Sam Houston State University (SHSU) invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication. The Dean will be responsible for setting strategic, operational and financial directions for the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication. Programs within the College have a history of producing distinguished graduates. The Dean is expected to lead these programs to even greater heights of excellence.
Sam Houston State University’s main campus is located in Huntsville, Texas – just 70 miles north of Houston – and offers the friendly environment of a small town combined with proximity to the conveniences of a large metropolitan area. For more than 130 years, SHSU has been preparing students for meaningful lives of achievement. Today, with over 18,400 students, SHSU is a modern comprehensive campus with technology and resources that prepare graduates for a wide variety of successful careers. Established in 1879 as a training institute for public school teachers, SHSU has grown to six separate academic colleges: the College of Business Administration, the College of Criminal Justice, the College of Education, the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication, the College of Humanities & Social Sciences, and the College of Sciences. The University offers over 80 bachelor's degree programs, over 50 master’s degree programs and six doctoral programs, including nationally-recognized programs in Business, Fine Arts, Education, Mathematics, Psychology, and Criminal Justice.
Housed in the award-winning James & Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center, the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication is passionate about embracing the future and incorporating state-of-the-art facilities with unique and cutting edge programming. The College combines the departments of Art, Dance, Mass Communication, Theatre and Musical Theatre and the School of Music into one dynamic college that seeks to inspire, educate and graduate creative artists and media professionals. Departments in the College annually host state regional and international conferences, art exhibitions, symposia and festivals. Over 200 fine arts events are scheduled on campus throughout the year. Faculty members in the College have been recognized nationally and internationally for their expertise through awards, exhibitions, publications, presentations and performances. The Musical Theatre program has been rated as a top 10 Musical Theatre training programs in the nation by Broadway Theatre Project. The Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre is ranked top 4 by the Kennedy Center Competition. The Department of Dance is ranked in the top 25 U.S. programs by Dance Spectrum Magazine while the SHSU’s Athletic Dance team is ranked number 1 by the National Dance Association.
Reporting to the Provost & Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication serves as the senior academic and administrative officer of the College. The Dean will be charged with developing an effective collegial environment, supporting excellence in teaching, research/creative endeavors and service; facilitating collaboration between faculty members and among programs within the College and University; coordinating the College’s efforts with schools, corporations, other universities and communities and state, federal and international agencies; engaging faculty, staff and students in developing a shared plan for the future of the College and defining its role in the broader mission of the University.
Minimum qualifications for the position include: a terminal degree; a background in fine arts, mass communication or related fields is preferred but not required; demonstrated successful experience in academic administration; evidence of scholarly and professional achievement that will merit a tenured faculty appointment preferably at the rank of professor; demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all constituencies and demonstrated success in developing external funding and fund-raising from private and public sources. Experience in administration, budget management, personnel management and strategic planning is expected.
The ideal candidate will be a visionary leader and facilitator with demonstrated experience in the fine arts, mass communication or a related field; proven skills in academic administration, resource management and program formation and demonstrated evidence of strong communication and interpersonal skills with an effective track record of working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, alumni and donors. The successful candidate will be an individual who values and encourages the creative process; someone who has the ability to coordinate multiple departments and cultivate an environment of collaboration and one with a notable record of accomplishment in strategic planning, fundraising, alumni outreach and community and external audience outreach.
Confidential applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is filled. Candidate screening will begin immediately. For best consideration, applications and nominations should be provided by February 15, 2013. An application should include a letter describing relevant experiences and interest in the position; a resume and the names of five references with titles, addresses, business telephone numbers and e-mail addresses. Individuals who wish to nominate a candidate should submit a letter of nomination, including the name, position, telephone number and email address of the nominee. Greenwood/Asher & Associates, an executive search firm, is assisting Sam Houston State University in the search.
Applications and letters of nominations should be submitted to:
Jan Greenwood or Betty Turner Asher, Partners
Greenwood/Asher & Associates, Inc.
Sam Houston State University – Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Mass Communication
42 Business Center Drive, Suite 206
Miramar Beach, FL 32550
Phone: 850.650.2277
Fax: 850.650.2272
E-mail: jangreenwood@greenwoodsearch.com [4]
E-mail: bettyasher@greenwoodsearch.com [5]
For more information about Sam Houston State University please visit: http://www.shsu.edu [6]
Sam Houston State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Plan Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace.