The VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs invites applications for a Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs. The Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs is a 12-month administrative appointment. This is an administrative leadership position reporting directly to the Dean. The anticipated start date for this position is between August 2022 (preferred) and January 2023 (latest).

Mission or Goal of Unit:

The Wilder School's mission is to:
? Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.
? Advance research that informs public policy and decision-making to improve our communities.
? Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance the quality of life.

The Wilder School's is a premier resource for public policy expertise and social equity in public safety, governance and economic and community development. The 2023 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 35 and tied for No. 1 in Virginia. The School is also ranked No. 29 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,500 students and more than 11,000 alumni, with an established environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities, and experience necessary for success.

Successful candidates will join a dedicated group of colleagues with diverse interests and a demonstrated ability to teach effectively and conduct policy-relevant research with a strong commitment to service and community engagement.

Chief Purpose of this position:

The Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs will be responsible for managing faculty and academic affairs for the Wilder School – academic unit performance, faculty supervision and evaluation, student affairs, including advising, internships, and student success—in alignment with VCU’s strategic plan and the mission of the Wilder School.

Position Responsibilities:

· Support the vision and priorities of the Dean.

· Supervision and coordination of faculty assessment, including annual faculty workplans, and annual performance evaluation, and promotion and tenure reviews.

· Develop and maintain knowledge of faculty related university policies and oversee the revision of or creation of school guidelines that align with university policies.

· Supervision of program chairs and overall program unit evaluation.

· Oversight of faculty committee appointments and elections.

· Facilitate the Wilder School faculty awards, identify and develop nomination packets for university, state, and national faculty awards.

· Engagement in faculty recruitment and retention efforts.

· Oversight of faculty development, including, but not limited to, coordinating professional development and mentoring for early career faculty.

· Represent the Wilder School at university committees as appropriate, including the Associate Deans Forum and the Assessment Council.

· Provide academic program review oversight and assistance.

· Provide review and approval of graduate and undergraduate actions including curriculum, student dismissals, graduation certification, and change of grades.

· Monitor course enrollments across the Wilder School to consider course additions or cancellations.

· Oversight and assignment of GTAs in collaboration with program faculty.

· Facilitate/co-facilitate Faculty Academic Council (FAC) and program chairs meetings.

· Work with program units on academic program development and reaccreditation.

· Represent the Office of the Dean as appropriate.

· Serve as a member of the Dean’s Cabinet senior leadership team; work collaboratively with the
senior leadership team, academic program chairs, and Wilder School student services to enhance the Wilder School’s state and national prominence.

· Lead and implement strategic initiatives of the Wilder School as designated by the Dean.


Required Qualifications:

· Eligible for rank of tenured associate professor or full professor in the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

· Doctoral degree in a Wilder School program or related discipline.

· Demonstrated leadership experience in administrative positions within a university setting.

· Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive faculty, staff, and student environment.

· Ability to track, manage, and direct multiple tasks, set priorities in a fast-paced environment, and work effectively with a wide range of individuals and groups, internally and externally.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

· Administrative leadership and supervisory experience in an academic setting.

· Previous experience in faculty affairs and development.

· Leadership experience in national public affairs associations, particularly as it relates to curriculum development, faculty development, and/or accreditation.



Application Instructions/Other Information:

Applications should include a cover-letter and a detailed CV with the names and contact information of three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with priority review beginning June 27, 2022.

As a preeminent national, urban, public research university and academic health center, Virginia Commonwealth University is committed to organizational diversity, equity and inclusion - an environment where all can thrive in their pursuit of excellence.

Applicants are requested to submit a Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (typically between 150-300 words) providing your career aspirations and contributions toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through this statement, you can share how your lived experiences; and past, present, and future academic and professional activities have or will contribute to VCU’s mission of promoting equity and inclusion.

Note: Examples include working with others to further the goals of equity and inclusion; leading in any capacity that tangibly promotes an environment where diversity is welcomed, fostered, and celebrated; creative activity, research and scholarship that promotes equity and parity; teaching and mentoring students, and/or engaging with faculty and/or staff from traditionally underrepresented groups to create a positive and successful organizational experience .

“Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability”.

VCU demonstrates its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion through a number of initiatives, including an NSF ADVANCE-IT grant to increase the recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority (URM) faculty in STEM disciplines, and iCubed , a multi-faceted program designed to recruit URM faculty to collaborate with community partners in transdisciplinary cores to develop promising solutions that enhance the vitality of urban communities. Wilder School faculty are actively engaged in both initiatives.

Position Type: Teaching & Research Faculty
Full time equivalent: 1
Tenure: Tenure Track
Rank: Open
Months: 12
Department: L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs

Salary: Commensurate

Contact Information:
Contact Name: Robyn McDougle, Search Chair
Contact Email: ***** Contact Phone: *****