Dean, College of Liberal Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Education, Mathematics and Computer Sciences [A00741]

Mercy University seeks a visionary leader for the inaugural Dean of a newly established College that unites liberal arts, social and behavioral sciences, education, mathematics, and computer sciences. This is a rare opportunity to shape an interdisciplinary academic home from its inception, fostering academic excellence, student success, and workforce readiness.

About the College

The new College will integrate foundational disciplines with professional and applied programs, serving as a cornerstone of Mercy University’s academic structure. It will strengthen academic identity, enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, and support innovative student pathways across undergraduate and graduate programs.

The College will serve approximately 3,230 students (2,080 undergraduate and 1,150 graduate) across 45 academic programs: 20 undergraduate and 25 graduate. It comprises four Schools:

• School of Mathematics and Computer Science
• School of Humanities
• School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
• School of Education

Its academic portfolio includes programs in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Mathematics, English, History, Spanish, Behavioral Science, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, School Psychology, Early Childhood and Childhood Education, Teaching Students with Disabilities, Educational Administration, Literacy and Multilingual Studies, TESOL, School Leadership, and related fields.

The College will advance interdisciplinary teaching and learning, support liberal education and General Education, prepare educators and human-service professionals, and strengthen students’ analytical, technological, communication, and civic capacities. It will also contribute to the University’s interdisciplinary pillars through General Education, research, and the AI Entrepreneurship Innovation Hub.

Responsibilities

Student Success

• Set clear student success goals for retention, progression, and completion; use dashboards and disaggregated data to close equity gaps.
• Integrate career readiness by expanding internships, practica, and employer-partnered projects aligned with program outcomes.
• Align advising, tutoring, and early-alert interventions with program learning outcomes to improve persistence and time to degree.
• Establish Student Advisory Councils to inform continuous improvement and strengthen belonging and campus climate.
• Expand high-impact practices (undergraduate research, service learning, global learning) and assess learning gains.

Faculty Development

• Oversee faculty and staff recruitment, retention, and development; support excellence in teaching, scholarship/creative work, and service.
• Integrate professional development into institutional culture in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning.
• Launch structured mentoring for early- and mid-career faculty tied to promotion and scholarly goals; promote evidence-based and inclusive teaching.
• Implement transparent workload equity norms for teaching, scholarship/creative activity, and service.
• Recognize excellence through selective awards and public showcases of faculty scholarship and creative work.
• Oversee appointment, evaluation, promotion, and (where applicable) tenure processes in consultation with School leadership and faculty governance.

Strategic Leadership and Academic Innovation

• Define a vision and partner across faculty, staff, and administrators to set long-term academic goals and align resources to support innovation.
• Develop and oversee the College’s budget with decision-making authority over program allocations, strategic initiatives, and faculty support resources in consultation with the Provost.
• Model high standards of professional accountability and hold subordinates accountable for achieving ambitious results.
• Monitor key College metrics and provide actionable feedback to ensure ownership of academic goals and operational successes.
• Ensure alignment of Schools and policies with the College’s academic values and priorities.
• Spearhead strategic initiatives for data governance, enrollment management, academic marketing, and accreditation compliance.
• Partner across University offices to meet College and University priorities, including data integrity, marketing, enrollment, and recruitment.
• Monitor accreditation status and requirements; ensure timely action across all compliance needs.
• Lead the College Advisory Board and engage employer, alumni, and other stakeholders to ensure College, School, and program success.
• Guide strategic planning for the College in alignment with University priorities and accreditation standards; engage faculty and staff in planning and decision-making.
• Oversee curriculum development, program review, and continuous improvement to ensure academic rigor, relevance, and student success.
• Advance portfolio optimization and new offerings responsive to evolving workforce needs (e.g., certificates, credentials, 4+1 pathways).
• Develop coherent online, hybrid, and other initiatives with clear quality standards, student support, and enrollment strategies.
• Coordinate external funding (grants, corporate partnerships) to seed program innovation and student success initiatives.
• Support leadership succession planning.

Collaborative and Inclusive Culture

• Cultivate a collegial, student-centered environment that values diverse voices among faculty, staff, and students.
• Strengthen shared governance and meaningful faculty engagement in shaping the College’s vision and direction.
• Conduct periodic climate assessments and implement action plans that advance access and belonging.
• Ensure transparent communication of decisions, rationales, and timelines, especially during organizational change.
• Uphold integrity, fairness, and understanding in faculty and student grievance processes.

Fiscal Responsibility

• Serve as chief fiscal steward for the College; develop and oversee the College budget with decision-making authority over School allocations, strategic initiatives, and faculty support, in consultation with the Office of the Provost.
• Implement multi-scenario budgeting aligned with strategic priorities and enrollment forecasts; monitor program margins and contribution analysis.
• Ensure School and program leaders effectively manage budget allocations, program fees, and course scheduling in response to demand, accreditation constraints, and student pathways.
• Strengthen fiscal controls, compliance, and data integrity; coordinate with Institutional Research and Finance for decision support.
• Develop multi-year equipment, space, and technology plans that support scholarship/creative activity and instructional innovation; monitor risk and mitigation related to enrollment volatility and regulatory change.

Donors, Development, and External Relations

• Provide strategic leadership in advancing philanthropic support for the College, in close partnership with Advancement.
• Represent the College to alumni, donors, employers, community partners, and professional organizations; elevate the College’s visibility and reputation.
• Engage prospects, alumni, donors, and external stakeholders to articulate academic priorities and align donor interests with institutional goals.
• Establish College Advisory Boards and program-level industry or sector-related councils to inform strategy, cultivate advocacy, and identify new philanthropic prospects.
• Coordinate with Advancement to design and execute cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship plans aligned with academic and strategic priorities.
• Build alumni pipelines for mentorship, internships, and philanthropy; deepen relationships with individual and organizational donors.
• Ensure donor intent compliance and transparent reporting on endowed and restricted funds’ impact on students, faculty, and programs.
• Support external funding pursuits (grants, corporate and foundation partnerships, public funding) in collaboration with relevant University offices.

Excellence Through Shared Responsibility

• Practice robust shared governance by collaborating across the University on policies, initiatives, and strategic priorities.
• Facilitate consistent implementation of University, College, and School policies and priorities.
• Oversee systematic assessment of student learning outcomes and program review; use data for continuous improvement and document “closing the loop.”
• Ensure adherence to institutional policies, external regulations, and accreditation standards; maintain accurate, current, and compelling public-facing information (including web content and program outcomes).
• Champion cross-University initiatives (student success, research/creative activity, civic engagement) and report progress to the Provost.

Professional Development and Sustainability

• Participate in professional development and training to ensure currency and growth.
• Leverage 360-degree feedback and self-reflection to create an actionable development plan.
• Actively apply feedback from peers, managers, and stakeholders to demonstrate tangible performance improvements and career progression.

Qualifications

• Terminal degree in a relevant discipline, with eligibility for tenure at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.
• Progressive leadership experience over ten years in a complex academic setting, including significant academic and fiscal planning responsibility.
• Demonstrated success supporting faculty excellence and staff development, shared governance, and a culture of accountability.
• Proven track record in budget management, resource stewardship, strategic planning, and accreditation processes.
• Evidence of external fundraising, grant acquisition, alumni relations, and partnership development.
• Student-centered ethos with commitment to teaching, research/scholarship/creative activity, and student development.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering access, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and advocacy skills; personal integrity and sound judgment.
• Exceptional communication skills to build consensus among faculty, students, and administration.
• Experience with curriculum development, student retention strategies, and program growth.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through changes and evolving higher education environments.