Dean of Education and Social & Behavioral Sciences, Framingham State University

Type: Full-Time
Posted: 11/14/2024
Category: Education Deans

Company Description:

Framingham State University was founded in 1839 for a singular purpose – meeting a public need to promote the public good. At our founding as the nation’s first public normal school, that need was for comprehensively educated public school teachers who would, in turn, promote an educated citizenry. FSU continues to offer exceptional teacher education programs and, while we are proud of our roots as a teachers’ college, we have grown far beyond them. Public need continues to evolve and FSU right along with it. Our students and alumni are making waves in the fashion industry, designing nutrition plans for professional athletes, writing for major media and news organizations, and working for Fortune 500 companies right here in Framingham. FSU is unapologetically a public institution offering accessible, affordable educational opportunities that integrate an academically challenging liberal arts education with workforce preparation programs, in a highly personalized teaching environment. Our programs have expanded but our purpose and commitment to public education for the public good remain steadfast.

At FSU, we are deeply committed to inclusive excellence and strive to promote a culture of antiracism, encouraging a challenging yet collaborative learning environment, and providing culturally relevant education. FSU is designated as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and also belongs to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence community, providing national leadership in science education and exploring strategies that will lead to more inclusive science education. We are honored that our commitment earned FSU six Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Awards from INSIGHT Into Diversity. We encourage applications from those who share our commitment to promoting a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community.

FSU currently enrolls about 3,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and professional students, offers 39 undergraduate majors, and enrolls 41% BIPOC students in our undergraduate programs. Ideally situated between Boston and Worcester, FSU and the surrounding area are steeped in history, achievement, and innovation and provide access to urban hotspots, verdant landscapes, natural and cultural amenities, and diverse communities.

Our founding motto, LIVE TO THE TRUTH, was said at the end of each class by beloved first principal, Cyrus Peirce, who sought to discover and teach “truth in theory and principle…truth in spirit and motive…truth in manner and form…truth intellectual and truth moral.” Early leaders found this motto “speaks of sincerity of spirit…of intensity of effort, of resolution to succeed, of joy in achievement.” LIVE TO THE TRUTH aptly reflects our past and our pledge for the future as it continues to guide our institution in practice and endeavor. If you share in this quest for truth and a commitment to living it fully, make the next chapter of your career the best chapter at Framingham State University.

Learn more about our career opportunities at www.framingham.edu/careers.

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The Dean articulates the goals of the College of Education and Social & Behavioral Sciences (CoESBS), both within the university and to the outside community. The Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the CoESBS, consisting of the departments of Education; Political Science, Law, and Global Studies; Psychology and Philosophy; and Sociology and Criminology. The College offers many M.Ed. programs within Education, including two 4+1 programs, two M.A. programs in Counseling Psychology and Educational Leadership, and an M.P.A. program which also has a 4+1 option. The College also offers a rich variety of graduate and state-approved teacher licensure programs.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs (Provost)

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Shared Administrative Assistant for the Deans of Arts and Humanities and Education and Social & Behavioral Sciences; Faculty Fellow in Education; Faculty Fellow in Social & Behavioral Sciences; Director of the Centers for Early Childhood Education; Director of Education Licensure and Field Placement; Data Manager; Director of the Chris Walsh Center for Educators and Families; and Director of the Civic Engagement and Service Learning Center.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Dean of the CoESBS:

• Strongly supports and advocates for ESBS programs and disciplines on campus and locally, across the state, within the New England region, and in national and international venues.
• Provides innovative and creative leadership and works collaboratively with our university community to support student-centered programs (current and new) that respond to university-wide enrollment and retention goals and a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff.
• Supports the collection, review and use of internal and external data to inform decisions and program effectiveness.
• Oversees and collaborates with internal and external advisory boards of the College and utilizes collaborative decision making to adjust policies and practices.
• Establishes and maintains mutually beneficial external partnerships, including but not limited to, community and public school partnerships, two-way professional development, and student opportunities for internships and work experience.
• Encourages and supports quality teaching and scholarship, as well as faculty and staff member professional development.
• Provides leadership for and oversees the development, coordination, organization, scheduling, and supervision of all instructional programs (undergraduate and graduate) in the College.
• Promotes appropriate interdisciplinary collaboration with programs in the College and other academic Colleges of the University.
• Works to acquire new resources and appropriately allocates resources for departments in the College, including budgets and space.
• Makes recommendations to the Provost in the evaluation of faculty members in the departments of the College.
• Oversees and coordinates the hiring of faculty members in the departments of the College, negotiating salary and start-up requests with faculty candidates.
• Administers [and supports] the College’s anti-racist activities, fostering and cultivating an anti-racist culture in a manner consistent with the policies of the University.
• Works with academic departments in the development of budgets according to the timeline of the University, reviews proposed budgets and makes recommendations to the Provost.
• Coordinates planning at the strategic and operational levels in a manner that maintains and improves the overall effectiveness of the College, including in the area of recruitment, enrollment, and retention.
• Initiates and oversees undergraduate program reviews and ensures that individual programs within the College achieve and maintain appropriate accreditation/certification/licensure/state program approval.
• Coordinates with the Dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Studies (DGCE) to assure that the graduate programs in the College are appropriately administered and supported, and the College is appropriately involved in credit and non-credit continuing education opportunities.
• Promotes College activities (including through the College Centers) to the university and local communities and invites regional residents to meaningfully engage with Framingham State.
• Works collaboratively with faculty, department chairs, graduate program and continuing education coordinators, and deans and other administrators (including, for example, the Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement) to achieve the mission of the University.
• Works within a unionized environment and participates in labor relations, including faculty reviews and grievance procedures, as a member of the management team.
• Participates in university governance structures.
• Assures that reports, course schedules, and other written materials are submitted in a timely manner.
• Accountable for ensuring that equal opportunity, inclusion, and equity are integrally tied to all actions and decisions in areas of responsibility.
• Responsible for reporting to the Equal Opportunity Officer or Title IX Coordinator knowledge or receipt of reports of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and retaliation from students or other members of the university community.
• Serves as Decision Maker (MA DESE term) and oversees the implementation and maintenance of approved educator preparation program
• Seeks external funding opportunities, including grants and collaborations to support faculty teaching and research
• Performs additional duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Some evening and weekend work required.

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• A doctorate from a regionally accredited institution in a field encompassed by or allied to the disciplines represented in the College.
• Demonstrated record of distinguished teaching, research/scholarship, and service (including significant contributions to appropriate professional organizations) in one of the College’s academic disciplines.
• At least three (3) years of leadership and management at the level of Department Chair or in another administrative leadership position/s, preferably in higher education.
• Knowledge of higher education practices and trends, including but not limited to curriculum and instruction for both undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in program development, review and revision, and data-informed and proactive decision making.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success, equity, anti-racism, and institutional diversity and the ability to promote inclusive environments for faculty, staff, and students, including first generation college students.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate orally and in writing with diverse constituencies. An ability to work effectively and collegially with faculty, students, other administrators, parents, K-12 personnel, and other external constituencies.
• Personal qualities to include integrity, good judgment, creativity, and collegiality

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible, non-unit position. The salary range is $152,000-168,000.

Framingham State University conducts criminal history and sexual offender record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

Framingham State University is an equal opportunity employer.

Members of underrepresented or minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to equity, diversity, and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions:

Candidates must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter addressing any areas of specialization/expertise
• CV/Resume
• Equity and Inclusion Statement*
• Names and contact information for three professional or academic references (references are not contacted automatically upon submission of application).

*An Equity and Inclusion Statement is a personal statement on a candidate’s past efforts, as well as future plans, to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion. Regardless of personal demographic characteristics, FSU has a commitment to hiring candidates who share our commitment to the American Association of College and Universities (AAC&U) Inclusive Excellence Model. The equity and inclusion statement is an opportunity for candidates to discuss scholarship, professional skills, experience, and/or willingness to engage in activities that would enhance the university’s efforts to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Equity and inclusion statements will be considered as part of a transparent and comprehensive review of candidates’ application materials.

For priority consideration, please submit application materials by December 8, 2024. The review of applications may continue beyond that date and until the position is filled, at the discretion of the search committee.

Framingham State University only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you experience technical issues with the online application process, please submit a helpdesk ticket.

Framingham State University understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office at 508-626-4530 or humanresources@framingham.edu.