DEAN OF RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE

Wellesley College

Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life

Wellesley, Massachusetts

Over the past two decades Wellesley College has built a national profile in multifaith work through its Office of Religious and Spiritual Life (“ORSL”). Wellesley now seeks a visionary leader who possesses the skills and personal qualities to build on the program’s strong foundation, to enlarge its multifaith mission, and to further broaden and deepen students’ connection between intellectual life, religious and spiritual learning, and wellness in their residential campus community and beyond. The next Dean will build connections throughout Wellesley’s diverse campus community and must possess the character and charisma to be an influential voice among students, faculty, and staff.

Wellesley is a college with a storied history. It has played, and continues to play, a decisive role in shaping leadership models for women. Founded in 1870 by Pauline and Henry Durant to “offer to young women opportunities for education equivalent to those usually provided in colleges for young men,” it opened its doors in 1875 and was the first American college to have a president, faculty, and students who were all women. The College has also played a unique role in redefining the role of multifaith religious and spiritual life on college campuses. In 1993, the Wellesley College community introduced an exciting new model of religious and spiritual life that embraced multifaith religious access as a central tenant of a liberal arts education.

Reporting to the Vice President and Dean of Students, the next Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life will have the opportunity to continue Wellesley’s tradition of innovation in, and commitment to, religious and spiritual life in an increasingly diverse context. In partnership with six chaplains, the Dean will support and advise thirteen different student religious groups that are recognized by the College. The Dean will also encourage multifaith and interfaith engagement through opportunities for students of all faith and non-faith traditions to explore questions of meaning, purpose, wellness, and balance

A search committee, chaired by Sheilah Shaw Horton, the Vice President and Dean of Students, and composed of faculty, staff, and a trustee, has been assembled to identify a new Dean of Religious and Spiritual Life. Wellesley will be assisted by the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller. For more details, including the full position profile and to submit confidential inquiries, nominations, referrals, and applications, please visit the Isaacson, Miller website for the search. Electronic submission of materials is required and can be directed to the individuals below:

 Ponneh Varho or Sabrina Singh at:

Isaacson, Miller

1300 19th St., NW

Suite 700

Washington, DC 20036

www.imsearch.com/6918

Wellesley College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action institution, committed to increasing the diversity of the College community.