Dean/Professor at InsideHigherEd

Position Number:001345Functional Title:Dean/ProfessorPosition Type:Administration - FacultyPosition Eclass:E1 - SAAO I 12 Mo Leave EarningUniversity Information:Located in North Carolina’s third largest city, UNC Greensboro is among the most diverse, learner-centered public research universities in the state, with 18,000 students in eight colleges and schools pursuing more than 150 areas of undergraduate and over 200 areas of graduate study. UNCG continues to be recognized nationally for academic excellence, access, and affordability. UNCG is ranked No. 1 most affordable institution in North Carolina for net cost by the N.Y. Times and No. 1 in North Carolina for social mobility by The Wall Street Journal — helping first-generation and lower-income students find paths to prosperity. Designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, UNCG is a community-engaged research institution with a portfolio of more than $67M in research and creative activity. The University’s 2,600 staff help create an annual economic impact for the Piedmont Triad region in excess of $1B.Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit:The School of Education (SOE)The SOE equips the next generation of educators, counselors, researchers, and leaders to teach, counsel, and advocate in ways that expand opportunity and strengthen communities. The School offers a broad portfolio of academic programs across five departments, including top-ranked offerings in Counselor Education (11th nationally) and Library and Information Sciences (29th overall, with School Library Media ranked 10th). Online graduate programs in education have also earned recognition from U.S. News & World Report.With a student body of approximately 1,500, among the most diverse in the UNC system, roughly 75% are enrolled in graduate programs and 25% in undergraduate programs. As part of UNCG’s mission to provide access to higher education, the School’s student body represents the breadth of experiences and backgrounds of the state and region: 47.1% are the first in their families to go to college, 9.5% come from out of state, and 39.3% come from groups that are historically underrepresented in higher education.Academic Departments and ProgramsThe SOE comprises five academic departments: Counseling and Educational Development (CED), Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations (ELC), Information, Library, and Research Sciences (ILRS), Specialized Education Services (SES), and Teacher Education and Higher Education (TEHE). The School offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs designed to prepare school leaders for a variety of educational settings. At the undergraduate level, students can pursue initial licensure in a range of disciplines, including early childhood, elementary, middle grades, special education, and the arts, often in collaboration with other academic units across campus.Graduate offerings include advanced licensure programs in areas such as school administration, counseling, instructional technology, and curriculum and instruction, as well as post-master’s and post-baccalaureate certificates tailored to emerging needs in the field. The School also provides add-on licensure options and specialized endorsements that support professional development and meet changing state and national standards. The School is committed to preparing highly qualified professionals who are responsive to the changing needs across North Carolina.Position Summary:Role of the DeanAt a time when the field of education is undergoing enormous challenge and change, the next Dean will lead the School of Education (SOE), ensuring effective operation of the administration, and uniting and energizing the School community around a shared identity that conveys the potential of the School. As the face of the SOE, the Dean communicates the vision and mission of the School to the community and professional constituencies while seeking public and private funds to support its goals.The Dean reports to the Provost and will partner with the other nine Deans at the University. As one of the School’s chief academic and administrative officers, the Dean is supported by a talented team of five department chairs, two associate deans (Academic Affairs and Student Success; Research), and one Business Officer. The School’s annual operating budget is approximately $10.5 million, and in FY25 alone, it garnered nearly $6 million in new philanthropic commitments.Minimum Qualifications:The successful candidate will possess the following required qualifications:An earned doctorate in education or a related field and a distinguished scholarly record commensurate with a tenured appointment at the level of full professor in the School of Education at UNC Greensboro.Experience in the administration of a large academic unit, including strategic and financial planning, with a track record of successful leadership.Exhibit skill in long-range strategic thinking and prioritization.Excellence in teaching and mentoring at both undergraduate and graduate levels, with a commitment to inclusive pedagogy and student success.Experience or familiarity with higher education accreditation processes.Proven ability to lead initiatives that promote access, opportunity, and academic success for all learners.Preferred Qualifications:An appreciation