Dean, College of Education and Human Services

Lindenwood University; Saint Charles (MO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Lindenwood University seeks a collaborative, strategic Dean for the College of Education and Human Services, reporting to the Provost within Academic Affairs. The Dean will lead academic and operational strategy, foster partnerships with school districts and community organizations, and advance student success through data-informed improvement.

The role requires strong leadership, budget oversight, accreditation experience, and a commitment to transparent, inclusive governance.

Qualifications

• Prior administrative experience in higher education at increasing levels of responsibility.
• Ability to collaborate across colleges and other units.
• CAEP/CACREP/CSWE/ASHA/DESE familiarity (preferred).
• State agency/licensure relationships (preferred).
• Relationships with regional high schools/administrators (preferred).
• Equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered.

Responsibilities

• Provide academic and strategic leadership for all academic activities and faculty affairs of the college.
• Oversee budget, personnel, and accreditation processes to ensure program quality and compliance.
• Foster relationships with school districts, community partners, and the university community.
• Lead fundraising and advancement efforts in alignment with university priorities.
• Promote student success through high-impact practices and continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Collaboration

Strategic planning

Data analysis

Communication

Higher ed knowledge

Job description

Job Title: Dean, College of Education and Human Services

Division: Academic Affairs

Evaluation Group: Academic Administrator

FLSA Status: Exempt

Reports To: Provost/ SVP, Academic Affairs

Positions Supervised: Varies

Lindenwood University seeks a collaborative, strategic, and engaged leader to serve as the next Dean of the College of Education and Human Services. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to the College, academic excellence, student success, and the professional development of faculty and staff.

The next Dean should be a visible presence on campus who prioritizes building relationships with students, faculty, and staff while taking the time to understand the College’s history, distinctive programs, and existing strengths. This leader will foster a culture of trust through consistency, transparency, shared decision-making, and clear communication regarding decisions and the rationale behind them.

With a strong understanding of teaching and learning, the evolving K–12 landscape, graduate education, and human services, the Dean will strengthen partnerships with local school districts and community organizations, use data to assess program effectiveness and inform continuous improvement, and encourage thoughtful innovation. As a strong advocate for the College within the University and the broader community, the Dean will provide the vision, confidence, and decisive leadership necessary to advance the College’s academic, operational, and financial goals.

Job Summary

The dean provides academic and strategic leadership, administration, direction, planning, and evaluation for all academic activities and faculty affairs of the college.

Essential Job Functions and Performance Indicators

The intent of this job description is to provide a representation of the types of duties and level of responsibility that will be required of positions given this title. This job description shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be directed to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Teaching and Learning

• Undertakes and monitors initiatives to improve student learning both in and beyond the classroom, including intentionally relating skills to potential employer needs
• Assists students in the development of adaptive thinking and problem-solving skills
• Provides leadership in the utilization of emerging technologies and the effective application of instructional technologies to enhance student learning
• Provides leadership in the use of high impact academic practices that lead to student success
• Oversees the quality of clinical placements, field experiences, and field supervision to support student learning and professional preparation
• Uses licensure pass rates, graduate placement outcomes, and other program data to evaluate effectiveness and guide continuous improvement

Leadership and Strategic Thinking

• Establishes long- and short-term goals for the college and ensures that standards are met
• Creates a work environment that is mission and vision aligned with the university, as well as creates a university-aligned mission and vision for the college
• Provides on-going assessment, adapts to changes because of new information and responds to trends in higher education
• Oversees the academic, personnel, financial, and administrative affairs of the college
• Oversees and monitors college performance metrics including student retention, persistence, and graduation rates, implementing strategies to support continuous improvement in student outcomes
• Owns financial performance of the college, including budget management, revenue contribution, cost discipline, and strategic resource allocation
• Leads college fundraising efforts through the development and implementation of a college specific fundraising strategy in collaboration with university advancement to meet annual fundraising goals established by the president
• Partners in multi-year financial planning and budget development
• Represents the college on the deans’ council and other faculty committees
• Develops and implements strategies to grow the educator preparation pipeline and human services programs in alignment with workforce needs
• Leads the development and evaluation of alternative certification pathways and educator residency models

