The John Dee Bright College at Drake University seeks two current Drake faculty members to serve as joint associate deans during the 2022–2023 academic year (renewable pending budgetary approval).

Working closely with the dean and faculty of Bright College, the associate deans will provide leadership support, including…

• Coordinating ongoing faculty governance and college policy development efforts.
• Leading the development of internal and external bachelor’s-degree completion pathways for Bright College graduates.
• Collaborating with the College’s Student Professional and Academic Support specialist to forge partnerships with area businesses, enterprises, and non-profit organizations in support of student professionalization experiences such as internships and immersive professional learning.
• Supporting student recruitment efforts and internal and external faculty recruitment efforts.
• Occasionally serving in the dean’s absence, including representing Bright College at events and meetings.

Responsibilities will be shared and/or divided between the associate deans according to the strengths and primary interests of each.

Prior affiliation with Bright College is not required.

Qualifications:

• Tenure or otherwise permanent (non-probationary, non-visiting) faculty appointment at Drake University. Tenure-track faculty who have completed their probationary period as of September 1, 2022, are also eligible.
• Genuine enthusiasm for supporting colleagues and the ability to create and sustain collegial, collaborative campus and external partnerships.
• Commitment to innovative, interdisciplinary curricula and best practices in teaching and learning.
• Familiarity with Drake’s learning management systems and IT environment.
• Ability to work productively across disciplinary and institutional boundaries.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to working effectively and supportively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• High-level ability to act decisively in response to changing situations.

Compensation:

• $5,000 annually for each associate dean.
• Average weekly hourly responsibilities: 4 hours, including a weekly JDBC staff meeting.
• Weekly range of hours will vary from 2-8, depending on the areas of responsibility each individual covers.
• Additional summer responsibilities (with additional compensation) are possible.

Timeline

• September 24: Review of materials begins.
• Target start date: 7 October 2022

To Apply

Please attach a cover letter, CV, and the names and email contacts of two colleagues who will serve as references—all as a single document—to Sofia Turnbull (bright.college@drake.edu), Administrative Support Specialist to Bright College, with the words “Associate Dean” in the subject line.

Joint applications are welcome: Two colleagues may submit a joint application by attaching all materials to a single email and, in the email, explaining the reasons for a joint submittal. Joint applicants should indicate whether they would be willing to be considered individually for the positions, as well, or if they would consider appointment only as a team. Applicants considering a joint application are strongly encouraged to partner with a colleague from another division, college or school.

About Bright College

Bright College offers affordable access to high-quality higher education to students who seek an alternative to traditional post-secondary schooling. Through high-impact, inquiry- and problem-based learning in interdisciplinary seminars, our learners develop higher-order, transferrable habits of mind as they earn an associate’s degree in Business, Organization, and Professional Studies or in the Interdisciplinary Arts, Sciences, and Humanities. Students will be prepared to enter the professional workforce in business, enterprise, non-profit, arts, and civic organizations or complete a bachelor’s degree at Drake or elsewhere—or both.

Students progress through the year-round sequence of coursework as members of a cohort—a team of students who take seminars and short courses together, form lasting relationships, and practice collaborative learning and problem-solving together.

Questions?

Please contact Craig Owens, dean of Bright College, at craig.owens@drake.edu.

— Craig Owens, Bright College