for the varied backgrounds and complex needs of undergraduate and graduate students today.A skill in making thoughtful decisions that balance institutional goals with the needs of students, staff, and faculty.The capacity to approach difficult conversations with empathy, transparency, and a commitment to resolution.Strength in engaging community and professional partners in meaningful, ongoing collaborations.An understanding of and commitment to preparing educators to serve schools and communities with varied student populations and needs.Experience connecting academic program design with current and evolving workforce demands.Ability and desire to work within a culture of shared governance.Resilience and vision to bring initiatives to fruition even in times of constraint.Experience with alumni or donor relations, and/or demonstrate the potential for success in this work; strength in storytelling and a desire to engage in fundraising activities.Special Instructions to Applicants:UNC Greensboro has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to support the search. Please submit all inquiries, nominations, and applications (including CVs and letters of interest) through the link below. Jackie Mildner is leading this search with Annah Wells.Applicants should apply here.https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-north-carolina-greensboro-school-education/deanRecruitment Range:Commensurate with experienceOrg #-Department:Dean's Office - ED - 12001Job Open Date:12/01/2025Open Until Filled:YesFTE:1.000Type of Appointment:PermanentNumber of Months per Year:12FLSA:ExemptPercentage Of Time:30Key Responsibility:Provide insightful leadership for the School of EducationEssential Tasks:The Dean of the School of Education serves as a champion for all programs and disciplines within the SOE, furthering the central role of education in fostering innovation and social transformation. The dean must demonstrate a deep commitment to educational excellence and leadership preparation, valuing both disciplinary expertise and cross-disciplinary collaboration that enriches teaching, research, and community engagement.With a focus on inclusive excellence and impact, the dean will work to understand the school’s strengths and areas for growth, while articulating the value of educator preparation, research on learning and development, and the broader role of education in promoting community well-being. The dean will champion the school’s mission to develop educators, researchers, and leaders who make a difference in educational and community contexts, effectively communicating this value to university leadership, external partners, alumni, donors, and policymakers.In all activities, the dean must be collaborative, innovative, and action-oriented, fostering a culture of shared governance and empowerment. By amplifying faculty, staff, student, and community voices, the dean’s leadership will advance.The university’s mission of being an inclusive, engaged, and transformative institution that strengthens learning and life outcomes across the communities it serves.Percentage Of Time:20Key Responsibility:Develop, communicate, and execute a mission and strategic vision for the School of EducationEssential Tasks:As the academic and administrative leader of the School of Education, the dean will develop and implement a clear, forward-looking mission and strategic vision that aligns with UNCG’s institutional priorities and strengthens the School’s role as a leading force in educator preparation, research, and community engagement.The dean will guide a collaborative and inclusive planning process, engaging faculty, staff, students, and external partners in shaping a shared vision that positions the School to meet the evolving needs of schools, agencies, and educational systems across North Carolina and beyond. This vision will highlight the School’s deep commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service, as well as its capacity to lead in areas such as teacher education, counseling, educational leadership, and learning sciences.Percentage Of Time:10Key Responsibility:Lead, Develop, Motivate, and Support talented faculty and staff membersEssential Tasks:The ability to hire and retain a diverse group of high-quality faculty and staff is critical to the long-term success of any university. SOE is fortunate to have passionate, talented, and student-centered faculty and staff members dedicated to the success of students within the school. The dean will contribute to shaping the SOE community by leading efforts to recruit and retain excellent teacher-scholars (both junior and senior faculty members) in education as well as exceptional staff members who all embrace UNCG’s desire to create transformational experiences for its students and prepare them for meaningful lives and engaged citizenship. Simultaneously, the dean will develop targeted strategies to foster the retention of all faculty (tenure-track and non-tenure track) and staff members through motivation, recognition, and ongoing professional development. The dean will work to create a community of trust, support, appreciation, accountability, and open and clear communication within SOE where faculty and staff are engaged, when appropriate, in decision-making processes and feel that their voices are heard, recognized, and respected. It