"Dean, College of Arts & Sciences"

Lead the Future of Arts & Sciences at Texas Woman’s University

Dean, College of Arts & Sciences (CAS)

Location: Denton, Texas (with additional TWU locations in Dallas and Houston)

Institution Type: Public, mission-driven, R2: High Research Activity university

Search Partner: Anthem Executive | Anthem Academics (a division of Anthem Executive)

Texas Woman’s University (TWU) invites applications and nominations for a bold, visionary, and principled academic leader to serve as the Dean for the College of Arts & Sciences.

TWU is a mission-driven, student-centered institution poised for significant growth and innovation. The CAS is at the heart of the university’s academic mission—housing foundational undergraduate programs, general education, graduate education, and diverse disciplines including the natural sciences, arts, humanities, and more. The College is home to the nation’s only woman-focused collegiate aviation program, a growing mariachi ensemble that celebrates cultural expression and community engagement, and a wide array of faculty-led research, public service, and creative activity that enhance TWU’s visibility and impact.

With upcoming initiatives such as the launch of a School of Engineering, expansion of interdisciplinary programming (including data science and AI integration), and a deepening focus on student success and real-world readiness, the next Dean will play a central role in shaping academic direction, ensuring program relevance, and expanding TWU’s influence across Texas and beyond. The Dean reports to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost.

Why TWU:

• Distinctive Mission & Recognition: Founded in 1901, TWU has a rich 120+ year history and stands at the forefront of change—empowering new voices, championing fresh ideas, and lighting the way forward to solve the world’s most complex challenges.
• System Strength: The nation’s largest woman-focused university system, TWU produces leaders across education, arts, sciences, business, nursing, and health professions. Since becoming a system in 2021, TWU plans to form independent universities for its health science centers in Dallas and Houston.
• Vibrant Locations: Denton (consistently named among the nation’s best college towns) anchors TWU’s picturesque flagship campus. Dallas and Houston offer world-class arts, culture, and professional sports. TWU’s total annual economic impact on Texas is $1.8B.
• Student-Focused, Learn-by-Doing: A culture of experiential learning across disciplines encourages leadership, discovery, and engagement.
• R2 Momentum: Newly designated Research 2: High Research Activity (2025 Carnegie Classifications). In 2023, TWU invested $6.9M in research and awarded 233 research doctorates—expanding hands-on learning, collaboration, and interdisciplinary partnerships.

About the College of Arts & Sciences:

The College of Arts and Sciences—TWU’s largest college with 3,700+ students—offers programs in the arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, mathematics, and computer science, with most programs on the Denton campus. Faculty and staff champion experiential teaching and learning that helps students discover purpose, build meaningful relationships, and develop resilience.

Leadership Opportunities for the Next Dean of CAS:

• Unify and Energize a Diverse College Community: Foster a shared sense of purpose across departments, align varied priorities, and build a cohesive college identity through inclusive leadership and collaboration.
• Enhance Visibility and External Engagement: Elevate the College’s public profile; promote faculty and student achievements; strengthen connections with donors, alumni, and community partners to position CAS as a statewide and national leader.
• Lead with Vision and Strategy in a Time of Growth: Shape a strategic plan that builds on strengths and aligns with workforce needs (e.g., School of Engineering, Multidisciplinary Studies), driving innovation while preserving the liberal arts core.
• Champion Academic Freedom and Institutional Values: Be a principled voice for academic freedom, shared governance, and mission—navigating legislative changes and fostering unity.
• Strengthen Faculty & Staff Success and Morale: Improve transparency, recognition, and communication; advance fair compensation strategies and professional development to boost morale and retention.
• Advance Student-Centered Innovation and Support: Expand access and success initiatives; champion holistic support; align curriculum and advising for Gen Z/Gen Alpha, first-gen, and nontraditional learners so all students feel seen and supported.
• Build Research Infrastructure & Sustain R2 Status: Grow graduate education, strengthen grant support, and create a sustainable research ecosystem—including workload balance and competitive graduate assistantships.
• Drive Philanthropy & Resource Development: Partner with Advancement to grow external funding, promote interdisciplinary initiatives, and pursue donor engagement for programs, faculty, and scholarships.

Key Leadership Attributes:

• Mission-Aligned and Courageous
• Advocate for Faculty, Staff, and Students
• Strategic and Visionary Leadership
• Transparent Communicator and Engaged Listener
• Collaborator and Culture Builder
• Experienced Fundraiser and External Ambassador

The Ideal Candidate will Be:

• An ethical, principled advocate for faculty, students, and staff.
• A strategic, systems-savvy leader who understands shared governance and institutional planning.
• A creative and collaborative culture builder who brings people together around common purpose.
• A supporter of a climate of academic inquiry, guided by institutional mission and responsive to state policy and public expectations.
• A public ambassador who proudly represents CAS to donors, legislators, and the broader community.

Required Qualifications:

• A PhD in a field represented within the College of Arts and Sciences is required.
• Tenured faculty member with a record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
• Experience leading in complex, interdisciplinary academic environments—preferably at the dean, associate dean, or department chair level.
• Prior work in public institutions with budget complexity or resource constraints.
• Demonstrated ability to manage personnel, budgets, graduate education structures, and research infrastructure.
• Familiarity with R2 expectations and balancing research with teaching and service loads.