Dean, College of Education

The University of Northern Iowa’s (UNI) College of Education, the largest provider of teachers in the State of Iowa, is seeking applications for its next dean. The College of Education consists of 1,959 undergraduate students, 430 graduate students, 10 full-time administrators, 100 full-time faculty, and 52 staff members. In addition, there are 810 secondary education students distributed across three other colleges. The College of Education is organized into the departments of Curriculum and Instruction; Educational Psychology, Foundations and Leadership Studies; Health, Recreation and Community Services; Kinesiology; Special Education; and Teaching. The College has 14 centers, institutes, and outreach programs. The dean of the College reports to the provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs.

The dean provides university-wide leadership to support and advance the mission of the College of Education and the University’s educator preparation program which supports all teaching majors, including those distributed across three other colleges. Given UNI’s significant role educating teachers for the State of Iowa, the dean must build partnerships with key State agencies, internal and external constituencies, public organizations, and various communities to ensure that UNI’s educator preparation program continues to meet the needs of the State and the expectations of the students it serves. The dean sets the tone for welcoming diversity in all its forms and supporting University and College diversity, equity, advocacy, and transformative social justice initiatives.

As a skilled administrator, the dean leads the College’s strategic planning and implements changes necessary to respond to an evolving educational and political landscape, while also managing budgets, personnel, and accreditation. An effective collaborator, the dean works with faculty, staff, students, and other academic administrators to advance the University’s strategic goals that are particularly focused on growing enrollment, simplifying the educational pathways for students interested in the various programs housed in the College, and ensuring student success in a diverse, rapidly changing world. The dean effectively advocates for the College, across the campus, State, and region and partners with the Foundation in external fundraising.

Building on its historic excellence in teacher education, the university has developed outstanding programs in business, natural sciences, humanities and fine arts, and social and behavioral sciences with advanced degrees available in many programs. The University’s attractive size, approximately 10,000 students, allows UNI to offer faculty, facilities, and academic choices characteristic of a much larger university while retaining a friendly, small-college atmosphere on a park-like campus. UNI has been recognized for the past 18 years as one of the "Best Midwest Universities" by U.S. News & World Report. Located in Cedar Falls/Waterloo, the campus is comprised of more than 40 buildings on 940 acres. For more information, visit www.uni.edu.

The successful candidate must hold an earned doctorate in a discipline appropriate to the College. Required qualifications include a demonstrated record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and professional service activity that would merit rank of associate or full professor at the time of appointment; demonstrated commitment to building an inclusive environment with evidence of impactful and integrated engagement in equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives among students, faculty, and staff; demonstrated administrative success, including but not limited to strategic planning, change management, fiscal accountability, personnel management and development, and program accreditation; and evidence of strong communication, interpersonal, diplomacy, and collaboration skills.

Preference will be given to candidates with evidence of successful experience in managing significant change within an organization; supporting or leading educator preparation programs; supporting a variety of programs; building partnerships and community engagement; teaching grades PK-12 or educational leadership; and fundraising and alumni relations.

Applications received by November 15, 2021 will receive full consideration. To apply, visit http://jobs.uni.edu/. Inquiries may be sent to Leslie Wilson at 319-273-6240 or leslie.wilson@uni.edu. Pre-employment background checks required.

UNI actively seeks to enhance diversity and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University encourages applications from persons of color, women, individuals living with disabilities, and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, or any other basis protected by federal and/or state law.

 

The University is a tobacco-free campus.