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University of New England

Dean, College of Arts and Sciences

University of New England, Biddeford, Maine, us, 04007


THE OPPORTUNITYThe University of New England (UNE) invites nominations and applications for the position of dean of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).

The dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of New England provides visionary leadership and strategic direction to a critical, foundational component of the University. The dean leads all academic and administrative programs, services, and functions within the College, fostering a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence and innovation. This role requires close collaboration with university leaders, faculty, professional staff, students, and external stakeholders.

About the College of Arts and SciencesThe College of Arts and Sciences is located on UNE’s scenic Biddeford Campus, where the waters of the Saco River flow into the Atlantic Ocean. Over the years, this confluence of natural resources has inspired people from around the world.

The liberal arts and sciences require an exploration of both the natural world and the social world, thus the College believes in a broad-based mode of inquiry that fosters empathy and understanding. This pursuit of knowledge and caring for the world is at the center of the mission of the College of Arts and Sciences and is reflected in our Core Curriculum. Faculty and staff are committed to preparing students for meaningful and rewarding careers as well as life-long learning through an education incorporating scholarship, engagement, and service.

CAS students discover an array of collaborative and interdisciplinary academic experiences built upon a solid foundation in the humanities, arts, and natural and social sciences. Each CAS major provides a vital balance between the breadth of a foundational education and the depth necessary for advanced knowledge in a chosen field.

Research and scholarship are core components to the UNE mission and CAS faculty scholars not only create new knowledge but are committed to engaging students in scholarly activities across the disciplines in the College. CAS believes deeply in faculty-directed undergraduate research, creative expression, internships, and study abroad as these experiences embody the ideal of a college education. All CAS students have access to such opportunities at UNE.

The College of Arts and Sciences comprises fields of study from a variety of academic schools.

NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONSThe University of New England has retained the services of the executive search firm Korn Ferry. Applicants should submit the following two documents (in two separate PDFs):1. An up-to-date and detailed

curriculum vitae.2. A

letter of interest

(not to exceed 4 pages) describing why you are interested in the role of Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of New England, why your professional experience would lead to your success, and why now is a good time for you to consider this opportunity.

For priority consideration, please submit all application materials by

Friday, October 11, 2024.

The two PDF documents should be sent directly to Dr. Josh Ward at Josh.Ward@KornFerry.com.

BACKGROUND INFORMATIONAbout the University of New EnglandWith roots dating to 1831, the University of New England (UNE) has evolved to become the largest private university in Maine. UNE has established itself as a leading comprehensive university with particular strengths in the health sciences and marine sciences and a wide range of academic programs offered both onsite and online to nearly 6,500 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. UNE is guided by the core values of student-centeredness, diversity, inclusion, relentless inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration, learning everywhere, progressive change, and stewardship of our planet.

UNE’s more than 70 undergraduate, graduate, professional, and online degree programs are offered through six colleges – the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Dental Medicine, the Westbrook College of Health Professions, the College of Osteopathic Medicine, the College of Professional Studies, and a recently-established College of Business. UNE is home to Maine’s only medical school and only physician assistant program and northern New England’s only dental school. UNE’s robust research agenda garners more NIH funding in biomedical research than any other college or university in Maine. UNE is located on two beautiful campuses in Maine – the coastal Biddeford Campus and Portland Campus for the Health Sciences – and also has a unique study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco.

During a tumultuous time for higher education, UNE has bucked the trends, emerging from a global pandemic with robust enrollment numbers, a bold plan to move its medical college from Biddeford to Portland in order to create a unique, interprofessional health sciences campus there, and a host of new academic programs and student support initiatives designed to meet the workplace needs of an ever-changing economy. The move of the medical college has also set the stage for the University’s Biddeford campus to become a vibrant undergraduate campus. With this move comes additional expansion and renovation on the Biddeford campus, with which the new CAS Dean will play an important leadership role, including the establishment of the new Alfond Center for Arts and Sciences.

While many other institutions were content to merely keep their doors open during the pandemic, UNE’s dedicated faculty and professional staff were determined to seize every opportunity during a time of much change and realignment for the industry. Guided by the recently refreshed Our World, Our Future strategic plan, UNE has done just that. As a result, the University’s credit rating has recently been upgraded to A2 from Moody’s Investor Services and A+ (with positive outlook) from Fitch Ratings.

