Dean of the School of Library and Information Sciences

About the role

An opportunity awaits at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), a historically Black university in Durham, North Carolina, where your professional growth will be nurtured and your contributions will help shape the future for students and the community. Reporting directly to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Dean sets the strategic direction for the School of Library and Information Sciences (SLIS) and establishes school-wide priorities as a member of the leadership team for Academic Affairs.

Responsibilities

• Foster an environment of collegiality, respect, and teamwork that empowers faculty and staff to accomplish the goals of SLIS.
• Represent SLIS to the university’s academic community, other service departments, administration, local community, and national and international professional organizations.
• Monitor the external environment and assess risks and benefits of incorporating new technologies and resources within the academic unit, including administrative operations.
• Develop organizational models for SLIS and determine allocation of human resources based on the School’s goals and outcomes.
• Develop strategies for recruitment of traditional and non-traditional students, student admissions, online program offerings, graduate assistantships, and retention of excellent faculty and staff.
• Develop resource requirements for SLIS and recommend budget allocations to meet community needs.
• Identify and seek new funding sources to support SLIS programs and collections in collaboration with Academic Resource Management.
• Engage in budget planning to incorporate projected future needs for technology and related information resources and services.
• Develop strategic plans and set priorities for SLIS, integrating new technologies and information services that support the educational mission and increase administrative efficiency and effectiveness.
• Develop, implement, and assess graduation and retention strategies and continually assess the School’s resources and services.
• Lead a high-quality faculty and staff, delegating authority for specific areas of responsibility and supporting their professional development and continuing education.
• Support diversity initiatives and create a climate that fosters inclusivity.
• Serve as the primary contact for SLIS in requests from administration, faculty committees, outside agencies, alumni, and the general public.
• Keep abreast of current trends in library science, library management, information technology, and instructional design.

Requirements

• Ph.D. from an accredited institution in Library or Information Science, Information Studies, Informatics, Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, Digital Humanities, Archive and Records Management, or a closely related discipline appropriate to the School’s mission, with academic credentials sufficient for appointment as a tenured full professor.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible administrative and leadership experience in a higher education academic environment.

Qualifications

• Record of teaching, scholarship, and service appropriate for a tenured appointment at the rank of full professor.
• Extensive management and planning experience, including management of human and financial resources.
• In-depth knowledge of scholarly communication and information technologies.
• Broad and thorough knowledge of the academic enterprise.
• Proven written and oral communication skills, collaboration and decision-making skills.
• Active support of diversity initiatives and ability to recruit, hire, retain, and manage a diverse workforce and promote a diverse work environment through education, training, and professional development.
• Student-centered leadership with a track record of success in positioning SLIS at the forefront of advancements in library and information sciences.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success at the undergraduate and graduate levels with effective communication strategies and support from multiple constituencies.
• Thought leadership committed to collaboration and advancement of faculty and student research, addressing trends in graduate education including curriculum and program enhancement.
• Tactical administration skills in enrollment management, retention, degree completion, and current marketing strategies for graduate education.
• Experience in program accreditation in library and information sciences and overseeing a vibrant portfolio of undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Seasoned higher education administrator with strong fiscal and personnel management skills and demonstrated success in obtaining grants and engaging in fundraising.
• Ability to facilitate faculty development and innovative interdisciplinary work with STEM programs and the impact of Artificial Intelligence.
• Demonstrated record of strong commitment to diversity, appreciation of the history of the nation’s HBCU, and commitment to the principles of shared governance.
• Deep commitment to relational leadership and development of close partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.

Benefits

• Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave
• Community Service Leave
• NC State Health Benefits
• NCFlex Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and more
• 11–12 Paid Holidays
• Teachers and State Employees Retirement System (TSERS)
• Optional Supplemental Plans – 401k, 403b, 457b and 457
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Campus Recreation Center Discount
• University Bookstore Discount