Assistant or Associate Dean of the College of Professional Studies

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Job description

Eugene, OR

Department: College of Professional Studies
Status: Full-Time exempt, 12-month on-site
Benefit Eligible: Yes

Bushnell University Overview

Founded in 1895, Bushnell University provides a holistic Christian education, fostering wisdom, faith, and service in its students. In joining the staff here, you will be part of an academic community that seeks to cultivate your faith while you make a difference in the lives of our students. Bushnell is the largest private university in Eugene’s vibrant university district, which also includes the University of Oregon. Eugene is a college town small enough to know your neighbors and large enough to offer fantastic arts, entertainment, dining, healthcare, and educational opportunities. It is also an ideal place to enjoy the beautiful Pacific Northwest, being just one hour from the Oregon Coast, one hour from the Cascade Mountains, and less than two hours from Portland and the Columbia River Gorge.

Job Summary

The Associate Dean of the College of Professional Studies reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty (VPAA), and supervises the work and faculty and staff in both the School of Business, Leadership, and Technology (SBLT) and the School of Education (SOE) relating to the development, implementation, and evaluative review of the curriculum and to the recruitment, orientation, support, and evaluation of school and departmental faculty and staff. The Associate Dean identifies and cultivates key external relationships in the local business community and beyond to create effective partnerships and networks to the benefit of program rigor and growth. The Associate Dean collaborates with the Dean of Admissions in student recruitment efforts and leads retention initiatives for all programs in the department (including Residential Undergraduate, Online/Evening Undergraduate, and Graduate Programs such as our MBA, MAL, and MSM). As time permits and in consultation with the VPAA, the Associate Dean may carry a teaching load of up to 12 credits per academic year. The Associate Dean serves in an entrepreneurial role working to identify, research, and develop opportunities for strategic and sustainable enrollment growth, program development (both for new and existing programs), and auxiliary revenue sources (e.g., grants, revenue centers, partnerships). The Associate Dean is a member of the VPAA’s Cabinet.

Successful performance in this position will be evaluated in terms of position duties and responsibilities, as well as general faculty responsibilities and duties.

Position Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Direction

  • Strategic Planning: Provide leadership and strategic direction for the college’s faculty and staff, planning future goals and objectives based on data.
  • Governance: Chair biannual general meetings of the college, serve on institutional committees/working groups, and attend Faculty Assembly meetings.
  • Representation: Represent the college at local, regional, state, and national events; develop professional relationships with educational, business, and civic communities.
  • Research & Service: Provide leadership to the college’s research and public service commitments.

Academic Administration & Faculty Management

  • Personnel Oversight: Recruit, mentor, and supervise all college faculty and staff (including adjuncts). Monitor faculty workloads, schedules, and contracted loads, recommending special assignments as needed.
  • Leadership Appointments: In consultation with the VPAA, appoint and evaluate licensure program group directors, non-licensure program group department chairs, and individual program leads, providing them with ongoing direction and support.
  • Evaluation: Evaluate faculty performance and make recommendations to the VPAA regarding appointments, promotions, leaves, dismissals, and other personnel matters.
  • Curriculum & Catalog: Monitor curricula, recommend changes initiated by the schools, and supervise the revision of the college’s portion of the academic catalog.
  • Teaching: Teach up to 12 credits per year in departmental offerings, as agreed upon with the VPAA.

Enrollment Management & External Relations

  • Enrollment Strategy: Develop and implement an ongoing enrollment management plan focused on strategic growth, recruitment, and retention for new and existing programs.
  • Marketing & Outreach: Develop an outreach plan (with VPAA oversight) and engage with marketing to create publications and support the college’s promotional efforts.
  • Partnerships: Collaborate with enrollment and advancement staff to cultivate community partnerships (e.g., internships, practicums) that benefit the institution.
  • Alumni Engagement: Seek out alumni feedback and experiences to inform program improvements.

Student Success & Support Services

  • Student Experience: Monitor the student experience across schools to recommend improvements; collaborate with faculty to ensure program quality, student satisfaction, and retention.
  • Academic Support Liaison: Liaise with Academic Services, Advising, and the Registrar’s Office to ensure effective advising, career counseling, tutorial services, and accurate transcript evaluation.
  • Operational Support: Actively support the Registrar, Admissions, Career Services, Library, and Athletics in matters related to orientation, registration, and student support.

Accreditation, Assessment & Compliance

  • Accreditation: Serve as Accreditation Liaison Officer for International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE); ensure departmental compliance with standards and lead successful accreditation reviews.
  • Assessment: Oversee program and course assessment procedures in the SBLT and SOE in support of institutional and college-level assessment and improvement; assist directors and chairs with data collection and reporting.
  • Instructional Design: Collaborate with Bushnell Instructional Design to ensure effective use of Canvas and online resources across all programs.
  • Reporting: Prepare data-based reports on goals and objectives; write or assist with special studies and grant proposals.
  • Deadlines: Prepare a master calendar of critical deadlines for the college.

