Dean, The Johns Hopkins University School of Education at InsideHigherEd

Johns Hopkins University seeks the next dean of the School of Education. The leadership role requires a visionary leader with a distinguished record of achievement in research, education, and administration who demonstrates innovative thinking, entrepreneurial drive, and a deep commitment to academic distinction and interdisciplinary collaboration. The ideal candidate will be future-oriented, guiding people toward a shared vision while bringing the community along through engaging storytelling and a spirit of curiosity and humility.Founded in 2007, the School of Education has achieved a period of remarkable progress and recognition, building upon the foundation of a century of Johns Hopkins' preparation of educators to make a difference in the lives of children, youth, and adults. The School is driving evidence-based change in our schools and communities and is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation's best education schools. The School's achievements include distinguished research and development centers, a large and growing sponsored research portfolio ($47M in new awards in FY25), Henderson-Hopkins—a K–8 public contract school serving East Baltimore—and world-renowned graduate programs, including several master’s degrees, an individually tailored PhD program, and a fully online EdD. These programs prepare professionals to work across a variety of settings, including early childhood centers, K-12 schools, community mental health agencies, hospital settings, and higher education institutions.The School, located on Johns Hopkins University's Homewood campus in Baltimore, Maryland, with satellite campuses in Washington, D.C., enrolls approximately 1,100 students each year and maintains a global alumni network of over 24,000 that is actively engaged in shaping student outcomes and influencing education policies around the world. Due to generous gifts, the School has secured its first three endowed professorships, completely renovated its facility on the Homewood Campus, and expanded financial aid while introducing innovative new master's programs designed to equip education professionals with research-driven training. In 2024, Johns Hopkins’ Board of Trustees unanimously endorsed the establishment of the School's inaugural tenure committee, a milestone for maintaining the highest standards of faculty excellence. The School is home to numerous important research centers: the Center for Research and Reform in Education, the Center for Social Organization of Schools, the Center for Technology in Education, the Center for Safe and Healthy Schools, and Institute for Education Policy. From educational pluralism to the turnaround of troubled school programs, faculty members are bringing cutting-edge ideas to school reform that are being recognized as national and international models.John Hopkins University was founded as the nation’s first research university on the principle that pursuing big ideas and sharing knowledge make the world a better place. The University has approximately 6,500 faculty, 6,200 undergraduate students, and 17,600 graduate students arrayed across 260 degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels. Perennially ranked as the nation’s leader in annual research expenditures, the University has consistently achieved this standard through excellent academic leadership, committed faculty and students, innovative international programs, high levels of collegiality, and exceptional interdisciplinary collaboration. The University’s endowment is approximately $13.1 billion. Together, the Johns Hopkins Institutions, which includes the university and the Johns Hopkins Health System, are the largest private employer in Baltimore and Maryland and have broad economic, social, and cultural ties to its hometown. Johns Hopkins employs 58,000 people across Maryland, and delivered an estimated $40 billion in economic impact in Maryland in 2024. The PositionThe dean will lead the School of Education through this crucial period of strategic implementation and institutional renewal, driving distinctiveness and pursuing excellence while nurturing a cohesive and collaborative community that positions the School as a premier leader in educational scholarship and practice. The ideal candidate will be able to:Advance the school’s academic vision: Lead efforts to identify new and deepen existing areas of research expertise; recruit, retain and mentor world-class faculty; and inspire continuous improvement at all levels of the school.Provide leadership for educational programs: Guide the continued development and excellence of degree programs to meet evolving educational needs, with demonstrated experience and success in new program growth. Ensure a quality experience for all students while leading the enhancement of doctoral programs.Build strategic partnerships: Foster collaboration across the university with initiatives such as the Data Science and AI Institute and the new School of Government and Policy, while nurturing community partnerships including the Henderson-Hopkins School and Teaching Well program, and develop relationships with national and local organizations.Serve as an influential public presence: A visible leader in policy and practitioner realms, leveraging the School's proximity to state and federal education departments to forge new opportunities regionally and nationally.Manage institutional operations: Organize and develop systems of support for faculty, staff, and students while leading the School through its ongoing renovation.Ensure financial sustainability: Manage resources wisely with sound budgetary controls while serving as a strong fundraising partner, dedicating significant attention to cultivating donors of all sizes and expanding the donor pool for long-term relationship building.Advocate effectively for the School in institutional settings: Understanding organizational culture across the university and fostering a cohesive, high-performing leadership team, leveraging the School’s exceptional autonomy and collaborate on university-wide initiatives.Strengthen pluralism: Enhance a range of perspectives in thought among faculty and students as the foundation of academic excellence and institutional strength.The ideal candidate will have the following professional qualifications:Academic stature: Outstanding scholar with distinguished research, teaching, and service accomplishments commensurate with appointment at the rank of professor. Viewed as at the top of their field with demonstrated excellence in mentoring emerging scholars.Academic leadership: Proven ability to foster shared academic vision with substantial institutional leadership experience. Demonstrated success managing significant budgets, supervising faculty, recruiting senior scholars, and leading program development. Track record of driving innovation necessary to thrive in changing educational landscapes and building on community-developed strategic visions.External engagement: Well-recognized for contributions to education with demonstrated ability to engage policymakers, practitioners, and diverse stakeholders on critical educational issues. Experience building visibility and influence beyond the academy.Partnerships and Public Education Engagement: Track record of building productive collaborations across disciplines, institutions, and communities. Experience fostering relationships with  educational organizations and university partners to advance educational outcomes. Broad understanding of  education systems and policies—and the ability to strengthen connections between the School and state and federal education funders.Entrepreneurial acumen: Experience with fundraising and stewardship efforts through engaging, succinct, and inspiring storytelling. Proven ability to articulate the School's mission to donors, secure external funding, and identify opportunities to elevate institutional profile.Effective communication: Accessibility, curiosity, and humility in interactions combined with the ability to communicate effectively with faculty, senior administrators, trustees, staff, students, alumni, donors, and other constituents. Demonstrated ability to bring diverse groups along toward a shared vision.   Nominations and ApplicationsJohns Hopkins University has retained Park Square Executive Search to assist in this search. Materials should be sent electronically via e-mail to the university’s consultants, Dr. Jonathan Fortescue and Emily Rodricks of Park Square Executive Search at [email protected] and [email protected]. Johns Hopkins University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to recruiting, supporting, and fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students. All applicants who share this goal are encouraged to apply.