Dean, College of Education and Human Services

Lindenwood University • Saint Charles, MO

6d

About The Position

Lindenwood University seeks a collaborative, strategic, and engaged leader to serve as Dean of the College of Education and Human Services. The Dean provides academic and strategic leadership, administration, direction, planning, and evaluation for the college’s academic activities and faculty affairs. The role calls for a visible campus presence and a commitment to academic excellence, student success, and faculty and staff development. The Dean is expected to build relationships with students, faculty, and staff; foster trust through consistency, transparency, shared decision-making, and clear communication; and understand the College’s history, distinctive programs, and strengths.

The Dean advances the College’s academic, operational, and financial goals while strengthening partnerships with local school districts, community organizations, employers, and professional organizations. The role uses data to evaluate program effectiveness and improve student outcomes, supports thoughtful innovation, and responds to developments in teaching and learning, K–12 education, graduate education, and human services. The Dean oversees college performance, budgets and financial planning, faculty affairs, academic programs, recruitment and retention efforts, compliance, and fundraising.

Requirements

• Terminal degree.
• Prior administrative experience in higher education with increasing levels of responsibility.
• Ability to collaborate across colleges and other units.
• Solution-oriented mindset.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures.
• Strong leadership, collegial, and collaborative skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with the community, faculty, students, staff, and board of directors.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and creative skills.
• Strong initiative and interpersonal skills.
• Understanding of emerging technologies and effective applications of instructional technologies to enhance student learning.
• Understanding of contemporary issues in higher education.
• Understanding of high-impact academic practices that lead to student success.
• Ability to meet the stated physical and communication demands, including sitting at a computer for extended periods and communicating through speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
• Regular attendance is required.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with CAEP, CACREP, CSWE, ASHA, or DESE.
• Relationships with state agencies or licensure bodies.
• Relationships with regional high schools or administrators.

Responsibilities

• Lead initiatives to improve student learning, including the use of emerging and instructional technologies and high-impact academic practices.
• Oversee clinical placements, field experiences, field supervision, and program outcome assessment using licensure pass rates, graduate placement outcomes, and other data.
• Set short- and long-term college goals and align the College’s mission and work environment with the University’s mission and vision.
• Assess college performance and respond to new information and trends in higher education.
• Oversee the college’s academic, personnel, financial, and administrative affairs, including performance metrics, budget management, revenue contribution, cost discipline, and strategic resource allocation.
• Lead college fundraising strategy in collaboration with University Advancement and participate in multi-year financial planning and budget development.
• Represent the College on the deans’ council and other faculty committees.
• Develop strategies to grow educator preparation and human services programs in alignment with workforce needs, including alternative certification pathways and educator residency models.
• Hold final authority for faculty performance evaluations and employment recommendations, informed by department leadership; participate in faculty performance conversations and support faculty selection, development, promotion, and orientation.
• Manage teaching loads and course offerings; conduct classroom observations and provide faculty feedback; approve hiring and deployment of adjunct instructors; and review student evaluations.
• Ensure compliance with institutional, accreditor, state, and federal requirements, including assessment and continuous improvement expectations.
• Prepare the college’s annual budget, review course substitutions, and allocate funds, equipment, time, and personnel resources.
• Approve course schedules and follow adjunct pay schedules.
• Meet with prospective students, oversee college recruitment efforts, and monitor enrollment and retention data.
• Develop and support strategic initiatives to improve student success outcomes; lead regular college meetings and set their agendas.
• Support fundraising activities, donor relations, grant development, sponsorships, and other opportunities that benefit the College.
• Oversee academic program portfolio reviews, evaluating program quality, market demand, enrollment, and recommendations for growth, revision, or discontinuation.
• Oversee professional accreditation and compliance with state approval, certification, and licensure requirements; monitor policy changes affecting educator preparation and human services programs.
• Communicate college and university priorities to faculty and staff and collaborate with Marketing on academic programming, college initiatives, and enrollment efforts.
• Support University advancement, alumni affairs, and institutional advocacy; attend required university events and activities.
• Build strategic relationships with external partners, employers, community organizations, and professional organizations to advance academic, enrollment, and workforce objectives.
• Partner with enrollment management and student affairs to support recruitment, retention, persistence, graduation, and post-graduation outcomes.
• Maintain partnerships with school districts and community organizations to strengthen recruitment pipelines, clinical placements, educator residencies, and graduate employment opportunities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Employer-paid tuition benefits for bachelor’s programs for the employee, spouse, and dependents, and for master’s programs for the employee and spouse.
• Tuition discounts for doctoral programs for the employee.
• Comprehensive benefits plan including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, and retirement options.
• Paid holidays, including MLK Jr. Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving break, and winter break.
• Free lunch Fridays at Evans Commons Dining Hall or Spellman Dining Hall, including Chick-fil-A and Qdoba.
• Professional development opportunities through the Lindenwood Learning Academy.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree