Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Kansas State University in its search for Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

For full consideration, please apply by February 20th.

This is a pivotal and exciting time at Kansas State University with a new president, a record year for research awards, a record fundraising year, the opening of the $1+ billion-dollar National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility (NBAF), the strongest state budget supporting higher education in a decade, and the launch of an ambitious strategic planning effort to become a Next Generation Land-Grant University.   

Kansas State University seeks a dynamic and experienced leader to serve as Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.  The successful candidate must have the experience and vision to inspire, guide, and facilitate a strong and diverse faculty in the advancement of high-quality teaching, research, and engagement while providing leadership that assures the integrity, excellence, relevance, and success of the College's multi-faceted programs for the 21st century.

This position is ideal for a cutting-edge, student-centric leader with a proven history of successful growth initiatives, strong partnership and collaboration skills, and results-focused leadership. The Dean will be required to sustain and grow the College’s excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service; promote a team-oriented leadership approach; establish a vision and strategic direction; drive further development and growth in enrollment, disciplines, and degrees; and cultivate internal and external partnerships. The Dean must embrace and understand how increased diversity of thought and background among students, faculty, administration, and staff works to strengthen academic programs and enrich the University community.

The Dean reports directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President and serves as a member of the Deans Council.

Responsibilities:  

The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will serve as the chief academic and administrative officer of the College, providing leadership, strategic vision and direction, and support for the College. In addition, the Dean provides university leadership to support and promote the academic mission of the university.  Specific responsibilities of the Dean will include:

• leading all academic programs in the College; 
• promoting high-quality undergraduate and graduate experiences for resident and online students; 
• building continued excellence and growth in research and engagement; 
• supporting effective academic advising; 
• being actively involved in the recruitment and retention of high caliber, diverse students, faculty, and staff to the college, as well as promoting equity and a welcoming and inclusive environment;
• working productively with students, faculty, staff, department heads, deans, administrators, and the broader community on interdisciplinary and collaborative initiatives; 
• providing strategic leadership for developing and advancing the College’s strategic plan/goals aligned with the University’s vision to become a Next-Generation Land-Grant University;
• proactively working to address budget planning, resource allocation, and the financial management needed for the College to thrive;
• leading fundraising efforts in collaboration with the K-State Foundation on behalf of the College with a high degree of personal involvement; 
• maintaining and strengthening strategic relationships with the community, alumni, benefactors, and industry; and
• working closely with constituents on issues related to the enhancement of the College and the University.

Educational Requirements

• An earned doctorate or terminal degree in a discipline represented in the College, or in a closely related field.

Required Competencies/Qualifications 
 

• A strong record of distinguished academic achievement that merits appointment as a tenured, full professor in one of the College's departments, with evidence of professional distinction and national or international recognition in the candidate’s field.
• Proven success as an innovative and strategic leader with the ability to plan, coordinate, articulate, and execute a strategic vision and initiatives while engaging others.
• Demonstrated success as a strategic and creative planner and an outstanding collaborator and relationship builder with exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• A strong record of promoting diversity and inclusion among students, faculty, staff, and in the curriculum.
• A proven record as a successful administrator with responsibility for guiding strategy, evaluating personnel, motivating faculty, resource acquisition and allocation, engaging external constituencies, and fostering diversity and teamwork to create collaborative relationships across culturally diverse groups.  
• Proven record of success in fund development, external fundraising, and financial management during challenging times.  
• A demonstrated commitment to all aspects of a land-grant mission, including teaching, research, and extension/outreach.

Preferred Competencies/Qualifications

• An appreciation for the college’s people, programs, mission, and vision.
• A proven ability to develop and implement successful interdisciplinary and/or international programs.
• Proven ability to initiate, lead, and facilitate transformational change and innovation initiatives, be adaptable with changing conditions, and comfortable with the ambiguity that accompanies a large public university.
• A firm grasp of the opportunities and advantages of an R1 university with land-grant status.
• A history of building, enhancing, and sustaining partnerships across the university, local communities, state, region, and nation.

About Kansas State University

To learn more about Kansas State University, please visit their University Profile.

Diversity and Inclusion

Kansas State University has a long, storied history of embracing diversity and inclusion as a core component of their educational mission. As the nation’s first operational land-grant, K-State has always admitted students without regard to race, gender, or creed. Their commitment to meeting the needs and interests of a diverse student body and preparing all constituents for meaningful engagement in an ever changing, diverse world is unwavering. They believe that diversity adds value to the educational fabric of their institution and students are encouraged to capitalize on the learning opportunities that differences can create.          

To learn more information about diversity and inclusion at K-State, please visit https://www.k-state.edu/diversity-inclusion  

About the College of Arts and Sciences

As part of Kansas State University, a comprehensive land-grant institution, the College of Arts and Sciences is committed to excellence in research, undergraduate and graduate on-campus and distance education, and engagement.  The College is fully committed to advancing the University’s land-grant mission and its vision to become a Next-Generation Land-Grant University.  

The College has roughly 4,100 students (graduate and undergraduate) and approximately 620 faculty and staff.  The College includes 20 departments, 2 Schools, 2 Centers and encompasses studies in the natural sciences, quantitative sciences, social sciences, humanities, and fine arts, and has more than 70 (undergraduate and graduate) degree programs and pre-professional options.  Please visit the college website (https://artsci.k-state.edu/)  for additional information regarding the College, its departments, and their program offerings. 

The Community      

To learn more about the Manhattan, KS community, please visit their University Profile, http://www.manhattan.org or http://www.madeformanhattan.org


To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by February 20th 

Please do not email applications. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are treated confidentially:

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to ksudeanartsandsciences@acesrch.com 
Nominations and referrals: Please send to nominations@acesrch.com 

Institution’s EEO Statement
Kansas State University is an equal opportunity employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans. A pre-employment background check is required.