Dean - College of Education (6284)

Northern Illinois University - De Kalb, IL

Full-time

De Kalb, IL

Educational Services

About the position

Northern Illinois University (NIU), a student-centered, nationally recognized public research university located 65 miles west of Chicago, invites applications for the position of dean of the College of Education. NIU seeks an accomplished, visionary and collaborative academic leader to advance NIU's strong culture of teaching, research, service and innovation. The NIU College of Education serves the greater Chicago region and beyond including strong international partnerships with the Educate and Engage Global program. The NIU College of Education Core Values - Student Success, Authentic Learning, Inquiry, Belonging, Partnerships and Meaningful Change - provide a framework for our decisions as our Strategic Priorities - Student Experience, Innovative Action, Social Justice Research Advancement and Intentional Growth - guide our actions. Our students come from modest beginnings, and many are the first in their families to attend college. At NIU, faculty and staff provide active learning experiences that create competencies demanded of the occupations of the future. Our model of engaged learning helps foster deep partnerships, and the resulting real-world experiences expand students' content knowledge while equipping them to be leaders and advocates for social change. Students build professional networks, put voice to their values and become changemakers in their communities and organizations. Our commitment to excellence is also expressed through our scholarship which is discipline-based and contributes to practice. Faculty are regularly recognized for their outstanding scholarly activity.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary leadership of the academic, programmatic, administrative and fiscal endeavors of the College of Education in collaboration with the senate leadership team.
• Create an environment where all are appreciated for their individuality and respected for their diverse points of view.
• Manage the college's budget and resources effectively, transparently and collaboratively.
• Align resources to support and advance the college's strategic priorities.
• Implement bold and positive initiatives in partnership with the president, provost, and other deans.
• Develop reciprocal relationships with educational institutions, community organizations, agencies and businesses.
• Lead revenue generation for the college, including partnerships, programs, grants, and fundraising efforts.
• Supervise college leadership, including associate deans, department chairs, and directors.
• Foster collaboration with faculty, staff, students and other stakeholders to advance the college's strategic action planning framework.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with key college stakeholders.

Requirements

• An earned doctorate or appropriate terminal degree.
• Faculty credentials that demonstrate teaching experience and research, scholarship and/or creative achievement consistent with appointment to the NIU faculty at the rank of tenured full professor.
• Progressive administrative experience in higher education and demonstrated visionary leadership skills.
• Experience with budget and financial management processes, strategic planning, policy formation and personnel management.
• Commitment to the vision, mission and core values of the College of Education and the broader university.
• Demonstrated understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing colleges of education at student-centered, engaged, public research universities.
• Proven skill in supporting faculty and staff success through effective communication, problem-solving, and resource coordination.
• Commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as part of the university's overall strategic vision.
• Expertise with innovative educator preparation models and programs.
• Respect for shared governance and ability to form strong working relationships with campus stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal, collaborative, and communications skills.
• Ability to secure funds from various sources, including private donors and research funding.
• A high degree of personal and professional integrity.
• Agility to move ideas to action in a timely manner through shared leadership.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working with collective bargaining units and understanding of labor and management roles.
• Experience working with P-12 schools and knowledge of CAEP and other accrediting standards.
• Experience providing leadership in legislative or state/federal policy action committees.
• Experience in national teacher preparation organizations and teacher education research.
• Experience addressing challenges of student enrollment and retention while maintaining high academic standards.
• A record of support and understanding of innovation within the context of a college of education.
• Experience promoting access, affordability, accountability and regional engagement.
• Experience promoting and building academic excellence in teaching and research.