"DEAN OF THE JEFFERSON COLLEGE OF FASHION & TEXTILES, THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY"

The Opportunity

Thomas Jefferson University (TJU) seeks an innovative, collaborative, and visionary leader to serve as Dean of the College of Fashion and Textiles. The Dean will provide strategic and academic leadership for one of the nation’s most respected institutions in fashion, textiles, and related disciplines. This individual will advance the College’s mission of excellence in education, research, industry engagement, and creative innovation while fostering collaboration across the University.

The College of Fashion and Textiles (JCFT) at Thomas Jefferson University is a recognized leader in fashion and textile education, combining design excellence, scientific innovation, and industry relevance. With programs ranging from fashion design and merchandising to textile engineering and materials science, the College prepares graduates to lead and transform the global fashion and textile industries.

Founded in 1824, TJU is a nationally ranked research doctoral university, celebrating two centuries of excellence in higher education, healthcare, and commitment to our community. Nationally recognized for its transdisciplinary collaboration and interprofessional approach to educating its 8,300 students, the University is comprised of 10 colleges and 3 schools. As a professions-focused university, TJU prepares students with a forward-thinking and experiential approach to education that blends collaborative real-world learning, industry engagement, and innovation.

Reporting to the Provost and Chief Academic Officer for the University, the next Dean of the College of Fashion & Textiles will foster community, continuous learning, and a growth mindset for a diverse faculty. The Dean will be an advocate for professional education and research and will enhance the visibility of the College, both internally and externally. The Dean will pursue partnerships with industry and forge alliances with other external partners to further complement and enrich the student experience, expand postgraduate opportunities, and create new career pathways.

Please see the Procedure for Candidacy section at the end of this document to apply, submit a nomination, or express personal interest in this position.

Dean of Jefferson College of Fashion & Textiles (JCFT)

The Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the Jefferson College of Fashion & Textiles and reports directly to the Provost & Chief Academic Officer of Thomas Jefferson University. The Dean provides strategic academic leadership and operational oversight for the College and is responsible for its academic quality, financial sustainability, research enterprise, faculty success, student outcomes, fundraising, alumni engagement, and external partnerships.

The Dean plays a critical role in advancing the University’s mission and strategic plan by fostering innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, inclusive excellence, and strong connections to industry and community partners.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

Academic Leadership & College Governance

Provide strategic direction and oversight for all academic programs within the College, ensuring excellence in teaching, research, accreditation compliance, and student outcomes. Lead and model the following endeavors outlined in the College’s Inclusivity Plan: Education and Awareness: Ensure faculty, students, and staff have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to model culturally competent behavior. Ensure faculty deliver an academic experience grounded in inclusive excellence and that students graduate prepared to interpret, respect, and value local, global, and conceptual diversity. People: Ensure inclusive practices are implemented to recruit, retain, and advance a highly skilled and diverse faculty, staff, and student population reflective of the communities Jefferson serves. Community Engagement: Engage faculty, staff, and students to expand Jefferson’s presence and impact within local, regional, and global communities. Maintain an engaged, connected, and supportive academic environment. Communicate direction clearly, generate support during times of change, and provide regular feedback to faculty and staff, including recognition, coaching, and counseling. Promote faculty wellness initiatives in collaboration with TJU’s Office of Faculty Affairs. Foster a cohesive and collaborative leadership culture. Conduct annual performance reviews, establish and communicate expectations and goals, and nurture leadership development aligned with a formal succession plan to prepare the next generation of academic leaders.

Faculty Recruitment, Development & Scholarship

Recruit, mentor, and support a diverse, accomplished, and forward-thinking faculty engaged in teaching excellence, scholarship, creative practice, and industry engagement. In consultation with Department Chairs, facilitate faculty mentorship and development programs that support academic achievement, career advancement, promotion, and tenure, recognizing excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, and service. Serve as the primary point of contact with TJU’s Office of Faculty Affairs regarding faculty appointments and promotions, in consultation with the Committee on Faculty Affairs. Champion faculty research, scholarship, and creative activity, including interdisciplinary and applied research initiatives that position the College as a leader in fashion, textiles, sustainability, and materials innovation. Promote visibility of research outcomes, publications, presentations, and external funding success.

