Dean of the College of Education

DEAN of the College of Education

Winthrop University, a top ranked public, comprehensive, masters-level university, seeks a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative leader to serve as Dean of the Richard W. Riley College of Education. As the chief administrative officer of the College of Education, the Dean will provide a strategic vision and plan that will continue to advance the mission of the College and University. The Dean reports directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. The start date is July 1, 2022.

For complete information, see the Search Profile at https://myersmcrae.com/skins/userfiles/files/Winthrop-DeanEdu.pdf

About the University

Winthrop University is in the thriving city of Rock Hill, South Carolina, a vibrant suburb of Charlotte, North Carolina. Ranked 6th by U.S. News & World Report among Southern public universities and in the top 20 of public and private institutions in the region, the University provides an educational experience that blends liberal arts, professional programs, global awareness, and civic engagement, enabling students to develop the knowledge, skills, and values that enrich their lives and prepare them for all the future holds. Serving approximately 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students, Winthrop prides itself on being a close-knit, diverse campus family. The University is at the forefront of educational opportunities and offers degrees that meet today’s growing and emerging job markets. 

About the College

The Richard W. Riley College of Education, the premier college of education in South Carolina and an established leader in the region and the nation, has a long and successful history of preparing teachers and leaders for work in and beyond schools. That tradition of excellence continues today as it prepares students to engage in careers in education, human science, leadership, sports, health, and technology.

    Programs lead to specific career and other post-graduate options; yet the experiences students have and the skills they develop are flexible enough to allow them, as graduates, to impact the world in a variety of ways.       

    The College of Education (COE) engages students in dynamic programs and hands-on experiences that enable them to reach their goals and pursue their passions. The College is a community that learns together and thrives on close relationships that afford support from the faculty, staff, and program partners.

    Approximately 1,200 undergraduate and graduate COE students are enrolled in programs across four departments: Counseling, Leadership, and Educational Studies; Curriculum and Pedagogy; Education Core; and Physical Education, Sport, and Human Performance.

    The College offers nine baccalaureate programs, seven master’s programs, and an education specialist program. Beyond degrees, students can receive an endorsement in Gifted and Talented Education, Project-based Learning, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Read to Succeed, and Teaching Children of Poverty; a Post-graduate Certificate in School Counseling; and a Graduate Professional Certificate in Middle Level Education.

    The College of Education has a clinically based approach for preparing teachers that has teacher candidates engaging in a series of experiences in school settings over the course of their training, beginning in their freshman year. The Macfeat Laboratory School, serving 3- to 5-year-old children, serves the local community and provides links to current classroom practices for early childhood students. During designated semesters, study abroad opportunities also are accessible for undergraduate education students.

    The College’s Department of Physical Education, Sport, and Human Performance (PESH) is housed in the state-of-the-art Lois Rhame West Health, Physical Education, and Wellness Center. This 137,000-square-foot building features fully equipped athletic training education and exercise science laboratories along with five wired classrooms, a computer room, four gymnasiums, two activity spaces, four racquetball courts, a competitive swimming pool, a climbing wall, and weight room.

    The College’s Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Studies is the only Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE) approved program in South Carolina and nationally recognized by the National Council on Family Relations. The Bachelor of Science in Special Education-Multi-Categorical is named among the top 35 programs for Applied Behavior Analysis by Action Behavior Centers.

    Winthrop’s Counseling and Development Program provides an intellectually stimulating and supportive environment for the professional development of school and clinical mental health counselors who are committed to the skill sets and best practice in their roles as clinicians, advocates, and consultants. The College’s M.Ed. in Counseling and Development program operates a Community Counseling Clinic that provides quality, affordable counseling and referral services to the local community.

    In addition to academic programs, the College of Education is committed to working with schools and communities through outreach and research activities. This clinically based approach is supported by a nine-district, 52-school University-School Partnership Network. As part of its community outreach, the College is currently implementing four federal grants that total more than $10 million in partnership with eight South Carolina school districts. 

