Dean - College of Mathematics and Science

UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA•Edmond, OK

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO), in its 135th year of existence, seeks an outstanding leader for the College of Mathematics and Science. UCO's main campus is in the community of Edmond and just north of Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area has experienced rapid and sustained growth and development, with a population of nearly 1.5 million as of early 2025. UCO serves proudly as Oklahoma City's public Metropolitan University with facilities in downtown Oklahoma City, including the CHK/Central Boathouse, the Academy of Contemporary Music, and a downtown teaching facility housing the MBA program. Under the energetic and strategic leadership and vision of recently appointed President Todd G. Lamb, who served as Lieutenant Governor of Oklahoma for eight years, UCO is on the move, with rebounding enrollment and national rankings and an elevated research designation by Carnegie in 2025 (“Research College and Universities”). With two recently approved doctoral programs underway, President Lamb has declared “R2 by ’32” and is focused on moving the State forward through workforce development initiatives and “meeting students where they are,” delivering a high-quality and affordable education. Consistent with its mission of providing transformative learning experiences to students, UCO is proud to be a leader nationally in undergraduate research. The College of Mathematics and Science (CMS) is a vibrant community of close to 175 (125 full-time) faculty and staff in seven academic departments: Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering and Physics, Funeral Service, Mathematics and Statistics, and Nursing. The CMS offers a variety of popular undergraduate degree options, including several that are unique in the state such as those in Software Engineering, Actuarial Science, and Funeral Service; CMS programs are accredited/certified by ABET, the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, the American Board of Funeral Service Education, and the American Chemical Society. In addition, more than 171 graduate students are pursing master’s degrees in Biology, Applied Mathematical Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering Physics (including Biomedical, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering), and Nursing. Through an intensive and enduring focus on engaging undergraduates in research and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration both within the classroom and beyond, four thriving interdisciplinary centers have emerged since 2008. These include the Center for Undergraduate Research and Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (CURE-STEM), a fiscally-sustainable faculty development model that incentivizes external grantsmanship in support of students, the Center for Wildlife Forensics and Conservation Studies (CFACS), the Center for Interdisciplinary Biomedical Education and Research (CIBER), and the Center for Research and Education in Interdisciplinary Computation (CREIC). The latter two are housed in a modern state-of-the-art STEM Teaching and Learning Center, a partnership with the Forensic Science Institute that supports student-centered, interdisciplinary research and learning. This 57,000 square foot facility received national recognition as a recipient of an Interior Design Best of Year award in 2019. The recently remodeled Santa Fe Plaza in the heart of downtown Oklahoma City houses a STEMcubator. Building on these and other initiatives, the successful candidate will join a College well poised to take a leadership role in the Oklahoma Metropolitan Area STEM community and President Lamb’s initiatives emphasizing workforce development and “R2 by ’32”; therefore a demonstrable commitment to and enthusiasm for student-centered research at all levels of education (undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral) will be critical to the resume and cover letter of the successful applicant for this deanship. The Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the College and provides leadership, planning, coordination and management for all academic, fiscal and personnel matters in the College. The Dean reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Department Chairs, the Associate Dean, and Assistant Deans report to the Dean. The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

Requirements

Earned doctorate and experience as a full-time faculty member.
At least three to five years of progressively responsible academic administrative experience at department-level or higher.
A distinguished record of teaching, scholarship and service to qualify for tenure and promotion to the rank of Professor in a College department including recent evidence of presentations at national conferences and publication in peer-reviewed proceedings and/or journals.
Demonstrated, and current evidence for, success in obtaining federal funding in support of student-centered learning outcomes.
Demonstrated ability to provide leadership in strategic planning, program and personnel assessment, budget management, and technology applications.
Recognizable vision of and commitment to higher education and the College disciplines, as well as developing and implementing President Lamb’s “R2 by ‘32” initiative while maintaining the College’s current emphases on undergraduate research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
High energy level, dynamic leadership ability, and demonstrated outstanding facilitation, communication and interpersonal skills.
Strong ethical, moral and professional values.

Nice To Haves

Evidence for the development of policies that promote high-impact educational practices, including student-centered research.

Responsibilities

Utilizes long-range strategic planning to develop, integrate, facilitate, and accomplish the College and Departmental goals, in alignment with the mission of the University and College, and in collaboration with the Associate and Assistant Deans and the Department Chairs.
Serves as a spokesperson for the College and as a liaison between the College and other divisions of the University, including interacting with other deans within the Division of Academic Affairs to build a strong collaborative culture.
Represents the College in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area, the state, and other professional venues to uphold and promote the image of the College.
Maintains a broad vision for the College regarding campus-wide academic programs, developing faculty, staff, and student outcomes, rewards, and growth plans in collaboration with Academic Affairs and assisting department Chairs in the fulfillment of departmental responsibilities to ensure progress.
Supports Academic Affairs initiatives such as Broncho Blueprint, UCO Downtown, and Connected Campus by developing appropriate and innovative curricular offerings.
Fosters excellence in teaching, scholarship, and research, including supporting the professional growth and development of faculty and staff and encouraging the development of the teacher-scholar model.
Serves as an advocate for the faculty, working with UCO administrative offices to provide fiscal/physical resources and support.
Encourages cooperative utilization and sharing of resources among departments, initiating team-building among department chairs, faculty, and staff.
Administers policies of the university and college, responds to faculty concerns, and evaluates employee performance.
Supports, advocates for, and enables high-impact educational practices, including UCO’s Central Six of Transformative Learning.
Pursues policies and practices that include the enhancement and integration of curricular and co-curricular activities.
Uses competitive and comparative procurement practices.
Supports and encourages grantsmanship through faculty development mechanisms within the college and at other venues, including pursuing external funding possibilities, especially federally funded grants.
Represents and advocates for the College and UCO to external constituencies, devoting a minimum of 25% of College effort to fundraising.
Directs capital projects and building maintenance in the college, working with departments to project and prioritize space needs and responding to technology and equipment needs.
Works with UCO Administration to provide a safe environment for all faculty, staff, students, and guests, including working constructively with UCO Risk Management and Safety Operations and practicing emergency preparedness.
Maintains high visibility in the profession through maintaining personal scholarship and grantsmanship activities.
Accepts leadership positions in the community and serves as a professional consultant.
Oversees assessment processes in the College and integrates assessment into planning, decision-making, and resourcing of allocations, including supporting accreditation compliance.
Assists the departments in making curriculum decisions and setting priorities based on assessment data.
Serves as a role model academically, professionally, and personally.
Comfortable and skilled in conflict resolution and decision-making.
Maintains confidentiality.
Performs other duties as assigned.