"Dean, Phyllis J. Washington College of Education"

Dean, Phyllis J. Washington College of Education

University of Montana: Provost: Missoula: Phyllis J. Washington College of Education

Location: Missoula, MT

Open Date: Sep 12, 2025

Deadline: Oct 19, 2025 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Description

The Opportunity

The University of Montana is seeking an innovative leader to serve as Dean of the Phyllis J. Washington College of Education. This leadership role comes at a pivotal moment, with the College well-positioned for innovation as it tackles some of Montana's most pressing challenges in K-12 education and behavioral health.

The next Dean will build on the College's momentum, advancing dynamic curricular and co-curricular innovations that prepare teachers, counselors, and education leaders to meet the evolving needs of schools and communities.

The College recognizes the rapidly shifting landscape in teacher education, counseling, and educational leadership, including the influence of emerging technologies such as generative AI on educational policy and practice. The successful candidate will lead the College in integrating forward-thinking strategies into the curriculum, strengthening student success, securing development funding, and expanding its impact across Montana.

As Dean, you will lead the College into the future of educator preparation. You will champion initiatives in positive psychology, educator well-being, and innovative instructional practices, while ensuring faculty, staff, and students are prepared to shape the next era of K-12 education and behavioral health.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Leadership: Provide vision and direction for the College's three departments-Counseling, Educational Leadership, and Teaching & Learning-and its specialty units, cultivating an academic culture that is responsive to current and future educational challenges.
• Innovative Program Development: Collaborate with faculty to enhance curricular and co-curricular offerings, including the responsible and ethical use of generative AI in teaching, counseling, and education leadership preparation.
• Student Success: Build a student-centered environment that emphasizes engagement, retention, persistence, and career readiness through experiential learning and mentorship.
• Fundraising and Development: Strengthen relationships with donors, alumni, industry and community partners to secure resources for scholarships, research, and innovative initiatives.
• Inclusive Prosperity: Foster a welcoming community that embraces many perspectives while ensuring equitable access to opportunities within the College.
• Community Engagement and Partnerships: Elevate the College's visibility and influence through strategic partnerships with schools, local and state government, and other organizations, positioning the College as a statewide and national leader.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• A terminal degree in a discipline represented within the College from a regionally accredited university.
• Record of teaching, research, and service to warrant the faculty rank of Professor
• Demonstrated experience in academic leadership and management
• A proven ability to inspire and lead faculty, staff, and students through collaboration and clear communication.
• A demonstrated commitment to supporting awareness of and appreciation for different perspectives and experiences.
• Knowledge of emerging trends in teacher education and a clear vision for how these developments can shape the College's future.

Preferred Qualifications

• An entrepreneurial mindset with a record of success in fundraising, donor engagement, and strategic financial management.
• Demonstrated strategic leadership in higher education
• Experience within K-12 education (strongly preferred)
• Experience with online courses and academic programs
• Experience with interdisciplinary education, research, and innovation
• Excellent interpersonal skills to communicate effectively with current and potential students, staff, faculty, alumni, other administrators and external constituencies
• Experience in mentoring and guiding students at the undergraduate and graduate level

Application Instructions

Position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract and includes a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.

Screening of applications will begin after Sunday, October 19, 2025; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

A complete application includes:

• Letter of Interest - addressing the stated required skills for the position
• Detailed resume listing education and describing work experience
• Three (3) professional references - Names and contact information

The University of Montana is interested in receiving applications from people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of "mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

Additional Information

View the Position Profile for more information.

For more information and to apply, visit https://apply.interfolio.com/173904