Dean of the College of Architecture and Planning

Ball State University; Muncie (IN); On-site; USD 225,000 - 265,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Tuition benefits for employee

MakeMyMove relocation program

Job summary

Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, seeks a Dean for the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning to provide strategic leadership, grow academic and research programs, and advance inclusive student-centered excellence.

The successful candidate will have a terminal degree (or accredited master’s as appropriate), a strong record of scholarship or practice, and proven ability to lead, mentor, and foster collaboration across disciplines and external partners.

Qualifications

• Terminal degree or professionally accredited master's degree as applicable.
• Record of scholarly, creative, or professional contributions.
• Experience with program development, enrollment management, and outcomes assessment.

Skills

Visionary leadership

Strategic thinking

Fundraising

Communication

Collaboration

Inclusive leadership

Decision making

Relationship building

Administrative leadership

Education

Terminal degree or accredited master’s

Job description

Position Title

Dean of the College of Architecture and Planning

Compensation

$225,000 - $265,000

Department

VP Academic Affairs/Provost

About this opportunity

Ball State University seeks an experienced, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve as the next dean of the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning.

Employer will consider sponsorship.

What you'll do and what you'll bring

Qualifications and Qualities

The successful candidate will share Ball State University's enduring values: excellence, innovation, courage, integrity, inclusiveness, social responsibility, and gratitude.

Candidates must hold a terminal degree, or a professionally accredited master's degree considered terminal in the candidate's discipline, and possess a record of scholarly, creative, or professional contributions sufficient to qualify for tenure and appointment at the rank of professor in the Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning.

In addition, the ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and qualities:

• Visionary leadership and a growth mindset. Capacity to develop and advance a strategic vision for the future of the college, combined with the ability to guide growth, innovation, and adaptation amid changing learner preferences, shifting workforce demands, and a dynamic higher education environment. An entrepreneurial mindset and the ability to identify new opportunities and respond creatively to emerging challenges. The ability to set priorities and translate strategy into measurable outcomes.
• Broad understanding of the planning, design, and construction fields. Experience working in interdisciplinary settings and understanding both professional practice and academic environments. Ability to support and advocate on behalf of a wide range of scholarly, creative, and professional activities across those fields.
• Commitment to academic, pedagogical, and design excellence. A record of achievement in teaching, scholarship, creative activity, professional practice, or other accomplishments appropriate to the disciplines represented within the college. Intellectual curiosity, creativity, and a commitment to innovation across these areas.
• Understanding of the built-environment professions. An understanding of the specific and disparate needs of the college's various disciplines and programs. Knowledge of emerging trends in built-environment education, higher education, professional practice, sustainability, design technology, and community-engaged work, and the ability to apply those insights to inform strategies and plans that advance the college and Ball State.
• Academic and administrative leadership experience. A successful record of recruiting, mentoring, developing, and retaining talented faculty, staff, and students. Experience with program development, enrollment management, and outcomes assessment. An understanding of the accreditation, professional standards, and evolving workforce needs associated with the disciplines and programs in the college.
• Commitment to students. Authentic commitment to student success, including experience with programming, mentorship, advising, and support services to help students grow as creative professionals and engaged citizens. An understanding of the value of high-impact immersive learning, experiential education, and student-centered leadership.
• Collaborative and inclusive leadership. Experience leading through change while fostering collaboration and maintaining organizational cohesion. An accessible leadership and management style that fosters trust, accountability, open dialogue, and belonging. Ability to build consensus and community. Commitment to inclusive and transparent decision-making and to enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Exceptional communication and decision-making. Clear, direct, and transparent communication style. The ability and inclination to listen to others. An inclusive, data-informed approach to decision-making balanced with the ability to make timely, principled decisions.
• Fundraising and external relations capabilities. Proven ability or demonstrable potential for success in fundraising, alumni engagement, and external relations. Ability to serve as an effective advocate and spokesperson for the college. Willingness and capacity to work with the Ball State University Foundation, advisory board members, alumni, donors, community partners, and leaders in the built-environment professions to create opportunities for students, support faculty initiatives, and enhance institutional impact.
• Relationship-building and strategic partnerships. Demonstrable ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external constituents. In particular, the capacity to foster effective collaborations with academic partners and alumni; community, civic, and cultural leaders; and professional organizations and industry partners.
• Operational and managerial acumen. Prior experience with financial management and budget oversight, incentive-based budgeting, resource allocation, and human resources management. The ability to build, motivate, and manage high-performing teams and to align financial and human resources with strategic priorities while maintaining operational excellence.
• Integrity and character. Honesty, humility, sound judgment, and emotional intelligence. A willingness to lead by example and an openness to new ideas. Genuine respect for diverse perspectives and the ability to bring people together around a shared mission and goals.

What we offer

At Ball State University, we understand the importance of balancing professional responsibilities with personal well-being. That's why we offer paid 24 vacation days, 12 sick days and 10 holidays a year. Plus, our paid parental leave (6 weeks) is there for life's most significant moments. We offer affordable health and dental insurance, robust long-term disability and life insurance plans, as well a range of retirement benefits to provide financial security to you and your family. These benefits ensure that you can focus on your work and personal growth without worrying about the unexpected.

When you work for us, you are family. And to show our support of your family, we will cover 90 percent of your child's (or children's) undergraduate college tuition at Ball State. We do the same for you. In fact, we'll cover 100 percent of the tuition costs for you to earn your undergraduate degree and 80 percent of your graduate tuition. This offer is good from the very first day you start. It's just one way we do our part to uplift you.

Let's fly together toward a secure and prosperous tomorrow.

Curious about our excellent benefits package?

We have developed a calculator that shows you the value of our core benefits. Select the Total Compensation Calculator - Professional and download the spreadsheet. If you are applying for a 10-month position or one with Burris or Indiana Academy, please select the corresponding calculator.

Relocation Program: MakeMyMove

Looking for a place where your career, community, and quality of life can grow together? Muncie and Delaware County offer the advantages of a university community with the accessibility and affordability of a mid-sized city-short commutes, local arts and culture, parks and trails, educational opportunities, healthcare, athletics, and a strong sense of connection.

Through the City of Muncie's MakeMyMove program, eligible new residents may access relocation incentives, university-related benefits, co-working options, and community-building opportunities designed to help them get settled and connected.

Current benefits for eligible participants may include:

• Up to $5,000 cash for relocation
• Co-working space courtesy of The Innovation Connector
• Access to the Ball State University Library
• One-semester Rec Fit pass at Ball State University
• Discounted Ball State Athletics tickets
• Help desk for connecting to local resources
• Opportunity for board participation
• Six-month YMCA membership

Relocation programs on MakeMyMove have specific eligibility requirements, and benefits may vary by program. Applicants should review the current MakeMyMove page to confirm eligibility, available benefits, and program status.

Ball State's support for relocation resources and community partnerships aligns with Destination 2040: Our Flight Path, the University's strategic plan. The plan calls our University to work with community partners to promote talent attraction and retention, foster economic growth in East Central Indiana, and strengthen the economic and social vitality of the communities we serve.

Explore the program and check your eligibility through MakeMyMove.

For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by Jan. 22, 2027.