Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies

An Invitation to Apply for the Position of

Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies

DePaul University

Chicago, Illinois

“DePaul will extend its historical commitment to providing access to higher education by developing new curricular structures that serve the lifelong learning needs of all students. These include . . . continuing education and certificate programs for adult learners and alumni, expanded online offerings, and flexible curricula.”

(Grounded in Mission: The Plan for DePaul 2024)

The Search

DePaul University seeks a Dean of the School for Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) to lead a newly renamed and reorganized school focused on educating adult learners in undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education degree programs that are credit-hour based, market responsive and rooted in liberal arts and sciences. Reporting to the Provost, the Dean will be a key thought leader in developing DePaul’s continuing and professional education programs. The Dean will provide strategic leadership in expanding access to a portfolio of high-quality, affordable academic degree programs that meet student, workforce, and societal needs, as well as deliver academic programs and certificates with alternative access points, including those that address the lifelong learning needs of students and alumni and secure DePaul’s position as a leading provider of graduate and continuing professional education.

DePaul University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) officially launched on July 1, 2019 and represents a new strategic direction for serving nontraditional learners as DePaul responds to the ever-changing landscape of adult higher education marked by new market opportunities, new competitors, and new learning technologies. The School builds upon DePaul’s historical and successful commitment to the “adult market,” or nontraditional learners in the Chicagoland market and beyond who seek to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees and non-degree (but potentially stackable) baccalaureate, post-baccalaureate and graduate-level credentials in service of changing career demands. DePaul aspires to expand its market footprint in professional and continuing education through a more nimble approach to program development and delivery that today’s market requires. SCPS will be a hub for this institutional strategy. The SCPS Dean will work closely with colleague deans from other colleges in charting DePaul’s overall approach to continuing and professional studies.

The ideal candidate will bring proven academic administrative leadership; the ability to engage others in developing and implementing an academic vision for the school; a deep understanding of change management; and demonstrated success with diversity and inclusion efforts. The University and SCPS seeks a leader who will be a visible and active partner with the Provost, SCPC faculty, staff, enrollment management and marketing leaders as well as external partners to develop and launch innovative programs of outstanding quality. The Dean will also lead a dynamic and innovative fulltime and adjunct faculty and dedicated staff, skillfully balancing strategic planning and administrative operations with efficient utilization of financial resources for the optimal benefit of students and the University.


TO APPLY:

Expressions of interest, nominations, and applications, including a curriculum vitae and cover letter describing the candidate's interest in the position, should be sent in confidence to:

Sean Farrell, Partner

Robin Dougherty, Senior Associate

Isaacson, Miller

Washington, DC 20009

https://www.imsearch.com/7225

Electronic submission of materials is strongly preferred. Although the search will remain open until the position is filled, for full consideration we strongly encourage submission of materials by December 1, 2019. DePaul University is an Equal Opportunity employer and encourages diversity in all areas of the campus community.