Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences

Shenandoah University • Winchester, VA

13h • Onsite

About The Position

Shenandoah University invites applications for a visionary Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS). This is a full-time, benefited position located on the university’s main campus in Winchester, Virginia. CAS combines liberal arts and pre-professional majors with experiential learning in the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and education. It emphasizes student success through small classes, low student-to-faculty ratios, and personalized learning, and regularly reviews programs and curriculum to prepare graduates for a changing workplace.

Reporting directly to the provost, the dean provides strategic leadership for undergraduate and graduate programs, including the Division of Education and Leadership. Working with faculty and staff through shared governance, collective decision-making, and inclusive practices, the dean will strengthen programs, advance curriculum innovation, support teaching, scholarship, and service, and identify opportunities for sustainable growth. The dean is responsible for the College’s academic, administrative, and operational activities and exercises fiscal stewardship by balancing resources across existing programs and strategic priorities. As a member of the University and Academic Cabinets, the dean contributes to institutional strategy, innovation, and long-term viability.

Requirements

• An earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution in a program within the College of Arts & Sciences or a closely related discipline.
• Teaching and leadership experience in higher education.
• Experience in personnel management, budgeting, and strategic planning.
• Experience cultivating diverse, inclusive, and equitable learning environments and fostering belonging for students, faculty, and staff from a variety of backgrounds.
• Commitment to student recruitment, learning, success, retention, and career placement.
• Vision and an innovative orientation, with a focus on strategic planning and continuous curriculum review.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, support, and retain faculty across a wide variety of disciplines.
• Dedication to promoting faculty excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship.
• Demonstrated advocacy for and commitment to the disciplines within the College of Arts & Sciences and its faculty and staff.
• Commitment to staff development, support, recruitment, and retention.
• Experience fostering interdisciplinary programs.
• A satisfactory driving record; the position requires driving for University business.

Nice To Haves

• A distinguished record of teaching and service.
• A strong record of scholarship.
• Prior success with program development and growth.
• Ability to develop partnerships across the university and community to support school initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide visionary, forward-thinking, and strategic leadership across undergraduate and graduate programs, including the Division of Education and Leadership.
• Work with faculty and staff through shared governance, collective decision-making, and inclusive practices.
• Strengthen existing programs and lead continuous curriculum innovation and review.
• Support excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
• Identify opportunities for sustainable growth and assess the capacity needed to implement new initiatives.
• Exercise fiscal stewardship and balance resources across established programs and new strategic priorities.
• Oversee all academic, administrative, and operational activities within the College of Arts & Sciences.
• Contribute to institutional strategy, innovation, and long-term viability as a member of the University and Academic Cabinets.
• Recruit, support, and retain faculty and staff, and foster interdisciplinary programs.

What This Job Offers

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