Financial & Resource Management

  • Budgeting: Develop and administer the annual budget for the college in consultation with the schools and as approved by the VPAA and the Division of Finance and Administration.
  • Resource Utilization: Ensure financial and material resources are utilized effectively and efficiently.
  • Funding Development: Develop sustainable auxiliary funding for the college through grants, private and corporate philanthropy, and foundations.
  • Carry out other duties as assigned by the VPAA.

General for all Faculty:

  • Regular faculty must maintain a full-time teaching load (or equivalent) as described in the Faculty Handbook and as assigned by your supervisor; Academic Deans may teach up to half of a full-time teaching load.
  • As a ‘teacher-scholar’ actively engage with students in collaborative research and learning activities.
  • Provide a solid role model of wisdom, faith, and service.
  • Maintain and post regular office hours as specified in the Faculty Handbook.
  • Attend all regular and special faculty meetings.
  • Serve on faculty committees, as assigned by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty within Faculty Handbook guidelines.
  • Submit updated course syllabi each semester to the office of the VPAA for each course taught.
  • Complete embedded course assessment and/or program assessment activities.
  • Facilitate the evaluation of each of your classes each semester and contribute to the evaluation of the curriculum and instruction, ensuring the delivery of quality academic programs.
  • Contribute to development of library resources in area of teaching expertise.
  • Participate in academic and/or licensure advising, as assigned.
  • Follow the current Faculty Handbook as it pertains to faculty roles and responsibilities.
  • Interact with the Registrar’s office in transcript evaluation and recording of student progress, as required.
  • Actively participate in marketing of the programs as well as forming partnerships with colleagues and students where appropriate.
  • Contribute to the integration of faith and learning by addressing this issue in class and in curriculum standards.
  • Fulfill any other duties as assigned by supervisor.

Experience and Qualification Requirements:

  • Doctoral degree required/desirable.
  • Professional degree in an appropriate field of business studies and/or education is required.
  • Significant administrative experience (preferably in higher education) with a strong acumen in marketing and/or organizational leadership.
  • Ability to lead in all areas of curricular affairs in matters such as student recruitment and retention, integration of faith and learning, and external partnerships.
  • Proven track record of people management skills, including the ability to supervise, mentor, and achieve goals; excellent communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills along with good judgment critical to the position; ability to manage budgets essential; understanding of marketing; ability to utilize data in decision-making and planning.
  • Candidate must be actively engaged in a Christian congregation and able to identify with and support the Bushnell Theological Context for Community statement.
  • Higher educational background in the area of Bible/Ministry and/or professional experience in an institution of Christian higher education is highly desirable.
  • Ability to utilize Windows based software including, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Microsoft 365 Suite.
  • Experience utilizing e-mail for the purposes of organizational communications.
  • Listening skills and the ability to speak and write clearly are essential to the position.
  • Individual must possess exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.

Working Conditions / Special Requirements

  • Bushnell employees must have a maturing Christian faith and live in compliance with the duties and expectations as detailed in the Employee Handbook.
  • The position requires a strong commitment to multiculturalism and diversity.
  • The position requires working in a non-smoking, drug free environment.
  • The employee must adhere to FERPA guidelines and student confidentiality at all times.
  • All employees of Bushnell are “mandatory reporters” under Oregon law. See http://www.oregon.gov/dhs/abuse/pages/mandatory_report.aspx for specific information.
  • The employee must have knowledge of strong office management techniques; operations, procedures, specific rules and precedents of the office; research methods and report writing techniques; record-keeping techniques; operation of office machines including computer equipment and specified software; principles of training and providing work direction.
  • The position requires a strong ability to communicate effectively and succinctly, both verbally and in writing, utilizing tact, patience and courtesy.
  • Listening skills and the ability to speak and write clearly are essential to this position. Must possess exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
  • The employee must have high personal motivation, with great attention to detail and accuracy.
  • This person must project a positive, vibrant and professional attitude in assisting people.
  • This person must have high ethics of honesty and confidentiality, with a genuine and gracious presence pertaining to the students, faculty, staff and business of the department and the University.
  • This position may require lifting up to 25 lbs, as well as bending, stooping, kneeling.
  • This position description is subject to change at any time.

Application Instructions

Bushnell employees are expected to abide by the Theological Context for Bushnell Community Life. Please read this document before continuing.

How to apply

To be considered for this position, please submit all six of the following:

  • Cover letter addressing skills, experience, and knowledge
  • CV/Resume
  • Personal Statement of Faith that clearly addresses all three of the sections below:
    • Section 1: how a maturing Christian faith finds expression in the candidate’s personal life, family life, community life, and current church membership;
    • Section 2: how the candidate integrates faith into his or her work life and academic discipline, both inside and outside the classroom; and
    • Section 3: the candidate’s understanding of and ability to support Bushnell University’s Theological Context for Community Life statement.
  • Contact Information for three references, one of which must be the applicant’s pastor or another appropriate church leader who is able to address the applicant’s faith background.

Please include all requested materials. Incomplete application packets may result in disqualification.

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