Job: DEAN

Jobing Description

The University of Vermont, one of the oldest universities in America, seeks an accomplished, inspiring, and collaborative leader to serve as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. This is an exceptional opportunity for an experienced academic leader to advance a critical academic unit within one of the nation's premier small public research universities.

The University of Vermont (UVM) is the only comprehensive university in the state and is a land grant institution, with 13,000 students, including 10,461 undergraduates and 1,490 graduate students. The University combines faculty-student relationships most commonly found in a liberal arts college with the scholarship and resources of a major research institution. It is home to seven undergraduate schools and colleges, an honors college, graduate college, medical school, and a division of continuing education. With more than 80 percent of headcount enrollment at the undergraduate level, UVM is one of about 70 institutions in the U.S., out of over 4,300, that combine a "high research" profile with a "high undergraduate" enrollment mix. The University has attracted a distinguished faculty, and built its research enterprise, growing sponsored research from $65 million in 1999 to $144.9 million in 2010. The UVM campus spans Burlington's highest ridgeline overlooking Lake Champlain, between the Adirondack and the Green mountains. It is surrounded by the small, historical city of Burlington, perennially voted one of America's best places to live.

The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) oversees UVM's largest academic unit. Comprised of 21 departments, 11 programs, and nearly 270 full-time faculty members, CAS offers the bulk of UVM's foundational courses, which ensures that students across the campus have the tools and skills to succeed in their more specialized academic endeavors. The College's budget is over $40 million. As the College's chief academic and administrative officer, the Dean reports to the Provost/Senior Vice President. A collaborative member of UVM's senior leadership team, the Dean is an advocate for the central role of the liberal arts and sciences within the University and for collaboration across the University. The Dean provides intellectual and academic leadership to the CAS faculty and staff in matters related to curriculum, research, development, and student support. The Dean is also a visible face and force beyond the boundaries of the College, working with the other schools and colleges, as well as with UVM donors and alumni to enhance and build external relations between CAS and the larger community. Advertising Copy continued: THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE
This position provides a rare opportunity for an academic leader to define and enhance the role of the Arts and Sciences at UVM and to have a significant impact on the future of the University. The ideal candidate will possess the following personal and professional qualifications:

An earned doctorate in an academic discipline and a stellar record of teaching and scholarship, as evidenced through earned promotion to full professor as a result of substantial peer-reviewed publication, that positions the Dean, as the College's chief academic officer, to lead the faculty in academic endeavors;

A track record of successful academic and administrative management and experience in fiscal management, institutional planning, curriculum development, program assessment, and policy and technology development to enhance academic units within a college or university;

A naturally transparent, consultative, participative, and accessible leadership style, coupled with the willingness to act decisively when consensus is elusive; and a track record of leading a complex organization through a period of significant change;

A balanced respect and appreciation for the arts, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences; the capacity to identify and think strategically about opportunities for creative collaboration; and a talent for bringing others on board and building momentum toward a common goal;

A managerial style that is personable, genuinely collaborative, and inclusive; personal qualities that ensure trust in governance and the highest standards of honesty and integrity; and an inclination to circulate, communicate, listen, and learn;

A knowledge of key issues affecting faculty hiring, tenure, promotion and curricular modernization; as well as an ability to inspire, motivate, develop, and mentor faculty and staff;

An understanding of and respect for other disciplines across the University and a desire to work collaboratively with faculty and administrators to promote UVM's collective goals;

A personal commitment to the education of a racially and culturally diverse student body and a record of recruiting and supporting faculty and administrators to advance the diversity of an institution;

An ability and desire to engage in securing external funding for the activities and programs of the College.

An ability to relate effectively with students; operate a fair and just academic disciplinary process; and a commitment to enhancing student retention and success;

A strong sense of confidence and the wisdom and courage to make difficult choices, based on available data, when needs are abundant and resources are not;

Energy, passion, poise, flexibility, and an abiding sense of humor.

TO APPLY:

The University of Vermont has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. Confidential inquiries, nominations, referrals and resumes with cover letters should be sent in confidence to:
Denise O'Grady Gaffney, Vice President and Director
Carolyn K. Plant, Associate
Isaacson, Miller
263 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02210
4313@imsearch.com
Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.
Job Summary/Basic Function:
Minimum Qualifications:
(or equivalent combination of education and experience)
Desirable Qualifications:
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