About Ramapo College of New Jersey
Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college, where students build the confidence, skills, and perspective to thrive in a changing world. Located on a breathtaking 300-acre campus in the foothills of the Ramapo Mountains and just a short trip from New York City, Ramapo blends the best of both worlds: natural beauty, state-of-the-art facilities, and access to one of the world’s most dynamic job markets.
With approximately 6,000 students, Ramapo offers a personalized, student-centered experience defined by a 16:1 student–faculty ratio, small classes, and faculty who mentor, challenge, and inspire. Students can explore over 40 undergraduate majors and a growing portfolio of graduate programs in fields such as Business Administration, Data Science, Nursing, Educational Leadership, Social Work, Special Education, and the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Across every discipline, Ramapo emphasizes hands-on learning through internships, co-ops, study abroad, faculty research, service projects, and real-world experiences that prepare students for meaningful careers.
Our campus is home to cutting-edge academic spaces, including the Anisfield School of Business, the Adler Center for Nursing Excellence, the Sharp Sustainability Education Center, the Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts, the Les Paul Music Studio, and the Peter P. Mercer Learning Commons. Ramapo’s award-winning residence halls are consistently ranked among the best in New Jersey.
Nationally recognized for excellence and value, Ramapo is ranked #1 among New Jersey public colleges by College Choice, named a Best Regional University North by U.S. News & World Report, and celebrated by Kiplinger’s, Money Magazine, Colleges of Distinction, and Victory Media’s Military Friendly rankings.
At Ramapo, students don’t just earn degrees; they discover their strengths, explore new possibilities, and build the foundation for bold futures.
Working at Ramapo
Ramapo College of New Jersey has been recognized as a “Great College to Work For,” where our employees are at the heart of everything we do. We foster an equitable and fair workplace where ideas are welcomed, contributions are valued, and individuals are encouraged to grow both professionally and personally. Employees benefit from meaningful work, opportunities for development, and the chance to make a lasting impact on students’ lives every day.
At Ramapo College, we believe excellence is achieved through teamwork, respect, accountability, innovation, and a shared commitment to learning. Our all-hands-on deck culture requires leadership at all levels to ensure we achieve our mission, implement our goals, and invest in our future one student at a time. We are proud to offer a supportive environment that values well-being and continuous improvement. We believe in being bold, being kind, and being good teammates, making Ramapo not just a place to work, but a great place to belong.
Ramapo College offers outstanding benefits through the New Jersey State Benefits system, generous PTO, professional development opportunities, wellness programs, tuition discounts for employees and their dependents, and much more.
POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:
This is a full-time, managerial position and days of work and hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Note: This position is in the "NL" category of employment (non-fixed work week), and individuals in this role have no claim or entitlement to time off or cash compensation for hours worked beyond their normal schedule. Compensatory time will not be granted for work done as an extension of the regular work day. It is the policy of the College to grant hour for hour compensatory time off, with advance approval, only when employees are required to work on a holiday. Time earned must be used within one fiscal year from the time it is earned.
Salary Range:JOB SUMMARY:
The Academic Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Honors provides strategic leadership for the undergraduate academic experience at Ramapo College in alignment with the College’s Comprehensive Academic Plan (CAP). The Dean is responsible for the integrity, coherence, and continuous improvement of the College’s general education curriculum, honors program, and other College-wide academic initiatives that support student learning from matriculation through graduation.
Working collaboratively with academic deans, faculty governance bodies, and student success units, the Dean advances a shared vision of liberal arts education through high-impact learning experiences, interdisciplinary engagement, and data-informed student success strategies.
The Dean supervises:
Director of the Honors Program
Coordinators of the Center for Reading and Writing
Coordinator for Prestigious Scholarships and Fellowships
Director of First Year Seminar
Administrative staff supporting Undergraduate Studies
Ensure the quality, coherence, and rigor of the Undergraduate General Education curriculum.
Lead general education and core curriculum planning, scheduling, assessment, and revision.
Collaborate with Deans, Conveners, faculty, and staff to ensure successful implementation of the General Education curriculum.
Support interdisciplinary initiatives and high-impact educational practices (e.g., writing across the curriculum, undergraduate research, experiential learning, first-year seminar, senior capstone).
Oversight of College-wide Academic Programs
Coordinate key College-wide programs, including Honors, Prestigious Scholarships and Fellowships, Critical Reading and Writing, Self-designed Major.
Oversee the administration and operation of and ensure the academic quality of College-wide program spaces, including the Honors Lounge and the Center for Reading and Writing.
