Executive Dean, Fine Arts & Humanities

Brenau; Gainesville (GA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Brenau University in Gainesville, GA, seeks a transformative Dean for the College of Fine Arts and Humanities. The appointee will provide strategic academic and administrative leadership, report to the Provost, and maintain a 9-credit-hour teaching load annually.

The Dean will guide program quality, mentor chairs and faculty, drive enrollment initiatives with admissions, ensure accreditation compliance, and foster external partnerships with industry, community organizations, and alumni.

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate or terminal degree; eligible for full professor with teaching, research, and service.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills; ability to build trust and resolve conflicts across stakeholder groups.
• Experience in academic administration.
• Experience in policy and staff development.
• Commitment to enrollment growth and maintaining high-quality programs.
• Leadership in student advocacy and responsive leadership within higher education.
• Experience with assessment and accreditation processes.

Responsibilities

• Foster continuous improvement of high-quality programs and degree tracks.
• Promote faculty scholarship and research across the college.
• Mentor department chairs, faculty, and staff to foster a high-performing academic culture.
• Cultivate opportunities for ongoing professional growth, leadership development, and faculty promotion support.
• Partner with admissions to drive strategic student recruitment, enrollment growth, and program outreach.
• Champion student success, academic advising, and retention initiatives across all college departments.
• Maintain current knowledge of regional and discipline-specific accreditation guidelines, ensuring institutional compliance.
• Direct short- and long-term strategic planning aligned with institutional goals and accreditation standards.
• Oversee college budget allocation, resource management, and strategic fundraising/grant efforts to support institutional growth.
• Serve as the primary advocate for the college, building strategic partnerships with industry leaders, community organizations, and alumni.
• Expand external outreach efforts to enhance the college’s regional reputation and workforce alignment.
• Teach 9 credit hours (3 courses) per academic year in alignment with departmental needs.
• Serve on the Academic Council and other University committees as needed.
• Perform other strategic duties and institutional initiatives as directed by the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Skills

Interpersonal and communication skills

Collaboration with stakeholders

Strategic leadership

Mentoring

Education

Doctorate or terminal degree

Academic administration experience

Policy and staff development

Student advocacy and leadership in higher education

Assessment and accreditation experience

Job description

Brenau University in Gainesville, GA, seeks a transformative Dean for the College of Fine Arts and Humanities. The appointee will provide strategic academic and administrative leadership, report to the Provost, and maintain a 9-credit-hour teaching load annually.

The Dean will guide program quality, mentor chairs and faculty, drive enrollment initiatives with admissions, ensure accreditation compliance, and foster external partnerships with industry, community organizations, and alumni.