Dean of the School of Education

Piedmont College, a comprehensive, private liberal arts college with campuses in Demorest and Athens, Georgia, seeks a visionary and energetic academic administrator to lead its School of Education and invites nominations and letters of application. Reporting to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Dean of the School of Education is a senior-level administrator and is an active participant on the Provost’s leadership team.

Dean, School of Education
The primary advocate for the School of Education, the Dean supports the college’s mission and strategic plan by providing a leadership approach that inspires respect and collaboration and encourages creativity and innovation.

The Dean is committed to teacher education and to shared leadership that provides faculty and staff a level of autonomy to excel. This academic administrator appreciates and promotes technology as it relates to educational instruction.

The Dean is responsible for ensuring that the School of Education advances the goals and mission of the college and develops a shared vision for continued growth and guides the school in accomplishing it.

Required Qualifications
Candidates must have a doctorate in Education or related field from a regionally-accredited institution and three to five years of experience in academic administration at a four-year institution of higher learning at the level of department chair or higher. The Dean will have credentials appropriate to appointment at the rank of professor.

Other qualifications include:
- Demonstrated success in the hiring, mentoring, and evaluation of academic faculty at the college level
- Experience in evidence-based program assessment
- Experience in curriculum development
- Superb interpersonal skills and an ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and administrators
- Knowledge of teacher preparation and certification
- Knowledge of current educational reforms and their impact on teacher education programs
- Experience managing an administrative budget

Duties and Responsibilities
The prevailing responsibility of the Dean will be to provide academic, budgetary, administrative, and managerial leadership to the School of Education. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Select, evaluate, and mentor academic faculty
- Create, manage, and implement academic policy
- Promote and maintain a collegial working environment
- Develop and implement academic strategic plans
- Manage the school budget and other resources
- Schedule courses
- Oversee programmatic and student success-oriented endeavors (e.g., retention efforts)
- Oversee program assessment
- Develop and implement curricula
- Act as primary point of contact for college-wide, interdepartmental relationships and initiatives
- Establish and manage partnerships with external constituents, particularly the public school system
- Resolve formal student, faculty and staff disputes and grievances
- Fulfill teaching responsibilities

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The School of Education
The School of Education is the largest school within the college and serves students on the Demorest campus, at the Athens Center, and in cohorts in school systems. The small-class size and the cohesiveness of the Piedmont community help students to develop their full potential and to acquire the skills needed for successful, professional careers.

The current and proposed programs of the School of Education are:
- Early Childhood Education (ECE, P-5) – BA, MAT, MA, Certification Only (must have a Master’s degree in an area other than ECE)
- Middle Grades (4-8) – BA, MA, Certification Only, MAT (proposed)
- Secondary Education (6-12) – BA in Biology, English, Mathematics, & History; BS in Chemistry, MAT in Broad Field Science, History, Mathematics, & English; MA in Broad Field Science, History, Mathematics, & English; Certification Only
- Special Education (P-12) - MAT, MA, Certification Only
- Drama Education (P-12) – BA in Theater, Certification Only
- Art Education (P-12) – MAT, MA, BA (proposed)
- Music Education (P-12) – MAT, MA
- Spanish Education (P-12) – BA (proposed)
- Education Specialist (ED.S.) – Curriculum and Instruction
- Education Doctorate (ED.D.) – Curriculum and Instruction

The School of Education’s mission is focused on:
Mastering the Art of Teaching: preparing proactive educators to improve the lives of all children.

Supporting this mission, the school strives to prepare reflective, scholarly, proactive educators. These practitioners effectively educate their own students to become knowledgeable, inquisitive, and collaborative learners in diverse, democratic learning communities.

One key aspect of the educational environment at Piedmont is the development of personalized pedagogy whereby students are encouraged to understand and reflect upon their role as an educator. Pedagogy is conceptualized throughout every content thread in the program and is eventually applied in the classroom through field experience. In conjunction with local school districts, students choose from a wide variety of field placement options where they work in a student-teacher apprenticeship.

The School of Education has an excellent reputation for improving teaching and learning with surrounding school systems. The school has been able to reach a number of school systems due to the unique cohort delivery model that has been in place for a number of years.

The School of Education faculty is composed of highly qualified individuals who are skilled in their disciplines and bring a wealth of background experiences to the programs of study. Faculty members work well together and contribute to the overall success of programs.

Faculty members have background experiences in P-12 settings and participate in scholarly endeavors. Many are members of professional organizations, helping to keep them grounded in authentic approaches to teaching and learning.

Piedmont College
Founded in 1897, Piedmont College is a comprehensive liberal arts institution with an enrollment of approximately 2,800 students. The Demorest campus is a traditional residential campus located in the foothills of the Appalachian mountains, 70 miles north of Atlanta, and the Athens campus is designed for commuting students and is near downtown Athens.

The college is affiliated with the National Association of Congregational Christian Churches and the United Church of Christ. Committed to a diverse and inclusive community that cherishes academic freedom, Piedmont strives to instill a sense of moral responsibility in its students. The college encourages students to cherish, preserve, and actively examine ethical and spiritual values.

Piedmont offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs, including education specialist programs and an education doctoral program. Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees are available in 44 areas, with career-oriented majors in education, business, and nursing.

The college is known for the individual attention and one-on-one instruction provided by professors whose first commitment is to each student’s education. The student/faculty ratio is 14 to 1, and most professors hold a doctorate or the terminal degree in their field. Students benefit from special programs, including the Piedmont Scholars and the Lyceum speakers series.

The college’s core curriculum covers nearly half of the total credits required for a degree. This ensures that all students gain a broad competence in the liberal arts, regardless of their field of specialization. 

Currently, more than 20 states and 10 foreign countries are represented in the student body. These students bring a diversity of backgrounds to the campus, and their presence allows all students to develop an appreciation and understanding of other cultures.

The college is a member of the NCAA Division III, Great South Athletic Conference. Students participate in men’s and women’s basketball, cross country, golf, tennis, lacrosse, and soccer; men’s baseball; and women’s softball and volleyball.

About Demorest, Georgia
Demorest is a picturesque, rural community that offers many outdoor recreational activities, including hiking and camping. Atlanta and Athens are only short drives away, providing additional cultural, entertainment, sports, and shopping activities.

Demorest has a relatively low cost of living with desirable and affordable housing. Quality schools and medical care are available.

Piedmont College is an equal opportunity employer.

Applications & Nominations
Send nominations, inquiries, and letters of application (cover letter, résumé, and references) to:

Piedmont-Edu@myersmcrae.com

Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting is assisting Piedmont College with this search. The consultant team leader is:
Kenny Daugherty
(478) 330-6224
KennyDaugherty@myersmcrae.com

MYERS McRAE Executive Search and Consulting
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