Dean of the Hicks Honors College

University of North Florida Alumni Association • Jacksonville, FL

16d

About The Position

The Dean of the Hicks Honors College provides strategic, academic, and operational leadership to advance the mission of the college, ensuring an exceptional honors experience that complements UNF’s commitment to student success and community engagement. The Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the Honors College, collaborating across colleges and departments, cultivating external partnerships, stewarding resources, and championing excellence in honors education.

Requirements

• Hold, the doctorate (or recognized terminal degree) related to one of the College’s disciplines, at the time of hire, from an accredited acceptable institution.
• Higher education administrative experience, and a strong record of teaching or research.
• Terminal degree from an accredited institution.
• Records of academic achievement (scholarship/teaching/service) commensurate with faculty appointment.
• Experience with high-impact educational practices, including undergraduate research, internships, study abroad/global learning, and/or curricular innovation.
• Commitment to student success and evidence of effective mentoring/advising of undergraduate students.
• Demonstrated administrative skills, including strategic planning, budgeting, assessment, and personnel management.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with success building cross-campus and external partnerships.

Nice To Haves

• Leadership or significant involvement in an honors program/college or equivalent undergraduate excellence initiative.
• Fundraising and donor stewardship experience; demonstrated success securing philanthropic support.
• Experience building community, industry, and alumni partnerships to expand experiential learning opportunities.
• Curriculum development expertise and familiarity with learning outcomes assessment and academic program review.
• Experience leading student-facing co-curricular programming (research symposia, leadership development, professional preparation).
• Understanding of enrollment management related to honors recruitment, admissions, and student success metrics.
• Familiarity with national honors networks and best practices (e.g., National Collegiate Honors Council).

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Vision Develop and implement a compelling, multi-year strategic plan for Hicks Honors College aligned with UNF’s institutional priorities that fulfills the promise of an expanding Honors living-learning campus. Strengthen the college’s identity and national visibility in honors education through innovative programs and partnerships.
• Academic Excellence & Curriculum Provide academic oversight of the Honors curriculum, including design, assessment, and continuous improvement of honors courses, seminars, and experiential learning opportunities. Support high-impact practices (e.g., undergraduate research, internships, service learning, global learning/study abroad) across disciplines.
• Student Success & Experience Coordinate with Academic Advising and implement mentoring programs to meet individualized academic needs of honors students. Coordinate with Housing and Residence Life, Student Success, the Office of Experiential Learning, Office of Undergraduate Research, and Career Services among other university partners on student success initiatives. Oversee co-curricular programming (e.g., research symposia, leadership workshops, professional development series, community engagement) that enrich the student experience.
• Faculty & Staff Leadership Recruit, support, and evaluate Honors College faculty and staff; foster a collaborative culture focused on excellence and innovation. Encourage faculty involvement from across UNF’s colleges; promote pedagogical best practices in honors teaching.
• Enrollment Management & Access Lead honors recruitment and admissions strategies in collaboration with Enrollment Services and academic units. Promote pathways that broaden access to honors opportunities for academically talented students with different talents, academic and professional goals, and backgrounds.
• Partnerships & External Relations Cultivate relationships with campus partners, alumni, donors, employers, and community organizations to expand opportunities for students (e.g., research placements, internships, civic projects). Represent the college to internal and external stakeholders; serve as its primary spokesperson.
• Resource Development & Stewardship Lead fundraising initiatives in collaboration with University Advancement; secure philanthropic support for scholarships, programming, and strategic priorities. Manage the college’s budget, facilities, and resources with transparency and fiscal responsibility.
• Assessment, Accreditation, & Compliance Oversee learning outcomes assessment, program review, and reporting; use data to drive improvement. Ensure compliance with university policies, applicable state regulations, and national honors best practices.
• Communication & Advocacy Elevate the visibility of Hicks Honors College through strategic communications, marketing, and events. Advocate for honors students and faculty across the university and in national honors networks.

What This Job Offers

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