Dean, School of Social Sciences

Rice University seeks a distinguished academic leader and administrator to serve as the next dean of its School of Social Sciences and to work in collaboration with an outstanding faculty to enhance world-class research, educate the next generation of innovative leaders and advance a shared vision for transformational social impact.

Located on a bucolic wooded campus in the heart of Houston, Rice combines the resources of a preeminent research institution with the feel of an intimate, student-centered college. Among the nation's leading universities, Rice enrolls approximately 7,000 students, more than half of whom are undergraduates. The university is highly selective; 22 applicants compete for each place in the incoming class. More than 350 undergraduates complete majors in the social sciences annually; an additional 100-plus complete undergraduate minors; and the school awards more than 65 master's and 20 doctoral degrees.

The dean of the School of Social Sciences will provide leadership to 91 tenure track and 26 non-tenure track faculty across seven departments: Anthropology, Economics, Linguistics, Political Science, Psychological Sciences, Sociology and Sports Management. The next dean will be the first to take office in Kraft Hall, which will serve as the new home for Sociology, Economics and several centers and institutes at Rice.

Rice seeks in the next dean a leader who will inspire a pursuit of excellence and passion for creativity; invest in student success and well-being; listen to and learn from others; advance institutional diversity, equity and inclusion; and generate new resources to strengthen the School of Social Sciences.

The dean will work in close partnership with faculty throughout the school and across the university to sustain existing strengths and build new capacity, fostering the success of each department and of the School of Social Sciences as a whole. Learn more and download a complete leadership profile at wittkieffer.com/position/RiceSocialSciences

Applications and nominations are invited, and the search will remain open until an appointment is made. Candidate materials should include a CV, letter of interest and contact information for at least five references. References will not be contacted without candidates’ prior knowledge.

Please direct confidential inquiries, nominations and applications to the search consultants, Robin Mamlet, Philip Tang and Elizabeth Bohan, at RiceSocialSciences@wittkieffer.com.

Rice University is committed to affirmative action and equal opportunity in education and employment. Rice does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or veteran status.