Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist St. Mary’s University in its search for Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

For full consideration, please apply by September 28, 2026.

The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (CAHSS) at St. Mary’s University is at the heart of its Catholic and Marianist academic experience. As the University’s largest and most academically diverse college, CAHSS spans the arts, humanities, social sciences and professional fields and plays a critical role in the undergraduate Core Curriculum, shaping the academic experience and formation of students across St. Mary’s. The next Dean will be a visible, engaged and collaborative leader who values the breadth of the College, builds strong relationships with faculty and staff, and brings the judgment and practical leadership needed to turn priorities into sustained progress. As an effective voice for CAHSS, the Dean will strengthen the College’s visibility and impact within St. Mary’s and across the region.

With the University’s Momentum 2032 strategic plan and the College’s recently adopted Impact 2032 setting a clear direction, the next Dean will lead the College in bringing these plans to life. The Dean will advance a relevant and sustainable academic portfolio, grow enrollment and support student success, invest in faculty development and scholarship, and expand philanthropic and external support. The Dean will also serve as a leading advocate for the College, articulating the value of a Catholic and Marianist liberal arts education and its relevance in preparing students for meaningful careers, graduate study, civic leadership and lives of purpose. 

Home to more than 70 full-time faculty and approximately 1,230 undergraduate and graduate students, the College offers a broad portfolio of programs, with more than 20 undergraduate degrees, 10 graduate degrees and one doctoral program. As part of a Hispanic-Serving Institution, CAHSS serves a diverse student population with a high percentage of first-generation students. Recent curricular growth includes new programs in Social Work, Public Health and Medical Humanities, reflecting the College’s continued responsiveness to evolving student and regional needs. 

Reporting to the Provost, the Dean serves as the College’s chief academic and administrative leader, providing leadership for academic programs, faculty and staff, enrollment, resource management and strategic implementation. 

To learn more about this opportunity, view the full Leadership Profile.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to articulate the St. Mary’s mission and its education in the context of a Catholic and Marianist liberal arts university;
• An earned terminal degree from an accredited institution in a discipline identified at St. Mary’s as arts, humanities or social sciences;
• Experience as a full-time, tenured faculty member in a discipline related to the arts, humanities or social sciences;
• A strong record of teaching, scholarship and service equivalent to a tenured faculty member at St. Mary’s;
• Experience as an academic administrator with supervisory and evaluation responsibilities and budget oversight;
• A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with academic chairs, program directors, academic deans and senior administrators;
• Experience with assessment, program review and implementation of strategic plans; and
• Evidence of a strong commitment to inclusive excellence.

About St. Mary’s University

St. Mary's University, founded in 1852, is the oldest Catholic university in the Southwest and a Hispanic-Serving Institution grounded in the Catholic and Marianist traditions. The University enrolls approximately 3,500 students across four schools, offering more than 40 undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, including doctoral and professional degrees.

Guided by the five Characteristics of Marianist Universities, St. Mary's integrates rigorous academics with faith, service, leadership, and community, creating an educational experience that prepares graduates to lead lives of purpose and impact. Students benefit from close faculty mentorship, undergraduate and graduate research opportunities, experiential learning, and a vibrant campus community that extends to a global network of more than 36,000 alumni.

Nationally recognized for academic quality and value, St. Mary's is ranked the No. 1 Best Value School in the West and has been recognized among the region's top universities by U.S. News & World Report for more than three decades.

About the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences brings together a broad range of disciplines across the arts, humanities, social sciences and professional fields. Faculty are active teacher-scholars whose research, creative work and professional engagement enrich the intellectual life of the University and community. Their scholarship appears in leading disciplinary journals and university presses, often in collaboration with students, and faculty have successfully secured external support from the National Science Foundation, National Endowment for the Humanities, U.S. Department of Education and other public and private funders. 

The College provides students with opportunities to extend learning beyond the classroom through faculty-mentored research, service and community-based learning, and international experiences. The College is also home to the Center for Catholic Studies, which advances the Catholic and Marianist mission through research, public scholarship and community engagement, and the Center for Mexican American Studies, which deepens the University’s engagement with the communities and cultures that define the region. To learn more about CAHSS, view the Leadership Profile. 

Living in the Area

San Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States and the second-largest city in Texas, with a population of more than 1.3 million residents. Situated in the south-central part of Texas, it serves as the seat of Bexar County and offers a dynamic combination of culture, history, and economic opportunity.

San Antonio boasts a thriving culinary scene, world-class arts, and vibrant neighborhoods, offering both Mexican, Tex-Mex, and international cuisine. Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy parks, trails, and proximity to nearby hill country. The city also has a strong military and healthcare presence, including Joint Base San Antonio (Fort Sam Houston, Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph Air Force Base), the South Texas Medical Center, and the San Antonio Military Medical Center.

Economically, San Antonio is home to five Fortune 500 companies and an emerging cybersecurity, bioscience, and higher education ecosystem, providing diverse professional opportunities. With a cost of living below the national average, excellent schools, and a welcoming community, San Antonio offers an exceptional quality of life for professionals and families alike.

For more information about the area, visit: www.sanantonio.gov, www.sachamber.org, www.visitsanantonio.com.

To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by September 28, 2026. 

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to StMUDeanCAHSS@acesrch.com 
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.

Institutional Information
St. Mary's University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and an Equal Opportunity Employer.