Dean, College of Arts & Sciences

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Job description

Lead the Future of Arts & Sciences at Texas Woman’s University

Dean, College of Arts & Sciences (CAS)

Location: Denton, Texas (with additional TWU locations in Dallas and Houston)

Institution Type: Public, mission-driven, R2: High Research Activity university

Search Partner: Anthem Executive | Anthem Academics (a division of Anthem Executive)

Be the Catalyst for a Bold Era at TWU!

Texas Woman’s University (TWU) invites applications and nominations for a bold, visionary, and principled academic leader to serve as the Dean for the College of Arts & Sciences.

TWU is a mission-driven, student-centered institution poised for significant growth and innovation. The CAS is at the heart of the university’s academic mission—housing foundational undergraduate programs, general education, graduate education, and diverse disciplines including the natural sciences, arts, humanities, and more. The College is home to the nation’s only woman-focused collegiate aviation program, a growing mariachi ensemble that celebrates cultural expression and community engagement, and a wide array of faculty-led research, public service, and creative activity that enhance TWU’s visibility and impact.

With upcoming initiatives such as the launch of a School of Engineering, expansion of interdisciplinary programming (including data science and AI integration), and a deepening focus on student success and real-world readiness, the next Dean will play a central role in shaping academic direction, ensuring program relevance, and expanding TWU’s influence across Texas and beyond. The Dean reports to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost.

Why TWU:

  • Distinctive Mission & Recognition: Founded in 1901, TWU has a rich 120+ year history and stands at the forefront of change—empowering new voices, championing fresh ideas, and lighting the way forward to solve the world’s most complex challenges.
  • System Strength: The nation’s largest woman-focused university system, TWU produces leaders across education, arts, sciences, business, nursing, and health professions. Since becoming a system in 2021, TWU plans to form independent universities for its health science centers in Dallas and Houston.
  • Vibrant Locations: Denton (consistently named among the nation’s best college towns) anchors TWU’s picturesque flagship campus. Dallas and Houston offer world-class arts, culture, and professional sports. TWU’s total annual economic impact on Texas is $1.8B.
  • Student-Focused, Learn-by-Doing: A culture of experiential learning across disciplines encourages leadership, discovery, and engagement.
  • R2 Momentum: Newly designated Research 2: High Research Activity (2025 Carnegie Classifications). In 2023, TWU invested $6.9M in research and awarded 233 research doctorates—expanding hands-on learning, collaboration, and interdisciplinary partnerships.

About the College of Arts & Sciences:

The College of Arts and Sciences—TWU’s largest college with 3,700+ students—offers programs in the arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, and computer science, with most programs on the Denton campus. Faculty and staff champion experiential teaching and learning that helps students discover purpose, build meaningful relationships, and develop resilience.

Leadership Opportunities for the Next Dean of CAS:

  • Unify and Energize a Diverse College Community: Foster a shared sense of purpose across departments, align varied priorities, and build a cohesive college identity through inclusive leadership and collaboration.
  • Enhance Visibility and External Engagement: Elevate the College’s public profile; promote faculty and student achievements; strengthen connections with donors, alumni, and community partners to position CAS as a statewide and national leader.
  • Lead with Vision and Strategy in a Time of Growth: Shape a strategic plan that builds on strengths and aligns with workforce needs (e.g., School of Engineering, Multidisciplinary Studies), driving innovation while preserving the liberal arts core.
  • Champion Academic Freedom and Institutional Values: Be a principled voice for academic freedom, shared governance, and mission—navigating legislative changes and fostering unity.
  • Strengthen Faculty & Staff Success and Morale: Improve transparency, recognition, and communication; advance fair compensation strategies and professional development to boost morale and retention.
  • Advance Student-Centered Innovation and Support: Expand access and success initiatives; champion holistic support; align curriculum and advising for Gen Z/Gen Alpha, first-gen, and nontraditional learners so all students feel seen and supported.
  • Build Research Infrastructure & Sustain R2 Status: Grow graduate education, strengthen grant support, and create a sustainable research ecosystem—including workload balance and competitive graduate assistantships.
  • Drive Philanthropy & Resource Development: Partner with Advancement to grow external funding, promote interdisciplinary initiatives, and pursue donor engagement for programs, faculty, and scholarships.

Key Leadership Attributes:

  • Mission-Aligned and Courageous
  • Advocate for Faculty, Staff, and Students
  • Strategic and Visionary Leadership
  • Transparent Communicator and Engaged Listener
  • Collaborator and Culture Builder
  • Experienced Fundraiser and External Ambassador

The Ideal Candidate will Be: 

  • An ethical, principled advocate for faculty, students, and staff.
  • A strategic, systems-savvy leader who understands shared governance and institutional planning.
  • A creative and collaborative culture builder who brings people together around common purpose.
  • A supporter of a climate of academic inquiry, guided by institutional mission and responsive to state policy and public expectations.
  • A public ambassador who proudly represents CAS to donors, legislators, and the broader community.

Required Qualifications:

  • A PhD in a field represented within the College of Arts and Sciences is required.
  • Tenured faculty member with a record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
  • Experience leading in complex, interdisciplinary academic environments—preferably at the dean, associate dean, or department chair level.
  • Prior work in public institutions with budget complexity or resource constraints.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage personnel, budgets, graduate education structures, and research infrastructure.
  • Familiarity with R2 expectations and balancing research with teaching and service loads.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Texas Woman’s University, an AA/EEO employer, provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected category, class or characteristic. All offers of employment will be contingent on the candidate’s ability to provide documents which establish proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Positions at Texas Woman’s University deemed security-sensitive require background checks and verification of all academic credentials.

Texas Woman’s University, an AA/EEO employer, provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected category, class or characteristic. All offers of employment will be contingent on the candidate’s ability to provide documents which establish proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Positions at Texas Woman’s University deemed security-sensitive require background checks and verification of all academic credentials.

How to apply

Nominations and Expressions of Interest:

Anthem Executive & Anthem Academics (a division of Anthem Executive) is pleased to assist Texas Woman’s with this national search. To express interest, please submit:

  • A letter of interest stating how your experience is applicable to the position and its opportunities, responsibilities, and requirements expressed in the leadership profile;
  • A curriculum vitae or resume; and
  • Five professional references with email addresses and telephone numbers. (References will not be contacted without your prior authorization.)

While letters of interest may be accepted until the position is filled, interested parties are strongly encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible to assure full consideration. Anthem and the University reserve the right to end or extend the expression of interest, application, and nomination process at any time. Expressing interest is the first step in receiving consideration and does not make one an applicant for the position.

Submit materials electronically to: [email protected]

With an enrollment of approximately 15,000 students, Texas Woman’s University is the nation’s largest university primarily for women. TWU offers degree programs in the liberal arts, nursing, health sciences, the sciences, business and education. Its campuses in Denton, Dallas and Houston are joined by an e-learning campus offering innovative online degree programs in business, education and general studies. TWU serves the citizens of Texas in many ways, including: • Graduating more new health care professionals than any other university in Texas • Easing the teacher shortage by placing highly qualified professionals in the classroom • Offering a liberal arts-based curriculum that prepares students for success in a global society • Conducting research that impacts the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity, osteoporosis, stroke and diabetes.