Academic Programs, Student Success & Innovation

Promote a student-centered, inclusive, and dynamic learning environment that supports student engagement, creativity, professional preparation, and lifelong learning. Work alongside program directors to ensure academic programs are innovative, competitive, and responsive to evolving industry trends, workforce needs, and emerging markets. Lead continuous evaluation of program effectiveness, accreditation requirements, and student learning outcomes in collaboration with the Committee on Academic Outcomes and Assessment. Champion innovative curriculum design and delivery, including experiential learning, industry partnerships, applied research, and technology-enhanced education that prepares students for the future of fashion and textiles. Ensure enrollment management strategies align with the College’s mission and student success goals, supporting recruitment, retention, persistence, and timely degree completion.

Research, Innovation & Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Advance a culture of interdisciplinary and applied research, fostering collaboration across departments, colleges, and research centers within Thomas Jefferson University. Partner with other colleges and academic units to develop interdisciplinary programs, shared research initiatives, and collaborative educational experiences that advance institutional priorities and strengthen the University’s academic profile. Support innovation in research, materials science, sustainability, and industry-aligned scholarship that enhances the College’s regional, national, and global reputation.

Operational Management & Integrated Planning

Identify the College’s strategic and operational imperatives in consultation with the Provost and SVP for Finance, and lead the development, implementation, and assessment of a comprehensive strategic and operational plan. Oversee budgets, accreditation, assessment, and resource allocation, ensuring responsible financial stewardship and alignment with TJU’s mission-based budgeting framework. Lead the annual budget process, assess financial performance of academic programs, and ensure allowable expenditures are appropriately allocated. Maintain strong management discipline and accountability for performance, including enrollment efficiency, retention, application pipelines, and financial sustainability. Ensure the College remains financially self-supported through responsible oversight of revenue-generating programs and initiatives.

Fundraising, Alumni & External Relations

Lead fundraising and external relations efforts to enhance academic programs, facilities, research, and student opportunities. Collaborate with TJU’s Office of Institutional Advancement to develop and execute a comprehensive fundraising and development strategy. Cultivate and steward relationships with alumni, donors, corporate partners, foundations, and industry leaders. Develop and direct alumni engagement initiatives that strengthen lifelong connections to the College and support philanthropy, mentorship, and career pathways for students. Serve as an advocate and thought leader for professional and academic education at the local, state, and national levels. Represent the College with professional associations, policymakers, legislators, and the public.

University Leadership & Service

As the College’s academic officer, carry out administrative policies and procedures in accordance with the Bylaws of Thomas Jefferson University. Represent the College on the Provost’s Council of Deans, Shared Governance Committee, and other University-level committees as requested by the Provost, President, or Board of Trustees. Contribute actively to University-wide strategic initiatives, institutional collaboration, and mission advancement.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will be a collaborative, visionary academic leader with a distinguished record of accomplishment in higher education, strong operational and financial acumen, and the ability to advance academic excellence, innovation, and external engagement in a complex university environment.

Education

• Master’s degree required; terminal degree strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Proven record of senior leadership in higher education, preferably in fashion, textiles, design, business, or related fields, with an outstanding record of academic accomplishment in teaching, scholarship, creative practice, or professional engagement.
• Extensive executive and operational experience within complex academic organizations, including financial and budget management, strategic and operational planning, resource allocation, personnel management, and faculty recruitment.
• Experience in a senior academic leadership role such as Dean, Associate Dean, Department Chair, or Center Director is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated success in leading transformational organizational change, operationalizing strategic plans, and achieving academic, business, and financial objectives, including building effective and responsive leadership and operational teams.
• Demonstrated success in teaching, research, and fundraising, with experience or demonstrated potential in philanthropic cultivation, alumni engagement and stewardship, and developing partnerships with industry, corporate, and external stakeholders.
• Industry experience strongly preferred, with a deep understanding of current and emerging trends in the fashion and textile sectors, including sustainability, materials innovation, and evolving professional practice.
• Experience fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, interprofessional education and practice, and cross-college partnerships that advance institutional priorities and student success.
• A successful track record of leadership in complex, collaborative environments, with the ability to build and sustain high-impact partnerships with faculty, students, alumni, industry leaders, donors, and external organizations.

Skills and Attributes:

• Strategic and visionary thinker with the ability to lead through influence, inspiration, and consensus-building.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders and represent the College effectively to internal and external audiences.
• Deep commitment to student-centered professional and graduate education, inclusive excellence, sustainability, and academic environments that welcome individuals of diverse backgrounds and perspectives while promoting their full development.

Procedure for Candidacy

For full consideration Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names of three professional references by March 9, 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names of three professional references should be directed to Kathleen.McFadden@jefferson.edu.

Commitment to Diversity: As an employer, Jefferson maintains a commitment to provide equal access to employment. Jefferson values diversity and encourages applications from women, members of minority groups, LGBTQ individuals, disabled individuals, and veterans.