Virginia Union University

School of Arts and Sciences

Academic School Dean

VUU is nourished by its African American and Christian heritage and energized by a commitment to excellence and diversity. Its mission is to: 1) Provide a nurturing, intellectually challenging and spiritually enriching environment for learning; 2) Empower students to develop strong moral values for success; and 3) Develop scholars, leaders, and lifelong learners of a global society.

Established in 1865, Virginia Union University gave newly emancipated slaves an opportunity for education, for establishing a community, and for gaining economic, political and social advancement. The University is the result of a merger among four historic institutions: Richmond Theological Seminary, Wayland Seminary, Hartshorn Memorial, and Storer College. Richmond Theological Seminary held its first classes at Lumpkin's Jail, a former holding cell for runaway slaves. The Wayland Seminary was founded in 1865 by the American Baptist Home Mission Society in Washington, DC. Two years later Storer College was founded in West Virginia, and Hartshorn Memorial College opened its doors in 1883 as the first college for African American women in the country. After operating independently for three decades, these notable seminaries joined forces to form Virginia Union University in 1899. Hartshorn Memorial and Storer Colleges would eventually join this Union in 1932 and 1964, respectively.

Located in the heart of Virginia's capital city, Virginia Union University, a Baptist affiliated private institution, is best known for its world-renowned graduate school of theology. It also offers a broad range of educational opportunities in the liberal arts, teaching, research, science, technology, continuing education, civic engagement, and study abroad. VUU's commitment to student success has included an emphasis on student engagement and retention, and close interaction between faculty and students, both of which produce a synergy among scholarship, teaching, and learning.

At Virginia Union University, we consistently search for and create growth opportunities that forge groundbreaking research, state of the art technology, or top-of-the-line curriculum. We welcome and encourage new ideas and processes that positively impact experiences. We require the following core values.

Spiritual Formation, as a faith-based University, we welcome the regular practice of prayer, worship, silence, and mediation that matures one's relationships, values, and life purpose that lead to ongoing spiritual growth and transformation.

Integrity, we value our commitment to fairness, honesty, and truth reflected in each person's words and deeds while holding ourselves accountable for our personal and words and actions.

Diversity & Inclusion, as one of the nation's oldest HBCUs, we value diversity in thought, perspective, and embodiment, trusting that we are stronger when various voices, traditions, and experiences are present.

Excellence, we provide the highest quality of experiences and interactions while remaining flexible, responsive, and open-minded in developing and delivering programs, services, and facilities committed to exceeding the standards of what it means to be Best-In-Class.

In keeping with the VUU vision and mission, the Division of Academic Affairs is seeking strategic and innovative Academic School Dean to serve as chief academic and administrative officer providing overall leadership and direction for all aspects of administration and operation. The Dean will report to the Provost.

General Description and Responsibilities:

* Coordinates the development of and implementing the School's Vision and Goals Statement.

* Leads school efforts toward achieving University goals.

* Develops the school budget.

* Manages the fiscal affairs of the school.

* Leading, and coordinating school strategic planning and curriculum development.

* Supervises, evaluates, and supports Departments in a manner that promotes excellence in instruction, scholarly and creative productivity.

* Leads the processes of school administrator selection and overseeing the processes of faculty and staff selection and retention.

* Evaluates Department Chairpersons and staff.

* Reviews policies, procedures, and recommendations for appointment, salary, retention, tenure, and/or promotion of faculty, and ensures that all policies are followed;

* Evaluates overall Departmental/School productivity in instruction, research, and service responsibilities.

* Providing recommendations to the provost regarding sabbaticals and other leaves for faculty and staff;

* Advises the University Provost on University policies and procedures.

* Manages non-faculty school staff members.

* Certifying to the Office of the Provost and the Office of Registrar as to the compliance of individual students with requirements for graduation, after receiving the recommendation of the department chair/faculty.

* Being knowledgeable of the standards of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) regarding faculty credentials and assessment of program and course outcomes, university policy and procedures and departmental programs and general policies and procedures of the Division of Academic Affairs.

* Where applicable, providing supervision and completion of the program/discipline specific accreditation process which includes self-studies, internal program reviews and student learning outcomes assessment.

* Developing the School as a cost center, generating revenue through external fund-raising efforts.

* Collaborating with University College to facilitate Departmental participation and support with Undergraduate Research initiatives and programming.

* Convening and presiding over regular monthly meetings and special meetings with Department Chairpersons and forward minutes to the Office of the Provost.

* Providing written reports to the Provost, Vice President(s), and other university personnel as requested.

* Serving as members of committees as assigned.

* Supervising the preparation of and/or recommending revisions of the departmental curriculum maps, annual course offerings schedules (Fall, Spring, Summer), catalog department descriptions, and catalog course descriptions.

* Integrating alumni support into the academic units.

* Observing and evaluating faculty course instruction and meet with faculty as requested.

* Building regional and national visibility to grow enrollments in School's degree programs.

* Where applicable, partnering with marketing and operations leadership to identify, evaluate and develop programs and certifications that enhance VUU's value proposition and market competitiveness.

* Developing and supporting strategies (i.e., retention modules, EMSA collaboration) that enhance recruitment and retention of students within the school.

* Coordinating the resolution of student appeals, complaints, transfer courses/course equivalents and offer action recommendations, based on university and departmental regulations and in collaboration with the Department Chairperson, where applicable; and

* Performing other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

* A doctorate degree earned from a regionally accredited college or university in organizational development, business, data analytics, management information systems, or related field.

* Experience with reporting and data visualization tools.

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Salary: Commensurate with experience

Applications Deadline:

Review of candidate materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. If you have any questions, please contact Askhr@vuu.edu

The selected applicant may be required to submit to a background investigation. VUU is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other protected class.