Dean of Arts and Sciences jobs in Kansas

Description

University Overview: 

MidAmerica Nazarene University (MNU) is a private, liberal arts university with a variety of undergraduate, graduate and adult education programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  Located in the Kansas City metropolitan area, MNU seeks to educate students to serve with purpose within the educational context of the liberal arts, and a Wesleyan-holiness theological perspective.  MNU has an enrollment of approximately 1300 students with over half considered traditional undergraduate students.  For more information about MNU, see our website:  www.mnu.edu.

Position Description:

The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) for MNU is responsible for the overall strategic leadership and academic services for programs within Natural, Health & Mathematical Sciences, Arts & Humanities, Christian Ministry & Formation, and Social & Behavioral Sciences.  The dean also provides oversight of the Innovation Academy (Honors Program) and the academic portion of New Student Onboarding. Candidates for this tenure, faculty track (11-month contract) position should be able to demonstrate a commitment to higher education delivered with a Christ-centered worldview within a Wesleyan context, a strong commitment to the servant leadership model, and be able to successfully perform the responsibilities outlined below. This position provides leadership to enhance growth with these programs and expand the institution’s mission. Key attributes to do so include a passion for the liberal arts, extensive knowledge and experience with various forms of innovation, and a strategic approach to development and expansion.

Essential Skills:

• Demonstrate effective verbal communication skills in order to understand and be understood by others while displaying the ability to use appropriate verbal skills for a campus or an off-campus setting.
• Exhibit effective skills in working in complex and high-pressure situations with other members of a management/leadership team to achieve common goals.
• Demonstrate the ability to practice confidentiality with sensitive information.
• Display effective interpersonal skills in assisting to establish a positive climate in the work environment.
• Utilize discernment and sensitivity in navigating complex and difficult scenarios with student, faculty, and personnel concerns.
• Ability to navigate decision-making to support both academic departments and broader university needs and limitations.
• Facilitate the integration of programming across various campus departments through good communication and relational skills that promote and sustain innovative and positive learning and work environments.
• Ability to communicate a clear vision for liberal arts and creatively implement a liberal arts program for all undergraduate students at MNU.

Essential Duties:

• Develop and continuously improve the structure and systems needed for an effective and excellent academic experience for all students.
• Collaboratively cast a vision and provide structure and support for the development and implementation of innovative programming.
• Support academic departments in the revision and implementation of curriculum initiatives.
• Collaborate with university offices to support student success and persistence initiatives.
• Participate in building and implementing leadership development for academic department leaders
• Administer the academic policies and procedures stated in the MNU Faculty Handbook, Academic Catalog, and Employee Handbook.
• Represent the College of Arts and Sciences at various events, meetings, and in strategic planning.
• Ensure consistent delivery models for online offerings.
• Evaluate academic programs, including cost analyses and program enrollments.
• Prepare an annual report for the Board of Trustees describing the status of the College of Arts and Sciences.
• Expand the university’s reach through community engagement.
• Execute other duties assigned by the president and VPAA.

Responsibilities:

• Facilitate strategic development of departmental master plans to advance the institution’s mission and vision.
• Oversee the quality assurance system with faculty in academic programs in CAS and provide oversight for external accreditation.
• Supervise department chairs in CAS.
• Regularly review CAS academic policies to ensure relevancy and effectiveness.
• Oversee the hiring of qualified faculty, adjuncts, and staff in CAS.
• Participate in on-boarding CAS adjunct faculty and ensure quality assurance measures.
• Meet regularly with CAS department chairs and CAS faculty.
• Support development of CAS faculty for rank advancement and career growth including teaching, service and scholarship.
• Oversee annual review of CAS faculty and staff.
• Meet regularly with the VPAA to share CAS issues, concerns, and accomplishments.
• Monitor and improve efficiencies for programs in CAS.
• Serve on the VPAA’s Deans Council.
• Effectively oversee the CAS dean and academic department budgets to ensure fiscal responsibility and return on investment.

Qualifications

Desired Qualifications:

A success applicant will share the university’s mission of Christ centered transformation, a commitment to excellence and innovation, and possess the following:

• A doctorate or equivalent terminal degree from an accredited college or university.

• Demonstrated ability to lead academic programs, including leadership of faculty and management of budget and curriculum.
• Five years’ administrative experience at either the university department chair or dean level.
• Excellence in college-level teaching in the liberal arts and record of engaging in scholarly work.
• Experience in faith integration in teaching and curriculum development
• Evidence of a transparent and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Results oriented and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Proven knowledge of higher education trends.
• Understanding of and experience with multiple course delivery modalities is preferred.
• Systems analysis experience preferred.
• Understanding and knowledge of Higher Learning Commission expectations for traditional and non-traditional programs.
• Exemplary oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Application: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. To apply for this position, send the following documentation to MNU Human Resources at hr@mnu.edu.

• Letter of application
• Curriculum vita
• Names and contact information of at least three professional references
• Graduate transcripts
• Statement of Christian faith, including personal faith history and vision for integrating faith and learning (approximately 2 pages)
• Teaching philosophy
• Description of the candidate’s vision for the College of Arts and Sciences (2 pages maximum)

Questions may be addressed to Dr. Abby M. Hodges, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer at amhodges@mnu.edu

Statement of Faith: MidAmerica Nazarene University is an intentionally Christian Community and desires that all employees in positions of leadership reflect a foundational Christian position in word, attitude, and action. While there is no predetermined length or format for the Personal Statement of Faith, the norm is a one or two-page narrative document describing the applicant’s central Christian beliefs, significant formative influences in the applicant’s Christian experience (e.g., religious experiences of conversion or the affirmation of one’s faith, one’s family and/or home life, spiritual aspirations), and ways in which the applicant’s faith is being demonstrated in daily patterns and practices.

MidAmerica is very much interested in reviewing applications from qualified members of traditionally underrepresented groups in America, including women and racial and ethnic minorities. 

MidAmerica Nazarene University policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, color, creed, national or ethnic origin, marital status, or disability in the recruitment and admission of students and in the operation of all university programs, activities, and services.   Any concerns regarding discrimination on the basis of gender or disability should be addressed to the Associate Academic Vice President, university coordinator of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, in the Academic Offices in Lunn Hall, (913) 971-3573.