Dean, College of Science and Mathematics James Madison University
James Madison University (JMU) invites applications and nominations for Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. The College is dedicated to excellence in undergraduate education and research and in its select graduate programs. College Departments include Biology, Chemistry & Biochemistry, Geology & Environmental Science, Mathematics & Statistics, and Physics & Astronomy. In addition to disciplinary majors, the College collaborates in offering an interdisciplinary degree in biotechnology. Each department also offers secondary education programs and is active in the university’s General Education, PK-8 teacher education, and pre-professional health programs. The College faculty excels in collaborating with students in theoretical, applied, and interdisciplinary research and scholarship. The Dean promotes the teaching, research and service missions of the College and collaborates with College department heads and other deans throughout the university to offer a highly stimulating and creative learning environment for students. Responsibilities include representing the College and university to internal and external constituents, providing professional outreach and service regionally, nationally and internationally, and advocating for faculty and student interests and needs. The Dean advances department and program efforts to secure external funds and other resources in support of research, curricular innovations, and other scholarly activities, and also leads college-level fundraising activities. The Dean facilitates efforts to recruit, develop and retain diverse and highly qualified students, faculty and staff and works with multiple communities to develop direction and strategic priorities for the College and its programs. Each dean at JMU provides academic, intellectual, administrative, and budgetary leadership, reports directly to the provost, and serves on the senior academic leadership team at JMU. JMU seeks a collaborative, reflective and forward-thinking leader who possesses the following required qualifications: • Earned doctorate in a discipline relevant to the College • Strong record of teaching, research, mentoring faculty and students, and university/professional service commensurate with an appointment as a tenured, full professor in a department represented within the College • Significant experience in an academic leadership or administrative position • Demonstrated commitment to excellence in undergraduate education, including undergraduate research • Commitment to supporting graduate programs • Experience securing external funding • Evidence of strong communication skills, interpersonal skills and a collaborative and transparent management style Additional factors that are of interest to the search committee include: • Ability to advance interdisciplinary initiatives • Record of innovation, creativity, and advocacy • Effective and collegial work with other leaders from a wide range of academic disciplines • Commitment to diversity and inclusion • Evidence of fostering community engagement and outreach • Experience supporting faculty development • Experience in fundraising Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, with review of applications to begin November 15, 2015. The desired start date is July 1, 2016. Salary will be commensurate with experience. James Madison University accepts applications only through JobLink (joblink.jmu.edu). Applications must include: • A letter of application of no more than 2 pages that summarizes how the candidate’s experiences align with required qualifications • A concise statement describing the candidate’s vision for leadership (to include opportunities, strategies, and challenges) in each of the following areas: o disciplinary and interdisciplinary science and mathematics education and research, o collaboration experiences and philosophy, and o experiences in promoting diversity and inclusion • A current curriculum vitae • A list of at least five references with contact information JMU is a selective, public, comprehensive university with an enrollment of more than 20,000 students located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley, two hours southwest of Washington, D.C. JMU has seven colleges (Arts and Letters, Business, Education, Health and Behavioral Studies, Integrated Science and Engineering, Science and Mathematics, and Visual and Performing Arts) and The Graduate School. JMU has an excellent national reputation involving strong student-centered undergraduate and graduate education. The university provides a distinct educational experience that combines a diversity of degree programs and learning opportunities offered by many larger institutions with an engaged, teaching-centered faculty traditionally found at a selective, liberal arts college. The university is committed to addressing complex, real-world problems and contemporary issues throughout its curriculum. JMU has received national recognition as one of the top public master’s-level schools in the south (U.S. News and World Report) and as one of the top 100 “Best Values in Public Colleges” (Kiplinger 2014). U. S. News and World Report has also ranked ten of JMU’s graduate programs nationally. For more information about the university, visit http://www.jmu.edu<http://www.jmu.edu/>. James Madison University is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status. We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality. Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991. Only complete submissions will be considered by the search committee. References will not be contacted until a candidate is being considered for a campus visit. To apply go to JobLink.jmu.edu and reference posting number 0407001. Individuals wishing to nominate candidates should submit a letter of nomination and complete contact information for the nominee to Chair, College of Science and Mathematics Dean Search Committee, MSC 4101, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA 22807. Fax: 540-568-2747. October 13, 2015
