Dean of the College of Professional Studies

Division of Academic Affairs

Job Description 

Position Title: Dean of the College of Professional Studies

Department: College of Professional Studies

Job Summary:  Reporting to the Provost, the Dean serves as a key member of the University’s leadership team and is a member of the Dean’s Council, the Academic Council, and the Leadership Council.  The College of Professional Studies is one of four academic units at Millikin, including the Tabor School of Business, the College of Fine Arts, and the College of Arts and Sciences.  The College of Professional Studies includes the Schools of Education, Exercise Science and Sport, and Nursing. The Dean oversees operations of the college, including budget, personnel, curricula, planning, and undergraduate and graduate academic programs in both traditional and non-traditional delivery formats.  Given the interdisciplinary nature of Millikin and the university’s emphasis on cross-disciplinary teaching and scholarship, the College of Professional Studies faculty and staff serve students from wide range of majors offered within the university. College of Professional Studies faculty and staff focus continual improvement efforts on several key academic strategies: recruiting aspiring students, engaging and retaining students, developing excellent teaching practices, assessing academic outcomes, and building more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible campus community.

VALUES

All employees are expected to uphold the values of the University.  At Millikin University, we value:

• Intellectual and creative inquiry
• Inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility
• Dignity and respect for all persons
• Honest, open dialogue and reflection
• Advancement of the common good

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Ensure that students in the College of Professional Studies are prepared for professional success by providing them access to leading academic theory coupled with Performance Learning that emphasizes “doing the discipline.”   
2. Ensure educational quality across all College of Professional Studies programs by effective allocation of departmental and program resources.
3. Recruit, retain, evaluate, and mentor academically qualified faculty with appropriate credentials, experience, and professional success.
4. Monitor effectiveness of curriculum initiatives and learning outcomes assessment processes to ensure integrity and rigor of the academic program.
5. Communicate frequently and effectively with the college’s faculty and staff, and respond promptly to faculty, staff, and student needs.
6. Develop and manage the college’s budget and fiscal operations.
7. Maintain awareness of the external competitive environment.  Provide direction and guidance to remain competitive.
8. Support and promote the acquisition of resources needed for success in a highly competitive higher education environment.
9. Engage internal and external communities and university stakeholders to advise and provide opportunities for students.
10. Contribute to the development of the university’s strategic plan and implement initiatives pertaining to the College of Professional Studies.
11. Oversee accreditation processes and reporting for accredited programs within the College of Professional Studies.
12. Lead initiatives to build a more inclusive, diverse, equitable, and accessible college and campus.

Other Duties:

1. Conduct personal professional development and/or academic achievement.
2. Teach one (3-credit-hour) course each year
3. Other duties as assigned by the Provost.

Minimum Position Qualifications:

• Experienced academic leader with a terminal degree in one of the College of Professional Studies disciplines.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully carry out the responsibilities outlined above.
• Confidence and skills to advocate for College of Professional Studies faculty and programs, while also working collaboratively across campus to advance university-wide goals.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with the community and other external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in overseeing graduate programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of non-traditional curriculum delivery methods, especially on-line learning. 
• Demonstrated commitment to Inclusion, Equity, Diversity, and Accessibility.

Work Environment:

Manual Dexterity: 

• Dexterity to operate a keyboard

Physical Effort: 

• Typically sitting at a desk or table       
• Hearing and visual acuity within normal range

Working Conditions: 

• Typical working conditions found in most administrative work areas

Hazards:  None