Dean, School of Education and Human Resources

University of St. Thomas•Houston, TX

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of St. Thomas (UST) seeks a Dean of the School of Education and Human Services (SEHS), with employment beginning July 1, 2027. The Dean will develop and administer high-quality programs and instruction, foster mission-focused faculty development, and guide the School’s strategic growth in support of the University’s Catholic mission. The Dean will lead a School encompassing Education, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Criminology, Law and Society, with undergraduate and graduate offerings. The Dean will establish and implement a strategic vision aligned with the University’s strategic plan and Catholic mission; guide academic program development and evaluation; pursue enrollment growth, particularly in graduate programs; and build partnerships with regional Catholic schools and other mission-aligned organizations. The role includes supporting faculty and academic leaders, overseeing academic quality and student success, expanding experiential learning and community partnerships, and managing resources and regulatory responsibilities. The successful candidate will bring a terminal degree in a relevant field, higher education teaching experience, and administrative leadership experience. The Dean is expected to demonstrate collaborative and effective leadership, a commitment to academic excellence and student success, and a genuine understanding of and commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition, including Ex Corde Ecclesiae and the Basilian charisms. Practicing Catholics are strongly preferred; qualified candidates of other faith traditions who can credibly promote the University’s Catholic identity are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Terminal degree in a field represented in Education, Counseling, Criminology/Criminal Justice, or a related field, with a solid reputation for excellence and scholarly achievement.
Genuine understanding of and commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition, the dialogue between faith and reason, the principles of Ex Corde Ecclesiae, and the Basilian charisms of goodness, discipline, and knowledge.
Ability and willingness to promote the University’s Catholic identity in the daily life of the School.
Collaborative, respectful, transparent leadership grounded in strong communication.
Ability to listen, value diverse perspectives, build trust and consensus, navigate conflict and competing priorities, and encourage faculty and staff engagement, creativity, and innovation.
Strong organizational and administrative leadership, reliable management of responsibilities, clear and consistent communication, and accountability.
Knowledge of academic governance, accreditation, regulations and policies, fiscal management, faculty recruitment and development, and related academic administration.
Commitment to teaching, learning, academic excellence, and student success, with a forward-looking vision for emerging higher education trends and opportunities.

Nice To Haves

Seven years of full-time higher education teaching experience.
At least five years of prior administrative experience as a department chair, associate dean, dean, or equivalent.
Practicing Catholic; the University strongly prefers practicing Catholics, while encouraging qualified candidates of other faith traditions who can credibly make and keep a commitment to its mission.

Responsibilities

Develop and lead a strategic vision for SEHS aligned with the University’s strategic plan and Catholic mission, incorporating it into academic planning and operations.
Guide the strategic development, implementation, and evaluation of academic programs to ensure quality, relevance, and market competitiveness.
Develop strategies for collaboration with regional Catholic schools and the classical and liberal arts K–12 movement.
Create and maintain relationships with mission-aligned partners, including the Texas Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Education Department.
Lead enrollment growth across the School, particularly by expanding graduate offerings.
Ensure degree programs, concentrations, certificates, and executive education offerings align with Houston’s workforce needs.
Foster creativity, innovation, and learning communities among faculty and students.
Expand donor-funded scholarship opportunities and celebrate student achievements.
Promote faculty excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, and professional development; support faculty recruitment, retention, evaluation, and advancement.
Provide leadership, mentorship, and administrative support to department chairs and program directors.
Promote shared governance, transparent communication, and meaningful faculty participation in academic decisions.
Allocate faculty resources equitably and effectively, including teaching assignments, workload, and support for scholarly and service activities.
Provide strategic oversight of undergraduate and graduate programs and collaborate on evaluating, strengthening, and expanding academic offerings, including traditional, online, and hybrid programs.
Promote student recruitment, retention, progression, and degree completion in collaboration with Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, and other University departments.
Strengthen community partnerships, field experiences, clinical placements, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities.
Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration among Education, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Criminology, Law and Society.
Support sustainable program growth through new offerings, partnerships, sponsored research, grants, and other initiatives.
Oversee resource allocation, resource acquisition, and responsible management of the School’s budget.
Ensure compliance with University, state, federal, and institutional requirements and reporting obligations, including those associated with CCU, formerly SACSCOC.
Lead and support maintenance of CACREP accreditation for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.
Lead pursuit of Texas Education Agency accreditation or approval and ensure ongoing compliance once obtained; serve as the designated EPP Legal Authority.
Ensure curriculum documentation demonstrates alignment with discipline-specific standards.
Support compliance with professional, licensure, certification, and regulatory standards across the School’s programs.
Ensure timely and accurate institutional, accreditation, and regulatory reporting and facilitate documentation and continuous improvement.
Ensure consistent and equitable application of University policies and procedures relevant to the School.
Promote the University’s Catholic identity in the daily life of the School and integrate its disciplines into the broader tradition of Catholic liberal education.