"Dean for the Ella Cline Shear School of Education"

Position Summary

This is an exciting opportunity for a visionary leader to shape the future of the Ella Cline Shear (ECS) School of Education and build upon SUNY Geneseo's distinguished legacy of academic excellence in the liberal arts and teacher preparation. As New York State's only public liberal arts honors college, SUNY Geneseo offers a distinctive environment where teacher education is deeply integrated with the liberal arts, supported by dedicated faculty and staff, and reflected in an impressive 87% student retention rate. Reporting to the Provost, the Dean will join the Provost's Executive Leadership Team and work closely with the Provost to advance the College's Strategic Plan, championing Geneseo's mission to deliver a distinctive, equity-centered, public liberal arts honors experience.

SUNY Geneseo consistently ranks among the nation's top public undergraduate institutions, with one of the highest four-year graduation rates in the SUNY system and a top 15 national ranking for six-year graduation rates among Pell Grant recipients. The College is a leader in producing alumni with doctorates in STEM, Fulbright awardees, and Peace Corps volunteers.

The Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the ECS School of Education, leading the School through a period of transformational change and growth. This action-oriented leader will foster innovation in curriculum design, expand online and hybrid program offerings, and explore strategic new academic pathways, including potential development in health science-related fields such as school psychology.

The Dean will champion the School's mission to prepare educators who improve society through teaching grounded in liberal arts and sciences, scholarship, and strong school-community partnerships. This includes modernizing curricula, enhancing field supervision, and developing interdisciplinary opportunities that respond to evolving educational and workforce needs. The Dean will provide strategic leadership for curriculum innovation in the School in collaboration with the deans of business, arts and sciences, and workforce development to explore new opportunities in graduate education, certificates, and online learning. The Dean is responsible for ensuring the quality and compliance of all teacher education and graduate programs with accreditation and state licensure standards. This includes overseeing program assessment, continuous improvement efforts, and responsiveness to regulatory requirements.

The Dean reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and supervises department chairs (beginning in Spring 2026), professional staff, and administrative staff. SUNY Geneseo offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package, including retiree health benefits after 10 years of service.

Key Responsibilities

• Program Leadership: Promote innovative and responsive programming that meets regional workforce needs in teaching and specialist roles. Lead efforts in curriculum development, interdisciplinary program design, and online education.
• Partnership Development: Strengthen collaborations with K-12 districts, community organizations, education agencies, and potential health systems to support field experiences, internships, and program growth.
• Faculty and Staff Support: Recruit, mentor, and support faculty and staff in scholarship, innovative pedagogy, and online teaching practices.
• Resource Management: Oversee School budgets, grant funding, and resource allocation. Collaborate with institutional offices to support curricular and program expansion.
• External Engagement: Represent the School at local, regional, and state meetings, conferences, higher education forums, and with regional stakeholders. Serve as a visible advocate for the School's mission and initiatives.
• Strategic Involvement: Engage in campus-wide planning and governance related to strategic planning, online education initiatives, and interdisciplinary program development.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate: Terminal degree in a relevant field of study, such as education or a related discipline; Record of teaching, scholarship, and service commensurate with tenure in an academic field of study offered at SUNY Geneseo; Experience leading curriculum innovation, including online program development; Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without VISA sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

Applicants may also possess: Track record of strong K-12 or community partnerships and interdisciplinary collaboration; Knowledge of accreditation processes and educator preparation standards (NYSED, CAEP); Experience developing or administering programs in school psychology or health science education; Demonstrated success in securing external funding and grants; Background in designing and managing hybrid or fully online learning programs.

Supervision Received

The Dean for the Ella Cline Shear School of Education reports to and works with the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Supervision Exercised

The Dean for the Ella Cline Shear School of Education supervises department chairs (beginning in spring 2026), professional staff, and administrative staff.

Anticipated Appointment Start Date:

01/01/2026

Apply By:

10/06/2025

Salary

Commensurate with experience

Special Instructions to Applicant

For full consideration, please apply by October 6, 2025. Please apply through the application link and do not email applications. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.