Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) seeks a forward-thinking, highly ethical, and inspirational leader, who shares a deep commitment to higher education, and who is an accomplished scholar to serve as the next dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
The new leader will join CWRU and the college in the midst of rapid advancement and accelerated accomplishment. This leader will courageously advance the college within and outside of the university, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in research, creative works, and scholarship. They will also empower highly talented students to be nimble, collaborative and empowered in a rapidly changing world. The dean will build on the already positive and strong financial status of the college, drive research advancements, contribute to record-breaking fundraising, expand and improve facilities, and cultivate a culture of inclusion. In addition, they will elevate the college’s profile nationally, attract top talent in the faculty and staff and secure resources for continuous growth. CWRU seeks an inspirational leader with stellar academic credentials, strategic foresight, and a commitment to inclusive excellence.
CWRU is among the country’s leading independent private research institutions. The university has been a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) since 1969, and is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and by several nationally recognized professional accrediting associations. CWRU is located five miles east of downtown Cleveland in University Circle, a square-mile urban district full of renowned cultural, medical, educational, and social-service institutions.
Today, Case Western Reserve comprises the College of Arts and Sciences and seven schools—the Case School of Engineering, the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel School of Applied Social Sciences, the School of Dental Medicine, the School of Law, the School of Medicine, and the Weatherhead School of Management. The university offers more than 100 undergraduate degree programs, about 160 graduate and professional options, and over 145 dual-degree programs. Additionally, CWRU has more than 100 interdisciplinary academic and research centers and institutes. CWRU also offers seven online master’s degrees and over a dozen non-credit online courses. CWRU has a $1.43 billion operating budget (FY 2024) and a $2.261 billion endowment and is positioned for strong growth into the future. CWRU is home to more than 12,200 students (6,186 undergraduate students and 6,080 graduate/professional students in fall 2023), 1,158 full-time faculty members, and about 4,500 full- and part-time staff, with more than 125,000 alumni around the world.
The College of Arts and Sciences houses educational and research programs in the natural sciences, arts, humanities, social sciences, performing arts, artificial intelligence, ethics, and mathematics. Of the 16 CWRU Nobel Laureates among its alumni and current and former faculty, nine (9) were affiliated with the college (or earlier schools representing the college). Of current and recent emeriti faculty, 29 are academy or society fellows, including a MacArthur Foundation Fellow. The college offers a seamless combination of sciences and humanities and arts through its 21 academic departments, and 34 interdisciplinary programs and centers. Undergraduate and graduate students conduct research in the college, in other units of the university, or in nearby medical and cultural institutions. The academic experience can extend into the community in the form of service-learning projects, social justice, community organizations, and internships at research institutions, businesses, cultural institutions, and governmental agencies. Together, the faculty, staff, and students have created an exceptionally collegial and collaborative environment and culture, whereby seamless interdisciplinary exchange in the hallmark of innovation.
The approximately 2,000 undergraduate students in the college choose from over 60 majors, more than 50 minors, and 16 interdisciplinary programs; can design their own courses of study; or enroll in integrated bachelor’s/master’s degree programs. It is also home to approximately 500 PhD and graduate level students seeking advanced degrees in nearly 50 programs. In addition, the college offers graduate programs in several fields where small size and award-winning faculty provide a distinctive environment for learning.
Reporting to the provost, the dean is the chief academic, executive, and fiscal officer of the College of Arts and Sciences. The dean provides leadership and oversight for the strategic, academic, intellectual, and administrative affairs of the college. Direct reports include a senior associate dean, eight associate deans, an executive aide, an assistant to the dean for special projects, and an associate provost, who has a dual reporting relationship with the provost. There are also strong expectations for engaging alumni and donors and contributing to fundraising, which is now approximately $50M/year. The new dean will also be expected to contribute to the growth of external research among its faculty as the university works to reach its goal of $600M/year in research expenditures.
Qualifications: The dean will possess stellar academic credentials, including a high degree of scholarship/research and a record of distinguished, recognized work in their area of expertise. The dean will hold a terminal degree and qualification for tenured appointment at the rank of full professor in a department within the college.
More information, including full lists of responsibilities and desired skills and qualities, can be found in the institutional profile at https://www.academicsearch.org/open-searches-public/entry/19325/?search=19325.
How to Apply
Applications should consist of a substantial letter of interest, a CV, and a list of five professional references with full contact information and a note indicating the nature of your working relationship with each. No references will be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate. Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted electronically, and in confidence, to:
The position is open until filled but only applications received by Monday, September 2, 2024, can be assured full consideration. The university is being assisted by Academic Search. Confidential discussions about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting consultants Ann Hasselmo at Ann.Hasselmo@academicsearch.org and Chris Butler at Chris.Butler@academicsearch.org. Further information about Case Western Reserve is available at case.edu.
Case Western Reserve University strives to maintain a diverse and inclusive work environment. All applicants are protected under Federal law from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, age and genetics.
Case Western Reserve provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity by phone at 216.368.3066 or by email at equity@case.edu. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.
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