National Association for Kinesiology in Higher Education

Job Board > Dean of the College of Education - Michigan State University

Dean of the College of Education - Michigan State University

State: East Lansing, MI
Position: Dean of the College of Education
Deadline: September 30, 2021

Job Description / Duties

The Michigan State University (MSU or the University) College of Education (the College) seeks a proven leader who will work collaboratively to provide vision and strategic action to shape the changing landscape of 21st-Century education both in the classroom and beyond. The new dean will join a top-ranked, highly regarded college of education with a strong foundation to build upon and a committed community of talented scholars, students, and staff. This is an exciting opportunity to join an excellent institution, reenergized with new senior leadership and shared purpose, with the platform to advocate for and impact meaningful change, not just for MSU students, but for educator preparation, educational leadership, and health-related fields at the local, state, and national levels. The dean will leverage the College’s many strengths and assets to take it to the next level of academic excellence and profound real-world impact.

The MSU College of Education, home to 150 faculty, including five National Academy of Education members, three National Academy of Kinesiology members, and six Fellows of the American Educational Research Association, has established a reputation for excellence and visionary thinking in its efforts to improve teaching, healthy lifestyles, wellbeing, and learning, particularly within the contexts of urban and global education. The College is currently home to a renowned five-year Teacher Preparation Program, rigorous training for health-related careers, and several nationally top-ranked graduate programs, including four #1 programs. The College prepares leaders who make a significant impact on health, wellbeing, and education around the world. The land-grant mission of the institution informs the College, and the ethos of advancing knowledge and improving lives is strongly held by students, faculty, staff, and alums.

The College has 3,300 students across a diverse array of programs in four departments. As such, the new dean must be curious, collaborative, and committed to broader institutional goals and must understand the critical importance of excellence in teaching and research. The dean will lead the College by deepening the impact of its land-grant mission, sustaining its commitment to academic excellence, and fostering an entrepreneurial and creative spirit to keep MSU at the forefront of interdisciplinary innovation and discovery in an ever-more competitive market and rapidly changing education sector. The dean will engage in public scholarship and contribute to national dialogue and policy around the greatest challenges facing the future of education and health-related fields. The dean of the College of Education is the chief executive officer of the College, is responsible to the provost, and is a respected and important leader across the University. The dean will provide strategic vision and direction, lead the College’s academic mission, and head its development activities to ensure sufficient resources to further its priorities and impact. The ideal dean candidate will have a demonstrated track record of advancing equity, diversity, and social justice; a highly collaborative style; high academic standards; an outstanding record of scholarship; and administrative experience to lead the College of Education to new levels of success and distinction.

Michigan State University has retained the national executive search firm, Isaacson, Miller, to assist with this important recruitment. The search will remain open until a hire is made, but for fullest consideration, applications should be submitted by October 20th. All inquiries, applications (CVs, letters of interest, and statement addressing how past/and or potential contributions to diversity and inclusion will advance MSU’s commitment to inclusive excellence), and nominations should be submitted electronically and in confidence to:

Natalie Leonhard, Partner
Phillip Petree, Partner
Elizabeth Dorr, Managing Associate
Isaacson, Miller
(617) 262-6500

MSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. MSU is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity. The University actively encourages applications and/or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities.