Academic Dean, School of Technology and Enterprise

Location : Midland, MI

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 03376

Division: Midland Campus

Department: UG Academic Admin and Support

Opening Date: 12/20/2024

Closing Date: Continuous

Roles

Description

Northwood University invites applications for the founding dean of the School of Technology and Enterprise, a proven scholar with a vision for promoting excellence in teaching, research, scholarly activities, as well as service. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to contribute to an educational community that fosters innovation, entrepreneurship, and the advancement of free-market principles. With sustained enrollment growth and no debt, Northwood University is expanding its programs in technology and enterprise. Northwood University is a private not-for-profit university dedicated to the principles of free enterprise and its philosophy.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated leadership expertise in many facets, including the recruitment and retention of high-caliber faculty, development and growth of academic programs, industry relations, creation and oversight of academic budgets, the development and implementation of the University's academic strategic plan, and uphold and promote the Northwood University mission, core values, outcomes, ethics, and strategic plan.

About Northwood University

Founded on the core values of individual freedom and responsibility, earned success, and the importance of moral law and free enterprise, Northwood University has been a leader in business education since 1959. We prepare students for success in a competitive, global marketplace by instilling a deep understanding of free enterprise and the value of business ownership, all in alignment with The Northwood Idea.

Northwood University is a teaching-focused university with accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. The Academic Dean for the School of Technology and Enterprise will oversee all degrees offered within the school to students at both the traditional residential campus, and online and hybrid offerings for adult learners.

Northwood University has also been recognized as one of the 2024 Great Colleges to Work For and earned Honor Roll distinction in eight categories: Job Satisfaction & Support, Compensation & Benefits, Professional Development, Mission & Pride, Supervisor/Department Chair Effectiveness, Confidence in Senior Leadership, Faculty & Staff Well-being, and Shared Governance. This year marks Northwood's first-time achieving Honor Roll recognition and its fourth recognition overall, underscoring our commitment to an excellent organizational culture.

Overview of the Position

We seek a scholar and academic leader with a demonstrated commitment to teaching, research, and thought leadership in alignment with Northwood's beliefs and values.

Responsibilities

General:

• Provide academic and intellectual leadership, direction, advocacy, communication, and coordination across the school and across Northwood University.
• Lead the implementation of the University's academic strategic plan within the school.
• Help create and maintain a climate that celebrates intellectual freedom, inquiry, reflection, and respect for intellectual property and differing/diverse opinions.
• Cultivate a cooperative, collegial work climate which enhances communication, trust, and productivity of and among faculty, students, and staff and across organizational areas.
• Promote and support the University's philosophy, The Northwood Idea.
• Support scholarship and research among faculty and students.

Program Oversight and Direction:

• Ensure the school's departments continually develop and maintain excellent teaching and scholarship standards.
• Support assessment of the departments and/or programs and courses within the school.
• Support curricular growth and offerings, curricular scheduling and delivery.

Personnel Development and Evaluation:

• Provide oversight for all faculty and staff recruitment within the school.
• Support the efforts of the Center for Excellence in faculty development.

Enrollment Management:

• Lead enrollment growth initiatives for the school.
• Support the efforts of University-wide Persistence Council in the areas of student persistence and graduation.
• Support enrollment strategy and initiatives of the Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Steering Council.

Other Key Responsibilities:

• Through application of the Responsibility Center Management (RCM) model, create and manage academic budgets.
• Engage in fundraising and work with donors to support the school and University.
• Represent the school to the Academic Vice President and Provost and University leadership teams.
• Actively participate in councils and committees as appointed by the Academic Vice President and Provost and ensure implementation of their decisions and initiatives.

Qualifications

Required:

• Terminal degree in a discipline appropriate for faculty within the school.
• A distinguished record of scholarly achievement, teaching excellence, and research.
• Proven ability to engage with students, colleagues, alumni, donors, and external stakeholders in meaningful ways that promote business innovation and societal impact.
• A minimum of three years of successful administrative experience, including the supervision of faculty.
• A minimum of three years of full-time teaching experience at the post-secondary level.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

• A proven scholar with recent and ongoing documented thought leadership applicable to higher education or another discipline that supports the University's mission.
• Current knowledge of issues in higher education.
• Alignment with the philosophy of the University and its commitment to the American enterprise system, in and out of the classroom, on campus and elsewhere.
• Demonstrated success with development and implementation of strategic planning initiatives.
• Strong commitment to continuous quality improvement.
• Ability to foster partnerships and cross-unit/department working relationship in support of University-wide initiatives.

Expectations

Northwood University embraces an institutional philosophy that emphasizes free enterprise within the context of limited government and individual responsibility. The ideal candidate will share a strong affinity for Northwood University's mission and core values.

Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the University's outcomes at and be prepared to discuss their philosophy regarding these outcomes.