Dean, University College, Virginia Commonwealth University

Dean, University College

Virginia Commonwealth University invites nominations for and applications from individuals interested in assuming an exciting leadership opportunity as Dean, University College. Reporting to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the dean will provide vision, leadership and active management to support transformational learning. The person selected for this position will collaborate with college faculty and partners across campus to enhance student success. The dean will provide growth and have the ability to build and create the future of the UC based on the dean’s experience and interests. Balancing institutional priorities with learner needs, the dean will consider the university’s unique culture and diverse student body and encourage excellence in the practice and scholarship of teaching and learning.

VCU is a major, urban public research university with national and international rankings in sponsored research. Located in downtown Richmond, VCU enrolls more than 31,000 students in 220 degree and certificate programs in the arts, sciences and humanities. Fifty-two of the programs are unique in Virginia, many of them crossing the disciplines of VCU’s 13 schools and one college. The VCU Health brand represents the health sciences schools of VCU, the VCU Massey Cancer Center and the VCU Health System, which comprises VCU Medical Center (the only academic medical center and Level I trauma center in the region), Community Memorial Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU, MCV Physicians and Virginia Premier Health Plan. Today, VCU serves an integral role in the economic health of the city of Richmond and the region by educating the current and future workforce, advancing research and enhancing patient care. VCU, its health system and other related entities have cash and investments of approximately $3 billion, which includes $888 million in endowment funds.

The UC’s mission is to enhance student success through curricular innovation and support for learning excellence. The UC serves more than 10,000 new students annually and is focused on teaching and mentoring. Within the UC is the Department of Focused Inquiry. This department offers small, seminar-style classes for first- and second-year students as part of the core curriculum at VCU. The interdisciplinary faculty strives to foster curiosity about the world at-large through inquiry-based, community-engaged, and experiential learning. The Common Book Program is one of the largest initiatives in the UC. Building upon the nationally recognized summer reading program, this new initiative expands the previous program into a university-wide initiative focused on welcoming first-year students into the vibrant intellectual culture of VCU.

The successful candidate will have experience in the following areas: leadership and mentorship; overseeing faculty development and promotion; coordinating with foundational course providers throughout the university; overseeing the financial management, planning and performance of the UC, including faculty and staff hiring; collaborating and partnering with other units and departments; and building community engagement. The candidate will have a doctoral degree or other appropriate terminal degree, excellent oral and written communication skills, five or more years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, and a solid working knowledge of best practices and emerging trends in education, teaching, service-learning and experiential learning. The candidate must have demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.

 

 

Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. The search will be conducted with a commitment of confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. Greenwood/Asher & Associates Inc. is assisting VCU in this search. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. Submission of materials as PDF attachments is strongly encouraged. Confidential inquiries, nominations and application materials should be directed to Greenwood/Asher. Basic personal and demographic information must also be submitted to VCU’s job site https://www.vcujobs.com/postings/67178

 

Applications and letters of nominations should be submitted to:
Jan Greenwood, Betty Turner Asher, Partners

Kelly Ervin, Executive Search Consultant

Greenwood/Asher & Associates Inc.

42 Business Centre Drive, Suite 206

Miramar Beach, FL 32550

Phone: 850-650-2277 / Fax: 850-650-2272

Email: jangreenwood@greenwoodsearch.com

Email: bettyasher@greenwoodsearch.com

Email: kellyervin@greenwoodsearch.com

 

 

For more information about Virginia Commonwealth University please visit: http://www.vcu.edu/

 

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, veteran’s status, political affiliation or disability.