Dean of the School of Education

Francis Marion University and the School of Education invite applications for a Dean of the School of Education. The Dean, as the principal advocate for the School of Education, is responsible for the oversight of the School’s academic programs and the cultivation of alumni involvement. The Dean provides leadership that advances the educational and scholarly missions of programs in the School and fosters a responsive, student-centered, and innovative academic climate. The Dean is accountable for the review of curricula, accreditation, programs, budget, and all operational functions of the School. This is a 12-month, full-time administrative appointment, with a reduced teaching load. The Dean is appointed by the President and reports directly to the Provost. The School of Education is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and offers a comprehensive portfolio of undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare highly qualified educators to serve South Carolina and the broader region. Undergraduate offerings include Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education (Biology, English, History, and Mathematics), Art Education, and Special Education/Autism Studies. Graduate programs include Teaching and Learning, Special Education/Multi-Categorical, and accelerated Master of Arts in Teaching pathways. The School maintains strong partnerships with the school districts throughout the Pee Dee, Coastal, and other regions of South Carolina. and supports one of the state’s largest Teacher Cadet initiatives. It houses one of 24 South Carolina Teaching Fellows programs, a fellowship program for undergraduate education students, that promotes extensive professional development and service opportunities. The School is also recognized for its Centers of Excellence, including the Center of Excellence for Teaching Children of Poverty and the Center of Excellence for Teacher Retention and Induction in the Pee Dee, reflecting a strong commitment to educational access, student success, and workforce development. Required Qualifications: - Terminal degree in an area of scholarly inquiry traditionally associated with the discipline of Education. - Strong teaching record at the college level. - Outstanding record of leadership, advocacy, and service to a college, university, and community. - Successful leadership experience in a department or school of education. Preferred Qualifications: - Experience in establishing and maintaining effective relationships and connections with public school partners. - Experience in working collaboratively across academic programs, student affairs, and support services. - Experience in recruiting, supporting, and retaining a diverse student population. - An understanding of and commitment to engage first-generation college students. - Experience in attracting and retaining a diverse and outstanding faculty. - Evidence of strong communication skills, effective delegating, and a commitment to shared governance. - A visionary and strategic thinker about schools of education and how they fit into liberal arts university structures and decision-making. - Classroom experience in the K-12 system. - Experience with the multifaceted and detailed responsibilities associated with managing and fulfilling the requirements for the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP). Materials Needed: 1. Letter of Interest (Referencing Position Number 26-43). 2. Copies of all transcripts (official transcripts will be required of the successful candidate). 3. Curriculum vitae. 4. Two letters of recommendation addressing the candidate’s qualifications for the position. 5. Applicants may also submit the name, title, mailing address, email address, and telephone numbers of additional professional references. 6. FMU Faculty Application.