Associate Dean - School of Education

University of Wisconsin Stout•La Crosse, WI

About The Position

The School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse is hiring an Associate Dean for a 12-month administrative appointment, with a start date of January 7, 2027. The Associate Dean reports directly to the School of Education Dean and collaborates across campus to advance the school’s mission and support programs in meeting learning outcomes that promote student success. As a member of the Dean’s leadership team, the Associate Dean participates in the school’s distributive leadership processes and supports the Dean in managing academic and curriculum matters with department chairs and program directors. Primary areas of responsibility include leading annual accreditation, curriculum and assessment for all programs, enrollment management, grant review and approval, and support for faculty, staff, and students. The position also provides leadership for academic programs and initiatives, promotes assessment and continuous improvement, and works with university and community stakeholders. The School of Education offers accredited programs and partners with local, regional, and global educators to provide hands-on learning experiences. It is committed to a welcoming and respectful environment and inclusive practices that support every learner and foster belonging. The position may exercise supervisory authority over employees. Applications are reviewed starting November 23, 2026, and the search continues until the position is filled. Initial reviews are virtual, with shortlisted candidates invited to campus. The position offers an annual compensation of $112,000.

Requirements

Earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited university.
Record of teaching and scholarship sufficient to qualify for appointment at the rank of full professor with tenure in an SOE department or SOE-affiliated program.
Educator license in a PK-12, administrative, or pupil services area; the license does not need to be current.
Strong record of relevant, progressively responsible administrative and management experience.
Familiarity and experience with current academic assessment and accreditation practices.

Nice To Haves

Experience with grant procurement and/or management.
Experience supporting faculty growth through faculty development and mentoring.
Experience with graduate programs.
Evidence of successful advising and ability to support students.
Experience in a department chair role.

Responsibilities

Lead annual accreditation, curriculum, and assessment for all School of Education programs.
Manage enrollment and review and approve grants.
Support faculty, staff, and students.
Build consensus and collaborative relationships with stakeholders, partner with administrative and academic departments, and gather input to support recommendations.
Serve on university review committees and work with constituencies including the Faculty Senate, deans and associate deans, General Counsel, and university leadership.
Advise and collaborate with the Dean, Assistant Deans, and/or Office of the Provost on critical issues; represent the functional area at meetings and events; and serve on or lead committees as directed.
Direct ongoing assessment and continuous improvement of academic programs and services, including annual goals, progress, challenges, and outcome reporting.
Ensure initiatives use assessment and data analysis effectively, identify improvement opportunities, and recommend changes to the Dean for approval.
Provide leadership for one or more academic programs, establish strategic direction and priorities aligned with the Dean’s academic directives, and ensure units support university initiatives and its academic mission.
Directly supervise department or program leadership and monitor compliance with laws, regulations, university policies and procedures, and contractual obligations.
Lead special initiatives and/or academic programs requiring senior leadership attention, including program design, planning, coordination, and engagement with internal and external stakeholders.
May exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 FTE or equivalent employees.