Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY, a unit of the University System of Georgia, seeks an experienced academic administrator to serve as Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. The Dean reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and is the advocate of all of the College’s programs, initiatives, and faculty. In coordination with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the faculty, the Dean defines the academic vision, provides leadership and direction for all aspects of the College’s academic programs, and oversees related academic activities.

The Dean is the senior administrative officer of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and is responsible to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for all functions and matters relating to academic programs and their support services within the College. The Dean shall hold faculty rank as Professor and may be tenured in accord with policies of the Board of Regents and the University.

A Detailed Position Description Profile is Available Here:
http://www.myersmcrae.com/skins/userfiles/file/SSU-Dean-CLASS.pdf [7]

The Opportunity
Appointed by the President, the Dean is responsible for all functions and matters relating to the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS). The Dean serves as the leader for productive change in supporting the educational initiatives of the University.

In cooperation with other college deans, CLASS chairs, university administrators, and directors, the Dean is responsible for the planning, budgeting, and scheduling of the College in providing the best education possible for students.

The Dean presides over all regular and called meetings of the faculty of the CLASS; supervises the curricula, courses, and methods of instruction and works with faculty for improvement; and implements the purposes of the College consistent with those of the University and the policies of the Board of Regents.

Essential functions of emphasis include:
--Recommend the appointment, salary, promotion, tenure, and dismissal of faculty members after consultation with appropriate unit or department heads
--Serve as the medium of communication for all official business of the College with University officers, students, and the community
--Recommend the appointment, salary, promotion, and dismissal of staff in the Dean’s office; supervise and evaluate staff
--Exercise general supervision over the work and conduct of faculty, staff, and the students of CLASS
--Coordinate the curricula, courses, and methods of instruction and work cooperatively with the faculty to establish and implement processes that ensure effective instruction.
--Empower and support faculty so they may perform consistent with the University’s mission
--Direct academic advisement and semester scheduling of course offerings
--Nominate candidates for degrees and other awards
--Develop, in consultation with the Vice President for Academic Affairs, an annual budget for the College
--Serve as a liaison to the other administrative units of the University to promote College-wide endeavors
--Guide the College’s contributions to the Complete College Georgia plan
--Coordinate and manage the activities of the College advisory council(s), committees, and boards, providing to the President and Vice President for University Advancement an accounting of all funds raised
--Prepare in consultation with chairs and faculty an annual report for the Vice President for Academic Affairs describing the work of the College
--Perform other responsibilities as designated by the Vice President for Academic Affairs or the President

Requirements
An earned doctorate in one of the College’s disciplines or a closely related discipline from an accredited college or university is required. Other requirements include:
--A minimum of 10 years of full-time teaching experience with evidence of academic administration experience of at least five years
--A proven record of teaching and scholarship sufficient to qualify for tenure at the rank of full professor in one of the departments of the College
--Demonstrated strengths in strategic planning, leadership, budgeting, and management
--Organizational skills to promote collaboration and teamwork within the College and throughout the campus
--Evidence of effective interpersonal and presentation skills
--Demonstrated support of diversity, access, and the HBCU mission
--Sensitivity to the needs of a diverse student body and faculty
--Demonstrated capacity to build and maintain academic programming, quality curricula development, and effective judicial process
--Consistent record of professional integrity
--Candidates must have the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, with attention to details, deadlines, and making decisions. Additionally, excellent verbal and written communication skills and a demonstrated commitment to the principles of higher education are required.

The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences is the largest college of the University and is housed in a new state-of-the-art facility. With a diverse offering of programs, the College provides the largest number of core courses for undergraduates across the University. The College has five departments: Liberal Arts, Mass Communications, Political Science and Public Affairs, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Social Work.

Leading to a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts, or Bachelor of Social Work degree, the College offers majors in English, Mass Communications (with concentrations in Print Journalism, Public Relations and Advertising, Radio and Television), Behavior Analysis, History, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Sociology, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Political Science (with concentrations in Pre-Law, Public Administration, and International and Comparative Politics), Africana Studies, and Visual and Performing Arts.

Additionally, the College has three graduate programs: the Master of Public Administration, the Master of Social Work, and the Master of Science in Urban Studies and Planning.
The programs in Social Work, Mass Communications, and Public Administration are professionally accredited.

About Savannah State University
Founded in 1890, Savannah State University holds the distinction as the oldest public historically black university in Georgia. While meeting the educational needs of an increasingly diverse student population today, Savannah State serves the community and region with distinction. The University provides a comprehensive higher education experience that adds value to the academic, personal, social, and cultural growth of its students.

The University’s mission and educational goals are realized through comprehensive program offerings in the College of Business Administration, the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and the College of Sciences and Technology that lead to undergraduate and graduate degrees. The University will offer programs through its new School of Teacher Education in Fall 2013. Additional new programs being developed and offered by the University are in the high-need professional fields, such as the STEM disciplines (sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

The University aggressively seeks funds from federal sources, including NIH and NSF research and program development grants. In the last few years, the institution has received more than $45 million for research and sponsored programs.

Savannah State’s 4,500 students are provided a supportive yet challenging learning environment with opportunities to establish close student-faculty relationships and relevant social/professional networks. In addition to its academic support programs and extracurricular activities, the University has exhibits, performances, sport teams, concerts, and community volunteer service projects geared to improving relationships with neighborhoods in the greater Savannah area.

The University operates a radio station, a student newspaper, and a magazine that offer public affairs information as well as educational, cultural, and entertainment programs and news for members of the Savannah State community and neighboring communities.

The Campus
The University is located on a beautiful 200-acre tract adjacent to a salt-marsh estuary. The campus is approximately five miles from the Historic District of Savannah, which is one of the largest registered urban National Historic Landmark districts in the United States, and 20 minutes from the beaches of Tybee Island.

Resplendent with moss-laden oak trees, expansive marsh, and historic architecture, Savannah State has been deemed the most picturesque campus in the state of Georgia. Yet, it is a vibrant, nurturing environment that celebrates its African-American heritage and legacy while embracing a diverse community of faculty and student scholars and learners.

About Savannah, Georgia
Savannah State University is located in Savannah, Georgia, a historic city with a revered past, a vibrant present, and an exciting future. With nearly 300,000 area residents, the city has maintained steady growth, with the economy based mainly on ports, manufacturing, tourism, and the military. The city offers a high quality of life and a family-friendly lifestyle.

About the University System of Georgia
The University System of Georgia is governed by an 18-member Board of Regents. The Board oversees the 35 colleges and universities that comprise the University System of Georgia, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, and The Georgia Public Library System. For more information, visit www.usg.edu [8].

Savannah State University is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.

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

SSU-Dean@myersmcrae.com [9]

Application deadline is January 28, 2013.

Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting is assisting Savannah State University with this search. The consultant team leaders are:
Emily P. Myers, President and CEO, and Kenny Daugherty, Executive Vice President and COO.

Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting
515 Mulberry St., Suite 200
Macon, GA 31201 | (478) 330-6222