Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Saint Louis University, an international, Catholic, Jesuit university, invites nominations, applications, and expressions of interest for the position of Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to join the University at a time of increased forward momentum, created by the 2014 appointment of President Fred Pestello, the celebration of our 200th anniversary in 2018, and the highest undergraduate enrollment in the history of the University in 2019.  The new dean will have the opportunity to lead a creative and dedicated faculty and staff, eager to enhance the University’s status as one of the finest Catholic universities in the United States.

Founded in 1818, Saint Louis University is the oldest university west of the Mississippi and the second oldest Jesuit institution in the United States. It has a long tradition of faithfulness to the Jesuit mission of educating the whole person for a life of service to God and humanity. Part of that service consists of the rigorous pursuit of truth and transformative research. As a result, the University has a long history of developing innovative graduate and professional programs, colleges and schools, all grounded in the Jesuit mission.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college of the University. It consists of 19 academic departments, 27 interdisciplinary programs, and two academic centers. It enrolls over 2,100 undergraduates and nearly 600 graduate students. It educates its students broadly in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences, offering over 40 undergraduate major programs and 28 graduate programs. The college also provides instruction in foundational arts and sciences disciplines to students in the other colleges and schools of the university.

The Role and Priorities

The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, reporting to the Provost, will lead the College’s academic programs, research activities, fundraising, outreach, finances and other operations. As a member of the Council of Academic Deans and Directors, the next dean will work with other deans and the University leadership team to help lead SLU’s strategic initiatives to foster academic excellence and commitment to the community. The next dean will also play a critical role in enhancing faculty research by promoting collaboration with other academic units, local, state, and national organizations.

In addition to providing collegial leadership, effective advocacy, and transparent and efficient administration, the new dean will be expected: to play an important role in the implementation of the strategic plan and the development of further strategic plans; to be a faithful and creative manager of the resources of the College and an active participant in the efforts to generate new revenues; and to be a clear and compelling spokesperson for the values, programs, and plans of the College, including developing an effective marketing effort for the College.

The Dean represents the faculty, students and staff of the College to the University and to the community, and s/he represents the views of the Board of Trustees, the President, and the Provost to the members of the College. The Dean is responsible for the departmental budgets, promoting the professional development of the faculty, and all academic aspects of the student programs within the College.

The Dean will be expected to foster the highest standards of research, teaching, and service and to strengthen collaborations across the University and with community partners.  Given the current environment for colleges of arts and sciences nationally, the Dean will also be responsible for leading the college in its evolution to remain both competitive and impactful.  Further, the Dean will be a compelling, externally facing advocate for all of the departments within the College.

Contact

Saint Louis University has retained Park Square Executive Search to assist in the search for the next ­­­Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.  To ensure full consideration by the Search Committee, applications should be received by October 20, 2019. To request a full position description, or for nominations, inquiries and applications please contact in confidence:

Kyle Meingast, Principal or

Jonathan Fortescue, Managing Partner

+1 617 401 2991

sludeancas@parksquare.com