will also be important to ensure that members of the SOE community remain well-versed in the latest advancements or changes occurring across the university. The dean will recognize the importance of shared governance in maintaining transparency and openness of communication within their work and finding ways to implement change efficiently and effectively.Percentage Of Time:10Key Responsibility:Generate and develop the resources for the School of EducationEssential Tasks:As the lead ambassador for SOE, the dean must be a financially astute leader who provides strategic management of the school’s resources and leads efforts surrounding the continued development of revenue streams that are in line with the values and strategic goals of UNCG and SOE so that the college continues to operate sustainably. The dean will position SOE structurally and programmatically to fully realize its potential and maintain transparency and open communication with respect to budgeting processes and decisions.An enthusiastic fundraiser, the dean will be a visible presence beyond the boundaries of SOE. Advocating on behalf of SOE and its faculty, staff, and students, the dean will compellingly communicate SOE’s priorities, needs, and challenges to the university community, alumni, and potential donors and articulate its contribution to the success of the institution’s mission. The dean will promote and champion the work of SOE on the local and national stage, creating relationships across the university and beyond. Additionally, the dean should be prepared to enthusiastically strengthen donor relationships, working with development staff, by soliciting engagement with alumni, foundations, corporations, and philanthropists in order to share SOE’s accomplishments, needs, and dynamic vision for the future.Percentage Of Time:20Key Responsibility:Enhance curriculum, instruction, and research within the School of EducationEssential Tasks:With the rapidly changing landscape of higher education, teacher preparation, and workforce needs across North Carolina and the nation, the shaping and continual improvement of curriculum and research within the School of Education are central responsibilities of the dean. The School’s wide range of degree programs, licensure pathways, and graduate offerings provide significant opportunities for the dean to work closely with faculty to strengthen existing programs, ensure instructional excellence, and align academic initiatives with emerging educational priorities and state needs.The ongoing academic program review process offers an important opportunity for the School to assess and refine its programs, ensuring that they meet the needs of current and future students and remain aligned with the university’s mission and strategic direction. The dean will play a key role in fostering the development of new and innovative programs, including certificates, online degrees, and interdisciplinary initiatives that expand access, increase enrollment, and prepare graduates to excel in classrooms, schools, community agencies, and leadership roles across the education sector.When it comes to research, the dean will build upon the School’s strong foundation in educational and applied scholarship, supporting faculty and students as they engage in studies that advance learning, teaching, leadership, and human development. The dean will promote collaborative and interdisciplinary research, encourage community-engaged projects, and support faculty in securing external funding and pursuing impactful publication opportunities.Finally, the dean will champion the growth of centers, institutes, and partnerships that extend the School’s reach and enhance its research profile, ensuring that the School of Education continues to contribute meaningfully to the improvement of educational practice and policy at local, state, and national levels.Percentage Of Time:10Key Responsibility:Support our student population through to successEssential Tasks:UNCG prides itself in being ranked #1 in North Carolina for social mobility in U.S. News and World Report and the Wall Street Journal, as well as being recognized as both a military-friendly and a Minority-Serving Institution. It is essential for the dean to lead efforts, working with faculty and staff to ensure that SOE maintains, if not increases, the social mobility of its students, ensuring that education remains an accessible pathway to success for all students while focusing on excellence in undergraduate and graduate education. The dean will ensure that proper support structures are in place for students, including first-generation and underrepresented groups, to be successful in their academic pursuits. The dean will find opportunities to embed an inclusive understanding of the lived experience and aspirations of SOE students into the culture of SOE and will incorporate student feedback to do so, for all faculty and staff members to be prepared to best support students. The dean will reinforce a school culture where every student’s unique identity is supported and celebrated, contributing to a holistic educational experience that values and respects the plethora of perspectives within its diverse student population.Physical Effort:Reading - f, Writing - f, Eye-hand coordination - f, Vision-Preparing/Analyzing figures - f, Talking - f, Walking - oWork Environment:Inside