Buffkin / Baker
Dean, College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences
Buffkin / Baker, Radford, Virginia, United States, 24141
Dean, College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences
Radford University invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean, College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences
About Radford University
Radford University is a public university enrolling nearly 7,800 students with sites located along the iconic Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Radford boasts a beautiful 211-acre main residential campus along the New River in Radford; as well as vibrant learning environments in downtown Roanoke at the Carilion Community Hospital and the Roanoke Higher Education Center; and the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center located in Abingdon. Students at Radford University come from 46 states and 54 foreign nations, with the current student body the most diverse in the institution's history. Radford University was founded by the Virginia General Assembly in the spring of 1910 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Radford. The college grew out of a late nineteenth-century effort to expand Virginia's public school system and prepare a sufficient number of teachers. Radford University continues to expand on this public mission to create a thriving state and region in education, health care, economic development, science and sustainability, and enriched social and cultural communities.
Radford University is nationally recognized for many of its undergraduate and graduate academic programs, as well as its sustainability initiatives. In 2022, the Carnegie Commission for Higher Education elevated Radford University from an M1 (Master's Larger Programs) up to the Doctoral/Professional classification. In 2025, Carnegie recognizes Radford as an Opportunity College and University for Higher Access and Higher Earnings. Radford was ranked by the U.S. News in the Top National Universities category while previously ranked in the Regional Universities - South Region. The publication also recognized Radford University among the best universities in the south for veterans, one of the top green institutions in the nation, and one of the best undergraduate teaching programs nationally.
Well-known for its meaningful faculty, staff, and student relationships, innovative use of technology in the learning environment, and vibrant student life, Radford offers students opportunities to get involved and succeed in and out of the classroom. The Radford University grounds and facilities are beautifully maintained and designed to showcase the academic and extracurricular interests of students. Radford University has well over 200 clubs and organizations providing vast opportunities for student engagement, leadership development, and community service.
Radford University offers a clinical-based educational experience for more than 1,100 students living and learning in Roanoke, Virginia, as part of a public-private partnership established in 2019 with a focus on the cutting-edge delivery of health sciences programming, outreach, and service. Located in downtown Roanoke, Virginia, in the city's Innovation Corridor, Radford University provides a rigorous real-world learning experience for both undergraduate and graduate students degrees in the health sciences. Radford University allied health programs are fortunate to have a faculty of practicing clinicians who, in a clinical setting at both the Carilion Medical Center and at Roanoke Higher Education Center, teach students how to care for patients, conduct research, and they explore how to manage organizations.
Mission Statement
As a mid-sized, comprehensive public institution dedicated to the creation and dissemination of knowledge, Radford University empowers students from diverse backgrounds by providing transformative educational experiences, from the undergraduate to the doctoral level, within and beyond the classroom. As an inclusive university community, we specialize in cultivating relationships among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other partners, and in providing a culture of service, support, and engagement. We embrace innovation and tradition and instill students with purpose and the ability to think creatively and critically. We provide an educational environment and the tools to address the social, economic, and environmental issues confronting the region, nation, and the world.
Core Values • Student Empowerment and Success - We engage and support our students in the discovery and pursuit of their own unique paths. • Excellence - We expect our community to strive for the highest standards. • Inclusiveness - We are committed to a spirit of cooperation and collaboration, embracing and honoring the diversity of our community. • Community - We foster relationships and a culture of service within and beyond ourcommunity. • Intellectual Freedom -We encourage and defend a fearless exploration of knowledge in all its forms. • Innovation - We inspire and support creativity in research, scholarship, pedagogy, and service. • Sustainability - We are committed to integrating sustainable practices into all aspects of our operations and engage students across the curriculum to learn, discover, and contribute to positive current and future environmental solutions.
