Prescott College
Dean of Academic Affairs
(Hybrid Potential)
Prescott College invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of dean of academic affairs. This role offers the right individual a truly unique opportunity to join a close-knit campus community and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the college.
Founded in 1966, Prescott College has over a half-century of leadership in developing and refining experiential and online educational models that have kept the college at the forefront of institutions seeking to address urgent issues in environmental sustainability and social justice. Collaborative learning, multidisciplinary studies, and experiential and field-based learning in service of community impact are hallmarks of the Prescott educational experience. Enrolling approximately 1,000 students annually in both on-campus and online programs, the college offers a range of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. Prescott students are educators, activists, counselors, researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs—all of whom are eager to make a difference in their local and global communities. The college is located in Prescott, Arizona, nestled in the beautiful high plateaus of Arizona, about a two-hour drive from Phoenix and Flagstaff. The city of Prescott has a vibrant downtown area and a strong arts community.
The Position
The dean of academic affairs (dean) serves as the college’s chief academic officer. The dean works collaboratively with all constituencies to advance Prescott’s educational mission and provide vision, leadership, and overall management and direction to its academic offerings in alignment with the college’s strategic plan. The dean oversees the development of the academic program and the assessment of teaching and learning; carries responsibility for recruiting, orienting, developing, and evaluating faculty; reviews and recommends action to the president on faculty appointment, reappointment (the college has no tenure system), promotion, and sabbatical leaves; develops the academic budget and allocates resources; leads efforts related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; and partners with colleagues to ensure the delivery of an intellectually stimulating and student-centered learning experience that is engaging, integrated, relevant, and purposeful.
Reporting to President Barbara Morris, who has led Prescott since July 2021, the dean of academic affairs serves as a key member of the President’s Leadership Council. The dean manages a $5 million budget and is ultimately responsible for 56 faculty and administrative staff employees, including six direct reports, and an array of adjuncts and field assistants.
Qualifications
Prescott seeks candidates who have an earned doctorate or terminal degree appropriate to their discipline and a record of success as a teacher-scholar and academic administrator. The ideal candidate will be a committed, community-centered, entrepreneurial leader who can drive innovation and excellence in on-campus and online undergraduate and graduate education. This person will also demonstrate a deep respect for shared governance and faculty engagement, an ability to inspire others and bring them to actionable consensus, an unwavering commitment to justice and inclusive excellence, resilience in the face of challenges, and an affinity for the distinctive mission and character of the college.
Application and Nomination
Prescott has retained Spelman Johnson, a national executive search firm, to assist in this search. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, application materials should be received by November 3, 2023. A resume or CV with a cover letter that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the online position specification may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions.
Confidential inquiries and nominations should be directed to Jim Norfleet, practice leader and senior consultant, at jmn@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895 or email info@spelmanjohnson.com.
The anticipated hiring salary range for the dean of academic affairs is $120,000 to $130,000 annually, commensurate with experience. The college expects to make an appointment in February 2024, and the successful candidate will be expected to take office as soon as possible thereafter. This full-time, in-person position may be eligible for a flexible or hybrid work schedule.
Visit the Prescott College website at www.prescott.edu.
Prescott College is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected status in its employment decisions.
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