Dean, Honors College at InsideHigherEd

Position Title:

Dean, Honors College

Job Posting Number:

2026051TTL

Job Location:

San Marcos

Department:

McCoy College of Business

Position Description:

Texas State University invites applications for a visionary, student-centered, and collaborative leader to serve as the next Dean of the Honors College. The Dean will provide strategic leadership to an innovative Honors College and the university-wide IDEA Center supporting undergraduate research. This role presents a unique opportunity to reimagine honors education in ways that fosters experiential learning and community engagement, broadens access and enables student success, and aligns with emerging national trends and Texas State’s R1 aspirations.

About the Honors College and IDEA Center:The Honors College at Texas State is a vibrant, interdisciplinary community that serves approximately 2,000 students. It offers a flexible curriculum that includes core and departmental honors courses, upper-division seminars, independent studies, and capstone experiences. Students may graduate from the Honors College or earn a minor in Honors Studies.

Guided by the principles of project-based learning, transdisciplinary collaboration, and civic engagement, the Honors College positions itself as a hub of creative inquiry and public impact. It is committed to broadening access and participation in honors education for all students through recruitment, flexible pathways for transfer students, and the removal of barriers to entry and completion.

The Honors College includes the IDEA Center (Innovation – Discovery – Exploration – Analysis), a university-wide initiative housed in the Alkek Library that enhances undergraduate engagement in research and scholarly activity. Through structured research courses, faculty-directed research projects, and fellowship advising for national awards, the IDEA Center encourages discovery and academic achievement.

Key Responsibilities (Duties):

• Provide academic, strategic, and administrative leadership to advance the mission of the Honors College and IDEA Center.
• Promote experiential, project-based, and community-engaged learning opportunities aligned with institutional student success goals for retention, graduation, and post-graduation success.
• Foster interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to honors curriculum and undergraduate research, consistent with national best practices.
• Develop pathways and practices for all students to expand honors participation by working closely with academic departments and colleges.
• Support recruitment activities in collaboration with University Admissions.
• Support faculty in developing innovative, collaborative honors courses and research experiences.
• Manage program budgets, staff, and facilities, including spaces in Lampasas Hall (Honors College) and the Alkek Library (IDEA Center).
• Collaborate with academic departments and colleges and the Offices of Academic Innovation, Student Success, Education Abroad, EXC2EL, and Academic Success, to implement high-impact student success initiatives.
• Represent the Honors College in strategic university planning, development, and external partnerships.
• Communicate the vision of Honors College effectively to internal and external stakeholders and engage with University Advancement in fund raising activities.

For more information on the responsibilities and role of the academic dean at Texas State, please visit AA/PPS 01.02.10, Role of the Academic Dean.

Required Qualifications:

• Earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution.
• Academic credentials and scholarly achievements consistent with a tenured appointment at the rank of professor in an academic unit.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in higher education, with a record of innovation in honors education and undergraduate research, or academic student success initiatives.
• Successful experience managing and mentoring staff and faculty members.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience managing externally funded programs or centers.
• Proven success attracting competitive funding from foundations, agencies, and donors.
• Evidence of successful faculty mentorship and student engagement in high-impact practices.
• Strong knowledge of national honors education trends, experiential learning models, and strategies to broaden student access and participation.
• Experience implementing and operationalizing change that impacts a range of stakeholders.

Application Procedures:

For additional information and to view the search profile, please visit https://www.provost.txst.edu/honors-college-dean-search-info.html#

The confidential review of credentials will begin immediately. Only applications submitted through the Texas State University website will be considered: https://jobs.hr.txstate.edu/postings/54516

Please submit the following materials by November 30, 2025:

• A letter of interest.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Unofficial transcripts (all in one document).
• Contact information for at least three professional references.

The selected candidate will be required to provide official transcripts from all degree granting Universities.

Proposed Start Date:

July 1, 2026, or earlier if circumstances allow.

Posting Date:

10/14/2025

Review Date:

11/30/2025

Open Until Filled?:

Yes

Legal Notices:

Texas State University is committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal or state law in employment, educational programs, and activities and admissions.

Employment with Texas State University is contingent upon the outcome of record checks and verifications including, but not limited to, criminal history, driving records, education records, employment verifications, reference checks, and employment eligibility verifications.

This position may conduct research on critical infrastructure depending on the research focus of a hire. Consistent with the requirements of the State of Texas, individuals conducting research on critical infrastructure will be subject to pre-employment, and then subsequent routine background checks/cybersecurity screenings. Employment will at all times be contingent upon the successful completion of these screenings in accordance with State and University requirements.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. The University will not sponsor or assume sponsorship of any candidate requiring a petition for a H1B employment visa.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you experience accessibility issues or require alternative formatting during the application process due to a disability or underlying condition, we request that you contact Talent Acquisition for assistance. A representative from Talent Acquisition will respond to you as soon as possible.

Record Checks and Verifications:

Employment with Texas State University is contingent upon the outcome of record checks and verifications including, but not limited to, criminal history, driving records, education records, employment verifications, reference checks, and employment eligibility verifications.

Eligibility for Employment:

Proper documentation of identity and eligibility for employment will be required before the hiring process can be completed.

Why Work at Texas State?:

Texas State University is home to more than 38,000 students and 2,000 faculty members in the growing Austin-San Antonio corridor. A member of the Doctoral Universities: Higher Research Activity Carnegie classification, the university creates new knowledge, fosters cultural and economic development, and prepares its growing population of diverse students for the endless possibilities that await them as citizens of Texas, the nation, and the world.Bolstered by research with relevance and innovation in creative and scholarly work in a full range of academic disciplines and a spirit of inclusiveness, Texas State seeks outstanding candidates for a variety of faculty positions.

Quick Link:

https://jobs.hr.txstate.edu/postings/54516