Academics
Carnegie recognizes Radford University as an Opportunity College and University for Higher Access and Higher Earnings. Categorized as a National University by the U.S. News & World Report, Radford University offers 76 bachelor's degree programs in 47 disciplines, one associate degree, and six certificates at the undergraduate level; 28 master's programs in 23 disciplines and six doctoral programs at the graduate level; and 17 post- baccalaureate certificates and one post-master's certificate. The innovative REAL general education curriculum requires that students study in four important areas: Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning, Humanistic or Artistic Expression, Cultural or Behavioral Analysis, and Applied Learning, in addition to foundational skills in written communication and mathematics. The student-faculty ratio is 13:1 with 59% of classes having fewer than 20 students.
Mission of Academic Affairs
Radford University cultivates an inclusive, experiential learning environment that ignites lifelong curiosity, and empowers graduates to lead thriving communities through service, research, and innovation.
Colleges and Schools
Davis College of Business and Economics
The Radford University Davis College of Business and Economics provides an active learning environment that develops responsible business professionals who collaborate to compete successfully in the global economy. Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the college provides students opportunities to interact with entrepreneurs, accountants, investors, managers, and marketing professionals from across the country and the globe.
College of Education and Human Development
The College of Education and Human Development builds on Radford University's rich history as a teaching institution by offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs that empower students to become engaged professionals who are responsive to the needs of communities, families and individuals.
Waldron College of Health and Human Services
The Waldron College of Health and Human Services is a community of clinician-scholars preparing competent, compassionate professionals to meet the needs of southwest Virginia and beyond. Challenging students intellectually, the college engages students in collaborative projects and mentoring activities that enrich their lives and enhance their education.
College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences
The College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences offers degree programs and individual classes designed to emphasize the liberal arts as a foundation for lifelong learning. Across our many academic programs, we strive to promote critical thinking, effective writing, compelling speaking, and intellectual exploration from a variety of perspectives. Our college is comprised of nationally recognized faculty, hard-working staff, and goal-oriented students, who are all aiming to improve themselves and the world in which they live. Students engage in experiential learning activities and internships that give them opportunities to serve their communities, while preparing them for jobs after graduation.
College of Nursing
The Radford University College of Nursing is where compassion meets excellence. We are dedicated to cultivating skilled, empathetic nurses ready to meet the challenges of modern healthcare. With state-of-the-art facilities, experienced faculty, and a commitment to hands-on learning, we provide a nurturing environment that supports both academic and personal growth.
Artis College of Science and Technology
The curriculum and faculty members of the Artis College of Science and Technology at Radford University prepare students to become successful professionals in a culturally diverse global economy that is becoming increasingly technical and scientifically advanced. Economic competitiveness and global environmental issues have inspired a renewed emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and the innovations in these fields are changing our lives on a daily basis. With this in mind, the Artis College prepares our students for successful careers in the STEM fields while actively engaging in real-world problem-solving.
College of Visual and Performing Arts
The College of Visual and Performing Arts at Radford University provides a combination of artistic and academic excellence across all of the arts disciplines. Instruction combines traditional forms and approaches with the latest in technology applications to best prepare students for the challenges and expectations that await them in their careers as artists, designers, scholars, educators, therapists, and arts-related professionals.
Honors College
The Honors College at Radford University is an undergraduate academic program and social community designed to support students' pursuit of excellence. To facilitate this goal, the Honors College helps students build connections between themselves, their professors, and similarly engaged students from majors across campus. Through distinct courses, individualized academic experiences, residential life, and special events, the Honors College seeks an authentic community that sparks curiosity in our students.
The President
Bret Danilowicz, Ph.D., began serving as president of Radford University on July 1, 2022. A strong advocate of shared governance and transparency, Dr. Danilowicz brings 22 years of higher education leadership experience to the presidency. Most recently, he served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Florida Atlantic University. As provost, he implemented incentive-based budgeting, coordinated a nation-leading improvement in graduation rates, established a public forum for civil discourse, and developed and implemented strategies for advancement toward R1 reclassification.
Before joining Florida Atlantic University, he served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma State University. Previously, he was associate dean, then dean, of the College of Science and Technology at Georgia Southern University.
