Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences, Northwestern University — Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Filed in Administrative on April 25, 2023
Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences at Northwestern University is seeking an Associate Dean for Undergraduate Academic Affairs to join the College’s Office of the Dean leadership team. This position is open to candidates with a terminal degree in an Arts & Sciences discipline and requires teaching one undergraduate course per year. Applications by continuing faculty members are welcome. This appointment will be term-limited, with an option for renewal upon review.
POSITION SUMMARY
Reporting to the Dean of the Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences, the Associate Dean will manage and direct the work of the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs staff, supporting around 4,000 students (about half of Northwestern’s undergrads), 650 continuing faculty instructors, and over 50 undergraduate courses of study with curriculum planning and review, academic advising, academic standing, academic integrity, ARCH scholars, the Baker Program for Undergraduate Research, and operations for 30+ member unit. The position will take a lead role in identifying and addressing student and faculty needs in order to create an environment where all undergraduates can thrive academically, and creating programming and developing resources that promote inclusion and equity.
The ideal candidate will have a track record of leadership in undergraduate academic affairs. As a critical member of the Dean’s leadership team, the Associate Dean must be a strategic thinker, team/relationship builder, initiator and motivator, and have experience with managing and coaching staff. Working closely with program directors, chairs, and faculty members, the role requires both a student and academic policy orientation, and a commitment to improving students’ academic experiences. The position will require a high degree of collaboration with students, faculty and staff in Weinberg College and in the other undergraduate schools at Northwestern, as well as University-wide student support resources. The Associate Dean will engage this work both as an individual contributor as well as in the supervision of academic affairs staff.
Primary responsibilities will include the following:
- Supervise a group of six direct reports and knowledgeably advise and oversee their work in the following portfolios:
- Academic Advising
- Academic Standing
- Academic Integrity
- Curriculum and Assessment
- First-year Programs, including ARCH
- Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs Operations
- Direct and manage the work of the Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs staff and oversee processes and projects to implement the strategic goals for academic affairs. Make hiring decisions, provide coaching and mentoring, and manage performance and staffing levels.
- Serve as a point of contact to triage and resolve complex student issues with University-wide scope and impact and substantial significance which may span multiple areas, using advanced technical and professional knowledge requiring broad discretion and judgment.
- Provide strategic direction for Office of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, including forecasting, planning, and managing program budgets and manage and lead a team of professional staff within Academic Affairs
- Work with School and University leadership in the evaluation, assessment, and continuous improvement of undergraduate academic affairs, particularly in relation to Weinberg College’s broader mission to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
- Advise the Dean, Associate Deans, Chairs and Program Directors on policies and procedures affecting students at all levels and in all programs, and recommend and implement effective support models, policies, and processes.
- Facilitate effective communication among leadership, academic program directors, faculty, students and staff
- Interpret, implement, and communicate student and academic policies to multiple audiences, guide students, faculty, and staff in understanding and upholding policies.
- Oversee high-level escalation and resolution of exception requests from students with a high degree of autonomy and discretion.
- Promote and support a culture of academic excellence, integrity and resilience within an equitable, inclusive and diverse education and training environment, and take the lead in creating programming and developing resources that ensure a high-quality learning experience for all students, and access and success for underrepresented students
- Represent Weinberg College as a senior academic affairs manager on relevant standing and ad-hoc University-wide committees.
- Provide input and oversee the implementation of changes to numerous student-related systems and technology; lead staff in the rolling out of new systems.
- Participate in institutional-level decision making, and ensure close coordination between the academic programs and operational and financial aspects of Weinberg College
- Collaborate within the University in the process of continuous programmatic improvement and accreditation, and ensure that the academic and student- and faculty-support programs exceed accreditation benchmarks and sustain strong reputational excellence through mission-driven and research-informed goals and objectives
- Strengthen relationships with other universities and other organizations to help advance the educational mission of Weinberg College
Application review will begin on May 1 and continue until the position is filled. Inquiries about the position may be sent to Francesca Petty, Weinberg College Chief of Staff at f-petty@northwestern.edu.
Please read ALL instructions and make preparations before proceeding to the application page:
- Applications will only be accepted via online submission (see link below).
- Please prepare all documents in advance as Adobe PDF files, and please be sure all information is entered correctly and accurately (especially names and email addresses), as there will be no opportunity for online revision after your application has been submitted.
- All required fields in the application form are marked with an asterisk and must be filled before clicking the “Submit” button.
- Be aware that incomplete applications cannot be saved.
Applications accepted here: https://facultyrecruiting.northwestern.edu/apply/MTgzMw==
