Job description

Department Summary:

Bridgewater State University, the 10th largest college or university in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, seeks an innovative, collaborative, and visionary academic leader as the next Dean of the College of Graduate Studies.

With a tradition of excellence dating back to 1937 and drawing on the talent and commitment of a highly credentialed faculty, the College of Graduate Studies offers more than 100 programs of study designed to broaden perspectives, advance careers, increase earning potential and transform lives. Major fields of study include education, social work, mental health counseling, English, business, accounting, criminal justice, computer science and public administration. Over the past five years, new and innovative programs have been developed in the areas of cybersecurity, public relations, mathematics, reading, and applied behavior analysis.

The mission of the College of Graduate Studies is to provide all students with exceptional, relevant, and innovative graduate study, cultivating professional advancement and leadership through rigorous scholarship and practical application in service to the future of regional, national, and global communities. Our work is grounded in the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, with deep collaboration with other academic colleges on our campus. Successful candidates will be prepared to lead the college in innovation with a focus on growing new programs closely aligned with the workforce needs of the commonwealth and increasing overall enrollment.

Bridgewater State University is an inclusive community dedicated to the lifelong success of all students, focused on the continuous improvement of its people, and responsible for leading innovation that benefits Southeastern Massachusetts, the commonwealth, and the world.
Bridgewaters accessible environment of teaching and learning stimulates critical thinking, pursuit of new knowledge, and deeper understanding, the cultivation of meaningful and diverse interpersonal relationships, and fostering an appreciation for global engagement, all aimed at transforming lives and improving the human condition. Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is reflected in our which ensure that all students are supported and succeed.

Position Summary:

Bridgewater State University is seeking an experienced and innovative academic leader to serve as the next Dean of the College of Graduate Studies. The Dean of the College of Graduate Studies is a member of the division of Academic Affairs leadership team, providing a strategic vision for continued innovative growth in graduate education for regional workforce development, global engagement and personal and professional advancement. The College of Graduate Studies currently serves approximately 1,500 students, and is home to more than 60 graduate degree, licensure and certificate programs that include a variety of nationally accredited masters degree programs ranging from education, health professions, to arts and sciences, and business. In 2024 the college awarded 460 masters degrees, and more than 70 graduate certificates, CAGS and specialist degrees. Our graduate programs are accredited by the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association, the Council on Social Work Education, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, and the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration among others.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with faculty and other academic partners to identify new academic opportunities and support the growth of existing academic programs, while remaining committed to the values of diversity, equity and belonging. BSU, a leader in teacher education, offers programs in Early Childhood Education, Educational Leadership, Special Education and Elementary Education. BSU also stands out for our exceptional Master of Social Work and Speech-Language Pathology degrees, as well as innovative Computer Science, Cybersecurity and Justice, and Public Relations programs. To support this work, the dean supervises an administrative office team including an associate dean, graduate admissions and marketing personnel, and administrative assistants. BSU is committed to the growth of the College of Graduate Studies, including the recent renovation of a centrally located historic house as the new home of the college. Other campus infrastructure investments include the renovation of Burnell Hall as the academic home of the College of Education and Health Sciences, improvements to office and workspaces housing faculty of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, multiple upgrades to mechanicals across campus, and other capital improvements. 16 jobs.bridgew.edu

Founded in 1840 by Horace Mann, Bridgewater State University is celebrating its 185th year and continues to build on its inception as a Normal School dedicated to the power of equitable education to transform lives. Located in Southeastern Massachusetts on a wooded 278-acre campus, the Bridgewater State University campus is 45 minutes from both Boston, MA and Providence, RI, and is accessible by commuter rail. Learn more about Bridgewater State University and its values.

Learn more about the Dean Of The College of Graduate Studies Search Profile

Position Type: Professional Non-Unit

Essential Duties:

Provide leadership to the College of Graduate Studies to advance college, Division of Academic Affairs and institutional strategic plans.
Clearly articulate how the College of Graduate Studies supports and enhances the university strategic plan in the areas of academic excellence, student success and enrollment growth.
Collaborate on graduate programs and initiatives with faculty, graduate coordinators, academic department chairpersons, deans and other constituencies across the university.
Serve as a strong advocate for diverse, creative, interdisciplinary and innovative educational programming using face-to-face, hybrid and online formats that meet the needs of graduate students.
Lead the college in the effort to increase enrollment across all programs, as operationalized in the colleges recruitment and retention work and its emphasis on the progression and graduation of graduate students.
Lead program assessment, ensuring that outcome measures are met and that individual programs within the college achieve and maintain appropriate standards including specialized accreditation/certification when appropriate.
Continue to enhance the graduate student culture at BSU through advocacy for enhanced levels and types of support for graduate students, including partnering with the professionals in the Office of Career Servies and Internships to enhance career development and workforce preparedness of graduate students across all programs within the innovated BSUWorks initiative.
Build regional, national and international partnerships that broaden the reach and impact of the college and address enrollment goals.
Work with the Dean of the College of Continuing Studies to ensure that the Graduate College is appropriately involved in credit and non-credit continuing education opportunities. 17 jobs.bridgew.edu
Work collaboratively with the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and the Executive Director of the Office of Grants and Sponsored Projects to secure funding from external sources. Pursue external public and private grants that advance the strategic goals of the College.
Work collaboratively with the Provost and the Vice President for Student Success and Diversity to assure that the college maintains and advances a commitment to student success, including the elimination of achievement gaps.
Encourage and support faculty as scholars and promote academic leadership among faculty; collaborate to bring professional development opportunities to graduate faculty and staff.

Required Qualifications:

An earned doctorate and more than 5 years of academic administrative experience, at least 3 years of which should be in the role of Dean, Associate Dean, Chair, Graduate Director (or equivalent).
Significant and direct administrative responsibility for both graduate programs and graduate students with a strong and demonstrable commitment to student success.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collegially with faculty, administrators, staff and external constituencies while maintaining the highest levels of personal integrity.
A demonstrated effectiveness in graduate program development, review, revision and assessment including the national accreditation process and shared governance.
Experience in recruitment and enrollment management at the graduate level. Demonstrated effectiveness in enrollment management.
A strong and demonstrable commitment to public higher education including an understanding of and commitment to the liberal arts in public higher education.
A strong and demonstrable commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity and experience working with diverse student populations. 18 jobs.bridgew.edu
A thorough knowledge of higher education practices and trends, including but not limited to demographic trends and their implications and curriculum and instruction.
Superior communication skills, creativity and innovative thinking.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with the development and administration of online or blended courses and programs. Expertise in an academic discipline relevant to programs in the College of Graduate Studies.
Experience working with faculty and staff in a collective bargaining environment.
Experience in the development, management and oversight of a budget at the school or college level.
Experience identifying, leading and growing collaborations with regional employers to meet workforce development needs.

Work Environment:

Bridgewater State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employee with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please complete and submit this electronic form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?BridgewaterStateUniv&layout_id=18

Special Conditions for Eligibility:

Please be aware that employment at Bridgewater State University is contingent upon completion of a successful background check. Bridgewater State University is an E-Verify employer.

This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.

Salary Range: $160,000 to $170,000
Posting Number: S01280P
Close Date: 12/21/2025
Open Until Filled: No

How to apply

Please note the following information is required to complete your application for this position: . a minimum of three (3) professional reference entries.

Please note the following information is required to complete your application for this position:
A minimum of one (1) employment history entry
A minimum of three (3) professional reference entries in space provided on the application form.

• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter

To apply, visit