Classification: Executive 2
Job Posted: November 21, 2023
Search Number: MC23 - 003

About Southern Connecticut State University

Southern Connecticut State University is a diverse and student-centered university dedicated to academic excellence, access, and service for the public good. Southern provides a supportive and welcoming environment for all members of its community through a campus wide commitment to social justice.  Founded as a teacher’s college in 1893, Southern has evolved over the past century into a comprehensive public university of more than 8,800 students, offering graduate and undergraduate programs in the liberal arts and professional disciplines. It is one of four universities in the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System. The University is located in New Haven, a city rich with arts and culture, and less than 90 miles from New York City and 140 miles from Boston.

Position Summary

The Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, as a member of the Provosts Council along with the other Academic Deans, reports directly to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Manage and provide vision to the School of Graduate and Professional Studies at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU). This position will provide vision and thought leadership to faculty, department chairs, deans and staff regarding innovations in curriculum, technology, emerging disciplines, and program and course modality.

Position Responsibilities

The Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies responsible for managing activities and programs that lead to the recruitment, application, admission, and success of students in graduate and professional programs. The Dean provides thought leadership, vision, and inspiration to support faculty in developing new and innovative programs to meet the needs of our stakeholders and community. They will work collectively with faculty and the Deans of the four other academic Colleges and Schools along with the Graduate Council in building relevant programs. They will additionally work with the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research in search of new and continued grants and contracts to advance scholarship and student learning experiences.

The following examples of duties illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position, but are not intended to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position.

• Coordinate graduate enrollment management—recruitment, retention, persistence, and timely student graduation;
• Collaborate to create new and innovative programs for the recruitment, retention, and graduation of students in graduate and professional programs;
• Participate in the selection and hiring, development and placement of relevant faculty, in cooperation with disciplinary deans;
• Provide direction and thought leadership to chairs on such issues as academic standards, required faculty qualifications, proper allocation of faculty to program offerings, and determining most effective use of faculty within budget constraints;
• Provide stakeholders with direction and vision related to the recruitment, admission, and graduation of students in graduate and professional programs;
• Pursue and establish external partnerships and funding opportunities Prepare and collaborate on the preparation of proposals to solicit external funding that provides financial support or research opportunities for graduate and professional students;
• Direct faculty efforts to obtain grants, grants administration, and directing the development and administration of special academic programs such as honors and experiential programs;
• Evaluate staff and administrative support reporting to the Dean of the School;
• Manage staff and administrative support working in the School, including the hiring and development of staff and administrative support;
• Manage the School’s annual budget. This includes obtaining budget requests and estimates from department chairs as needed, determining fund allocation, reviewing expenses compared to budget, reallocating funds as needs and as conditions change, and soliciting special funds to meet special needs. Both operating expense and equipment budgets are included under the incumbent’s management;
• Support and collaborate with the Graduate Council, a faculty curriculum body.

Qualifications

Incumbents must possess proven ability to effectively work with a culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse faculty, staff, and students. They are expected to have excellent oral and written communication skills along with strong Information technology literacy skills such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams etc.). Incumbents are required to have demonstrated advanced knowledge and abilities in the following:

A doctorate degree from a regionally accredited university is required, along with minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in at the level of associate or assistant dean or higher, or comparable role within a university.

The Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies is required to have demonstrated knowledge and abilities in the following areas:

• Experience with strategic planning and the execution of vision are essential to the role.
• Able to demonstrate evidence of institutional impact and the ability to document said impact.
• A record of quality scholarship demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications and presentations or equivalent disciplinary based criteria.
• Experience conducting sponsored research and successful grant writing.
• Evidence of effective curriculum development and review at the graduate and professional level.
• University teaching experience and practical knowledge of learning outcomes assessment.
• Supervisory experience and the ability to work collaboratively and effectively with a diverse workforce.
• Superior and effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Evidence of the ability to innovate and inspire is critical.
• Commitment to social justice and understand current issues in higher education.
• Demonstrated history of directing a graduate and professional studies unit is preferred.
• Successful teaching record as a tenured or tenure-track faculty member in a graduate program in an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.
• Experience with the accreditation of graduate programs is preferred.
• Demonstrated success in writing and receiving funding for grants intended to support graduate and professional studies students is preferred.
• Success in private or corporate sector fundraising and partnerships or demonstrated willingness to learn how to be successful in these efforts.
• Experience developing interdisciplinary, interdepartmental, or inter-institutional programs is preferred.
• Evidence of developing or working within an international collaboration is preferred.
• Experience supervising personnel in different classifications in an environment of collective bargaining is highly desirable.

Application

Please send electronically a letter application addressing the leadership priorities and qualifications outlined in the Prospectus, a curriculum vita, three letters of recommendation, and contact information (names, phone numbers, and email addresses) for five references in an MS Word or PDF document to: DeanSPGS@southernct.edu by December 27, 2023. Reference the title Dean of School of Graduate and Professional Studies in the subject line.  Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled.

Southern Connecticut State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University seeks to enhance the diversity of its faculty and staff. People of color, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.