Inside Higher Ed
Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
Inside Higher Ed, Asheville, North Carolina, us, 28814
Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
The dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences at UNC Asheville leads a newly established college, inspiring a vision and future‑facing curriculum grounded in liberal arts. The dean will oversee an expanded portfolio of departments—Art/Art History, Business, Drama, Economics, English, History, Interdisciplinary & Global Programs, Literature & Languages, Music, Mass Communication, Sociology & Anthropology, Political Science, Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies—and associated programs such as Africana Studies, Education, and Humanities. The role demands transformative leadership, collaborative decision‑making, and a commitment to student success, community engagement, and continuous improvement across academic offerings.
Position Summary The dean champions a strategic vision aligned with UNC Asheville’s objectives: a technology‑integrated curriculum, career and leadership development, future‑facing academic programs, and student success. Responsibilities include aligning academic affairs priorities, fostering faculty development, securing resources, developing innovative programs, and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. The dean will act as a spokesperson for the college and university within the larger community.
Qualifications Minimum Education/Experience/Skills:
PhD or terminal degree; tenure at associate professor rank or higher; five to seven years of higher education experience, including prior leadership/supervisory roles; 12‑month appointment with no teaching or research expectations; faculty status with right of return; initial three‑year term subject to review.
Preferred Education/Experience/Skills:
At least three years of higher education administrative experience; tenure in a discipline of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
High academic standards supporting excellence in teaching, research, and service.
Commitment to student success, demonstrated knowledge of high‑impact practices, enrollment/retention strategies, and curriculum career readiness.
Action‑oriented focus on results.
Inspirational, empowering, approachable style fostering relationships with faculty, staff, and students.
Collaborative, interpersonally skilled, inclusive leadership with a track record of cross‑campus collaboration.
Ability to gain cooperation and support from faculty and others for new policies, procedures, or programs.
Experience in shared governance contexts.
Advocacy for educational opportunity and access for all students, including non‑traditional, online, and hybrid learners.
Accountability for setting and meeting high expectations.
Foster excellence in research and teaching, including experiential and online learning.
Knowledge of grant writing, grant‑funded budgeting, and fiscal stewardship of complex budgets.
Capacity for fundraising and partnership development to generate new revenue sources.
Superb organizational skills with execution of plans and priorities.
Strategic thinker aware of higher education trends and learning technologies.
Familiarity with SACSCOC, discipline accreditation, UNC Asheville, and UNC System policies.
Highest standards of integrity, ethics, and transparency.
Confidence, humility, and openness to challenge and feedback.
Responsibilities and Duties In alignment with academic affairs priorities, the dean will develop concrete and measurable plans addressing the following expectations, forming the basis for yearly goal‑setting and provost evaluation.
Strategic visioning and planning:
Lead strategic planning initiatives that align the college with university vision and strategic objectives. Create, convey, and drive a united vision, galvanizing the team toward enrollment growth, retention, and student success.
Optimizing work processes:
Establish robust business practices for effective use of people and finances; promote collegiality, transparency, and accountability; manage departmental budgets, trust funds, endowed professorships, course releases, stipends, and adjunct usage; spearhead progressive enrollment management; initiate a summer teaching and enrollment expansion initiative.
Ensuring accountability:
Key component in academic program reviews; ensure viability and relevance of programs; oversee enrollment and retention targets; allocate resources to departments based on performance.
Innovation and relevance:
Increase significance of each division by adopting future‑facing, agile approaches, piloting initiatives, and fostering a culture of innovation.
Months Per Year:
N/A
Division:
Academic Affairs
Department:
Office of the Provost
Special Instructions Summary:
Documents submitted to Human Resources or hiring departments become property of UNC Asheville and will not be returned.
Posting Date:
09/18/2025
Open Until Filled:
Yes
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Position Summary The dean champions a strategic vision aligned with UNC Asheville’s objectives: a technology‑integrated curriculum, career and leadership development, future‑facing academic programs, and student success. Responsibilities include aligning academic affairs priorities, fostering faculty development, securing resources, developing innovative programs, and advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. The dean will act as a spokesperson for the college and university within the larger community.
Qualifications Minimum Education/Experience/Skills:
PhD or terminal degree; tenure at associate professor rank or higher; five to seven years of higher education experience, including prior leadership/supervisory roles; 12‑month appointment with no teaching or research expectations; faculty status with right of return; initial three‑year term subject to review.
Preferred Education/Experience/Skills:
At least three years of higher education administrative experience; tenure in a discipline of the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences strongly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
High academic standards supporting excellence in teaching, research, and service.
Commitment to student success, demonstrated knowledge of high‑impact practices, enrollment/retention strategies, and curriculum career readiness.
Action‑oriented focus on results.
Inspirational, empowering, approachable style fostering relationships with faculty, staff, and students.
Collaborative, interpersonally skilled, inclusive leadership with a track record of cross‑campus collaboration.
Ability to gain cooperation and support from faculty and others for new policies, procedures, or programs.
Experience in shared governance contexts.
Advocacy for educational opportunity and access for all students, including non‑traditional, online, and hybrid learners.
Accountability for setting and meeting high expectations.
Foster excellence in research and teaching, including experiential and online learning.
Knowledge of grant writing, grant‑funded budgeting, and fiscal stewardship of complex budgets.
Capacity for fundraising and partnership development to generate new revenue sources.
Superb organizational skills with execution of plans and priorities.
Strategic thinker aware of higher education trends and learning technologies.
Familiarity with SACSCOC, discipline accreditation, UNC Asheville, and UNC System policies.
Highest standards of integrity, ethics, and transparency.
Confidence, humility, and openness to challenge and feedback.
Responsibilities and Duties In alignment with academic affairs priorities, the dean will develop concrete and measurable plans addressing the following expectations, forming the basis for yearly goal‑setting and provost evaluation.
Strategic visioning and planning:
Lead strategic planning initiatives that align the college with university vision and strategic objectives. Create, convey, and drive a united vision, galvanizing the team toward enrollment growth, retention, and student success.
Optimizing work processes:
Establish robust business practices for effective use of people and finances; promote collegiality, transparency, and accountability; manage departmental budgets, trust funds, endowed professorships, course releases, stipends, and adjunct usage; spearhead progressive enrollment management; initiate a summer teaching and enrollment expansion initiative.
Ensuring accountability:
Key component in academic program reviews; ensure viability and relevance of programs; oversee enrollment and retention targets; allocate resources to departments based on performance.
Innovation and relevance:
Increase significance of each division by adopting future‑facing, agile approaches, piloting initiatives, and fostering a culture of innovation.
Months Per Year:
N/A
Division:
Academic Affairs
Department:
Office of the Provost
Special Instructions Summary:
Documents submitted to Human Resources or hiring departments become property of UNC Asheville and will not be returned.
Posting Date:
09/18/2025
Open Until Filled:
Yes
#J-18808-Ljbffr