Graduate Division Dean (pos no. 0089040)

University of Hawaii • Honolulu, HI

12d

About The Position

The Graduate Division Dean serves as a senior campus executive and chief advocate for graduate education at UH Manoa. This role provides visionary, student-centric leadership for a strategic unit focused on research and scholarly excellence, student success, and professional development. Reporting to the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Scholarship (OVPRS), the Dean will bridge the gap between research and academic instruction to advance the university's mission as a premier R1 research institution. The Dean will ensure the university maintains its global standing in research and innovation while equipping students with the skills and adaptability needed to thrive in modern academic, professional, and industry-based career pathways.

Requirements

• Doctorate (PhD/EdD) or terminal degree from an accredited institution.
• Academic rank of full professor or demonstrated record of comparable professional experience prior to appointment.
• Five (5) years of demonstrated leadership in graduate education through significant experience working with students at the individual, programmatic, and institutional levels.
• Comprehensive understanding of the diverse landscape of graduate education, including the management of research-focused, professional, and accelerated degree pathways.
• A proven track record of diplomatic leadership within a shared governance model, demonstrating the ability to navigate complex institutional structures and mediate between competing needs of faculty, administration, and students, while taking ownership of difficult decisions.
• A demonstrated commitment to research and scholarly excellence, academic excellence, access, and graduate student success across all disciplines, training models, and career pathways overseen by the Graduate Division.
• Experience improving recruitment, retention, and graduation of student populations.
• Demonstrated expertise in navigating the evolving landscape of graduate education, including a proactive record of integrating emerging educational technologies and digital literacies into research practices and graduate programming to enhance student workforce readiness.
• Ability to comprehend and interpret administrative directives and guidance to ensure IT operations align with organizational standards and industry best practices.

Nice To Haves

• Strong organizational and financial management skills, with the ability to steward resources effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to build partnerships with external stakeholders, including industry, government, alumni, and community organizations.
• Experience participating in graduate program reviews and accreditation processes.
• Experience working constructively in a unionized environment and supporting collective bargaining processes.
• Experience supporting indigenous and underrepresented groups (faculty and staff).
• Ability to communicate effectively with internal and external constituencies orally and in writing in a professional manner, with tact and diplomacy.
• Experience with emerging technologies in higher education, including their implications for graduate education, workforce preparation, university policy, data privacy, academic integrity, compliance, and the regulatory landscape.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic, academic, and administrative leadership for the Graduate Division, shaping the direction of graduate and advanced studies across the Manoa campus.
• Collaborate with campus leadership to shape the future landscape of graduate studies, prioritizing institutional research excellence, competitiveness, new funding streams for doctoral research, and expansion of professional degree programs, leveraging emerging educational technologies.
• Represent graduate education in institutional governance, partnering with university leadership, school deans, faculty leaders, campus partners, and external stakeholders, in collaboration with Alumni Relations and Development and the Graduate Student Organization.
• Lead the design and execution of strategic initiatives to optimize the graduate student lifecycle (recruitment, onboarding, retention) using data and best practices to reform policies and ensure graduates are prepared for high-level research and the evolving workforce.
• Provide faculty and chairs with training to support students and foster a culture of scholarly excellence, supportive mentorship, and belonging.
• Facilitate ongoing consultation with Graduate and Department chairs, faculty, and students to develop, update, and maintain program-specific policies and procedures for consistency, transparency, and support of completion and professional development.
• Lead financial and operational oversight of a complex portfolio including graduate financial aid, admissions strategy, resource planning, and assist in fundraising efforts.
• Identify and mitigate risks (legal, financial, reputational, compliance) through policy development/revision/enhancement and training, ensuring the team is aware and focused on addressing them.
• Adhere to applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures of the University, raise awareness among staff, and direct them to ensure compliance requirements are met.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Background check will be made prior to employment.
• Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly.

What This Job Offers

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