Job description

Costa Rica
43348BR
TTU Costa Rica Admin

Position Description
The Office of the Provost of Texas Tech University in the College of Costa Rica at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, tenured Professor to begin July 1^st, 2026. While appointed to this position, you will accrue vacation and will be required to report leave monthly following TTU’s Operating Policy 70.01 and TTU System Regulation 07.12. Since you will accrue vacation, you will follow a staff holiday schedule, which is available here: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/empbenefits/holidayschedule.php.
Texas Tech University seeks an innovative, dynamic candidate for the position of TTU-Costa Rica Dean.

To advance the university into its next chapter, the dean must invest time and energy in forging and sustaining relationships with the university’s broad and diverse community of stakeholders in Texas, Costa Rica, and beyond. The dean must be sophisticated, sincere, and adept at making connections and representing TTU-CR. In Lubbock, the dean serves as the link between both institutions and must, therefore, get to know and work closely with the provost, the provost’s office, academic deans, program chairs, and others positioned to support TTU-CR’s continued growth and development. Ultimately, the dean is responsible for the success of a diverse and evolving set of academic programs that are embedded in several Texas Tech University colleges and schools.
Locally, the dean will continue the symbiotic relationship with Edulink and the steering committee. Additionally, the dean will serve as the primary external representative and engage with the Costa Rican community, including government officials, business leaders, prospective faculty, students, and their parents. Being accredited by SACSOC, CONESUP and other discipline-specific accreditation bodies like ABET and AACEB, the dean also preserves the standards and relationships that retain and advance TTU-CR’s quality and accreditation. It is important that the dean understands and respects the local and Latin American context and culture and embodies a global mindset and eagerness to immerse themselves in the local culture. With adept cultural humility, the dean must be proactive, tactful, and resourceful in engaging partners and exploring opportunities to connect TTU-CR with opportunities aligned with the University’s educational mission and ambitions. The dean should also broadcast the exciting narrative about TTU-CR, proclaiming the institution’s value propositions to students, the public, including prospective employers of TTU-CR students, and government partners. As TTU-CR continues to gain international recognition and enrollments, the dean may also be called upon to forge pathways throughout the region beyond Costa Rica.
Lead a community of dedicated faculty and professional staff deeply committed to providing the highest quality educational experience for students
The dean will have the opportunity to lead a talented and mission-driven community of faculty and staff who share a deep commitment to student success and academic excellence. It is important that the dean be visible and engaged with the campus community. Given the dean’s responsibilities for overseeing academic affairs, the dean’s leadership and support of faculty are particularly critical. Texas Tech Costa Rica is home to a dedicated and growing faculty. Presently, TTU-CR employs 10 full-time and 35 part-time faculty.
Attracting and retaining world-class faculty to the campus is a critical aspect of the position. The new dean will think about how to recognize and support excellence in teaching, including being called upon to come up with creative solutions related to recruitment, recognition, development, and promotion of faculty. The dean will work to enhance an attractive working environment, which should include competitive recruitment and compensation as well as creating career development and advancement opportunities for faculty. Relatedly, staff play a critical role in supporting students and enriching their collegiate experience. The dean is a key partner in collaborating with staff and fostering excellence and innovation in student support, such as enrollment and advising, programming, tutoring, and career development.

All prospective employees are encouraged to visit Work at Texas Tech to learn more about becoming a part of our campus community.

Major/Essential Functions
In line with TTU’s strategic priorities to engage and empower a dynamic student body, enable innovative research and creative activities, and transform lives and communities through outreach and engaged scholarship, applicants should have experience working with dynamic student populations at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels within individual or across the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, and service.

The Dean’s duties will include:

• Hire, manage, and evaluate campus faculty in collaboration with TTU’s departments aimed at developing excellence in teaching, research, and service.
• Oversee academic advising and student success staff, promoting student achievement and compliance with all of Texas Tech’s policies and requirements.
• Administer the degree programs in alignment with the requirements of Texas Tech’s college and department leaders.
• Work in collaboration with TTU-CR staff to promote strategic growth in enrollment and academic program offerings.
• Oversee Student Life, promoting alignment with the ethos of Texas Tech’s student-centered programs and experiences.
• Monitor compliance with all relevant accreditation standards.
• Work in collaboration with the Campus Executive Director to develop and sustain partnerships with industry, the public sector, and the NGO communities in Costa Rica and the region.
• Further establish the value proposition of TTU-CR and lead students to gainful employment and/or postgraduate education.
• Work in collaboration with the Campus Executive Director and the TTU-Costa Rica Steering Committee to develop and monitor strategic and operational planning that will take the campus into the next phase of its development.
• Effectively manage budgets to sustain a culture of fiscal responsibility and promote the success of the faculty, staff, and students.

Required Qualifications

• A doctoral or terminal degree in an academic discipline offered at Texas Tech University.
• A minimum of 3 years in academic or related industry.
• Previous or current leadership roles, with experience in areas like strategic planning and program development.
• Experience with international campuses.

Preferred Qualifications
In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:

• Proficient in both English and Spanish languages.
• Experience with faculty development, mentoring, and performance evaluation.
• Experience with the American public higher education system.
• Experience with cross-departmental or cross-functional collaboration.
• Record of entrepreneurial leadership supporting organizational growth.
• Knowledge and experience with curriculum development, assessment, and the accreditation process.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills as evidenced by a record of effectively engaging varied stakeholders towards a shared purpose and set of accomplishments.

Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website:
https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/texas-tech-university-costa-rica/campus-dean
Sean Farrell, Partner
Ivan Ceballos, Managing Associate
Drew Chang, Senior Search Coordinator
Isaacson, Miller

How to apply

To apply, visit workattexastech.com

Please include the following documents in your application:

• Curriculum Vitae
• A 2-3-page cover letter explaining interest in the position and focused on experiences and innovations related to the position’s responsibilities
• List of at least five references

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.