Dr. Danilowicz attained a B.S. in biology from Utica College of Syracuse University. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in zoology from Duke University, an M.A. in education leadership and management from Open University, and finally, an MBA from Georgia Southern University.
The Provost
Bethany McKay Usher, Ph.D., joined Radford University as provost and senior vice president of academic affairs on June 12, 2023. Dr. Usher advocates for inclusive experiential education and is an expert in curriculum and program design that encourages student success. Immediately prior to her appointment at Radford, Dr. Usher was associate provost for undergraduate education at George Mason University, where she has served in progressive leadership roles since 2010. Previous experience includes serving as department chair of anthropology at SUNY Potsdam, and academic appointments at Penn State and Shippensburg University.
After conducting research as a Fulbright Scholar studying social and biological patterns in medieval Danish cemeteries, she earned her Ph.D. in biological anthropology at Pennsylvania State University. Dr Usher also holds her master of arts degree in bioarcheology from Arizona State University, and her bachelor of arts degree in anthropology and biology from the University of Virginia. Dr. Usher currently serves as the immediate Past-President of the Council on Undergraduate Research.
The College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences
The College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences is composed of the School of Communication, the School of Writing, Language, and Literature, six academic departments, and Army ROTC. The college is a community of over 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students who are taught and mentored by 92 full-time faculty. Students can study across 12 undergraduate majors, 37 minors, five interdisciplinary minors, and five master's programs that highlight humanities and human behavior. Our students engage in experiential learning activities and internships that give them an opportunity to serve their communities, while preparing them for jobs after graduation.
A strong international studies and global perspective is found in all departments. Working with faculty across the university, every department engages students to develop an understanding of global social and cultural issues and to inspire each student to become an active participant in society.
In August of 2016, the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences (CHBS) moved into its new home, Hemphill Hall. The state-of-the-art space features: • 90-seat tiered classroom • Multiple collaborative learning spaces for student use • Offices and research spaces for faculty and staff • Radford's Army ROTC program • Mock trial/moot courtroom • Professional quality broadcast studio • Digital video and audio editing facilities • Forensic laboratory • Emergency Operations Center • Starbucks
The Position of Dean of the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences
Radford University seeks an exceptional leader to support the academic excellence of our College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences. Radford University requires a leader who will elevate the value of the liberal arts and humanities, advocate student-engaged high-quality research and scholarship, and support experiential education that prepares students for their lives and careers.
Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean will provide leadership and strategic direction for the College, foster ongoing development of high-quality academic programs, support student success, and build collaborative partnerships internally and externally. Working with other deans and the Provost, the Dean will advance academic excellence, encouraging, recognizing, and supporting the faculty in innovative teaching, scholarship, and service.
Required Education • An earned terminal degree, preferably a PhD, in a discipline housed in the College.
Required Qualifications • A minimum of five years experience as an university academic administrator. • Experience as a department Chair or the equivalent. • Demonstrated experience in areas of curriculum and program development, student recruitment and retention, faculty recruitment and development, and fiscal management. • Success in the generation of external funding (fundraising, grant writing) and in the development and maintenance of positive working relationships with alumni and community stakeholders. • Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with students, faculty, staff, and administration. • Ability to take initiative, working independently and in teams, to meet the academic objectives. • Demonstrated excellence in teaching, professional contributions, and service befitting a tenured professor at Radford University. • Commitment to enhancing the well-being of Southwest Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia through academic programs and engagement with community partners.
Preferred Qualifications • Demonstrated experience supporting general education and liberal arts programs. • Record of collaboration to create interdisciplinary opportunities that address the "wicked problems" facing the world.
