Dean, College of Arts and Letters

The University of Toledo seeks an outstanding leader to serve as its Dean of the College of Arts and Letters. The College of Arts and Letters was recently formed through the merger of the College of Communication and the Arts and the College of Languages, Literature, and Social Sciences. The next Dean has the exciting opportunity to shape the trajectory of the newly combined College. The Dean is the chief administrative and academic officer for the College of Arts and Letters and reports directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Responsibilities

The Dean has direct oversight of all faculty and staff within the College and works to fulfill its educational, research, and service missions. The College is home to a unique variety of undergraduate and graduate programs across the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and it is expected the Dean will understand the importance of and successfully advocate for all disciplines. The Dean is also expected to:

  • Guide the development of the College in conjunction with the University’s strategic plan;
  • Support faculty excellence in teaching and encourage research, scholarship, and creative activity among the faculty;
  • Foster and support the growth of relevant, student-centered, and innovative curriculum and instruction with a strong focus on experiential learning opportunities, distance learning, and cross disciplinary programs;
  • Champion the recruitment of outstanding undergraduate and graduate students and support a vibrant student experience;
  • Further advance an inclusive culture with a strong commitment to valuing and supporting diversity;
  • Promote undergraduate and graduate research;
  • Strongly advocate for the disciplines within the College of Arts and Letters and the importance of the College to the overall University;
  • Understand and appreciate the differences across the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences and support each discipline in their unique pursuit of educational, research, and service excellence;
  • Vigorously endorse interdisciplinary collaboration with units both internal and external to the College; and
  • Foster new partnerships, enhance existing relationships, and articulate a vision that generates investment and support from the community, private donors, and alumni.

Preferred Qualifications

It is expected the Dean will have a terminal degree and academic credentials commensurate with appointment to the rank of full professor. In addition, the ideal candidate will possess:

  • Five or more years of significant administrative experience in higher education;
  • A broad understanding and appreciation for the disciplines within the College of Arts and Letters;
  • A record of excellent scholarship and/or creative activity;
  • Demonstrated success with faculty development and the promotion of research, scholarship, and creative activity among faculty;
  • The ability to effectively collaborate with other academic leadership including colleague Deans and University of Toledo administration;
  • An appreciation for the importance of development and fundraising and a proven track record with advancement or a willingness to learn;
  • Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion amongst faculty, staff, students and key stakeholders;
  • Budgetary experience appropriate to lead a sizeable unit on a university campus;
  • Proven capacity to make strategic decisions surrounding the utilization of finite resources;
  • Evidence of collaboration with faculty and administrators in various disciplines to advance programs and enhance recruitment, retention, and student success efforts;
  • Experience developing interdisciplinary and/or inter‐institutional programs; and
  • Ethics beyond reproach.

The University of Toledo

One of fourteen state universities in Ohio, The University of Toledo was established in 1872 and became a member of the state university system in 1967. The University of Toledo and the Medical University of Ohio merged July 2006 to form an institution with a breadth of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs matched by fewer than thirty universities across the nation. The university currently enrolls 20,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students and has 6,600 employees. Its budget of over $730 million is the third largest among Ohio public universities. The University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

UT’s 255-acre main campus is located in a suburban area and is recognized as one of the most beautiful university campuses in the US. Five other campuses host a wide range of specialized programs and activities, including: The Health Science Campus, which houses the College of Medicine, a university hospital, the College of Pharmacy, and the College of Nursing; Scott Park Campus; Center for the Visual Arts at the Toledo Museum of Art, which is the home of UT’s Fine Arts Department; Lake Erie Research Center; and Stranahan Arboretum.

The University is a Carnegie Foundation Research University (high research activity) and is recognized as a major force in contributing to the discovery of new technology and knowledge. UT offers a vast array of resources for undergraduate, graduate and faculty-led research opportunities with 125 patents and $60 million in research and grants which demonstrate the University’s commitment to the role that research plays in meeting the University’s mission: “to improve the human condition; to advance knowledge through excellence in learning, discovery and engagement; and to serve as a diverse, student-centered public metropolitan research university.”

The past ten years have been a period of unprecedented change. Universities are complex, dynamic, continually evolving institutions, and The University of Toledo has undergone purposeful, dramatic, transformative change. The new leadership team led by President Sharon Gaber and Provost Andrew Hsu is in the process of developing a five-year strategic plan to map out UT’s future success.

Application Process

The Search Committee invites nominations, applications (a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of five or more references), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting The University of Toledo (electronic submissions preferred).  Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications a submitted to the search firm prior to March 13, 2017.

Laurie C. Wilder, President

Porsha L. Williams, Vice President

Jacob C. Anderson, Principal

Parker Executive Search

Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2900

Atlanta, GA 30328

Phone: 770-804-1996 X 111

pwilliams@parkersearch.com || janderson@parkersearch.com

 

The University of Toledo does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, military or veteran status, the presence of a disability, genetic information, familial status, political affiliation, or participation in protected activities in its provision of employment and educational opportunities.