Dean, College of Education and Social Work

Dean, College of Education & Social Work

 

Join a vibrant campus community whose excellence is reflected in its diversity and student success. West Chester University of Pennsylvania invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Education & Social Work. Founded in 1871, West Chester is a public, regional, comprehensive university and one of the fourteen campuses of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. WCU enrolls more than 17,000 students, is supported by 983 full and part-time faculty, and is organized into five colleges: Arts and Humanities; Business and Public Management; the Sciences and Mathematics; Education and Social Work; and Health Sciences. Additional divisions include the School of Music and the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies. The University is located 25 miles west of Philadelphia and strategically located in the center of the mid-Atlantic corridor between New York City and Washington, DC, with easy access to major cultural and commercial institutions and recreational activities. West Chester University enjoys the benefits of both the rich cultural life of a major city and the charm of a thriving county seat. 

 

West Chester University's College of Education & Social Work is a newly reorganized college that includes Teacher Education, Counselor Education, Social Work, and other select professional education programs, such as Literacy Education and Special Education. The core emphasis of all the programs in the College is to prepare students to become confident, caring and highly effective professionals. The major goal is to have students graduate ready to be a leader in their field, whether it is as a teacher, counselor, social worker, clinician, or other service-minded professional. This is accomplished through the commitment and expertise of a nationally and internationally respected teaching-oriented faculty and staff. The College consists of a total of 89 tenured and tenure track faculty members and 31 staff. The College offers a diverse array of accredited programs to more than 3,300 students enrolled in 7 undergraduate, 11 graduate and 1 doctoral degree program(s).  The Bachelor and Master in Social Work (B.S.W. and M.S.W.) and the M.S. in Transformative Ed & Social Change are also offered at the Philadelphia campus, located in the heart of Center City.  Many minor and specialized certificate programs to further prepare students for professional careers and graduate programs are also offered.

 

The Dean is the principal spokesperson and advocate for the College, main campus and satellites, and sits on the Academic Affairs Council and Administrative Council to formulate and implement university policies and strategic plans. The Dean of the College of Education & Social Work is responsible for the review of curricula and programs, staffing, budgeting, oversight of all operational functions of the College, alumni cultivation and fundraising. Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Dean functions as the University’s primary representative of the College’s disciplines to the external community. As Dean of the College, they must also be committed to collaborative, ethical leadership and skilled in human and financial resource management, as well as strategic planning. As chief academic officer of the College, the Dean provides leadership to advance the educational and scholarly missions of programs in the College and fosters an inclusive environment that encourages an academic climate that is responsive, student-centered, innovative, entrepreneurial and values diversity.

 

The Dean will possess an earned doctorate in a field that is represented in the College of Education & Social Work or a complimentary field; leadership experience in an administrative role demonstrating the capacity for comprehensive vision, bold action and effective execution of decisions reflecting judgment, wisdom and foresight; and a commitment to diversity and inclusion objectives. Preferred qualifications include experience as a chair or program director in a large department or institution and a record of quality teaching, scholarship and have the qualifications necessary for appointment to full professor within the College; extensive track record of successful fund raising; experience within a collective bargaining and shared governance environment; and proven expertise and experience with specialized accreditation processes.

  

The search committee will accept confidential applications and nominations until the position is filled. Screening of candidates will begin immediately. Applicants must successfully complete the interview process to be considered as a finalist, which includes a questionnaire (available upon request and/or at the time of application). For best consideration, applications and nominations should be provided before August 15, 2019. An application should include a letter describing relevant experiences and interest in the position (please limit to three pages); a resume; and the names of five references, with titles, addresses, business and home telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Submission of materials as a PDF attachment is strongly encouraged. Individuals wishing to place names in nomination should submit a letter of nomination, including the name, position, address and telephone number of the nominee. Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc., an executive search firm, is assisting the University in the search.

Applications and letters of nominations should be submitted to:

Jan Greenwood, Partner

Julie Holley, Senior Executive Search Consultant Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc.

42 Business Center Drive, Suite 206

Miramar Beach, FL  32550

Phone: 850 650-2277

Fax: 850 650-2272

Email: jangreenwood@greenwoodsearch.com

Email: julieholley@greenwoodsearch.com