Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:



Kentucky State University (KSU) seeks a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as the Dean of the College of Business, Engineering and Technology. Reporting to the President and Vice President & Provost, the Dean will provide strategic direction and leadership in advancing the university's mission, vision, and core values to simultaneously enhance the overall student, staff, and faculty experiences at KSU. The ideal candidate is a leader who can support and navigate the academic environment of a growing R2 University in the Carnegie Classification for Institutions of Higher Education.

Our college consists of the School of Education, the School of Humanities, the School of Social Work, the School of Criminal Justice and the School of Psychology. The college offers thirteen undergraduate majors with various concentrations and four graduate programs. In addition, our college has over 700 undergraduates and over 50 graduate students. The College is also home to the Honors Collegium and Liberal Studies.

As chief executive officer of the College, the Dean provides exemplary leadership toward realizing the goals of the university’s strategic plan. The Dean should have a deep knowledge and understanding of the history and role of 1890 land-grant universities and a proven commitment to interdisciplinary, cross-college collaboration to advance growth and research expansion. The Dean reports directly to the Vice President and Provost for the Division of Academic and Student Affairs. The Dean position also serves as a member of the Executive Leadership Cabinet at the president's discretion.

The Dean provides support and leadership to facilitate innovative solutions to technical, human and organizational challenges while leveraging strategically valuable opportunities and practicing effective change management. The Dean advances strategies to shape the future of the College, with a particular focus on catalyzing collaborative, mutually beneficial partnerships and inspiring a team of talented faculty, staff, and students. The dean is responsible for recruiting and retaining highly talented faculty and staff, growing enrollment, and supporting student success. The Dean also focuses on developing strong alumni relationships and external partnerships in support of fundraising activities.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated administrative ability and possess an understanding of the philosophy and mission of a land-grant university. In addition, the successful candidate will have demonstrated budgeting, public relations, development, and personnel management experience.





ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:



Academic Leadership: Provide strategic direction and leadership for all academic programs within the designated college or department, ensuring alignment with the university's mission, goals, and accreditation standards.
Curriculum Development: Oversee the development, review, and enhancement of academic curricula, ensuring relevance, rigor, and alignment with industry trends and academic standards.
Faculty Development and Support: Foster a culture of academic excellence by recruiting, retaining, and developing a diverse faculty team. Provide support, mentorship, and professional development opportunities for faculty members to enhance teaching, research, and service contributions.
Student Recruitment and Retention: Collaborate with admissions and enrollment management teams to develop recruitment strategies and initiatives to attract talented and diverse students to the college’s programs. Implement retention efforts, including academic support services, mentoring programs, and co-curricular activities, to enhance student success and graduation rates.
Student Success Initiatives: Collaborate with faculty, staff, and other university stakeholders to develop and implement initiatives that support student success, retention, and graduation rates. Implement strategies to enhance student engagement, academic support services, and experiential learning opportunities.
Budget and Resource Management: Develop and manage the college's budget in alignment with university priorities and financial constraints. Allocate resources effectively to support academic programs, faculty research, student scholarships, and facility needs. Develop and manage the land grant’s spending plan to ensure efficient and effective use of federal and state matching funds to advance the university’s mission, vision, and core values.
Fundraising and Development: Develop and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies with the Vice President for Strategic Advancement to secure financial support from alumni, donors, corporations, foundations, and other sources. Cultivate relationships with potential donors and steward existing supporters to maximize philanthropic contributions for scholarships, research, facilities, and programs.
Community Engagement and Partnerships: Cultivate relationships with external stakeholders, including industry partners, government agencies, alumni, and community organizations, to promote collaboration, fundraising, and support for academic programs and initiatives.
Accreditation and Assessment: Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and regulatory requirements for academic programs within the college. Oversee assessment processes to evaluate program effectiveness, student learning outcomes, and continuous improvement efforts.
Collaborative Ecosystem: Champion diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the college, fostering a welcoming and inclusive academic environment for students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds.
Research and Innovation: Support and promote faculty research, scholarship, and creative activities within the college. Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation initiatives to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the academic field.
Strategic Planning and Evaluation: Collaborate with university administration, department chairs, and faculty committees to develop and implement strategic plans, goals, and performance metrics for the college. Conduct regular evaluations to assess progress, identify areas for improvement, and adjust strategies as needed.
Policy Development and Compliance: Develop and enforce policies and procedures related to academic affairs, faculty governance, student conduct, and other relevant areas. Ensure compliance with university policies, state regulations, and federal laws.
Marketing and Communications: Develop and implement marketing and communication strategies to promote the achievements, innovations, and impact of the college to internal and external audiences. Utilize various channels, including digital media, publications, events, and presentations, to enhance brand awareness and engagement.
Crisis Management and Communication: Serve as a spokesperson and liaison for the college during emergencies, crises, or sensitive issues. Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to address concerns, mitigate risks, and maintain the college's reputation and credibility.
Advocacy and Public Policy: Advocate for the college’s interests at the local, state, and federal levels, engaging policymakers, legislators, and regulatory agencies on issues related to agriculture, health, and natural resources. Monitor legislative developments, provide expert analysis, and influence policy decisions to support the college's mission and priorities.
Professional Development and Training: Provide professional development opportunities and training programs for faculty, staff, and students within the college, fostering a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and excellence. Support faculty and staff in pursuing grants, awards, certifications, and other professional recognition.
Data Analysis and Performance Metrics: Collect, analyze, and report data on key performance indicators, benchmarks, and outcomes related to the college’s strategic goals and initiatives. Use data-driven insights to assess progress, identify areas for improvement, and make evidence-based decisions to enhance effectiveness and efficiency.
Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship: Promote sustainability practices and environmental stewardship initiatives within the college’s programs, research projects, and operations. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to integrate sustainability principles into curriculum development, research agendas, and community outreach efforts.
Risk Management and Compliance: Identify potential risks, threats, and compliance issues related to the college’s operations, programs, and initiatives. Develop risk management strategies, policies, and procedures to mitigate liabilities, ensure regulatory compliance, and safeguard the college's reputation and assets.




KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:



The essential knowledge, skills, and abilities required to be an impactful Dean for the College of Business, Engineering and Technology at Kentucky State University:

Visionary Leadership:

Knowledge: Understanding of trends, challenges, and opportunities in agriculture, health, and natural resources fields. Ability to develop a clear vision and strategic direction for the college.
Skills: Leadership skills to inspire and motivate faculty, staff, and students towards shared goals. Ability to communicate a compelling vision and rally support for initiatives.
Abilities: Capacity to envision and articulate innovative solutions to complex problems. Ability to lead change initiatives and adapt to evolving needs and priorities.
Leading Change:

Knowledge: Knowledge of change management principles and best practices. Understanding of organizational dynamics and resistance to change.
Skills: Ability to assess the need for change, develop change strategies, and implement them effectively while minimizing disruption.
Abilities: Capacity to anticipate and address challenges associated with change. Ability to foster a culture of innovation, flexibility, and continuous improvement within the college.
Results Driven:

Knowledge: Understanding of performance metrics, accountability frameworks, and outcomes assessment in higher education.
Skills: Ability to set ambitious goals, develop action plans, and mobilize resources to achieve desired outcomes.
Abilities: Capacity to monitor progress, track performance indicators, and adjust strategies as needed to ensure the attainment of goals and objectives.
Business Acumen:

Knowledge: Understanding of financial management principles, budgeting processes, and resource allocation in a higher education setting.
Skills: Ability to develop and manage budgets, allocate resources effectively, and identify opportunities for revenue generation and cost savings.
Abilities: Capacity to make sound financial decisions, analyze financial data, and optimize resource utilization to support the college's mission and priorities.
Building Coalitions:

Knowledge: Knowledge of stakeholder engagement strategies, coalition-building techniques, and partnership development in academia.
Skills: Ability to cultivate relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, industry partners, and community organizations.
Abilities: Capacity to collaborate effectively across diverse constituencies, negotiate agreements, and leverage collective expertise and resources to advance shared goals and initiatives.
By possessing these essential knowledge, skills, and abilities, a Dean for the College of Business, Engineering and Technology at Kentucky State University will be well-equipped to provide strategic leadership to advance the university's mission by developing a corporate culture that drives for results, serves customers, and builds successful teams and coalitions within and outside the organization.