Major Responsibilities of Position • Lead the faculty and staff of the college in developing and delivering undergraduate and graduate educational programs of the highest quality, consistent with the college's mission.
o Encourage the success of our diverse students, including creating an education environment that supports belonging, retention, graduation, and career development.
o Supervise the recruitment and professional development of faculty.
o Support a curriculum lifecycle that adapts academic programs to meet changing needs of our students, the university, and society. • Promote the overall excellence and welfare of Radford University.
o Serve as a collaborative member of the Academic Affairs Leadership Team, the Deans Council, and in partnership with the Provost to successfully meet the university's mission and strategic goals.
o Implement strategies that support sustaining or increasing the student population in the college and the university • Lead the College in obtaining and managing fiscal, human, and physical resources necessary to meet the college's vision, and curricular and programmatic goals.
o Develop donor base and external fund raising.
o Support grant and foundation funding for College and university priorities • Represent the college to external and internal constituencies.
Location
Radford University's main campus is located in the city of Radford (population 15,859), 36 miles southwest of Roanoke, Va., on Route 11 and I-81 in the New River Valley, close to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. The City of Radford and the surrounding region provide a rich variety of cultural and leisure activities. Outdoor enthusiasts will find the university's location along the New River provides opportunities to hike, kayak, fish, swim, and camp. Dozens of bicycling and hiking trails are accessible within less than a 30-minute drive, including access points to the Appalachian Trail, Jefferson National Forest, and the New River Trail State Park. Downtown Radford is home to a variety of locally owned shops and restaurants. The City of Christiansburg serves as a retail hub providing a regional mall and major chain stores and restaurants and is less than 10 miles from Radford. Radford University's offers an expanding set of academic programs in downtown Roanoke, a city of 100,000 people. Downtown Roanoke has gone through a significant restoration and revitalization. Home to a number of local breweries, restaurants, shops, hotels, and the Taubman Museum of Art, downtown Roanoke is very walkable and pedestrian friendly with a vibrant, urban feel. Residents and guests have ample opportunities to enjoy special events, cultural activities, and live music throughout the year.
Nominations and Applications
Buffkin/Baker, an executive search firm, is assisting the university in the search. Inquiries of interest, nominations, and applications should be submitted by Friday, August 22nd to:
Dr. Pelema Ellis, Partner
Buffkin / Baker
radfordchbsdean@buffkinbaker.com
Radford University invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean, College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences
About Radford University
Radford University is a public university enrolling nearly 7,800 students with sites located along the iconic Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. Radford boasts a beautiful 211-acre main residential campus along the New River in Radford; as well as vibrant learning environments in downtown Roanoke at the Carilion Community Hospital and the Roanoke Higher Education Center; and the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center located in Abingdon. Students at Radford University come from 46 states and 54 foreign nations, with the current student body the most diverse in the institution's history. Radford University was founded by the Virginia General Assembly in the spring of 1910 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Radford. The college grew out of a late nineteenth-century effort to expand Virginia's public school system and prepare a sufficient number of teachers. Radford University continues to expand on this public mission to create a thriving state and region in education, health care, economic development, science and sustainability, and enriched social and cultural communities.
Radford University is nationally recognized for many of its undergraduate and graduate academic programs, as well as its sustainability initiatives. In 2022, the Carnegie Commission for Higher Education elevated Radford University from an M1 (Master's Larger Programs) up to the Doctoral/Professional classification. In 2025, Carnegie recognizes Radford as an Opportunity College and University for Higher Access and Higher Earnings. Radford was ranked by the U.S. News in the Top National Universities category while previously ranked in the Regional Universities - South Region. The publication also recognized Radford University among the best universities in the south for veterans, one of the top green institutions in the nation, and one of the best undergraduate teaching programs nationally.
Well-known for its meaningful faculty, staff, and student relationships, innovative use of technology in the learning environment, and vibrant student life, Radford offers students opportunities to get involved and succeed in and out of the classroom. The Radford University grounds and facilities are beautifully maintained and designed to showcase the academic and extracurricular interests of students. Radford University has well over 200 clubs and organizations providing vast opportunities for student engagement, leadership development, and community service.
