DEAN – COLLEGE OF ARTS AND LETTERS

Old Dominion University announces a nationwide search to recruit the next Dean for the College of Arts and Letters.


Old Dominion University, Virginia’s forward-focused public doctoral research university, invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Arts and Letters. Established in 1930 and located five miles from downtown Norfolk, Virginia, ODU offers 168 undergraduate and graduate programs to over 24,000 students through a variety of modalities. It draws students from all over the country and the world because of its picturesque campus, modern facilities, cutting-edge programs, and excellent faculty. ODU boasts a 17:1 student to faculty ratio, allowing students to work closely with 900 distinguished faculty and over 500 professional faculty and administrators spread across 6 academic colleges and a Graduate School. The city of Norfolk – the historic, urban, financial, and cultural center of the region – serves as a living laboratory for faculty and student experiences.


Comprised of more than 5,500 students and around 200 full-time faculty, the College of Arts and Letters has the distinction of being the largest and most diverse unit by discipline on campus. The College leverages those resources to be recognized as an innovative leader in liberal arts education, performing arts, and interdisciplinary studies in the mid-Atlantic region and is known for its ability to prepare students as critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, effective communicators, leaders, and engaged citizens. The College contains 15 academic departments and programs, and is the campus home to the arts, humanities, and most of the social sciences.


The next Dean of the College of Arts and Letters will champion its contributions to the mission of the University and will be a strong public advocate for the continued significance of its diverse disciplines. The College seeks an experienced administrator with innovative approaches for pursuing the goal of a fully diverse and inclusive educational environment. The ideal candidate will have a track record of effective collaborative leadership across faculty, student, administrative, and community groups; a deep commitment to promoting high-quality teaching and scholarship; and ideas for creative fundraising strategies in support of the school’s varied educational and scholarly investments. Academic qualifications commensurate with appointment as a tenured professor in one of the College’s disciplines is required.


The Dean reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and serves as the chief advocate for the College and its faculty. In close collaboration with chairs and other academic program directors, the Dean promotes faculty and program development, innovation in the curriculum, diversity and inclusion, fiscal planning, and fund raising. (More information about the University and the College of Arts and Letters may be found at www.odu.edu.)


While applications and nominations will be accepted until a new Dean is selected, interested parties are encouraged to submit their materials to our consultant at the address below by January 15, 2022, to receive full consideration. Application materials should include a current resume/cv, a letter of interest and a statement on diversity, equity, and inclusion.


Old Dominion University Dean of the College of Arts and Letters Search

R. William Funk & Associates

2911 Turtle Creek Boulevard, Suite 300

Dallas, Texas 75219

Email: krisha.creal@rwilliamfunk.com

Fax: 214-523-9067


Old Dominion University is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, or disability.