Dean Search
Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences

The Opportunity

The University of Arkansas (Fayetteville) invites nominations and applications for the position of dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences.

Background Information

University of Arkansas

Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas is a land grant institution, classified by the Carnegie Foundation among the nation’s top 3 percent of universities with the highest level of research activity. The University of Arkansas faculty of 1,500 support over 30,000 students across 96 undergraduate majors, 97 master's degree offerings and 50 doctoral and specialist programs. With strong enrollment across its 10 colleges and schools and a broad array of research centers and institutes, the University of Arkansas is poised to grow its collaborative and innovative research enterprise and meet its land-grant mission well into the future. The university is consistently ranked among the top universities and best values in the United States. Fayetteville and Northwest Arkansas are also regularly and repeatedly at the top of best-places-to-live rankings. Under the leadership of Chancellor Charles F. Robinson, and on the heels of celebrating its sesquicentennial, the University is currently honing its “150 Forward” strategic plan which focuses on three pillars – research excellence, student success and being an employer of choice.

The University of Arkansas offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The benefits package includes university contributions to health, dental, life and disability insurance, tuition waivers for employees and their families, 12 official holidays, immediate leave accrual, and a choice of retirement programs with university contributions ranging from 5 to 10% of employee salary.

Fayetteville, Arkansas

Located in the heart of the beautiful Ozark Mountains, Northwest Arkansas has one of the most affordable costs of living in the nation. Consistently ranked as one of the top 10 Best Places to Live in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, the region has plentiful outdoor lifestyle perks, including 500+ miles of bike trails; a nationally ranked arts, culture, and food scene; and per capita incomes that are 18% higher than the national average. In the region, people have short commutes, a close-knit and inclusive community, a rich arts and culture scene, and the time to enjoy all the outdoors has to offer. 

Fayetteville is a thriving community of 95,230 residents (2021 Census estimate).  As the second largest city in Arkansas, Fayetteville provides all the resources and culture of a large city while maintaining a quality of life that remains true to its unique heritage.  Fayetteville has something for everyone: boutique shopping, a diverse culinary scene, historic neighborhoods, exciting nightlife, live music and fine arts, a nationally recognized public library, sporting events, community as well as national touring and Broadway theatre productions, and thousands of acres of park land for a wide range of outdoor activities.

Fueled by an amazing entrepreneurial spirit, Northwest Arkansas emerged from modest beginnings to become one of the nation's dynamic economic regions. Industry leaders such as Walmart, Tyson Foods, Simmons Foods and J.B. Hunt started in the region. The presence of those companies, a burgeoning startup culture, and the university drives Northwest Arkansas’ economic growth. 

Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences

Fulbright College is the largest and most diverse academic unit on campus with 19 departments and more than 30 academic programs and research centers. The college provides the core curriculum for all University of Arkansas students. The School of Social Work, the School of Art, and the School of Journalism and Strategic Media are all part of Fulbright College.

Position Overview and Key Responsibilities

The university seeks a dynamic, strategic leader who will shape and support the college’s growth as part of the state’s only high research activity university and its land-grant mission of teaching, discovery and service.

The next dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences will build on a long tradition of scholarship and elevate the institution by raising the school’s national profile and by recruiting top students, faculty and staff. The ideal candidate is a visionary leader who will build strong relationships within the college, across the campus and throughout the community. The next dean also will excel as an administrator of the college’s resources, including its budget, and as a fundraiser who rallies support for innovation and continued excellence. Finally, the dean will build on the college’s tradition of being an inclusive program of arts and science education. That tradition continues through a faculty supported plan for inclusion, vibrant and broad student organizations, and consistent efforts to recruit students, faculty and staff who represent a broad range of perspectives and experiences.

The dean is also an important part of the university’s leadership team. University leaders exhibit a broad range of skills and competencies, and the university continues to enhance its support for executive growth and resiliency. A dean who builds relationships with stakeholders by relying on effective communication, collaboration and building trust will be most successful at also ensuring accountability, managing conflict and adapting to changing conditions. Deans are also expected to have a clear decision-making methodology that incorporates data and a global perspective. The executive leadership team is at its strongest when its members engage with campus opportunities and challenges openly and courageously to advance our land-grant mission.

The dean of the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences plays a critical role in the university’s mission and serves as the chief executive officer of the college reporting to the provost. The dean is an administrative and educational leader of the college and is responsible for the leadership and management of the college, its academic and research enterprises, and all its operations, including fundraising, and the mobilization of its faculty, alumni, staff, students, community, corporate, foundation, and local and state government leaders to meet the institutional, system, regional and school’s goals.

Qualifications

The dean will display the following important attributes:

• Superior management, communication, interpersonal, budget and strategic planning skills
• A successful record of academic leadership and executive experience
• A sustained commitment to the goals of a land-grant institution of higher education
• An inclusive approach to management and leadership, including a commitment to excellence in recruiting, developing and retaining a diverse faculty and staff
• Experience working with diverse student populations and an ability to communicate with and understand the needs of students
• A good understanding of efficient fiscal administration of college resources and experience managing complex budgets with a demonstrated ability to introduce and implement innovative funding initiatives
• Experience with major fundraising initiatives and an ability to represent the university compellingly with alumni and donors
• Experience with the use of data in decision-making
• An ability to communicate effectively and build partnerships with both internal and external stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, business leaders and state policymakers 
• A commitment to student success and supporting student scholarship and excellence inside and outside of the classroom
• A willingness to circulate widely and listen carefully, including a commitment to collaboration and transparency in decision-making
• A good understanding of student, faculty and staff retention strategies.
• An ability to inspire others around the college’s vision in navigating change as a leader.
• A successful record of structuring a leadership team and enabling them to work together to achieve a common goal.

Education and Faculty Rank Requirements

The Dean must possess an earned doctorate from an accredited university and a record of recognized professional and scholarly achievement that would warrant appointment as a full professor at the University of Arkansas in their respective field of study.

Compensation

The University of Arkansas offers an attractive compensation and benefits package commensurate with the successful candidate’s background and experience.

Applications

Individuals interested in the position can visit the University of Arkansas System Career website to view the job posting and apply. Applicants will need to include and upload the following materials with their application.

• Cover Letter/Letter of Application
• Curriculum Vitae
• List of five Professional References (name, email, business title)

Applicants may be asked to provide additional materials.  Complete applications received by November 1 will receive full consideration. However, the position is open until filled and late applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position.

Nominations

To nominate a candidate for this position, please submit the candidate’s name and contact information to:

Jason J. Battles, Search Chair
Dean of Libraries
University of Arkansas
jasonjb@uark.edu