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Job Title: Dean
Department: School of Liberal Arts OR School of Fine Arts OR School of Media and Design
Division: Academic Affairs
FLSA Status: Exempt
Reports to: Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Grade:
Salary Range: $110,000 - $150,000
Union: N/A
General purpose: Reporting to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean is a full-time, staff appointment and is well-versed in the public values of art and design. The Dean works directly with the Provost to develop strategy and process for a wide range of School-wide activities and program opportunities that serve the College. As an academic administrator, the Dean oversees budget, curriculum, personnel, facilities and other general operations for the School. The Dean is responsible for strategic leadership, academic quality, operational effectiveness, and fiscal stewardship.
This is a senior position that oversees the School’s directors and program coordinators and works closely with academic units and offices across the College, as well as the Deans of each school to coordinate academic initiatives. The Dean also works closely with student-centered administrative units across the College, including Admissions, Advising, Institutional Effectiveness, Enrollment Management and Registrar.
As an academic leader, the Dean works collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and institutional leadership to promote the College mission, accomplish School goals, ensure excellence in teaching, scholarship, and student experience and further the success of students and colleagues. To coordinate these efforts, the Dean serves as a member of Provost’s Council.
Summary of Essential Functions:
Management of School budget.
Oversight of accreditation (when appropriate).
Oversight and performance review of faculty and staff within the School, including directors of undergraduate and graduate programs (as appropriate).
Oversight of curriculum and course development process, including assessment, catalog, and academic program reviews at the undergraduate and graduate levels (as appropriate).
Oversight of class scheduling and coordination.
Oversight of student policy review, including course waivers and substitutions.
Other duties as assigned and as specified by each School.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
Provide leadership for curriculum development, revision, and assessment.
Oversee academic program reviews and ensure compliance with institutional standards.
Supervise catalog updates and ensure accuracy of academic offerings.
Guide course development processes in collaboration with faculty.
Ensure learning outcomes assessment processes are implemented and documented.
Promote innovation in pedagogy and program design consistent with institutional priorities.
Supervise and evaluate faculty and staff within the School.
Conduct annual performance reviews and support professional development.
Lead recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, and retention efforts.
Address faculty and staff performance concerns in alignment with institutional policy and collective bargaining agreements (if applicable).
Foster a collaborative and inclusive academic culture.
Develop and manage the School’s annual operating budget, monitor expenditures and ensure fiscal responsibility and align resource allocation with strategic priorities.
Participate in institutional budget planning processes.
Oversee grant-related budgets when applicable.
Lead accreditation processes and ensure compliance with accrediting bodies.
Oversee preparation of self-studies and accreditation reports.
Ensure adherence to regulatory and institutional academic standards.
Maintain documentation related to program approvals and substantive change requirements.
Oversee class scheduling and coordination to ensure efficient use of faculty and facilities.
Monitor course offerings to support student progression and degree completion.
Collaborate with Registrar and Academic Affairs on scheduling logistics.
Oversee, review and make determinations on course waivers, substitutions, and academic exceptions, ensuring consistent application of academic policies.
Address student academic concerns in coordination with faculty and student services.
Support student success initiatives within the School.
Contribute to institutional strategic planning.
Represent the School in institutional committees and external forums.
Collaborate with Enrollment, Advancement, and Student Affairs to support recruitment and retention.
Strengthen partnerships with industry, alumni, and community stakeholders where appropriate.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
Knowledge of:
Higher education governance structures, including shared governance models.
Curriculum development processes and academic assessment frameworks.
Accreditation standards and regulatory compliance requirements.
Budget development, financial forecasting, and fiscal oversight.
Faculty workload models, academic scheduling, and resource planning.
Student academic policies, including waivers, substitutions, and appeals processes.
Performance management principles in academic environments.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion principles within academic leadership.
The curriculum of relevant faculty and staff policies.
Skills:
Strategic planning and aligning academic priorities with institutional goals.
Budget management and financial decision-making.
Supervising and evaluating faculty and staff.
Conflict resolution and complex problem-solving.
Facilitating curriculum review and academic program development.
Accreditation preparation and documentation.
Data analysis to support academic and operational decisions.
Collaborative leadership across academic and administrative units.
Clear written and verbal communication at multiple stakeholder levels.
Ability to:
Lead through influence in a shared governance environment.
Make timely and sound academic policy decisions.
Balance strategic vision with operational execution.
Manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
Foster faculty engagement and accountability.
Maintain confidentiality and exercise professional judgment.
Build consensus while upholding institutional standards.
Respond effectively to accreditation or regulatory review.
Minimum qualifications:
Terminal degree in a relevant discipline.
Expertise in one or more of the fields represented by the School.
Demonstrated academic leadership experience.
Experience managing budgets and supervising faculty.
Knowledge of accreditation standards and academic assessment.
Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in shared governance environments.
Reporting to this position: Directors and Program Coordinators.
Conditions of Employment:
Satisfactory Background Check.
Terms and Evaluation: The Dean serves at the pleasure of the Provost and President. The regular term for Deans is three years, and Deans may serve multiple terms based on the recommendation of the Provost. In the third year, the Dean will receive a comprehensive review by the Provost, who will make a determination of renewal or non-renewal. The Provost will have the option to conduct more frequent evaluations and to provide guidance for improvement at any point during the appointment period.
Deans will not be required to teach as part of their duties, though they may teach an equivalent of one course per semester. The Provost will work with each Dean to determine the appropriate teaching load.
Applicant Instructions: Applicants must submit a cover letter with their application to be considered.
Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.
Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.
MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.
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