Radford University offers a clinical-based educational experience for more than 1,100 students living and learning in Roanoke, Virginia, as part of a public-private partnership established in 2019 with a focus on the cutting-edge delivery of health sciences programming, outreach, and service. Located in downtown Roanoke, Virginia, in the city's Innovation Corridor, Radford University provides a rigorous real-world learning experience for both undergraduate and graduate students degrees in the health sciences. Radford University allied health programs are fortunate to have a faculty of practicing clinicians who, in a clinical setting at both the Carilion Medical Center and at Roanoke Higher Education Center, teach students how to care for patients, conduct research, and they explore how to manage organizations.
Mission Statement
As a mid-sized, comprehensive public institution dedicated to the creation and dissemination of knowledge, Radford University empowers students from diverse backgrounds by providing transformative educational experiences, from the undergraduate to the doctoral level, within and beyond the classroom. As an inclusive university community, we specialize in cultivating relationships among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other partners, and in providing a culture of service, support, and engagement. We embrace innovation and tradition and instill students with purpose and the ability to think creatively and critically. We provide an educational environment and the tools to address the social, economic, and environmental issues confronting the region, nation, and the world.
Core Values • Student Empowerment and Success - We engage and support our students in the discovery and pursuit of their own unique paths. • Excellence - We expect our community to strive for the highest standards. • Inclusiveness - We are committed to a spirit of cooperation and collaboration, embracing and honoring the diversity of our community. • Community - We foster relationships and a culture of service within and beyond ourcommunity. • Intellectual Freedom -We encourage and defend a fearless exploration of knowledge in all its forms. • Innovation - We inspire and support creativity in research, scholarship, pedagogy, and service. • Sustainability - We are committed to integrating sustainable practices into all aspects of our operations and engage students across the curriculum to learn, discover, and contribute to positive current and future environmental solutions.
Academics
Carnegie recognizes Radford University as an Opportunity College and University for Higher Access and Higher Earnings. Categorized as a National University by the U.S. News & World Report, Radford University offers 76 bachelor's degree programs in 47 disciplines, one associate degree, and six certificates at the undergraduate level; 28 master's programs in 23 disciplines and six doctoral programs at the graduate level; and 17 post- baccalaureate certificates and one post-master's certificate. The innovative REAL general education curriculum requires that students study in four important areas: Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning, Humanistic or Artistic Expression, Cultural or Behavioral Analysis, and Applied Learning, in addition to foundational skills in written communication and mathematics. The student-faculty ratio is 13:1 with 59% of classes having fewer than 20 students.
Mission of Academic Affairs
Radford University cultivates an inclusive, experiential learning environment that ignites lifelong curiosity, and empowers graduates to lead thriving communities through service, research, and innovation.
Colleges and Schools
Davis College of Business and Economics
The Radford University Davis College of Business and Economics provides an active learning environment that develops responsible business professionals who collaborate to compete successfully in the global economy. Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the college provides students opportunities to interact with entrepreneurs, accountants, investors, managers, and marketing professionals from across the country and the globe.
College of Education and Human Development
The College of Education and Human Development builds on Radford University's rich history as a teaching institution by offering diverse undergraduate and graduate programs that empower students to become engaged professionals who are responsive to the needs of communities, families and individuals.
Waldron College of Health and Human Services
The Waldron College of Health and Human Services is a community of clinician-scholars preparing competent, compassionate professionals to meet the needs of southwest Virginia and beyond. Challenging students intellectually, the college engages students in collaborative projects and mentoring activities that enrich their lives and enhance their education.
College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences
The College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences offers degree programs and individual classes designed to emphasize the liberal arts as a foundation for lifelong learning. Across our many academic programs, we strive to promote critical thinking, effective writing, compelling speaking, and intellectual exploration from a variety of perspectives. Our college is comprised of nationally recognized faculty, hard-working staff, and goal-oriented students, who are all aiming to improve themselves and the world in which they live. Students engage in experiential learning activities and internships that give them opportunities to serve their communities, while preparing them for jobs after graduation.
