Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in Naperville, Illinois at North Central College

North Central College invites applications for the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The College seeks a collaborative, forward-looking academic leader who will provide strategic direction, champion academic excellence, and advance the success of faculty, staff, and students.

The Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative leader of the College of Arts and Sciences and as a visible advocate for its programs, people, and priorities. Working closely with faculty and staff, the Dean provides leadership in curriculum and program development, academic innovation, faculty development, resource stewardship, and the thoughtful growth of the College’s academic portfolio. The Dean will also play an important role in strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration, expanding opportunities for students, and representing the College to internal and external constituencies.

Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Dean serves on the Provost’s Council and the President’s Leadership Council and collaborates closely with the Deans of the School of Business and Entrepreneurship and the School of Education and Health Sciences to advance institutional priorities.

Anticipated Leadership Priorities

The next Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will have the opportunity to:

• Support the institution’s goals around holistic student success by strengthening academic pathways, faculty engagement, advising partnerships, and other practices that support persistence, timely graduation, equitable outcomes, and successful transitions beyond North Central.
• Shape a distinctive Arts and Sciences student experience by fostering excellent teaching, meaningful faculty-student relationships, interdisciplinary learning, and high-impact opportunities that make the College a compelling and memorable part of the North Central experience.
• Contribute to North Central’s goal of sustainable growth and fiscal health by strengthening existing programs, identifying opportunities for new and innovative offerings, aligning academic resources with student demand, and helping advance strategies that grow and diversify revenue in support of the mission.
• Invest in people and academic leadership by helping to attract, develop, and retain outstanding faculty and staff; support department chairs as effective leaders; and cultivate a collaborative culture grounded in shared values, academic excellence, and institutional purpose.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• In partnership with institutional leadership, translate NCForward into a clear strategic agenda for the College of Arts and Sciences, establishing priorities and goals and aligning resources to support their successful implementation.
• Provide leadership and direction to faculty, instructional and program staff, and adjunct faculty in revising, developing and sustaining programs and instructional strategies.
• Build and sustain the faculty and staff capacity necessary to advance the College’s academic mission and strategic priorities through effective recruitment, development, and retention, making recommendations to the provost regarding faculty appointment, reappointment, promotion, and retention.
• Lead the strategic development and growth of the College of Arts and Sciences’ academic portfolio, strengthening existing programs, identifying opportunities for new programs, and advancing innovative initiatives including degree-completion pathways and other approaches that expand access and respond to emerging student needs.

College Oversight and Direction

• Provide leadership, support, and accountability for department chairs, fostering effective stewardship of departmental priorities.
• Use enrollment, assessment, and other institutional data to inform decisions about academic programs, staffing, resources, and future needs.
• Prepare reports on academic issues and trends, including enrollments, and on planning information for academic programs, staffing, and facilities needs.
• Ensure that programs meet appropriate institutional, professional, and accreditation standards.
• Partner with department chairs to identify opportunities for program improvement, curricular development, and strengthened student outcomes.
• Collaborate with fellow deans and other campus partners on the development, staffing, and continuous enhancement of university-wide programs, including General Education, Honors, Engaged Learning, Student Success, and Interdisciplinary Programs.

Resource Strategy

• Provide strategic and responsible stewardship of the College of Arts and Sciences’ financial resources, developing and managing the annual budget in alignment with academic priorities, enrollment needs, and institutional goals.
• Coordinate the use of budgeted funds to ensure appropriate staffing, including balance of full-time and part-time faculty and overload.
• Guide course planning and instructional resource allocation across the College to ensure that academic offerings are responsive to student needs, program requirements, and available resources.
• Evaluate and recommend resource investments in new and existing programs, faculty and staff positions, and other strategic initiatives.

Administrative and Supervisory Responsibilities

• Foster an environment that supports the professional growth, engagement, and success of faculty and staff, ensuring access to appropriate development opportunities and resources.
• Provide effective leadership, coaching, and evaluation of department chairs, supporting their growth as academic leaders and holding them accountable for advancing departmental and College priorities.
• Oversee faculty and staff evaluation processes with attention to quality, consistency, fairness, and alignment with institutional expectations.
• Make thoughtful recommendations to the provost regarding the appointment and continuation of department chairs and regarding faculty tenure, renewal, and continuance.

Communication, Representation, & External Engagement

• Serve as a visible and effective advocate for the College of Arts and Sciences, representing its programs, faculty, students, and accomplishments to internal and external constituencies.
• Communicate the college’s priorities, strengths, and impact clearly and consistently, partnering with Marketing and Communications to enhance the visibility and reputation of academic programs and faculty.
• Collaborate with Institutional Advancement and the grants office to cultivate philanthropic and external funding opportunities that advance the college’s and institutional priorities.
• Strengthen the college’s external profile through relationships with peer and aspirant institutions, professional organizations, and other partners that support its academic mission and reputation.

Skills and Education

• Candidates should have an earned doctorate in an arts or science discipline and be a strong advocate for teaching, including the use of innovative technology in teaching and learning, and strong mentor for faculty in the areas of research and professional development.
• Candidates should have progressively responsible leadership experience such as department or division chair, associate dean, or dean.
• The ideal candidate will have current knowledge of major issues in higher education, curriculum, faculty/staff development, student success, and emerging trends shaping the future of higher education.
• Candidates should be innovative leaders who can engender the respect and support of their faculty colleagues and colleagues across the campus; demonstrate a collaborative, collegial, but decisive leadership style; develop, plan, implement, and evaluate initiatives; and be open and transparent in dealing with all stakeholders.
• Candidates should have strong oral and written communication skills; excellent interpersonal skills; knowledge of program evaluation and accreditation; experience in program review and assessment; and strategic planning experience.