Dean, College of Liberal Arts

University of Nevada, Reno

Job Description

The University of Nevada, Reno is searching for an innovative, strategic leader for the Dean, College of Liberal Arts.   As the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, you will lead the college and be a key contributor in shaping the future of our institution. We seek someone who will bring fresh ideas and an innovative approach to higher education leadership. In this role, you will report to the Executive Vice President and Provost. The Dean is the primary academic officer of the College, serves on the Senior Leadership team, and is an integral part of the executive leadership team for the University. 

About the College of Liberal Arts

The University of Nevada, Reno and the College of Liberal Arts emphasize inquiry, discovery, and openness to new ideas and perspectives. It supports major scholarly research, creative activity and teaching in the humanities, social sciences, and arts.

The College of Liberal Arts encompasses disciplines of the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences with 15 departments and multiple specialized programs. It includes a School of the Arts, a School of Social Research and Justice Studies, and the Lilley Museum of Art. It is also a key partner in exciting interdisciplinary programs such as computational linguistics, bilingual media and journalism, cybersecurity, and six dual majors with the College of Education. The College houses several centers, including the Grant Sawyer Center for Justice Studies, and the Basque Studies Center.  The College has two self-sustaining MFA programs at the Lake Tahoe campus (UNR at Lake Tahoe), which complement the existing high-residency, MFA programs in Creative Writing and Art. The College has 46 majors, 57 minors, 21 master’s programs, eight PhD programs (Anthropology, Basque Studies, English, History, Judicial Studies, Musical Arts, Political Science, Social Psychology), and a major presence in dual enrollment programs for high school students.

With about 3,000 undergraduate students, 450 graduate students, 230 faculty members, and 40 staff members, the College of Liberal Arts plays a key role in the education of all students at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Required Qualifications

  • A terminal degree in a discipline represented in the College of Liberal Arts (Ph.D., D.M.A., M.FA. or equivalent foreign degree;
  • Eligible for tenure as a full professor, including research credentials, in one of the departments represented within the College;
  • Demonstrated experience managing both undergraduate and graduate educational programs (including terminal degrees);
  • Evidence of a commitment to faculty, student, staff and program diversity;
  • Demonstrated experience in administration and fundraising.

Preferred Qualifications

  • At least three years of higher education administrative experience at the level of chair or above;
  • Strong background in research and/or creative activities in their field, with a nationally prominent reputation;
  • Experience working with doctoral and graduate students, and a history of nurturing the trajectory of terminal degree programs;
  • Strong advocate for the College at the University and community levels, who is able to articulate the benefits and opportunities of a liberal arts education;
  • Understands and embraces the diversity of disciplines within the College, while also valuing cross- and inter-disciplinary collaboration to advance research goals;
  • Values and advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion across curriculum and infrastructure;
  • Is an energizing and engaged leader who values shared governance and can use problem solving to effectively leverage resources;
  • Has experience creating and implementing innovative strategies for increasing student enrollment and retention;
  • Effectively engages with the Development team to fundraise, steward current donors, and expand the College’s donor base;
  • Experience advancing research goals across departments by encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and obtaining external grants.

University of Nevada, Reno

The University of Nevada, Reno is a public Research 1 land-grant institution of the Nevada System of Higher Education with a student population of approximately 21,000, including over 3,000 graduate students. We are a comprehensive, doctoral university that has been designated as a Carnegie R1 institution with very high research activity and a Carnegie Community Engagement Classification. The University is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the “Best Global Universities” and ranks in the top tier of the WSJ/Times Higher Education World University Rankings. Nearly half our students are students of color, and we are an Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution. In accordance with the University's land grant, tier-one research institution mission, our faculty are expected to contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through research, teaching, and service in a pluralistic environment.

Located where the high desert of the Great Basin meets the High Sierra, the University’s beautiful, 290-acre main campus is also a Nevada State Arboretum. The University added two additional locations in recent years: the Redfield campus in south Reno and the Wayne L. Prim campus at Incline Village–home of the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe.

The University has dynamic intellectual, artistic and sports life and a close relationship to the city of Reno, an emerging tech and innovation hub with a diverse population and a rich cultural history that hosts an active art, music and festival scene. Known for its proximity to Lake Tahoe and the Sierra Nevada mountains, Reno is a vibrant, diverse and growing city located on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, about 200 miles east of San Francisco, about 100 miles east of Sacramento and 30 miles north of the state capital, Carson City. Combined with the neighboring city of Sparks, the Reno-Sparks metropolitan area has a population of more than 500,000. Reno is only 30-45 minutes from Lake Tahoe and major ski resorts and is rated one of the top locations in the United States for living and outdoor recreation. It has an international airport with direct flights to many U.S. transportation hubs and to Mexico. For more information about the city and the surrounding area, please visit www.cityofreno.com and www.visitrenotahoe.com.

The University is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education which is comprised of two research universities, one state college, four community colleges and an environmental research institute. It is committed to developing strong partnerships with each institution for the benefit of all Nevadans.

Through its commitment to high-impact education, world-improving research and creative activity, and outreach that’s transforming Nevada’s communities and businesses, the University continues its nearly 150-year tradition of benefitting our state, nation and world.

Today, the University delivers on its original land-grant mission of access to education and knowledge by investing in the academics, facilities, support, engagement and vibrant campus life that promote our diverse students’ cognitive growth and academic achievement — all while remaining one of the best values in American higher education.

The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes that diversity promotes excellence in education and research. We are an inclusive and engaged community and recognize the added value that students, faculty and staff from different backgrounds bring to the education experience. We believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity and inclusivity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. The University of Nevada, Reno is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.

For more information about the University of Nevada, Reno, please visit www.unr.edu

Wolf Pack Rising, Strategic Plan Goals

2023-2027 Strategic Plan | Wolf Pack Rising | Strategic Plan (unr.edu)

Mission

Inspired by its land-grant foundation, the University of Nevada, Reno provides outstanding learning, discovery and engagement programs that serve the economic, social, environmental and cultural needs of the citizens of Nevada, the nation and the world. The University recognizes and embraces the critical importance of diversity in preparing students for global citizenship and is committed to a culture of excellence, inclusion and accessibility.

Values

The University of Nevada, Reno's vision is to educate and graduate the best-prepared, confident leaders for the state, national and global community; to be a nexus for research and creativity that focuses on vital issues of our time; and to serve as a catalyst for the betterment of our society.

  • Excellence in all of our endeavors
  • Integrity in all our actions
  • Inclusiveness of diverse cultures and identities
  • Collaboration between disciplines and programs and with community partners and stakeholders

Total Compensation

The total compensation package includes a competitive salary, moving allowance (if applicable), a generous retirement plan, health insurance options that include dental and vision, life insurance, annual and sick leave, along with many other benefits. Additionally, there is a grant-in-aid educational benefit for employees and dependents. For more information, please visit: UNR Benefits.

Dual Career Assistance Program

The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes the importance of addressing dual-career couples’ professional needs. UNR offers a dual career assistance program to newly hired faculty spouses/partners that provides resources and assists them to identify career opportunities in Northern Nevada. Dual Career Assistance Program

Application Process

The Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, complete CV, and list of five references and a brief statement one page maximum about how you would contribute toward our mission of creating a culturally inclusive environment in the College), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University of Nevada, Reno. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until final candidates for the appointment are identified.  It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted prior to March 11, 2024.

Porsha L. Williams, Vice President

Erin Raines, Senior Principal

Parker Executive Search

Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875 Atlanta, GA 30328

678.775.4568

pwilliams@parkersearch.com || eraines@parkersearch.com

 

 

 

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