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Dean of the School of Education

Employer
Utah Valley University
Location
Orem, Utah
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Executive Administration Jobs
Deans
Employment Type
Full Time
Institution Type
Four-Year Institution

DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY

For complete information, See the Profiles here:

https://myersmcrae.com/skins/userfiles/files/UtahValley_Dean_SchoolfofEducation-2025-Final1.pdf

 

Utah Valley University (UVU), located in Orem, Utah, the heart of Utah County, invites applications for an innovative and experienced leader as the Dean of the School of Education. The ideal candidate will foster an environment that promotes UVU’s core values of exceptional care, exceptional accountability, and exceptional results. Reporting to the Provost, the Dean serves as the academic and administrative leader for the School of Education and works collaboratively within the college, as well as across UVU and the community, to cultivate a positive scholarly environment focused on excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. This position has a preferred start date of July 1, 2025, or earlier.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

Utah Valley University’s mission as both a community college and university is unique and fundamental not only to meeting the educational needs of the community, but students from throughout the world. UVU is a teaching university focused on student success, with exceptional faculty and staff who set high standards for student learning and development and help students to reach their goals.

     Located between the beautiful Wasatch Mountains and Utah Lake, Utah Valley University is home to more than 46,000 students (Fall 2024) and many outstanding academic programs. UVU welcomes students at every stage of their educational journey, from high-achieving scholars to those seeking new opportunities. With more than 250 degree options, from certificates to master’s programs, UVU equips students with the knowledge and skills to achieve their goals.

     Utah Valley University is the largest public university in the state of Utah, and one of a few in the nation offering a dual-mission model that combines the rigor and richness of a first-rate teaching university with the openness and vocational programs of a community college. Founded in 1941, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 618 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar and ranks #96 in the 2025 edition of Best Regional Universities in the West.

     Utah Valley University is committed to student success, providing real-world learning experiences near Utah’s tech epicenter and growing job market, along with a vibrant social scene. With a range of support centers and tailored academic advising, UVU invites students to come as they are and leave prepared to make a difference in the world.

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION

The Dean will lead a dynamic and supportive community of faculty, staff, and students committed to excellence in education. The Utah Valley University School of Education (SOE) prepares educators and leaders to serve individuals and communities. Through engaged pedagogy, transformative collaborations, and meaningful innovations, the school cultivates competency and inspires lifelong learning.

     The School of Education offers a range of programs including Elementary Education, Secondary and Special Education, Student Leadership and Success Studies, and Graduate Education. Each program provides hands-on experience and practical skills, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to make a positive impact in diverse educational settings. Complementing these strong academic offerings, the mission and work of the Melisa Nellesen Center for Autism provides awareness, education, and support for autistic individuals, their families, and professionals.

     The School of Education at UVU emphasizes in-field experience, which allows students to apply their learning in real-world contexts and develop confidence in their career paths. The faculty are deeply invested in student success, providing mentorship and support to help students achieve their goals. By joining UVU, you will play a crucial role in shaping the future of education and leadership.

     The School of Education serves the needs of our region, the state, and beyond by engaging in productive community and professional collaborations and by offering programs that meet the needs in our communities.

SOE MISSION

The School of Education prepares educators and leaders to enhance the quality of life for individuals and communities. Through engaged pedagogy, transformative collaborations, and meaningful innovations, we cultivate competence and inspire lifelong learning.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Utah Valley University (UVU) seeks a visionary, energetic, and innovative Dean to guide the School of Education’s future growth and champion its talented faculty, staff, and students. The Dean will be a strategic and collaborative leader, energized by opportunities to develop innovative programs and delivery methods that address the need for competent educators and leaders for the twenty-first century. They will foster a supportive culture while bringing creative solutions to challenges in education.

     The School of Education strives to be a leader in educational innovation and excellence. Plans include developing new and existing programs to address industry and workforce demands and initiatives to enhance student success and achievement. The school is committed to leveraging educational technology and creative learning environments to provide innovative educational experiences.