Human Resources Management

• Holds final authority for faculty performance evaluations and employment recommendations, informed by department leadership input
• Attends performance evaluation meetings and participates in performance conversations between Departments Heads and faculty
• Assists in the selection, improvement, and promotion of the faculty
• Maintains responsibility for the orientation of new faculty members, and the professional growth of specified faculty and staff
• Manages teaching loads and course offerings within the college
• Conducts classroom observations and provides feedback to faculty members
• Approves hiring and deployment of adjunct instructors
• Reviews and analyzes student evaluations, as well as coaches faculty on areas that need improvement
• undefined

Administrative Duties

• Ensures compliance with institutional, accreditor, state, and federal requirements, including assessment and continuous improvement expectations
• Assists in preparation of annual budget for the college
• Reviews substitutions in course requirements for departmental majors
• Allocates funds, equipment, time and human resources for the highest return
• Approves course schedules and follows pay schedules for adjuncts
• Met with prospective students, oversees college recruitment efforts, and monitors student enrollment and retention data
• Develops and supports strategic initiatives to improve student success outcomes
• Leads and sets agenda for meetings, including holding regular all-college meetings
• Participates in and supports comprehensive fundraising efforts, including donor relations, grant development, sponsorships, and other opportunities that benefit the college financially
• Oversees academic program portfolio review, including evaluation of program quality, market demand, enrollment performance, and strategic recommendations for growth, revision/fix, or discontinuation/sunset
• Oversees professional accreditation and compliance with applicable state approval, certification, and licensure requirements
• Monitors changes in state policy affecting educator preparation and human services programs and guides appropriate program adjustments

Communication and Collaboration

• Supports the mission of the university and serves as an ambassador of the Q2 culture of service excellence
• Communicates college and university priorities to all faculty and staff
• Maintains a high level of communication and collaboration with marketing regarding academic programming, promotion of college initiatives, and enrollment-related efforts
• Engages in effective university advancement, alumni affairs and advocacy on behalf of the institution
• Attends and participates in required institutional events and activities, including but not limited to Mane Event, Discover Your Roar, Welcome Week Activities, Honors Convocation, Graduation, and other designated university functions
• Builds and sustains strategic relationships with external partners, employers, community organizations, and professional organizations that advance academic, enrollment, and workforce objectives
• Partners with enrollment management and student affairs to support recruitment, retention, persistence, graduation, and post-graduation outcomes
• Builds and maintains partnerships with school districts and community organizations to strengthen recruitment pipelines, clinical placements, educator residencies, and graduate employment opportunities

Job may require other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

An equivalent combination of education, training and experience will be considered. Additional requirements may be designated by position.

• Prior administrative experience in higher education at increasing levels of responsibility
• Ability to collaborate across colleges and other units
• Solution-oriented mindset
• CAEP/CACREP/CSWE/ASHA/DESE familiarity (preferred)
• State agency/licensure relationships (preferred)
• Relationships with regional high schools/administrators (preferred)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

May be representative, but not all inclusive, of the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the job competently.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures
• Strong leadership, collegial, and collaborative skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with the community, faculty, students, staff and board of directors
• Strong analytical, organization and creative skills
• Strong initiative and interpersonal skills
• Understanding of emerging technologies and the effective application of instructional technologies to enhance student learning
• Understanding of contemporary issues in higher education
• Understanding of high impact academic practices that lead to student success

Work Environment

Environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of this job’s functions.

• General office setting

Physical Abilities

The physical demands described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform this job’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Ability to sit at computer for extended periods of time daily
• Ability to communicate effectively with others through speaking, listening, reading, and writing
• Regular attendance is a necessary and essential function