Dean of the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance

The Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy & Governance at the University of Washington has been consistently ranked as one of the best public affairs schools in the world. U.S. News & World Report ranked the Evans School as tied for 4th out of 266 schools of public affairs and 2nd among public universities. The School is a scholarship and graduate education leader in the fields of public policy and public administration — with faculty from top-rated programs in political science, economics, sociology and public policy. To continue and augment its trajectory of increasing influence and recognition in the field, the Evans School seeks a dean to succeed a long-serving and successful incumbent that held the position for 16 years.

With highly respected MPA and Executive MPA programs firmly established and a 15-year-old Ph.D. program growing in prominence, the Evans School presents its next dean with an exemplary platform of graduate teaching and scholarly activity. Building from this considerable base, the new dean will work with the faculty, student body, alumni, supporters and University leadership to expand the School's capacities and influence across both the academy and the public, private and nonprofit sectors. While some initiatives — such as expansion of The Evans School’s course offerings at the undergraduate level — are currently under consideration, the dean will have the opportunity to play a personal and leading role in the establishment of the institution's strategy for the foreseeable future. The next dean will have a strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion across the institution, including across the curriculum. This person will be an active collaborator within the School and with colleagues across the University and industry, developing robust community partnerships and an unrelenting expectation for excellence in every aspect of the School's academic, scholarly and administrative activity.

The Evans School’s new dean will be an established scholar and a strategic leader of people and programs with a track record of success within a highly complex environment. The ideal candidate will possess an earned terminal degree within an applicable discipline and a record of teaching and research commensurate with an appointment to the Evans faculty at the rank of full professor. The search committee also will consider candidates whose contributions as a practitioner and commitment to the study and teaching of public policy and management warrant special consideration. The new dean will demonstrate at least 10 years of progressively responsible leadership and management experience typified by an open and accessible approach. As the chief public representative and leader of efforts to secure both philanthropic investments and strategic partnerships, the successful candidate will demonstrate outstanding presentation and relationship-building skills. The position requires key attributes of successful academic leaders, including a commitment to shared governance, a highly collaborative and transparent leadership style, a successful record of implementing innovative diversity, equity and inclusion best practices and core leadership competencies: an unquestioned integrity, outstanding judgment, an entrepreneurial spirit and strong diplomatic skills. For more information, please visit www.wittkieffer.com.

Confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For best consideration, a curriculum vitae and letter of interest should be submitted by October 25, 2019. Additional information will be requested from semi-finalists and finalists as the process progresses.

Diversity and equity strengthen intellectual endeavors, and these are crucial commitments for successful leadership. Candidates who self-identify as women; people of color; lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer or transgender; or have previous experiences with physical, economic or cultural diversity are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Nominations, inquiries and expressions of interest may be directed confidentially to the consultants supporting the search, Dennis M. Barden, Robert W. Luke and Julia Venetos, via email at UWEvansDean@wittkieffer.com. The consultants can be reached by telephone via Laurie Adams at 630-575-6152.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Commitment to Diversity

The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff and student communities and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint/). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432)