VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND DEAN OF THE FACULTY

VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS AND DEAN OF THE FACULTY

BATES COLLEGE

Lewiston, Maine

Bates College, one of the nation’s leading liberal arts colleges, seeks a visionary, strategic, and collaborative Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty (“the dean”). Reporting to President Clayton Spencer, this is the top academic position in the college, and the search comes at a dynamic moment for Bates. The college recently completed an institutional plan and launched the largest fundraising campaign in its history. Bates is also expanding faculty and student diversity, building a more inclusive campus, and addressing an array of curricular and governance issues of central importance to the faculty.

Founded in 1855 by abolitionist Freewill Baptists, Bates has been coeducational from its founding, and it has always welcomed students regardless of race and ethnicity. The college’s commitment to academic excellence, intellectual exploration, and engaged citizenship defines its character. Today, Bates is guided by three strategic priorities: a rigorous and engaged liberal arts education that centers on deep and sustained interactions among students, faculty, and community; a commitment to opportunity and excellence that grows directly out of Bates’ history and mission and responds to contemporary geographic, demographic, and economic realities; and purposeful work, built on the premise that preparing students for lives of meaningful work lies at the heart of the liberal arts mission.

As Bates pursues an ambitious set of strategic goals, the dean will be a key thought partner to President Spencer and an advocate on all matters related to faculty and the academic program. In its next dean, Bates seeks a strong intellectual and administrative leader, an accomplished teacher and scholar, and a passionate advocate for the liberal arts. The next dean will support a strong faculty culture, manage a complex academic enterprise, work with faculty across disciplines and fields to ensure the dynamic evolution of the curriculum, and partner with the senior leadership team on the strategic direction of the institution. The successful candidate will possess a demonstrated record of innovative leadership, with excellent communication and problem-solving skills, and a history of successful collaboration across academic and institutional boundaries. Experience developing and implementing academic policies, programs, and scholarly activities is desired, as is experience in faculty development.

Please direct all inquiries, expressions of interest, and nominations in confidence to: Ponneh Varho, Vice President; and Jennifer Carignan, Senior Associate at Isaacson, Miller: www.imsearch.com/6274.

Bates College is committed to enhancing the diversity of the campus community and curriculum. We encourage members of historically underrepresented groups to apply and are committed to hiring individuals who value a diverse and inclusive work environment. Bates is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.