Dean of the Graduate School

THE SEARCH

Auburn University (“the University” or “Auburn”) seeks a collaborative and innovative academic leader to serve as its next Dean of the Graduate School. Auburn University's Graduate School serves as the academic home for advanced study and scholarly achievement across one of the nation's leading public research universities. As an R1 institution and a university nationally recognized for excellence in teaching, research, and outreach, Auburn provides an exceptional platform for graduate education. This environment presents a unique opportunity for the next Dean to build upon Auburn's momentum, develop innovative graduate programs, strengthen student success and professional development initiatives, and elevate the University's national profile in graduate education and research.

As a top-tier Carnegie R1 research university, Auburn is a leader in developing critical answers to real-world challenges. Auburn is among a distinctive body of institutions designated as land-, sea- and space-grant universities, and is one of the largest research institutions in the southern region. It has earned the Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, recognized nationally for the scope, quality and impact of its outreach mission through its engagement in the community. U.S. News & World Report ranks Auburn #1 in the state of Alabama and has also ranked the university among the top 50 public universities in the nation. The university is committed to the delivery of exceptional education and student experiences, impactful research, scholarship, and creative works for the public good, and contributing to the welfare of the state, region and beyond.

The Graduate School supports more than 6,000 graduate and professional students and offers access to over 200 graduate degrees and more than 400 program options spanning 12 academic colleges. The next Dean will join Auburn at an exciting moment of institutional growth and ambition. Guided by Strategic Plan 2035: Grounded & Groundbreaking, the University is investing in research expansion, graduate student achievement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and national visibility. The Dean will work closely with university leadership, academic deans, faculty, and research partners to advance graduate education as a key driver of Auburn's continued ascent among the nation's premier public universities. Through leadership of graduate admissions, student support, professional development, postdoctoral initiatives, and academic policy, the Dean will help ensure that Auburn remains a destination for talented graduate students, distinguished faculty, and impactful research.

Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of graduate education at Auburn and support the institution’s research mission and academic priorities. With oversight of key operational areas in graduate education—including admissions, adult education, graduate student advising, international student support, and professional development —the dean will play a central role in defining and leading the Graduate School’s evolving strategic role at a university ascending in research prominence and national reputation. The Dean will articulate and implement a compelling vision for graduate education, collaborating with academic deans, faculty, and institutional leaders to strengthen and expand graduate and executive education programs across disciplines, and seek opportunities for strategic program development and enrollment management.

Auburn University has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist in conducting this important search and to help identify outstanding candidates. Confidential inquiries, nominations/referrals, and applications (including resumes and letters of interest responding to the opportunities and challenges outlined above) should be sent electronically to the Isaacson, Miller team via the link below.

Pam Pezzoli, Partner

Miguel Santiago, Senior Associate

Melissa Barravecchio, Senior Search Coordinator

Isaacson, Miller

https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/auburn-university-graduate-school/dean

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