Provost and Executive Vice President Sabah Randhawa invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the University Honors College (UHC).
This position is a 12-month, 1.0 FTE appointment. The Dean serves at the pleasure of the Provost. Salary is competitive, and the benefits package includes several options for health/dental/life insurance, retirement, and a new program of reduced tuition for dependents. This is an internal search, open only to current Oregon State University employees.
POSITION OVERVIEW & QUALIFICATIONS
The Dean of the University Honors College is appointed by, and reports to, the Provost and Executive Vice President. The Dean is a member of the Provost’s Council, and works closely and cooperatively with other OSU deans, vice provosts, department heads, academic program leaders, and faculty.
Expectations for the Dean include:
- sustaining and implementing a compelling vision for the UHC in the context of OSU’s Strategic Plan for the 21st Century
- creating and sustaining an environment of academic and programmatic excellence
- establishing and maintaining cooperative and effective linkages with OSU academic departments and colleges
- managing human, funding, and other resources to optimize their effectiveness
- providing effective leadership for the UHC unit that will foster success for faculty, staff, and students; facilitate interdepartmental and interdisciplinary programs and initiatives; and advance the UHC mission
- establishing as a priority the commitment to a diverse and multicultural UHC unit and University
- engaging a sustained and aggressive commitment to private, foundation, and corporate fund development working in partnership with faculty leaders and the OSU Foundation
- maintaining a student-centered honors program that is accessible and welcoming to students
Required qualifications for the dean position include an earned doctorate, rank as Professor, and demonstrated:
- administrative ability, including budget and financial management processes, public relations and fundraising, strategic planning, policy formation, personnel management, and supervision
- successful academic leadership as reflected in building relationships, and developing academic and programmatic excellence that is student-centered and focuses on student success
- commitment to advancing diversity, equity and community, with particular emphasis on underrepresented groups and multicultural competence
- commitment to academic excellence with a strong focus on undergraduate education
- ability to articulate and align people around a vision for the direction for the UHC that is responsive to institutional change and moves the institution forward
- superior interpersonal and communication skills; ability to foster collaboration and teamwork; ability to work collegially; ability to inspire others to high levels of performance
- ability to secure external programmatic and financial support
- commitment to faculty governance, interdisciplinary programs, innovative teaching, and outreach
- success in seeking out and applying entrepreneurial approaches to education
- demonstrated commitment to UHC programs
- current employment at Oregon State University
UNIVERSITY HONORS COLLEGE
The University Honors College (UHC) serves the needs of motivated, high-achieving, and highly qualified students by providing an engaging and compelling educational experience. Students experience a small college environment with all the resources and opportunities of a leading research university. The UHC serves as a beacon to attract top-tier students to OSU and provides a reason for them to stay in Oregon. The UHC benefits all members of the University community as its students model the highest levels of academic achievement, thereby bringing luster to the entire University. The UHC impacts society as its graduates depart leadership-ready, prepared not just for a job, but also for a career.
Through partnerships with other academic units and campus groups, the UHC provides students with opportunities for academic growth, leadership development, and community engagement. As “dual citizens”, UHC students are also students in an academic major, which can be any major offered by OSU. A thesis experience provides one-on-one interactions with leading faculty and culminates in a student’s contribution to the well of knowledge. Additional enrichment activities let students grow as inquisitive, mindful, and engaged citizens. Small, interactive classes, typically limited to 12 or 20 students, are taught by OSU’s top professors. Faculty members who teach Honors courses are encouraged to experiment with new educational practices and often cite Honors teaching as one of their most rewarding teaching experiences. Honors students earn the Honors Baccalaureate, OSU’s most prestigious undergraduate degree.
The UHC was established in 1995 by the Oregon State Board of Education. It is publicly funded and governed by the Honors College Council appointed by the OSU Faculty Senate. Two UHC students sit on the Council and participate in policy discussions. The UHC is currently in year five of an eight-year plan to double the number of students enrolled. About 820 students are expected to be enrolled in the fall of 2012. Applications to the UHC are at an all-time high and the quality of the applicants continues to increase. Though only 3% of the students on campus, Honors students garner a disproportionate share of campus, state, and national awards and scholarships. The future of the UHC is bright as more and more students discover the value of an Honors education.
UHC web site: http://oregonstate.edu/dept/honors/
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications must include 1) a letter of interest, including a statement of philosophy or vision for the Dean’s role, and addressing all of the qualifications for this position; 2) a current CV; and 3) contact information for five current references, including name, title, address, phone number and e-mail address. Strict confidentiality will be maintained, and references will not be contacted without permission.
Materials should be submitted by May 7, 2012 to receive full consideration. Application materials should be submitted at http://oregonstate.edu/jobs/ (job posting 0008958).
Questions:
Brenda McComb, Dean of the Graduate School
Chair, Dean of the University Honors College Search Committee
Gigi Bruce
Special Assistant to the Provost