    Since its establishment in 2010, the Jim and Sue Rex Institute for Educational Renewal and Partnerships, a service-oriented organization within the College, has had a vital role in initiatives to engage faculty in internal and external collaboration, partnership, and outreach with schools, school districts, and other educational leadership partners. The Rex Institute houses the College’s Office of Field and Clinical Experiences.

    The College of Education has significant accreditations and affiliations. The Educator Preparation Program at Winthrop University is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) to offer initial teacher preparation programs as well as advanced educator preparation. The Athletic Training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). The Sport Management program is accredited by the Commission on Sport Management Accreditation (COSMA), the Counseling and Development program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), and the Exercise Science program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Programs (CAAHEP). All education programs are approved by the South Carolina State Board of Education, and all programs are nationally recognized by their specialized professional associations.

The Opportunity

The Dean of the College of Education is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced academic leader who is innovative and inspiring. The Dean is responsible for the College’s overall administrative guidance and works with academic leadership from all areas of the University.

    The Dean’s Council in the College of Education serves in an advisory capacity to the Dean in matters related to the ongoing work of the College and administrative policy. The Council plays a key role in setting the vision and goals for the College and in using unit data to support continuous improvement of the College and its programs. The Council is comprised of the dean, associate deans, department chairs, center directors, chair of the COE Faculty Assembly, and others identified by the Dean who are in leadership positions in the College.

    The College is multi-faceted and expansive. The administrators, chairs, and directors reporting to the Dean include the Associate Dean for Assessment and Accreditation; the Director of the Rex Institute for Educational Renewal and Partnerships and Chair of the Education CORE Department; the Senior Associate to the Dean for Grants and Partnerships; the Chair of the Department of Counseling, Leadership, & Educational Studies; the Chair of the Department of Curriculum & Pedagogy; the Chair of the Department of Physical Education, Sport, & Human Performance; the COE Graduate Director; the Director of the COE Instructional Technology Center; the Director of Macfeat Early Childhood Laboratory School; an Executive Support Specialist; and the Budget Coordinator and Withers Building Manager.

For complete information on the responsibilities and duties, see the Search Profile.

Required Qualifications

• An earned doctorate from an accredited institution in one of the disciplines in the Richard W. Riley College of Education
• Progressive experience in positions of academic leadership, such as program director, department chair, associate dean, and/or dean
• Evidence of excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship appropriate to faculty appointment at the rank of associate or full professor
• Experience with faculty and staff recruitment, development, and evaluation
• Evidence of commitment to enhancing student learning and success
• Documented experience with accreditation processes, student learning outcomes assessment, and program review and assessment
• A record of fostering collaboration, diversity, and inclusion in work and learning environments
• Experience with planning and management of complex budgets
• Experience with strategic planning and providing leadership in the evaluation of existing and development of new academic programs responsive to changing needs in the school districts and regional workforce
• Evidence of ability to develop and maintain excellent working relationships with a robust school partnership network, college alumni, and experiential learning partners

APPLICATION & NOMINATION PROCESS

Confidential inquiries are welcomed, and nominations are invited.

Applications

Application packet must include: a) A letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications of the position, b) Current curriculum vitae, and c) At least four references with full contact information including e-mails (References will not be contacted without consent from applicant.)

Submit application packet (preferably as PDFs) to Winthrop-DeanCOE@myersmcrae.com.

Additional information will be requested upon receipt of application.

Review of applications begins immediately. For best consideration, submit applications by February 21, 2022. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Nominations

Submit nominations to Winthrop-DeanCOE-nominate@myersmcrae.com with complete contact and e-mail information for the individual being nominated.

Jennifer Barfield, Senior Vice President of Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting, is assisting Winthrop University with this search. Request a conversation regarding this search at JenniferBarfield@myersmcrae.com.

Winthrop University recognizes that employees are the essential resource of the institution. Winthrop is committed to the principles of equal employment. It is the policy of the University that all personnel-related decisions be made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and childbirth, or related medical conditions), national origin, age (forty-plus / 40+), protected disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. This policy applies to all personnel actions including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, classification/compensation, benefits, promotions, transfers, layoffs, recall from layoffs and educational, social, or recreational programs of this institution.