College of Nursing
The Radford University College of Nursing is where compassion meets excellence. We are dedicated to cultivating skilled, empathetic nurses ready to meet the challenges of modern healthcare. With state-of-the-art facilities, experienced faculty, and a commitment to hands-on learning, we provide a nurturing environment that supports both academic and personal growth.
Artis College of Science and Technology
The curriculum and faculty members of the Artis College of Science and Technology at Radford University prepare students to become successful professionals in a culturally diverse global economy that is becoming increasingly technical and scientifically advanced. Economic competitiveness and global environmental issues have inspired a renewed emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and the innovations in these fields are changing our lives on a daily basis. With this in mind, the Artis College prepares our students for successful careers in the STEM fields while actively engaging in real-world problem-solving.
College of Visual and Performing Arts
The College of Visual and Performing Arts at Radford University provides a combination of artistic and academic excellence across all of the arts disciplines. Instruction combines traditional forms and approaches with the latest in technology applications to best prepare students for the challenges and expectations that await them in their careers as artists, designers, scholars, educators, therapists, and arts-related professionals.
Honors College
The Honors College at Radford University is an undergraduate academic program and social community designed to support students' pursuit of excellence. To facilitate this goal, the Honors College helps students build connections between themselves, their professors, and similarly engaged students from majors across campus. Through distinct courses, individualized academic experiences, residential life, and special events, the Honors College seeks an authentic community that sparks curiosity in our students.
The President
Bret Danilowicz, Ph.D., began serving as president of Radford University on July 1, 2022. A strong advocate of shared governance and transparency, Dr. Danilowicz brings 22 years of higher education leadership experience to the presidency. Most recently, he served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at Florida Atlantic University. As provost, he implemented incentive-based budgeting, coordinated a nation-leading improvement in graduation rates, established a public forum for civil discourse, and developed and implemented strategies for advancement toward R1 reclassification.
Before joining Florida Atlantic University, he served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma State University. Previously, he was associate dean, then dean, of the College of Science and Technology at Georgia Southern University.
Dr. Danilowicz attained a B.S. in biology from Utica College of Syracuse University. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in zoology from Duke University, an M.A. in education leadership and management from Open University, and finally, an MBA from Georgia Southern University.
The Provost
Bethany McKay Usher, Ph.D., joined Radford University as provost and senior vice president of academic affairs on June 12, 2023. Dr. Usher advocates for inclusive experiential education and is an expert in curriculum and program design that encourages student success. Immediately prior to her appointment at Radford, Dr. Usher was associate provost for undergraduate education at George Mason University, where she has served in progressive leadership roles since 2010. Previous experience includes serving as department chair of anthropology at SUNY Potsdam, and academic appointments at Penn State and Shippensburg University.
After conducting research as a Fulbright Scholar studying social and biological patterns in medieval Danish cemeteries, she earned her Ph.D. in biological anthropology at Pennsylvania State University. Dr Usher also holds her master of arts degree in bioarcheology from Arizona State University, and her bachelor of arts degree in anthropology and biology from the University of Virginia. Dr. Usher currently serves as the immediate Past-President of the Council on Undergraduate Research.
The College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences
The College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences is composed of the School of Communication, the School of Writing, Language, and Literature, six academic departments, and Army ROTC. The college is a community of over 1,200 undergraduate and graduate students who are taught and mentored by 92 full-time faculty. Students can study across 12 undergraduate majors, 37 minors, five interdisciplinary minors, and five master's programs that highlight humanities and human behavior. Our students engage in experiential learning activities and internships that give them an opportunity to serve their communities, while preparing them for jobs after graduation.
A strong international studies and global perspective is found in all departments. Working with faculty across the university, every department engages students to develop an understanding of global social and cultural issues and to inspire each student to become an active participant in society.