     Opportunities ahead include increasing enrollment, expanding alternative pathways to credentialling, strengthening collaborations with industry, and launching programs that reflect shifting demographics and interests. The school aims to expand its leadership in educational technology through partnerships and initiatives like the Pledge for Digital Equity and the Academy on AI in K-12 Education. Its focus on fundraising and revenue generation will enhance access and opportunity for students.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • The Dean is expected to lead effectively and deliver results. They will formulate strategy, execute program expansion, manage student growth, and ensure academic programming meets community and industry needs.
  • The Dean will enhance and execute the school’s strategic vision, facilitate student success (retention, completion, and job placement), and motivate faculty and staff to do excellent work. The ideal candidate will foster an environment that promotes UVU’s core values of exceptional care, exceptional accountability, and exceptional results.
  • The Dean will lead in telling the story of the School of Education and the noble profession of teaching. In so doing, they will contribute significantly to fundraising, working with Institutional Advancement.
  • The Dean will help secure financial support from industry partners, government, alumni, and the community.
  • The Dean will support academic departments, oversee specialized accreditation, and manage a sustainable budget. They will cultivate collaboration within the college, UVU and our community, to create a positive scholarly environment focused on excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
  • The Dean will maintain high standards for faculty and staff performance and lead by example in cooperation, innovation, accountability, and ethical governance.

DESIRED LEADERSHIP SKILLS

  • Understands opportunities in teacher preparation and public service and articulates a vision and strategy to position the school competitively.
  • Focuses on student success and leverages university resources to create a positive student experience. 
  • Motivates, mentors, and empowers others; fosters optimism and energy for reaching goals; and commits to creating inclusive environments. 
  • Communicates effectively with internal and external audiences. Gives clear, honest, and frequent feedback to people under direct supervision of the dean. Achieves high-quality results, understands and follows policies, follows through on commitments, makes informed decisions, and holds self and team accountable.
  • Contributes to the university’s mission, vision, and long-term objectives; plans for internal and external changes; focuses on achieving strategic goals for self, department, school, and university. 
  • Navigates the UVU environment effectively, understanding vertical and horizontal interactions, cultural differences, and various constituencies, including donors, advisory boards, industry leaders, and the legislature. 
  • Demonstrates proficiency in delegation, budgeting, fundraising, and team building; stays current on trends in areas of expertise. 
  • Builds trust by demonstrating integrity, respecting individuals, and promoting unity and confidence. 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Earned doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited university appropriate for an appointment with tenure in the School of Education.
  • At least five years of leadership experience, resulting in continuous growth and innovation.
  • Evidence of strategic thinking, data-driven decision making, and proven results.
  • Understanding of, and commitment to, academic freedom and shared governance. 
  • Evidence of fundraising experience or capacity to garner financial resources.
  • Proven experience with networking, engagements, and collaborations with higher education groups, government, industry partners, and/or community entities that create positive social impact.
  • Familiarity with current academic accreditation practices.

ASTRID S. TUMINEZ, PH.D., PRESIDENT

Dr. Astrid Tuminez was appointed the seventh president of UVU in 2018 and is the institution’s first female president. She brings to UVU a broad and rich experience in academia, philanthropy, technology, and business. Born in a farming village in the Philippine province of Iloilo, she moved with her parents and six siblings to the slums of Iloilo City when she was two years old, her parents seeking better educational opportunities for their children.

Her pursuit of education eventually took her to the United States to Brigham Young University, where she graduated summa cum laude in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in international relations and Russian literature. Dr. Tuminez earned a master’s degree from Harvard University in Soviet Studies (1988) and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in political science (1996).

Before assuming her current position, Dr. Tuminez was Microsoft’s regional director for corporate, external, and legal affairs in Southeast Asia. She is also the former vice dean of research at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore; is a permanent member of the Council on Foreign Relations; and is the author of Russian Nationalism Since 1856. Ideology and the Making of Foreign Policy and many other publications.

