CAHSS Dean

About the Position

The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS). The Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of CAHSS and reports to UMD's Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost.The Dean provides strategic leadership, fosters academic excellence, promotes inclusive excellence, and manages the college's resources to advance the university's mission of teaching, research, and outreach.

Strategic Leadership

• Provides visionary leadership to define and implement a strategic direction for the college supports the mission, vision, and goals of the University of Minnesota Duluth.
• Leads the development of long-term strategic planning to ensure institutional agility in a complex internal and external environment.
• Builds and nurtures a collaborative culture that values shared governance, interdisciplinary innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Advocates for the college within the university and to external stakeholders.
• Participates in campus-wide committees and planning groups, fostering alignment with broader institutional goals.
• Builds strong partnerships across colleges and administrative units to pursue collaborative initiatives, share resources, and support university-wide priorities.

Academic Oversight and Development

• Oversees the planning, development, review, and evaluation of academic programs to ensure excellence, relevance, and accreditation compliance.
• Champions academic innovation and the integration of high-impact practices that support student learning, access, and success.
• Promotes the expansion of research, creative activity, and scholarly output through resource allocation and strategic partnerships.
• Collaborates with faculty governance, academic affairs, and assessment committees to maintain the integrity of curricular processes and academic standards.

Faculty Development and Management

• Recruits, retains, and supports diverse and outstanding faculty who positively impact internal and external stakeholders through their research, teaching, and service.
• Ensures mentoring and professional development programs that advance teaching effectiveness, research productivity, service, and leadership potential.
• Ensures fair and transparent administration of promotion, tenure, and annual review processes that are aligned with UEA contract provisions and University policy.
• Manages the performance of faculty, addressing concerns in a timely and effective manner in accordance with university policy and the collective bargaining agreement.
• Fosters a supportive and inclusive environment that promotes collegiality, academic integrity, accountability, and ongoing professional growth.

Fiscal Responsibility & Resource Stewardship

• Develops, manages, and monitors the college's financial resources in partnership with college leadership and university finance professionals.
• Aligns budget planning and resource allocation with strategic priorities and enrollment trends, ensuring fiscal sustainability.
• Identifies and secures external funding opportunities, including grants, to advance institutional goals.
• Oversees staffing and infrastructure planning to ensure operational efficiency and effective support of teaching, research, and service missions.

Student Recruitment, Retention, and Success

• Leads the development and implementation of strategies to attract and retain an inclusive student population to enhance the quality of educational experience and community impact.
• Collaborates with internal UMD units to deliver a high-quality student experience.
• Promotes experiential learning, global engagement, and career readiness through partnerships with industry, alumni, and community organizations.
• Monitors key student success metrics (e.g., retention, graduation rates, employment outcomes) and initiates responsive interventions as needed.

External Relations and Advancement

• Cultivates strong relationships with alumni, donors, corporate partners, and community stakeholders to enhance the visibility and reputation of the college.
• Develops and facilitates effective relationships with an advisory board who invest in CAHSS's and UMD's success in the larger community.
• Partners with university advancement to develop fundraising strategies and secure private support for scholarships and program initiatives.
• Represents the college in public forums, media engagements, and professional associations.
• Promotes community engagement and builds strategic alliances that benefit students, faculty, and UMD as a whole.

Required Qualifications

• Terminal degree in a field represented within CAHSS or a closely related discipline.
• Record of teaching, research, and service appropriate for appointment as a tenured full professor.
• Significant administrative leadership experience in higher education, such as department head, associate dean, or equivalent.
• Evidence of inclusive leadership, strong communication skills, and collaborative decision-making.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in or with public regional comprehensive universities.
• Record of successful fundraising, alumni engagement, or external partnerships.
• Experience supporting faculty development and fostering a positive academic culture.
• Demonstrated commitment to shared governance and collaborative leadership.
• Record of curriculum and program development.
• Strong managerial, problem-solving, and budgetary experience.
• Familiarity with current trends and challenges in liberal arts education.
• Evidence of commitment to advancing inclusive excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty unions and a diverse faculty, staff, student body, and across University of Minnesota system campuses.

College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences

The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is a community of students, faculty, and staff who create outstanding learning experiences, scholarship, and creative activity. With nearly forty majors, thirty-three minors, and three certificate programs, CAHSS helps students interpret the past, understand the present, and shape the future. CAHSS has approximately 1600 undergraduate and graduate students and 189 faculty members in its twelve academic departments: American Indian Studies; Art & Design; Communication; English, Linguistics, & Writing Studies; Environment, Sustainability, & Geography; History; Music; Philosophy; Political Science & International Studies; Studies in Justice, Culture, & Social Change; Theatre; and World Languages & Cultures. CAHSS also hosts the Tweed Art Museum and the Motion and Media Across Disciplines Lab (MMAD) Lab, both of which serve UMD and the people of Duluth and throughout Minnesota. Additional information about the College and its programs can be found on CAHSS's website at https://cahss.d.umn.edu.

About the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top regional universities in the Midwest, according to U.S. News & World Report. UMD offers a personalized education on a medium-sized campus within a major university. Set in a breathtaking natural environment, this unique location provides undergraduate, graduate, and professional students access to a "different kind of classroom," grounded in a comprehensive education. UMD's integrated mission of teaching, research, and service empowers students to become lifelong learners and globally engaged citizens.

UMD is the second largest of the five campuses of the University of Minnesota and is home to four collegiate units (College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; the College of Education and Human Service Professions; the Labovitz School of Business and Economics; the Swenson College of Science and Engineering) and two UMN professional schools (Pharmacy and Medicine).

About Duluth, Minnesota

Situated on the north shore of Lake Superior at the westernmost point of the Great Lakes, Duluth is the largest metropolitan area on the lake. With a population of 85,000 people, the city and surrounding areas are a tourist destination for the Midwest visited by 6.5 million people annually. Duluth offers more than 11,000 acres of park space within city limits and abundant natural areas for recreation within easy driving distance. Major industries include health care, education, aviation, technology, and tourism. In addition, Duluth boasts a thriving arts and culture scene. As a major shipping port, over 1,000 vessels from around the world pass under its iconic Aerial Lift Bridge annually. Duluth is a regional medical center for surrounding states and provinces. More information can be found at www.visitduluth.com.

Pay Range: $170,000- $210,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

This position will remain open until filled.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).