council, the loci of policymaking and administrative decision-making
• Promoting an environment of respect for differences and diversity, and ensuring that equity and inclusion are inherent in the framework for decisions and discussions.
• Collaborating closely with the dean of the other four schools and colleges to develop policy and procedures, and developing curriculum and new programs.

The Successful Candidate

The successful candidate for Dean’s position will have a demonstrated history of personal excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service; and promote the same among faculty. The Dean’s leadership effectiveness will be enhanced by the ability to quickly establish a full understanding of the people, programs, and relationships within the WNE community. The Dean is expected to engage deeply in College- and University-level discussions around a wide range of educational issues. The Dean will respect the shared governance framework, and possess a clear and transparent leadership style that fosters trust and respect from faculty, staff, administration, and students. The Dean will develop a clear and actionable vision for the College of Arts & Sciences that is in alignment with overall University goals.

Current Mission Statement- College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences at Western New England University prepares students for a journey of lifelong learning. Passionate about teaching, research, and scholarship, faculty guide students to follow their intellectual curiosities and to build essential skills for adapting within a changing world. Our mission is to empower the next generation for success through applied and experiential learning, fostering individuality and self-directed growth to better the world. 
 
We educate the whole person by: 

• building foundational skills in information literacy, data analysis, meta-level thinking, creativity, critical analysis and ethical decision-making 
• fostering a welcoming community that is strengthened by diversity, with a focus on equity and inclusion
• cultivating social consciousness and development of the self to effectively participate as a global citizen
• creating opportunities for collaboration among and between students and faculty across the curriculum and the campus
• supporting each community member’s academic journey by offering the resources needed to discover, apply, create, and share knowledge in the classroom and beyond. 

Part of the Dean’s responsibility to faculty is effective mentoring, especially of new faculty members and early-stage academics and to set the tone for heightened excellence and continual improvement in the areas of teaching, scholarship and service.

With the largest cohort of WNE’s faculty, the College of Arts & Sciences provides instruction for most of the General Undergraduate Requirements, our version of the core curriculum. The new Dean will have the opportunity to engage in the development of new undergraduate and graduate programs. Interdisciplinarity is highly encouraged, together with collaborative initiatives with the other schools. The new Dean shall also have the opportunity to lead in support of innovative teaching and the effective use of technology to support learning.

Strengthen Financial Management and Build Resources

As economic realities affect all of higher education, the Dean will need the business acumen to enable strong financial management across all areas of the College’s academic and administrative programs. The Dean will be asked to oversee operating budgets, identify new and existing resources for program and infrastructure investment, identify potential new revenue streams, and raise external funds. The Dean will be expected to work with the faculty, senior administration, and the Office of Advancement to develop and articulate the opportunities within, and the needs of, the academic programs to potential donors.

Qualifications

• An earned terminal degree from an accredited institution in a discipline related to the arts, humanities, sciences or social science.
• Evidence of a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Experience as a full-time, tenured faculty member in an accredited institution that offers at least a four-year undergraduate degree.
• A distinguished record of teaching, scholarship and service equivalent to a tenured faculty member at WNE at the level of full professor.
• Evidence of multi- and interdisciplinary experience.
• Experience as an academic administrator with supervisory and evaluation responsibilities.
• Demonstrated commitment to building an environment conducive for research and scholarship.
• Demonstrated experience in promoting student success.
• Experience with constructing and overseeing unit budgets.
• Track record of securing external funding.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with campus partners and senior administrators.
• Experience with assessment, program review, and strategic planning.

Springfield, MA

Founded in 1636, Springfield is the third largest city in Massachusetts, and serves as the county seat of Hampden County. It is located in south/central Massachusetts near Worcester, MA, Hartford, CT and Albany, NY and is within striking distance of numerous scenic areas including the Berkshires and Saratoga Springs. Springfield’s population is slightly more than 150,000 people. Springfield is surrounded by numerous industries, and provides access to vibrant arts and cultural offerings, including museums, parks, a symphony, educational organizations, and professional sports teams. Springfield, where basketball was invented, is home to the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Procedure for Candidacy

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this announcement. Application materials should be submitted using http://employment.wne.edu/. Please do not email applications.

Inquiries, nominations, and referrals will be treated confidentially and may be sent to Nereida.Rosemond@wne.edu.

For best consideration, please apply by December 31, 2021

The successful candidate’s appointment is expected to begin on July 1, 2022.

Confidentiality shall be preserved to the finalist stage. Finalists shall be invited for an onsite campus visit and will be asked to do a formal presentation to the community.

Excellent fringe benefits including tuition remission for employee, spouse, and dependent children.

Western New England University is a private, independent, coeducational institution founded in 1919. Located on an attractive 215-acre suburban campus in Springfield, Massachusetts, Western New England University serves 3,900 students, including more than 2,600 full-time undergraduate students. Undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs are offered through Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Pharmacy, and School of Law.

Western New England University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We welcome candidates whose background may contribute to the further diversification of our community.

In alignment with the University’s commitment to health and safety, all Faculty and Staff are required to be vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination.

To apply to this position please visit http://employment.wne.edu.