UNE emphasizes inclusion, diversity, and meeting the needs of first-generation students while consciously immersing students in an environment that prioritizes viewpoint diversity. Indeed, one of UNE’s distinguishing characteristics is its commitment to fostering a robust marketplace of ideas so that students may develop the respect for opposing viewpoints and intellectual curiosity needed to be productive participants in our increasingly polarized society. The University invites guest speakers to campus whose ideas span various ideological spectra and, through an array of interrelated programs, exposes students to multiple views on important topics, both inside and outside the classroom.

Life in MaineThe University of New England is located on two beautiful campuses in Maine – an oceanfront coastal campus of Biddeford and a vibrant health sciences campus in Portland, a city of great appeal and historic significance. With breathtaking scenery, a rich cultural environment, world-class dining, low crime rates, and classic New England charm, southern Maine provides an unparalleled quality of life. The quality of life is exemplified by safe towns and cities, top school systems, and a variety of highly accessible outdoor activities, from the beach to the mountains. Whether you enjoy local shopping in Portland’s Old Port, sampling unique breweries and distilleries in Biddeford, strolling the harbor-side trail on the Eastern Promenade, hiking, sailing, skiing, or the arts, the area offers something for everyone. The greater Portland region combines city living with small-town charm, frequently cited as one of the best cities in America to live and work.Responsibilities

The Dean’s primary responsibilities and expectations for leadership include:Provide comprehensive leadership for all academic and administrative programs, services, and functions within the CollegeConfer and collaborate regularly with CAS Associate Deans, School Academic Directors, faculty, and professional staff to plan, coordinate, and evaluate activities, programs, and services – including student recruitment and retentionWork closely with the deans of the University’s other colleges and other key stakeholders to foster a highly interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary cultureExercise independent decision-making to direct and advise on complex or challenging tasks and situationsEvaluate faculty and professional staff performance, overseeing the evaluation process, and recommending performance assessments through the University’s annual employee review processStrategically plan staffing needs and organizational structures to effectively support the College’s functions and objectivesMake recommendations to the provost regarding faculty appointments, reappointments, promotions, tenure, terminations and sabbaticalsDevelop and implement innovative academic and co-curricular programs and initiatives to enhance the College’s reputation and impactOversee the evaluation and continuous improvement of existing curricula, academic programs, and support servicesLead the development of new curricula and academic programs aligned with the College’s and University’s long-term goals and strategies, including the implementation of a new undergraduate-wide general education curriculumDevelop, promote and support a robust research and scholarship agenda for the CollegeServe as the College’s primary liaison with other university administrative functions and services, such as:

collaborate with Admissions, Student Affairs, and Student Success on student recruitment, orientation, enrollment planning, and retention initiativescollaborate with departments such as accounting, human resources, advancement, and others to coordinate activities, exchange information, and resolve issues

Represent the College on the University Council and participate in various College and University committeesAttend and present at the Board of Trustees meetings as requestedRepresent the College and University to community schools, service organizations, parents, professional associations, and external stakeholdersCommit to actively fostering a welcoming culture of inclusion and belonging, celebrating the diversity of people across all forms of human differenceActively promote the University’s signature “Marketplace of Ideas” initiativePerform other related duties as necessary as assigned by the provost or presidentQualifications

Competitive candidates will have a variety of professional experience and personal qualifications, including the following:Proven track record of making independent leadership decisions in dynamic and complex environments, particularly within higher education or related fieldsEffective communication skills, including the ability to articulate decisions clearly, persuasively, and respectfully to diverse stakeholdersAbility to professionally represent the Schools within the College and engage effectively with university administrators, faculty, professional staff, students, and external organizations in fulfilling liaison responsibilitiesBroad-based experience in teaching, research, and service as a faculty memberRelevant experience in program planning, administration, supervision, and budget managementAn appreciation for collaborative leadership and faculty shared governanceAbility to lead a college with diverse curricular delivery modes, including distance learning, continuing education, and traditional and non-traditional undergraduate and graduate programsExcellent understanding of the mission and operations of the multiple Schools within the College and University as a whole

EDUCATION AND FACULTY RANK REQUIREMENTSCandidates must have a doctoral degree in a CAS representative discipline, with at least eight years of relevant administrative experience. Candidates must also have a record of accomplished research and teaching meriting the rank of full professor at the University of New England.

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