Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

The University of St. Thomas (UST) invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The University seeks a leader with evidence of visionary and inspirational leadership, a passion for Catholic intellectual tradition, a commitment to collaboration, and the ability to build meaningful relationships across the College and institution.

Founded in 1885 by Archbishop John Ireland, UST first opened as the St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary to serve the region’s growing immigrant population. Since its inception, the University’s mission, inspired by Catholic intellectual tradition, has been to educate students to be morally responsible leaders who think critically, act wisely, and work skillfully to advance the common good. The University has experienced tremendous growth since and is now the largest private university in Minnesota and a top 20 national Catholic university. Today, the University has approximately 1,000 staff, 425 faculty and about 9,500 students enrolled from 47 states and 92 countries, about 60 percent of whom are undergraduates. UST sits in the heart of the thriving Minneapolis-St Paul Metro area with a vibrant cultural and corporate community.

The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest unit on campus with more than 5,000 students. There are 38 academic departments and interdisciplinary programs with more than 250 tenured and tenure track faculty and close to 200 adjunct and contingent faculty members as well. Undergraduate programs include 110+ majors and minors and offer 15+ graduate programs for career growth, personal fulfillment and advancement across the following areas of interest: Art History, Catholic Studies, English, Creative Writing, Music Education, Public Safety and Law Enforcement Leadership, and Spanish. As a student-centered unit with a strong faculty formed in the teacher-scholar model, the College of Arts and Sciences believes that an ethical and academically excellent learning environment is marked by the interaction of differing perspectives and experiences among its members.

Reporting to and working alongside the Executive Vice President (EVP) and Provost, and in collaboration with Deans from other units, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will have responsibility for strategic programming, fundraising, and management operations that support the mission and vision of the College and its role within the University. The Dean will have a distinguished record of teaching and scholarship, strong interpersonal skills, demonstrated administrative ability, an empowering management style, and the capacity to integrate diverse interests and create a common vision. The ideal candidate will bring vision and inspiration as a leader who can successfully navigate the challenges and opportunities of the UST College of Arts and Sciences with an understanding of the power and importance of a liberal arts education. For consideration, the candidate must possess an earned Ph.D. or other terminal degree and a record of scholarship and accomplishment commensurate with appointment as full professor at UST.

While applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is filled, interested parties are encouraged to submit a curriculum vitae and a letter describing your interest in and qualifications for the position as soon as possible. Rosa Morris, Lead Consultant, and Dayna Keene, Senior Associate, are partnering with the institution on this search. All nominations and applications should be sent electronically via e-mail (Microsoft Word or PDF attachments strongly preferred) to: UST-CASDean@kornferry.com

Please note, by December 8, 2021, all University of St. Thomas employees must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Limited exemptions will be made for medical and religious reasons.

The University of St. Thomas embraces diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity for all. Our convictions of dignity, diversity and personal attention call us to embody and champion a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. We welcome applicants of diverse races, ethnicities, geographic origins, gender identities, ages, socioeconomic backgrounds, sexual orientations, religions, work experience, physical and intellectual abilities and financial means.

We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. This commitment is consistent with our university mission.