Dean Undergraduate Studies - Undergraduate Studies

Defense Mechanics Inc; Denton (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Defense Mechanics Inc in Denton, Texas is seeking a Dean of Undergraduate Studies to provide strategic leadership in academic excellence and student success. Responsibilities include overseeing curriculum development, enhancing faculty collaboration, and promoting workforce readiness skills across programs.

The ideal candidate will have a doctorate, significant academic leadership experience, and a proven record in curriculum innovation. This role demands strong skills in strategic planning and communication to foster a supportive undergraduate learning environment.

Qualifications

• Record of teaching, scholarship, and service consistent with full professor rank.
• Demonstrated leadership in undergraduate education.
• Experience in academic policy development.

Responsibilities

• Provide vision and leadership for undergraduate programs.
• Collaborate on curriculum development and assessment.
• Promote inclusive excellence and student belonging.

Skills

Leadership

Curriculum innovation

Data-informed decision-making

Communication

Education

Earned doctorate in an academic discipline

Job description

Dean of Undergraduate Studies

Job Summary: The Dean of Undergraduate Studies reports to the provost and provides strategic leadership to ensure academic excellence, broad access to opportunity, and continuous improvement in undergraduate programs. The Dean collaborates closely with academic deans, faculty, and staff to support curriculum development and review, enhance general education, and foster a cohesive, supportive undergraduate learning environment. A key responsibility of the Dean is to work with undergraduate programs and Academic Assessment to embed and assess workforce readiness skills—such as AI literacy, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork—throughout the undergraduate curriculum. The Dean plays a leadership role in preparing students for lifelong learning and success in a rapidly evolving world. The Dean coordinates the activities of the Undergraduate Council and Curriculum Committee, collaborates with faculty governance bodies, and represents the institution on system and statewide committees related to undergraduate education. The Dean works in close partnership with the Vice Provost for Student Success to align academic and co‑curricular strategies that support student persistence, retention, and timely graduation.

Organizational Relationships

• Reports to: Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
• Supervises: First‑Year Experience staff; First Year Seminar Coordinator; Assistant to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies; Director of Transfer and Compliance

Essential Duties

• Provide vision and leadership for undergraduate academic programs and policies.
• Collaborate with Academic Assessment on the development, implementation, and assessment of the general education curriculum.
• Work with academic colleges and departments to implement best practices in teaching, curriculum innovation, retention, and student success.
• Support undergraduate programs in embedding and assessing workforce readiness skills—such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, cultural competence, and AI literacy—across the curriculum.
• Promote excellence in undergraduate teaching in collaboration with the Center for Faculty Success by fostering faculty development, collaboration, and pedagogical innovation.
• Collaborate extensively with the Vice Provost for Student Success to align academic priorities with advising, mentoring, and student support programs.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of undergraduate academic policy, including review of student petitions and exceptions.
• Lead the Undergraduate Council and Curriculum Committee and work with faculty governance structures on curriculum, assessment, and educational policy.
• Serve as a liaison to the Office of the Registrar to ensure consistency in academic policy, degree requirements, catalog management, and grading practices.
• Partner with Enrollment Management on strategic enrollment efforts and data‑informed yield, retention, and completion initiatives.
• Collaborate with Institutional Research and other units to administer and use institutional surveys and data tools to improve the undergraduate experience.
• Represent the university in external academic and policy conversations, including those sponsored by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
• Lead the First‑Year Experience staff and manage related budgets and initiatives.
• Promote inclusive excellence and student belonging across undergraduate programs.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Education

Earned doctorate in an academic discipline represented at TWU.

Experience

A record of teaching, scholarship, and service consistent with appointment at the rank of full professor. Demonstrated leadership in undergraduate education, curriculum innovation, and student success. Experience collaborating with faculty governance and developing academic policies. Experience with data‑informed decision‑making and student success assessment strategies. Five or more years of progressively responsible academic administrative experience preferred.

Requirements

• Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.
• All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of undergraduate curriculum design, general education, and learning outcomes assessment.
• Knowledge of best practices for integrating and assessing workforce readiness competencies, including AI literacy.
• Knowledge of state, system, and accreditation policies related to undergraduate education.
• Ability to lead and implement academic innovation in a shared governance environment.
• Skill in strategic planning, team leadership, and budget management.
• Ability to use institutional data and survey findings to drive continuous improvement.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for working across units and representing the university externally.

Physical Demands

The employee may be required to travel occasionally, work evenings and weekends.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Texas Woman's University, an AA/EEO employer, provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other legally protected category, class or characteristic.