"SW - Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management - Associate Professor/Full Professor - Tenured - 527557"

Position Summary

The University of Alabama School of Social Work seeks an innovative leader who can connect a large programmatic vision to a detail-level focus that supports and enhances the student experience to serve as Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. This position is a 12-month faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor (tenured) or Professor (tenured) to begin July 1, 2026, with opportunity to start January 1, 2026. High priority experience areas include behavioral health, asset or strengths-based community approaches, and poverty and health disparities, but candidates with scholarship expertise in other areas are also encouraged to apply. The committee will strongly consider all areas that complement current faculty research and/or needs of the State of Alabama. The position requires a Ph.D. in Social Work or a closely related discipline, with at least three years of leadership experience. An MSW, with minimum of two years post-MSW practice experience, is preferred. The expected start date is by July 1, 2026, with opportunity to begin January 1, 2026. This is not a remote position.

Detailed Position Information

The University of Alabama School of Social Work seeks an innovative leader who can connect a large programmatic vision to a detail-level focus that supports and enhances the student experience to serve as Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. This position is a 12-month faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor (tenured) or Professor (tenured) to begin July 1, 2026, with opportunity to start January 1, 2026. This is not a remote position.

The School seeks an exceptional mid-career or senior scholar with an established research program, preferably incorporating community-engaged scholarship. We welcome candidates with 1) evidence of administrative accomplishment and/or an inspiring administrative vision, 2) evidence of high-quality teaching at the undergraduate and/or graduate level across teaching modalities, 3) evidence of mentoring at the undergraduate and/or graduate level and early career scholars, 4) a strong record of external funding, and 5) an exceptional portfolio of publication and dissemination products.

High priority experience areas include behavioral health, asset or strengths-based community approaches, and poverty and health disparities, but candidates with scholarship expertise in other areas are also encouraged to apply. The committee will strongly consider all areas that complement current faculty research and/or needs of the State of Alabama.

The position will oversee the Office for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management which supports students throughout their social work education, from recruitment, application and admissions process through advising and mentoring programs, major and career exploration, and graduation. The School’s student service manager, advisors, and recruiters report directly to this Associate Dean.

The position requires a Ph.D. in Social Work or a closely related discipline, with at least three years of leadership experience. An MSW, with minimum of two years post-MSW practice experience, is preferred.

Salaries are competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. New faculty are provided a generous start up package.

To apply, candidates should go to https://careers.ua.edu to complete an online application and upload the following:

• Cover letter detailing interest in the position and statements describing a) academic leadership and administrative experience and philosophy; b) teaching philosophy and experience, and c) research philosophy and scholarship experience.
• Curriculum vitae;
• Two recently published articles;
• Evidence of teaching effectiveness (e.g., student evaluations; peer observations of teaching); and
• Contact information for three (3) professional references.

Review of applications will begin October 10, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled. The expected start date is by July 1, 2026, with opportunity to begin January 1, 2026. Confidential inquiries about the position may be sent to Dr. Brenda Smith, Search Committee Chair, at bsmith2@sw.ua.edu.

Minimum Qualifications

The position requires a Ph.D. in Social Work or a closely related discipline, with at least three years of leadership experience. An MSW, with minimum of two years post-MSW practice experience, is preferred.

About the Division/College/School

The School of Social Work was established in 1965 by an act of the Alabama Legislature to address the state’s critical shortage of and pressing need for professionally trained social workers. Now, it stands as the only one of its kind in the state of Alabama, offering BSW, MSW, DSW, and Ph.D. degrees in social work. Additionally, the college is the only school outside Washington, D.C., with semester-long internship opportunities in the nation’s capital.

Since our founding, we have been proud to lead the charge in training students for tomorrow’s workforce. Our distinguished faculty are recognized nationally and internationally for their research and exceptional advancements in the field of social work. During the previous year, we received 23 million dollars in external funding to support our school’s research efforts.