Overview of the College
At Texas A&M, being a world-class College of Arts and Sciences means that there’s nowhere like here. Our degrees and programs offer unparalleled rigor, quality and reputation that set our graduates apart. And, from day one of your academic journey, we give you the support and resources you need to help you succeed.
The College of Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Texas A&M. This is the foundation from which any career path can begin — and begin with confidence, boldness, preparedness and strength. There is depth and breadth of the choice here, with more than 130 programs of study, where your passion can find its purpose.
For more information, please visit the Arts & Sciences Website.
Position Description
Texas A&M University-a land, sea, and space grant, R1 university with membership in the prestigious American Association of Universities-invites nominations and applications for Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Reporting to the Provost, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will serve as the chief academic and executive officer of the College. The Dean will provide strategic leadership, vision, and management in support of excellence in the College's teaching, research, and service mission consistent with Texas A&M University's research ratings, national reputation, and institutional priorities. The ideal candidate will be a visionary, goal-oriented, and collaborative academic leader with a record of success in a large, complex academic organization.
Reporting to the Provost, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will serve as the chief academic and executive officer of the College. The Dean will provide strategic leadership, vision, and management in support of excellence in the College's teaching, research, and service mission consistent with Texas A&M University's research ratings, national reputation, and institutional priorities. The ideal candidate will be a visionary, goal-oriented, and collaborative academic leader with a record of success in a large, complex academic organization.
- Planning – Supervises planning in the College, including: setting goals and priorities in collaboration with College and University-wide stakeholders, constructing the College budget, advocating for the resource requirements of the College departments and research units and allocating funds among them, directing operations of professional staff, and leading advocacy efforts for policy initiatives and departmental strategic plans. Measures progress and evaluates results of strategic initiatives. Communicates the vision, successes, and priorities of the College to internal and external stakeholders and advocates for the College in the University's long-term planning and policy-making processes.
- Faculty and Staff – Oversees faculty and staff recruitment, retention, and development and works with department heads on salary administration, start-up funds, professional development, promotion, and tenure. Promotes teaching and research, scholarship, or creative activities, excellence among faculty and submits recommendations for recognition of outstanding achievements when appropriate. Reviews promotion and tenure processes and faculty development in all tracks and ranks. Coordinates searches for and recommends appointments of department heads and research unit directors. Oversees the College's teaching, research, and administrative functions and delegates responsibility to appropriate faculty and staff members. Supervises, evaluates, and ensures professional development for direct reports. Communicates and works with various groups at both the College- and University-level in a complex, dynamic environment that includes education, research, and clinical care.
- Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities – Demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting the research, scholarship, and creative activities enterprise across all disciplines of the College while maintaining high academic standards. Oversee world-class, high-impact research, scholarship, and creative activities advancing knowledge in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences.
- Budgets – Collaborates with University administration on assessing and responding to state academic and budget issues. Manages resources wisely by allocating human resources, space, technology, and budgets to support defined priorities. Oversees facilities planning and management.
- Vision and Academic Traditions – In collaboration with college- and University-wide stakeholders, conceives, fosters, communicates, and implements a shared vision for the College. Incorporating the academic traditions reflected in the College, imagines new possibilities for advancing knowledge, educating students, and serving the University and the community. Responds strategically to change and navigates through challenges with composure. Promotes excellence and fosters opportunity and collegiality among faculty, staff, and students.
- Development – Participates with the College development officer in external fund-raising activities. Increases external financial support and revenue streams for the College by building deep relationships with former students and donors. Ensures the effective utilization of endowed funds in support of donor intent.
Preferred Education, Experience and Qualifications
- Earned terminal degree and a record of scholarly achievement appropriate for a tenured appointment at the level of full professor in a College department
- Substantial record of administrative leadership in a large research university or comparable organization
- Record of success in the fiscal and operational management of a complex program
- Demonstrated leadership qualities and exceptional interpersonal, collaboration, and written and oral communication skills
- Success in fundraising to support strategic priorities of the College
- Understanding of current trends in humanities, social sciences, and sciences
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate and attract support for research, scholarship, and creative works—from the public and private sectors—consistent with the expectations of a comprehensive tier-one research university that has a land-, sea- and space-grant designation
- Demonstrated dedication to student success, shared governance, faculty excellence, and staff and faculty development
CHAIR
- Co-Chair: Leann Horsley, Dean, Texas A&M College of Nursing & Professor
- Co-Chair: John Sherman, Dean, The Texas A&M Bush School of Government and Public Service
MEMBERS
- Will Bailey, Assistant Department Head, Business Services, Biology
- Stuart Burbach, External Advisory & Development Council Council Member
- Jennifer Glanville, Professor & Department Head, Sociology
- Rebecca Hankins, Professor, Global Languages and Cultures
- Angela Hudson, Professor & Department Head, History
- Alex Keene, Professor & Department Head, Biology
- Heather Klein, Instructional Professor & Assistant Department Head, Mathematics
- Sarah Potvin, Associate Professor, English
- Dale Rice, Associate Professor of the Practice, Communication and Journalism
- Alexei Sokolov, University Distinguished Professor, Physics and Astronomy
- Cara Webster, Graduate Student, Biology
- Chrissy Wiederwohl, Instructional Professor & Associate Department Head, Oceanography
- Patrick Williams, Vice President for Development, Texas A&M Foundation
- James Woodward, Undergraduate Student, Neuroscience Major, Psychology and Brain Sciences
- Karen Wooley, Distinguished Professor, Chemistry