In August of 2016, the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences (CHBS) moved into its new home, Hemphill Hall. The state-of-the-art space features: • 90-seat tiered classroom • Multiple collaborative learning spaces for student use • Offices and research spaces for faculty and staff • Radford's Army ROTC program • Mock trial/moot courtroom • Professional quality broadcast studio • Digital video and audio editing facilities • Forensic laboratory • Emergency Operations Center • Starbucks
The Position of Dean of the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences
Radford University seeks an exceptional leader to support the academic excellence of our College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences. Radford University requires a leader who will elevate the value of the liberal arts and humanities, advocate student-engaged high-quality research and scholarship, and support experiential education that prepares students for their lives and careers.
Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean will provide leadership and strategic direction for the College, foster ongoing development of high-quality academic programs, support student success, and build collaborative partnerships internally and externally. Working with other deans and the Provost, the Dean will advance academic excellence, encouraging, recognizing, and supporting the faculty in innovative teaching, scholarship, and service.
Required Education • An earned terminal degree, preferably a PhD, in a discipline housed in the College.
Required Qualifications • A minimum of five years experience as an university academic administrator. • Experience as a department Chair or the equivalent. • Demonstrated experience in areas of curriculum and program development, student recruitment and retention, faculty recruitment and development, and fiscal management. • Success in the generation of external funding (fundraising, grant writing) and in the development and maintenance of positive working relationships with alumni and community stakeholders. • Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with students, faculty, staff, and administration. • Ability to take initiative, working independently and in teams, to meet the academic objectives. • Demonstrated excellence in teaching, professional contributions, and service befitting a tenured professor at Radford University. • Commitment to enhancing the well-being of Southwest Virginia and the Commonwealth of Virginia through academic programs and engagement with community partners.
Preferred Qualifications • Demonstrated experience supporting general education and liberal arts programs. • Record of collaboration to create interdisciplinary opportunities that address the "wicked problems" facing the world.
Major Responsibilities of Position • Lead the faculty and staff of the college in developing and delivering undergraduate and graduate educational programs of the highest quality, consistent with the college's mission.
o Encourage the success of our diverse students, including creating an education environment that supports belonging, retention, graduation, and career development.
o Supervise the recruitment and professional development of faculty.
o Support a curriculum lifecycle that adapts academic programs to meet changing needs of our students, the university, and society. • Promote the overall excellence and welfare of Radford University.
o Serve as a collaborative member of the Academic Affairs Leadership Team, the Deans Council, and in partnership with the Provost to successfully meet the university's mission and strategic goals.
o Implement strategies that support sustaining or increasing the student population in the college and the university • Lead the College in obtaining and managing fiscal, human, and physical resources necessary to meet the college's vision, and curricular and programmatic goals.
o Develop donor base and external fund raising.
o Support grant and foundation funding for College and university priorities • Represent the college to external and internal constituencies.
Location
Radford University's main campus is located in the city of Radford (population 15,859), 36 miles southwest of Roanoke, Va., on Route 11 and I-81 in the New River Valley, close to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. The City of Radford and the surrounding region provide a rich variety of cultural and leisure activities. Outdoor enthusiasts will find the university's location along the New River provides opportunities to hike, kayak, fish, swim, and camp. Dozens of bicycling and hiking trails are accessible within less than a 30-minute drive, including access points to the Appalachian Trail, Jefferson National Forest, and the New River Trail State Park. Downtown Radford is home to a variety of locally owned shops and restaurants. The City of Christiansburg serves as a retail hub providing a regional mall and major chain stores and restaurants and is less than 10 miles from Radford. Radford University's offers an expanding set of academic programs in downtown Roanoke, a city of 100,000 people. Downtown Roanoke has gone through a significant restoration and revitalization. Home to a number of local breweries, restaurants, shops, hotels, and the Taubman Museum of Art, downtown Roanoke is very walkable and pedestrian friendly with a vibrant, urban feel. Residents and guests have ample opportunities to enjoy special events, cultural activities, and live music throughout the year.
Nominations and Applications
Buffkin/Baker, an executive search firm, is assisting the university in the search. Inquiries of interest, nominations, and applications should be submitted by Friday, August 22nd to:
Dr. Pelema Ellis, Partner
Buffkin / Baker
radfordchbsdean@buffkinbaker.com