Founding Dean, Hobby School of Public Affairs

The University of Houston (UH) is searching for an innovative, dynamic leader to take charge of positioning the Hobby School as a nationally and internationally prominent school of public affairs and public policy. As a founding dean, there are ample opportunities to grow and shape the school where public service is primary. The Founding Dean of the Hobby School of Public Affairs reports directly to the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. Founded in 1927, the UH is the leading public research university in Houston and the second most ethnically diverse research university in the nation. Each year, the university educates more than 40,000 students in more than 300 undergraduate and graduate academic programs. UH awards more than 8,000 degrees annually and has more than 230,000 alumni. Students come to UH from more than 137 nations. Classified as a Tier One institution by virtue of its Very High Research ranking by the Carnegie Foundation, UH is also one of only 300 institutions nationwide to receive the Foundation's highest designation as a community-engaged university. The University of Houston has been recognized both as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian-American serving institution by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education. 

The dean is the senior academic and administrative officer of the school, and is responsible for setting strategic, operational, and financial directions. In those roles, the dean has overall responsibilities for developing an effective collegial environment and plan that supports excellence in teaching, research, and service/engagement. The Founding Dean of the Hobby School of Public Affairs should have: a passion for public policy and an interest in finding solutions; expertise and experience in an important policy area; understanding of the mission and attributes of the Hobby School, including both internal & external dimensions; a dynamic and innovative vision and approach to building the reputation of the Hobby School; media and messaging savvy in all media channels, including print, social media, television, and radio; strong commitment to the Hobby School and the vision to recognize that it is becoming a vital and growing presence on campus, locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally; excellent speaking skills; an ability to promote the Hobby School through fund raising efforts and public relations awareness as well as engage with key stakeholders; and the ability to be an articulate advocate of the vision, mission and uniqueness of the Hobby School.

Qualifications and Experience

The successful candidate will be a nationally recognized entrepreneurial leader or academic scholar able to articulate the narrative of the Hobby School’s diverse accomplishments and aspirations with a sense of common purpose and pride. Experience in addressing the social and economic issues in the widest variety of communities will be highly valued. Applicants with strong leadership experience and outstanding accomplishments in government, public affairs and/or academia are welcomed and will receive serious attention. This is an exceptional opportunity for an individual with the drive, skill, and experience to bring creative leadership to a distinguished organization and to play a critical role in shaping its future. 

In addition, the dean would have the following preferred qualifications: a demonstrated commitment to promoting quality research and scholarship; a strong record and commitment to continuous improvement of student learning and faculty teaching; a strong commitment to fostering community/university collaboration and partnerships; a proven record and commitment sustaining a culture of diversity and inclusion; a demonstrated commitment to faculty and programmatic development; demonstrated leadership in infrastructure development; a strong commitment to shared governance; proven strong communication, management and organizational skills; the ability to articulate the school’s vision, goals, accomplishments and needs to constituents; an entrepreneurial, innovative and global orientation; proven abilities and experience in fundraising/external resource enhancement; a record of exemplary personal and professional integrity; and a demonstrated commitment to cross-disciplinary programs. 

How to Apply 

Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc. is assisting the University of Houston in the search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and will continue until the completion of the search process. Confidential inquiries, nominations, and application materials should be directed to Greenwood/Asher. Submission of application materials (cover letter, resume, and list of five references) as PDF attachments is strongly encouraged. The search will be conducted with a commitment of confidentiality for the candidates until finalists are selected. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. The salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Inquiries, nominations and application materials should be directed to:

Betty Turner Asher, Partners
Ann Bailey, Senior Executive Search Consultant
Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc.
42 Business Centre Drive, Suite 206 
Miramar Beach, Florida 32550
Phone: 850-650-2277 / Fax: 850-650-2272
Email: bettyasher@greenwoodsearch.com
Email: annbailey@greenwoodsearch.com


For more information on the University of Houston and the Hobby School of Public Affairs, please visit http://www.uh.edu/ and http://www.uh.edu/hobby/.

The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The University prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.