F. WAYNE VAUGHT, PH.D., PROVOST AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Dr. F. Wayne Vaught was named Utah Valley University’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, on June 1, 2019.  Prior to his appointment at UVU, Dr. Vaught had a 21-year career at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he served as a faculty member and then dean and chief academic officer of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Vaught earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy, with a concentration in Medical Ethics, from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. Before UMKC, he taught at Allegheny University of the Health Sciences (merged with Drexel University), as well as Georgetown College in Kentucky. Dean Vaught’s primary research is in biomedical ethics, with a focus on ethical issues in pediatrics. He has published several papers in leading ethics journals including The Hastings Center Report, The Journal of Clinical Ethics, and Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics. He is co-editor of Ethics Across the Professions, Oxford University Press.

Dr. Vaught received a doctorate in philosophy and bioethics from the University of Tennessee, and focused his research in pediatric decision-making. His research and areas of expertise are in bioethics, professional ethics, ethical issues in pediatrics, and cross-cultural conflicts in healthcare.

OREM/PROVO, UTAH

The City of Orem was organized in 1919 and named after Walter C. Orem, President of the Salt Lake and Utah Railroad. The naming of Orem was an apparent attempt to curry his favor and attract future investments from this prosperous Salt Lake City resident. It shares the general location and history of Provo UT and was often referred to as the “Provo Bench.” In 1942, the Geneva Steel Works was constructed by the federal government as an inland producer of steel for WWII. Built along the eastern shore of Utah Lake, Geneva provided employment and economic growth to local residents, either directly or indirectly, for six decades.

     In 2021, The Milken Institute released its list of the best performing metropolitan areas in terms of creating and sustaining jobs and economic growth. The analysis considered the following items: jobs, wages and salaries, and technology growth. The Provo-Orem area was ranked #1 in the country. Orem/Provo continue to receive Top 10 rankings for cities from a variety of publications as time goes on.

     Today, there are dozens of technology companies, manufacturers, and service companies employing thousands of Orem residents, making the economic importance of Geneva Steel just a memory in the

historical archives.

     Utah County is home to some of the most breathtaking scenery in the American West, where rugged mountain ranges meet sweeping valleys. The majestic Wasatch Mountains rise sharply to the east, their snowcapped peaks often mirrored in the serene waters of Utah Lake below. Vibrant wildflowers blanket the hillsides in spring, while the changing colors of fall transform the landscape into a painter’s palette of gold, red, and orange. Whether hiking through lush canyons, exploring picturesque alpine lakes, or simply gazing at the panoramic vistas, the natural beauty of Utah County is both awe-inspiring and peaceful.

APPLICATION & NOMINATION PROCESS

Confidential inquiries are welcomed, and nominations are invited.

 

Applications

1) All application packets must include the following:

a) A letter of application that includes the candidate’s (1) interest in and qualifications for the position, (2) leadership philosophy, and (3) vision for the future of teacher preparation and innovative strategies to achieve that vision

b) A current curriculum vitae

c) Unofficial transcripts of all degrees and certificates earned (Official transcripts will be required of finalists.)

d) At least four references with full contact information including e-mail (References will not be contacted without consent from applicant.)

 

2) Submit application materials (preferably as PDFs) online. Additional information is requested with the submission of materials. For best consideration, complete applications should be received before March 7, 2025.

 

Nominations

Submit nominations with complete contact and e-mail information for the individual being nominated.

Consultant

Utah Valley University has retained Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting to assist the Search Committee for the Dean of the School of Education in its identification and review of candidates. Kenny Daugherty, President of Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting, is the lead consultant for this search. Request a conversation regarding this search at KennyDaugherty@myersmcrae.com.

 

Utah Valley University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/ Equal Access Employer and committed to fostering a diverse workforce. As an inclusive community, we actively seek diversity among our applicants. Candidates who can contribute to that goal are particularly encouraged to apply. It is the policy and practice of UVU is to recruit and select applicants on the basis of their qualifications, knowledge, skills, and abilities. This effort is in compliance with all federal and state laws, including Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1975, Executive Order 11246, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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