Dean of the College of Design

Dean of the College of Design

The University of Minnesota (UMN) invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Design.

The UMN College of Design is committed to addressing emerging issues, identifying problems, framing creative approaches, and generating solutions using creativity, diversity, and advancing technology — all while adhering to socially responsible, sustainable principles, and inclusive collaborative design processes. The College’s vision is to create resilient infrastructures, healthy and inspiring environments, and products whose life cycles involve ethical sourcing, sustainable development, and inventive re-use with the integral focus of research. The College executes this vision by prioritizing the values of cultural and intellectual diversity, collaboration, resiliency, accountability, and continued education. While its disciplines range in age from five to over 100 years old at the University, the College was created through university restructuring in 2006.

The Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer for the College and plays a collaborative leadership and advocacy role in campus-wide academic affairs. The next Dean must have the ability to work across disciplinary boundaries inside and outside of the school. They will work to build upon the cultural and structural commitment to design justice, equity, and inclusion. The dean will be responsible for the recruitment and retention of a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff.

The ideal candidate will be an experienced, collaborative, and intellectual leader who is energized by the spectrum of disciplines represented in the College. They should possess an ability to inspire and implement an ambitious, unified vision by building a community of trust, while also stewarding the operations and infrastructure of the College. Candidates should demonstrate sound judgment in decision making and the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences. The next dean will demonstrate creativity in the generation and allocation of resources, especially through fundraising efforts, to align with the mission of the College. Candidates must have an earned doctorate or other terminal degree from an accredited higher education institution and experience and accomplishments commensurate with appointment as a tenured professor at the University.

UMN is a comprehensive public research university that is ranked among the world’s most respected institutions of higher learning. The University has an annual operating budget of $4.2 billion and enrolls 68,000 students. UMN has scholars of national and international reputation as well as a strong tradition of education and public engagement. With five campuses located throughout Minnesota—the Twin Cities, Duluth, Morris, Crookston, and Rochester—the University advances discovery and innovation to improve society for all. UMN has the special distinction of being both a globally engaged R1 research institution and Minnesota’s land-grant university, creating a unique capacity and responsibility to improve the lives of Minnesotans and drive the state forward.

Applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is filled, but interested parties are encouraged to submit a letter of interest and curriculum vitae by February 28, 2023 via e- mail to Korn Ferry at UMN-DeanCOD@KornFerry.com

The search is being supported by Rosa Morris, Senior Client Partner and Sophia Carr, Senior Associate.

All applications will be held in strict confidence. 

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

The University is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in supporting the academic mission and is committed to attracting and retaining employees of varying identities backgrounds, and perspectives. Candidates with backgrounds and identities underrepresented in public health are particularly encouraged to apply.

To learn more about diversity at the UMN: http://diversity.umn.edu.