Manage faculty and staff in their roles, directing and contributing to College-wide programs. Work with academic deans to develop long-range staffing plans for College-wide programs, including adjuncts, and adequate support staff who are aligned with program delivery, enrollment, and market projections; prepare job descriptions/ads and other documentation for all positions; appoint search committees and supervise the search process; recommend the appointment of appropriately-qualified faculty and staff; and render timely, professional judgement on periodic evaluations, reappointment, tenure, promotion, and reclassification.
Facilitate ongoing technological training of faculty and staff who support College-wide programs.
Develop and implement strategies to support student retention, progression, and completion.
Coordinate advising and academic support services, including tutoring and supplemental instruction throughout College-wide programs.
Coordinate and develop articulation agreements as they relate to College-wide programs in support of transfer students.
Work closely with Enrollment Management to recruit and retain undeclared students, and ultimately graduate students from a major at Ramapo College. Collaborations with Enrollment Management include duties such as:
Attending and representing or assigning designees, when appropriate, to attend and represent undeclared students at prospective and accepted students and parents at official recruitment events, including but not limited to Open Houses, Admitted Student Days, and other recruitment events.
Collaborating with the Center for Student Success on advisement of new students and orientation.
Adjudicating student appeals to academic policies and enforcing academic policies for Undeclared Students.
Facilitating major declaration events and information sessions for undeclared students.
Mediate between students, faculty, staff, and parents in legal and appropriate ways. Facilitate the resolution of disagreement or conflict between faculty, staff, and students.
Collaborate with Deans, Conveners, faculty, and the Center for Student Success staff to enhance the student academic experience.
Provide leadership on initiatives related to equity, access, and inclusive excellence in the undergraduate curriculum.
Serve as a key liaison between College-wide programs, the registrar, and other administrative units on curricular issues.
Serve on standing committees consistent with all other Academic Deans.
Serve as an ex officio member of GECCo and WAC, or similar governance committees.
Co-Chair of the Academic Advising Council and other key committees related to academic policy and standards.
Interpret and enforce academic policies and recommend revisions as needed.
Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and institutional policies within College-wide programs.
Actively represents College-wide programs to students, parents, community patrons, professional organizations, articulation partners, business and industry, and relevant constituencies.
Represent undergraduate academic affairs in College-wide planning and accreditation efforts.
Analyze data on student performance, persistence, and graduation to inform policy and practice.
Prepare reports, plans, and analyses to document and advance College-wide programs, activities, initiatives, programming, and development. internal use and external stakeholders.
Assume responsibility for all fiscal matters at the unit level. This includes creating, monitoring, managing, reconciling, and being responsible for the budgets of the College-wide programs overseen by the Dean.
Plan for, request, and disburse operational, travel, and other funds legally, responsibly, and fairly within given budget limitations.
Provide accountability and transparency in the distribution of resources assigned to College-wide programs.
Develop or oversee the development of Capital funding proposals and internal and external grant proposals to meet the needs of College-wide programs.
Develop, facilitate, and/or actively engage, as appropriate, in fundraising activities that support College-wide programs.
DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACADEMIC UNIT:
The Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Honors works collaboratively to maintain facilities, programming, and staffing of all entities related to the College-wide programming.
Developing external partnerships is a vital component of the Dean's function. The Dean will actively engage in maintaining and expanding connections with appropriate regional, national, and international UG Studies and Honors communities, partnering with the Ramapo College Foundation and interacting with Deans in similar positions at other institutions. The Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Honors is responsible for maintaining and enhancing the already excellent reputation of Ramapo and its programs.
ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
A record of teaching, scholarship, service to the College and community, and professional responsibility equivalent to that expected at the time of tenure at Ramapo College.
Experience with College-wide, general education programs, as well as honors programs and liberal arts curricula
Knowledge of disciplinary/professional trends and higher education activities at the state and national level.
Demonstrated commitment to the principles of a liberal arts education.
Demonstrated ability to oversee the administration of grants.
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
Collaborative approach to governance.
Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment.
Continued adherence to high professional and ethical standards.
EDUCATION:
A terminal degree earned in the appropriate academic discipline from an accredited college or university is required.
EXPERIENCE:
A minimum of five years' experience at the equivalent of tenured Associate Professor or Full Professor level in a higher education environment combining academic instruction and administration, as determined by the Provost in consultation with the President. At least three years of experience on college-wide committees that oversee curriculum; evidence of college-wide committee leadership. If the candidate is from within Ramapo College, the individual must be tenured.
EEO Statement:
Ramapo College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. Ramapo has a long history of advocating, advising, and supporting diversity, equity, and inclusiveness. Examples can be found in its mission statement, strategic plans, degree and course offerings, community outreach programs, and other diversity programs. Ramapo’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is infused across all facets of the College; where the environment is welcoming, dedicated to social justice, respectful of freedom of expression, focused on educating and having an ongoing conversation regarding cultural competence and the benefits and importance of diversity.