The University of Cincinnati seeks an innovative and dynamic leader to serve as Dean of the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology (CECH).
Founded in 1819, the University of Cincinnati (UC) ranks among the nation’s best urban public research universities. Home to more than 50,000 students, about 11,000 faculty and staff, and 332,000 alumni, UC combines a Top 35 public research university with a physical setting The New York Times calls “the most ambitious campus design program in the country.”
With the launch of Next Lives Here, the Cincinnati Innovation District, a $100 million JobsOhio investment, eight straight years of record enrollment, worldwide leadership in cooperative education, a dynamic academic health center, and entry into the Big 12 athletic conference, UC’s momentum has never been stronger. UC’s annual budget tops $1.65 billion and its endowment totals $1.8 billion.
Interdisciplinary by design, CECH encompasses the three academic schools that give the college its acronym (Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services), as well as the School of Information Technology. The college is nationally recognized for its high-ranking programs, both in-person and online, including Early Childhood Education, Criminal Justice, Substance Abuse Counseling, and Information Technology, among others. With over 6,500 students and 160 full-time faculty members, the college offers 38 undergraduate and 42 graduate degrees, minors, and certificates. CECH is thriving creatively and is among the most forward-looking and collaborative such colleges in the nation.
CECH is dedicated to making a difference in the community through outreach, academic programs, and community partnerships. Students and faculty work side-by-side with educators, athletic directors, community wellness experts, cybersecurity analysts, and local, state, and federal law enforcement officials. CECH values experiential learning as an important element of degree programs. Current research is incorporated into every course to ensure graduates are prepared to maximize their ability to have a positive impact in addressing the most urgent challenges of our society. The college is committed to the principles of access, diversity, partnership, and success; and the college’s faculty provides excellence in teaching, research, service, and leadership.
Reporting to the executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, the dean serves as the chief academic officer of the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services. The incoming dean will work with faculty, staff, students, and administrators to develop, refine, and enhance the college’s role within the university and its connection to the community at large, in coordination with the university’s Next Lives Here vision. The new dean will be a fierce advocate for the disciplines within this highly interdisciplinary college and will connect research to all the college’s teaching and scholarly activities. The dean will champion student success through innovation in teaching and learning, while fostering and promoting an environment that encourages collaboration, diversity, inclusion, and excellence. The next dean should be prepared to develop strategies to recruit, develop, and retain distinguished and diverse faculty, administrators, and staff to ensure CECH continues to deliver high quality, outstanding education.
The successful candidate should be an innovative and inspiring leader who embraces and expands upon the exciting educational and research innovations happening in the college and across the university. The dean will be a fiscally responsible and visionary leader with a demonstrated commitment to academic excellence. The dean should be a strong communicator who embraces a shared governance leadership style through transparency and collaboration. Candidates must have earned a terminal degree in their discipline, and credentials that are commensurate with a tenured full professor at UC.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile. In addition, the University of Cincinnati, as a multi-national and culturally diverse university, is committed to providing an inclusive, equitable and diverse place of learning and employment. As part of a complete job application, you will be asked to provide a Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion statement.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer with diverse faculty, staff, and student population, please provide a personal statement sharing how you are prepared to work in an environment with people from cultures and backgrounds different than your own. Please summarize your contributions to diversity, inclusion, and leadership.
WittKieffer is assisting the University of Cincinnati in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by November 10, 2023. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: Lauren Bruce-Stets and Randi Miller at UCDeanCECH@wittkeiffer.com.
The University of Cincinnati is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer/M/F/Veteran/Disabled.
