Interim Dean, Unified College of Education and Social Work

University of Denver•Denver, CO

13h•Onsite

About The Position

The Interim Dean provides executive leadership for the Morgridge College of Education (MCE) and the Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW) during a critical period of transition and institutional transformation. Reporting to the Provost, the Interim Dean is responsible for overseeing day‑to‑day academic and administrative operations of both colleges while leading a comprehensive, transparent, and inclusive process to develop synergies between the two academic units. The Interim Dean will steward academic continuity, faculty and staff stability, and student success during the time of transition, while designing and implementing the governance, organizational, academic, and operational frameworks necessary for a successful and sustainable unified college. The role requires a collaborative change leader who respects the distinct professional identities and disciplinary traditions of education and social work while advancing a shared vision, culture, and structure. Additionally, the role will collaborate as a university citizen to align MCE and GSSW approach to institutional transformation with broader Provost priorities for academic transformation across the University of Denver.

Requirements

Earned terminal degree in education, social work, or a closely related field.
Academic credentials appropriate for appointment as a tenured full professor.
Demonstrated experience in senior academic leadership roles.
Proven ability to lead complex organizational change and collaborative planning processes.
Strong commitment to fostering a respectful, inclusive workplace where all employees can succeed.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading interdisciplinary or multi‑unit academic organizations.
Familiarity with accreditation and licensure requirements in education and/or social work.
Experience with academic restructuring, mergers, or large‑scale institutional transitions.
Demonstrated financial and operational leadership.

Responsibilities

Lead the strategic planning and execution of the unification of MCE and GSSW into a single college, in alignment with university goals and governance processes.
Develop, in collaboration with faculty, staff, and university leadership, a clear vision, timeline, and implementation plan for unification.
Oversee the integration of academic structures, administrative functions, governance, bylaws, policies, and reporting lines.
Ensure clear, consistent, and transparent communication with all stakeholders throughout the transition process.
Identify risks, dependencies, and opportunities associated with unification and proactively address them.
Ensure academic quality, accreditation integrity, and continuity of programs during the interim period.
Support faculty leadership in aligning curricula, program portfolios, and interdisciplinary opportunities within the unified structure.
Oversee professional licensure, clinical and field education requirements, and compliance with accrediting bodies.
Encourage innovation and excellence in teaching, community‑engaged learning, and interdisciplinary scholarship.
Provide steady leadership to faculty and staff across both colleges during organizational change.
Foster an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative culture that values shared governance and professional voice.
Oversee personnel decisions, workload planning, and organizational design consistent with the interim charge and university policy.
Support leadership development among associate deans, chairs, directors, and administrative leaders.
Ensure continuity and quality of the student experience during the merger of these two units, including advising, field, clinic, and internship learning activities, and professional preparation.
Communicate clearly with students about the transition and its impact on their academic programs and credentials.
Promote student well‑being, belonging, and timely degree completion.
Oversee budgets, resource allocation, and financial planning for both colleges during the interim period.
Identify efficiencies, shared services, and strategic investments to support long‑term sustainability of the unified college.
Collaborate with university partners on administrative integration.
Work with faculty governance bodies to develop structures appropriate for a unified college.
Serve as the chief academic and administrative representative of both colleges during the interim period.
Partner with advancement teams to ensure continuity and growth in donor relations and external partnerships.
Prepare documentation, recommendations, and transition materials to support the eventual permanent leadership structure.