Dean, Cameron School of Business

University of St. Thomas•Houston, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of St. Thomas (UST) is seeking a Dean for the Cameron School of Business to begin July 1, 2027. The Dean will be responsible for ensuring high-quality programs and instruction, fostering mission-focused faculty development, and guiding the strategic growth of the school in alignment with the University's Catholic mission. UST is an independent, coeducational private university with nearly 4,000 students, located in Houston, a major global business center. The Cameron School of Business offers undergraduate and graduate programs and is uniquely positioned to serve the dynamic Houston economy. The Dean's primary responsibilities include academic performance, enrollment growth, and serving as the school's ambassador to the Houston business community. The Dean reports directly to the Provost and is the chief academic and administrative officer of the school.

Requirements

Academic path: an earned terminal degree (Ph.D., D.B.A., or equivalent) in a field represented in the Cameron School of Business or a related field, with a record of teaching and scholarly achievement sufficient to hold rank as a tenured associate or full professor.
Executive/entrepreneurial path: a master's degree in business or a related field (M.B.A. or equivalent) is required; a terminal degree is preferred but not required.
Academic path: substantial teaching experience and a minimum of five years of senior-level academic administrative experience (department chair, associate dean, dean, or equivalent).
Executive/entrepreneurial path: a minimum of ten years of senior leadership experience in business, strategic leadership of an enterprise or major division, or the founding and successful growth of a company.
Under either path, the successful candidate will demonstrate an understanding of academic culture, shared governance, and accreditation, and a commitment to teaching and student success.
Demonstrated success in growing enrollment, particularly in graduate and MBA programs.
Demonstrated ability to build productive relationships with corporate, professional, and civic leaders, and a record of successful fundraising or external partnership development.
A deep understanding of and respect for the liberal arts as the foundation for quality professional education.
Proven ability to inspire, collaborate, and negotiate with varied and sometimes competing constituencies.
A seasoned professional experienced in shared governance and committed to fostering cohesion, collegiality, and accountability among faculty and staff.
Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities in academic administration, including applicable regulations, laws, and policies.
A demonstrated record of fiscal responsibility and accountability, with a high degree of financial acumen.
Strong collegial leadership qualities, including the demonstrated ability to recruit and build a strong faculty.
Recognized academic vision, with attention to the future of higher education, emerging trends in business education, and the changing needs of employers.
Viewed as highly ethical, trustworthy, credible, and respectful of differing views and opinions, and known for building consensus and being a good listener.
Highly effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
The Dean must demonstrate a genuine understanding of and commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition, the dialogue between faith and reason, the principles of Ex corde Ecclesiae, and the Basilian values of goodness, discipline, and knowledge.
The Dean must also be willing and able to promote the University's Catholic identity in the daily life of the school.
Applicants should submit 1) a comprehensive letter of application addressing the responsibilities and qualifications described above ; 2) a current curriculum vitae ; 3) a statement demonstrating willingness to support the tenets of Catholic higher education as articulated in Ex c orde Ecclesiae ; 4) the names and contact information of five ; and (5) professional references.

Nice To Haves

Prior teaching experience is welcome but not required for the executive/entrepreneurial path.
Experience with CCU and AACSB accreditation preferred.
Familiarity with online and hybrid program delivery, executive education, and data-driven program management.
The University will actively seek, and strongly prefers, practicing Catholics for this role. Qualified candidates of other faith traditions who can credibly make and keep that commitment are encouraged to apply and will receive full consideration.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead a clear strategic vision for the Cameron School of Business, aligned with the University's strategic plan and Catholic mission.
Guide the strategic development, implementation, and evaluation of the school's academic programs to ensure their quality, relevance, and market competitiveness.
Lead enrollment growth across the school, with particular emphasis on expanding the MBA program and other graduate offerings.
Ensure that the school's degree programs, concentrations, certificates, and executive education offerings are aligned with the workforce needs of the Houston and Gulf Coast business community.
Foster the conditions and relationships that support creativity, innovation, and the formation of learning communities among faculty and students.
Support faculty and staff professional development at both the individual and the departmental level.
Serve as the principal representative of the Cameron School of Business to the Houston business community, actively building and maintaining relationships with corporate executives, professional associations, chambers of commerce, and civic organizations.
Lead a Dean's Business Advisory Council of regional executives to inform curriculum, provide internships and placement opportunities for students, and strengthen the school's reputation.
Expand internship, mentorship, experiential learning, and career placement pipelines for students through employer partnerships.
Work with Institutional Advancement to cultivate donors, secure gifts, endowed chairs, scholarships, and sponsored programs, and steward the school's benefactors and namesake legacy.
Engage alumni as partners in recruitment, mentoring, philanthropy, and career placement.
Recruit, develop, evaluate, and retain a high-quality faculty committed to teaching excellence, the University's mission, and the professional development of students.
Develop and implement plans and allocate resources for faculty scholarship that addresses the needs of the region's business community and contributes to the school's AACSB standing.
Encourage faculty engagement with industry through consulting, executive education, applied research partnerships, and service on corporate and civic boards.
Create, implement, and evaluate the processes and procedures essential to an effective and collaborative academic enterprise, including faculty workload, evaluation, promotion, and tenure.
Collaborate with other deans and colleagues to develop and support programs that contribute to sustainable growth and high-quality learning outcomes.
Oversee the selection, development, and orientation of department chairs.
Facilitate the growth and enhancement of academic programs, both online and face-to-face, through support for sponsored research, grants, and partnerships.
Oversee the school's assessment of student learning and the use of assessment results for continuous improvement.
Ensure that curricula remain current with respect to technology, data analytics, and the evolving practices of the business professions.
Provide academic leadership within the school and across the University, and serve as a member of the Council of Deans.
Ensure that academic program reports and proposals presented to the Provost meet appropriate quality standards.
Model and promote a culture of collegiality, shared governance, and accountability.
Direct the work of department chairs and staff to ensure that the school's goals and objectives are met, including enrollment, retention, graduation, and placement goals.
Oversee resource acquisition and the school's budget, including responsible fiscal management and the development of new revenue streams.
Ensure compliance with the accreditation standards and reporting requirements of The Commission on Colleges and Universities (CCU, formerly SACSCOC) and The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), and lead the school's continuous improvement review process.
Ensure consistent application of University policies relevant to the school's faculty and academic mission.
Promote the University's Catholic identity in the daily life of the school.