"Academic Division Dean, Arts and Social Sciences"

Academic Division Dean, Arts and Social Sciences

Ohlone College

Salary: $159,135.00 - $203,103.00 Annually

Job Type: Full-Time

Division: Arts and Social Sciences

Opening Date: 02/02/2026

Location: Fremont Campus

Job Number: 202300175

Department: Arts and Social Sciences

Bargaining Unit: Unrepresented

Ideal Candidate Statement

Ohlone College is seeking an educational leader with a strong commitment to the diverse mission and ideals of the community college, to assume the position of Dean of Arts and Social Sciences. The candidate is committed to leading in an equitable and culturally competent learning environment.

The ideal candidate will be skilled in motivating and assisting faculty in support of student learning. Innovative teaching strategies are encouraged at Ohlone, including collaborative learning, and the active use of technology. The successful candidate can cultivate an environment that supports enthusiastic interest in curriculum development and instructional improvement through ongoing critical thinking about student learning outcomes in courses and programs.

The ideal candidate has outstanding interpersonal and communication skills with students, faculty and staff of varied backgrounds, demonstrates strategic thinking, and exhibits a flexible working style that is adaptable to change. The Dean understands California community college enrollment management, budgeting, and hiring processes. The candidate will be a contributing member of a highly effective team of college-wide deans and directors. Ohlone prides itself as a Learning College and continuous professional development is highly valued.

Position Description

Provide educational and academic leadership for excellence in teaching and learning within a Learning College philosophy and environment. Direct, manage, supervise, and coordinate the programs and activities of the Arts and Social Sciences Division in Academic Affairs. Exercise direct supervision over professional, technical and clerical staff. Coordinate assigned activities with other college departments, divisions, and outside agencies. Provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

The Dean is responsible for the following academic programs and services:

• Art, Digital Arts and Interactive Design, Interior Design
• Administration of Justice, Chicano/ Latino Studies, Early Childhood Studies, Environmental Studies, Ethnic Studies, Gender and Women's Studies, Geography, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology
• Potentially other departments

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Provide educational and academic leadership for excellence in teaching and learning within a Learning College philosophy and environment. Direct, manage, supervise and coordinate the programs and activities of the Arts and Social Sciences Division in Academic Affairs.
2. Develop and coordinate program and course schedules in response to the needs of students and within the District's enrollment targets funded by the state. Programs and courses are offered at the Fremont Campus, the Newark Campus, the eCampus through online and hybrid courses, at area high schools, and at other sites as needed. Monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures.
3. Manage enrollment to maximize use of faculty loads and space resources, especially general-purpose classrooms and labs. Use computer-based enrollment management data and tools for decision making. Experience working with a higher education system such as Colleague or a similar system.
4. Oversee and direct recruitment of full-time faculty, hiring of adjunct faculty, and full and part-time staff. Plan and implement full-time faculty and adjunct faculty teaching assignments.
5. Conduct regular evaluation of full-time faculty in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement, and conduct regular evaluation of adjunct faculty in accordance with District procedure. Conduct regular evaluation of non-faculty division staff. Provide and/or coordinate staff training.
6. Work with employees to correct deficiencies; participate in discipline and termination procedures.
7. Oversee and facilitate the Program and Services Review process within the Division. Program and Services Review drives institutional planning, integrates with the College Strategic Plan, the Strategic Enrollment Plan, the Educational Master Plan, the District Facilities Plan, the Technology Plan, and the annual budget planning process. For instructional programs, Program and Services Reviews also integrate student learning outcomes assessment at the course and program levels.
8. Participate in the development and administration of division budgets. Direct the forecasting of staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies needed, particularly within the context of the College's Program and Services Review process. Direct and monitor approved expenditures and adjust as necessary. Coordinate the selection, use and maintenance of equipment and facilities assigned to the Division.
9. Develop and implement student learning outcomes and assessment activities at the program and course levels. Experience with accreditation standards of the Accreditation Commission for Junior and Community Colleges and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, or similar accreditation group is desired.
10. Develop and oversee online learning, assuring 'regular and substantive interaction' as defined by state and federal distance education regulations. Experience with a course management system such as Canvas is desired.
11. Create and nurture collaborative relationship with faculty, administrators, and staff in other divisions and departments across the College and act as partner in creating cohesive teams; act ethically in all matters; networks with others; and bridge artificial boundaries between silos in the college organization.
12. Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive inquires and complaints by students, staff, faculty or the general public. Serve as resource for faculty and staff regarding student behavior and concerns.
13. Act as a collaborative partner for institutions and agencies in the community such as local businesses, high schools, the Workforce Investment Board, the regional ROP, CSU and UC campuses in the region and nearby private colleges. Provide leadership and oversight for dual enrollment programs with high schools involving division courses. Lead and participate in the activities of program advisory committees.
14. Explore external funding sources for division programs and participate as appropriate in grant writing, contract education, community education, and other resource development efforts.
15. Assure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, laws and policies. Knowledge and experience with the California Education Code and related Title 5 regulations is desirable.
16. Coordinate the academic division's efforts to recruit and retain students. Coordinate the development, review and revision of divisional publications, publicity, and other community relations activities.
17. Conduct, prepare, and present a variety of organizational studies, surveys, analyses, staff reports and other necessary correspondence and reports.
18. Set annual professional goals and engage in continual professional development activities.
19. Respond to priority and emergency activities beyond the normal workday.
20. Perform other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Knowledge Of

1. Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations including the Education Code especially on community colleges, District policies and operations, and statewide initiatives from the State Chancellor's office.
2. Student learning outcomes and assessment activities at the program and course levels.
3. Principles and practices on curriculum development, enrollment management and schedule building.
4. Learning theory, teaching techniques and instructional delivery modalities for credit and non-credit curriculum.
5. Budget preparation and administration.
6. Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
7. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.

Skills To

1. Plan, organize, develop, and evaluate the programs, activities, and curriculum of a college instructional division with faculty and staff to meet student and community needs.
2. Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, with faculty and staff, students, and community members.
3. Work effectively with students, faculty, and staff from multicultural backgrounds and promote access, success, and equity.
4. Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate personnel.
5. Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
6. Plan and organize work to meet schedules and timelines.

Ability To

1. Coordinate instructional programs and projects and set goals and priorities.
2. Organize and chair meetings, lead workshops, facilitate group discussions, and involve faculty and staff in idea generation, goal setting, and decision making.
3. Develop grants or special project applications.
4. Manage and account for budget.
5. Monitor and address enrollment management.

Minimum Qualifications (Title 5 Section 53420 - Minimum Qualifications for Educational Administrators)

Possession of a Master's degree;
AND
One year of formal training, internship, or leadership experience reasonably related to the administrator's administrative assignment;
AND
Commitment to community college goals/objectives of being an equity-based and anti-racist institution, and providing quality programs and services for culturally, socio-economically, ethnically, and academically diverse students and students with disabilities; personal qualities to work effectively and with sensitivity in a multicultural environment; awareness of and commitment to the needs of non-traditional and/or re-entry students with diverse abilities and interests;
AND
Must have evidence of responsiveness to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practices.

Desirable Qualifications

1. In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will have five years of responsible education related experience including two years of teaching experience, preferably in a community college environment.
2. Demonstrated success in the knowledge and ability areas listed above.

Required Application Materials

The below items must be uploaded as attachments for your application to be complete and considered.

1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae.
2. A cover letter addressing the listed desirable qualifications and personal/professional qualities.
3. A list of three (3) professional references including name, position, organization, phone number, email, and relationship to the applicant.
4. Unofficial copies of all college transcripts. Official sealed transcripts will be required at the time of hire.
5. Diversity question response: What does it mean to have a commitment to diversity, and how would you apply this commitment as you conduct your responsibilities in this position?