Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University (SDSU) seeks an energetic academic leader with strong strategic vision as well as significant successful administrative and budgetary experience. The University, which values the newly restructured College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences as an academic core, expects outstanding academic credentials, success in fostering diversity and the ability to facilitate SDSU’s pursuit of even higher levels of scholarly excellence in teaching, research, service and engagement. The dean, who reports to the provost and vice president for academic affairs, serves as the academic leader and chief administrative officer of the College.

South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university. Overall enrollment is over 12,500. The university is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents which also has oversight of South Dakota’s five additional universities within a unified system.

From its roots as a land-grant university established in Brookings, South Dakota in 1881, South Dakota State University today is a vibrant, complex institution with research, education and service offerings located throughout the state. SDSU is South Dakota’s first High Research Activity institution as classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. It competes in Division I athletics, is a member of the Missouri Valley Football Conference and of the Summit League for all other sports.

SDSU’s attractive main campus is home to approximately 11,000 undergraduates and 1,700 graduates enrolled in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Education and Human Sciences, The Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering, the College of Natural Sciences, the College of Nursing, the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions and the Graduate School. Approximately 55% of SDSU students are residents of South Dakota, 38% are from other states and 7% from other countries. They are able, engaged students, active student-athletes, club members and participants in arts and theatre activities. There are ongoing efforts to bring a greater global perspective to the campus and to increase all aspects of diversity. South Dakota’s Native American population constitutes 9% of the state’s residents.

The successful applicant must have a terminal degree and a distinguished record of academic performance consistent with appointment as a tenured full professor in a discipline appropriate to the College. He or she will be a visionary person of proven leadership ability and high integrity with a strong record of scholarship appropriate to his or her discipline as well as successful administrative leadership of a complex academic organization. The new dean will bring a commitment to furthering the vital role of arts, humanities and social sciences within the teaching, research and service mission of a land-grant university; a multi-faceted successful administrative experience including personnel, budget and organizational management; and outstanding communication and collaboration skills. Successful experience with issues related to academic programmatic positioning in a tight budgetary environment would be valued. For more information about the position, please see www.wittkieffer.com.

Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. For fullest consideration, applicant materials should be received by August 22, 2018. Candidates are asked to provide a resume, letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the leadership profile and the names and contact information of five references. Candidate confidentiality will be respected and references will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval of candidates. Inquiries and application materials should be sent via email to the search consultants, Zachary A. Smith, Ph.D. and Sophie Stava at SouthDakotaStateDeanAHSS@wittkieffer.com.

The South Dakota State University values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.