Position Summary

The Associate Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences provides the oversight of the General Education curriculum, leadership in assessment, and CHSS representation and leadership on student success and retention. The Associate Dean plays a central role in coordinating program-level and General Education assessment, using data-informed practices to improve student learning outcomes, support persistence to graduation, and ensure alignment with accreditation standards and institutional priorities. Through leadership of General Education, the position advances a strong first-year experience, promotes high-impact and experiential learning, and supports faculty development and curricular innovation aligned with industry readiness and the responsible integration of artificial intelligence into teaching and learning.

Bryant University is a private New England university with a tradition of innovation and a global vision for success. Our new strategic plan, Vision 2030, sets a trajectory for the next decade through academic excellence, outstanding student life, competitive athletics, and student outcomes among the nation’s top 1% for ROI.

Principal Accountabilities

General Education Oversight and Curriculum Leadership

• Provide leadership and oversight for the General Education curriculum, including course design, scheduling, staffing, policy development, and continuous improvement.
• Review General Education course offerings and schedules and make recommendations to college deans and department chairs or program coordinators.
• Manage staffing and scheduling for General Education cornerstone courses (GEN 100, GEN 103, and GEN 390). In coordination with oversight in Student Success for GEN 100.
• Oversee revisions to General Education courses.
• Facilitate the work of the General Education Coordinators Council and Community of Practice Coordinators; meet with coordinators at least twice per semester.
• Serve as a resource for departments and faculty developing or revising General Education courses.
• Support evaluation and approval of transfer and study abroad credits that apply to General Education requirements.

Assessment, Accreditation, and Academic Quality

• Coordinate with department chairs to develop, implement, and refine program-level assessment plans and to collect, analyze, and report assessment data.
• Oversee assessment of student learning outcomes in General Education and College of Humanities and Social Sciences programs, including rubric development, data organization, analysis, and reporting for program reviews, accreditation, and institutional effectiveness.
• Chair or oversee relevant assessment subcommittees and support NECHE accreditation reporting related to curriculum, assessment, and General Education.
• Share assessment findings with AALT and department chairs to inform curricular improvements, faculty development initiatives, and targeted interventions to enhance student learning and retention.

Student Success, Retention, and Persistence

• Collaborate with the Dean, Provost’s Office, AALT, department chairs, and campus partners to advance coordinated strategies that support student retention, persistence, and timely degree completion.
• Serve ex-officio on the University Retention Committee and align General Education initiatives with institutional retention efforts.
• Facilitate communication among the Registrar, Academic Advising, department chairs, faculty, and deans regarding scheduling, degree progress, and student pathways.
• Partner with the Office of New Student Programs on first-year initiatives from Orientation through the end of the first year, including Welcome Week, Day of Understanding, and REDay.

Faculty Development and Cross-Campus Collaboration

• Coordinate faculty development related to General Education pedagogy, assessment, high-impact learning practices, sustainability, and inclusive teaching.
• Arrange and oversee winter, spring, and summer training for new and continuing General Education instructors.
• Collaborate with the Center for Teaching Excellence, Academic Advising, ACE, the Amica Center, the Office of Community and Belonging, and other campus units to support faculty training and student success initiatives.
• Consult with department chairs regarding hiring and renewal of faculty teaching in General Education.

Communication, Policy, and Institutional Service

• Serve as a key advisor and thought partner to the Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences on university initiatives, task forces, and strategic priorities.
• Support the Dean with faculty- and student-related matters across the College.
• Serve as liaison for the Dean’s Office on the Faculty Development Committee, the Committee on University Organization, and other university committees, task forces, and initiatives.
• Maintain expert knowledge of university policies and procedures related to curriculum, teaching and learning, and assessment.
• Develop and implement communication strategies to promote General Education activities, collaborating with University Marketing and Communication, Information Services, and academic leadership.
• Meet regularly with the Provost’s Office, AALT, and Deans to provide updates on General Education and assessment activities.
• Provide oversight and institutional support for Suite/Department coordinators for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Co-Curricular, Experiential Education, and Institutional Integration

• Promote broad understanding of General Education learning goals through course syllabi guidance, new student orientation, and new faculty orientation.
• Coordinate co-curricular programming aligned with General Education learning goals, including collaboration with the Day of Understanding Committee.
• Coordinate training related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and integrate these themes into General Education curriculum and programming.
• Provide oversight of internship initiatives within the College, in collaboration with department chairs, faculty supervisors, and appropriate campus partners.
• Provide oversight of directed study initiatives, ensuring alignment with academic standards, learning outcomes, and assessment expectations.

Budget and Resource Management

• Manage the General Education budget in consultation with the Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, including submitting budget requests in alignment with the Academic Affairs budget process.

Qualifications

This position expects a highly committed administrator and teacher prepared to implement a “growth agenda” within the Humanities and Social Sciences. It requires an individual with a terminal degree in the arts and sciences from an accredited institution and successful experience in academic administration. A proven record in academic program development; demonstrated policy and decision-making ability; and proven effectiveness in fiscal management and resource allocation are required. Excellent interpersonal, communication, operational and problem-solving skills, and a record of strong, consistent, and successful collaboration with faculty, administrators, staff and students from diverse backgrounds is imperative. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative and consultative working relationships with all segments of the University community and external stakeholders is very important. Certain requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate persons with disabilities.

Working Environment

At Bryant University, we believe that our strength lies in the richness of our campus community and the unique perspectives that shape it. By connecting academic and social experiences, we create an environment where individuals feel valued, respected, and supported. Our commitment to fostering belonging and well-being ensures that everyone has the opportunity to thrive and contribute meaningfully. We encourage applications from those who appreciate the wide range of experiences and backgrounds that make our community exceptional.