Dean of Arts & Sciences

The Dean of Arts & Sciences serves as a cabinet level academic leader responsible for the comprehensive oversight of the Arts & Sciences division. This position provides visionary leadership for instructional programs spanning the humanities, communications, English, natural sciences, social sciences, mathematics, and related disciplines while simultaneously guiding student affairs functions in alignment with the College's mission, vision, and strategic plan.
Reporting directly to the Chief Academic Officer, the Dean champions student success, service excellence, and data-informed decision-making. The Dean works collaboratively with the President's Extended Cabinet, , and Academic Affairs leadership to advance institutional priorities, cultivate community partnerships, and ensure an equitable and inclusive academic environment where all students can thrive.Strategic Leadership
The Dean of Arts & Sciences provides transformative strategic leadership that advances the College's academic mission and long-term institutional goals. Key responsibilities include:

• Develop, communicate and implement a clear divisional vision and multi-year divisional strategic plan aligned with college-wide enrollment, retention priorities and regional workforce needs.Serves as an active member of the President's Cabinet and expanded leadership team, contributing to institution-wide strategic planning, policy development, and shared governance.
• Champion a student-centered culture that prioritizes access, equity, retention, and completion across Arts & Sciences programs.
• Utilize data analytics and institutional research to drive evidence-based decisions related to program development, enrollment management, and resource allocation.
• Provide leadership in accreditation activities, serving as a liaison to accrediting bodies and overseeing continuous quality improvement efforts across assigned programs.
• Monitor trends in higher education, legislative mandates, and best practices to position the division for long-term academic excellence and innovation.
• Lead, chair, and participate in college-wide committees, task forces, and shared governance bodies, including Curriculum and Policy , Assessment, Program Review .

Academic Divisional
LeadershipAs the Dean of the Arts & Sciences division, the Dean is accountable for the integrity, quality, and continuous improvement of all instructional programs and academic support services:

• Oversee and evaluate all instructional activities, curriculum design, and course delivery methods to ensure rigorous, relevant, and high-quality learning experiences for students.
• Recruit, hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate full-time and adjunct faculty and professional staff; make recommendations for personnel actions including appointments, promotions, and separations.
• Lead divisional program review processes in collaboration with faculty, the Faculty Senate, and institutional stakeholders; develop and implement improvement plans based on review outcomes.
• Manage the development and maintenance of the academic schedule, analyzing course offerings, enrollment patterns, and community needs to make data-driven modifications.
• Foster a culture of instructional excellence, scholarly activity, and professional development among Arts & Sciences faculty and staff.
• Champion first-year student retention initiatives with particular emphasis on adult learners and students enrolled in gateway courses in mathematics and English.
• Ensure compliance with academic policies, accreditation standards, licensing requirements, and applicable state and federal regulations.
• Supervise the ongoing Academic Program Review Project and coordinate implementation of identified improvements with Faculty Senate and College stakeholders.

Academic Planning
The Dean leads comprehensive academic planning efforts to ensure the relevance, sustainability, and growth of Arts & Sciences programs in alignment with workforce trends and student needs:

• Conduct environmental scanning and needs assessments to identify opportunities for new program development, program modification, or program discontinuation.
• Collaborate with institutional research, enrollment management, and finance to develop accurate enrollment projections and resource forecasting models.
• Lead curriculum mapping, program assessment, and learning outcomes development consistent with accreditation requirements and industry standards.
• Oversee strategic course scheduling to maximize access, optimize instructional resources, and support student degree completion pathways.
• Coordinate with transfer institutions, four-year colleges, and universities to ensure seamless articulation agreements and transfer pathways for Arts & Sciences students.
• Provide high-level analyses and research to frame academic strategies that inform the CAO's decision-making on new programs, initiatives, and internal efficiencies.
• Lead grant identification, proposal development, and implementation of grant-funded academic initiatives in collaboration with external partners and the College's grants office.

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS & FOSTERING COLLEGIALITY
The Dean is expected to build and sustain a collaborative, inclusive, and collegial environment that supports faculty, staff, and students in achieving their full potential:
•Maintain an open-door policy, actively engaging faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders to build trust, facilitate communication, and address concerns in a timely and transparent manner.
•Serve as a skilled and trusted liaison between the CAO’s office and divisional stakeholders, helping extend the CAO's reach and facilitating effective information sharing across the institution.
•Model and promote shared governance principles, academic freedom, and collaborative decision-making in all divisional and institutional interactions.
•Facilitate positive, respectful, and productive working relationships among Arts & Sciences faculty and staff, as well as with colleagues in other divisions and administrative units.
•Participate in meetings, committees, and forums on behalf of the CAO to gather and disseminate information, represent institutional interests, and foster collaboration.
•Mentor emerging academic leaders within the division and across the institution, contributing to a culture of professional growth and succession planning.
•Support and celebrate faculty and staff accomplishments, scholarly activity, service contributions, and professional development milestones.
FINANCIAL & FISCAL MANAGEMENT
The Dean is responsible for the sound financial stewardship of the Arts & Sciences division and ensures that all resources are allocated strategically in support of student success and institutional priorities:
•Plan, develop, manage, and monitor annual divisional operating budgets; ensure compliance with institutional financial policies and procedures.
•Conduct resource forecasting and cost-benefit analysis to support data-informed decisions about staffing levels, course sections, program investments, and technology needs.
•Identify and pursue opportunities for revenue generation, including grant funding, community education programming, workforce development contracts, and dual enrollment partnerships.
•Provide oversight of all human, physical, and financial resources within the division, ensuring efficient and equitable distribution aligned with strategic priorities.
•Collaborate with the Finance office to monitor budget performance throughout the fiscal year, identify variances, and develop corrective action plans as needed.
•Ensure transparent and accountable fiscal practices that build confidence among faculty, staff, administration, and external stakeholders.
•Advise the CAO on fiscal matters, unresolved resource issues, and emerging financial challenges that require senior leadership attention.
K-12, Workforce & Community Partnerships
The Dean actively works with the Chief Enrollment Officer (CeNO)to cultivate and sustain strategic partnerships with K-12 institutions, employers, community organizations, and regional stakeholders to advance the College's educational and workforce development mission:

• Collaborate with CeNO to build and maintain relationships with K-12 school districts, superintendents, and high school faculty to develop dual enrollment, early college, and college readiness initiatives that expand access for pre-collegiate students.
• Partner with regional employers, industry associations, and economic development organizations to align Arts & Sciences curricula with local and statewide workforce needs.
• Serve as a visible representative of the College at community events, civic organizations, and professional associations to promote the division's programs and the College's mission.
• Support Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), articulation agreements, and collaborative programming arrangements with K-12 districts, four-year institutions, and community partners.
• Engage external organizations through collaborative grant planning, proposal development, and implementation of initiatives that advance student access, equity, and workforce readiness.
• Participate in regional economic and workforce development planning bodies to position the College as a key partner in addressing the community's educational and talent pipeline needs.
• Support initiatives that expand dual credit, career exploration, and work-based learning opportunities for both traditional and non-traditional student populations.

Culture of Respect
The Dean of Arts & Sciences is expected to actively model, champion, and embed a culture of respect throughout every dimension of divisional leadership. The College is firmly committed to its Personal Touch principles of Respect, Responsiveness, and Responsibility (the "Three R's") in all professional relationships — employee to student, employee to employee, and employee to community.
The Dean shall:

• Demonstrate and promote respect for the dignity, perspectives, and contributions of all individuals, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners.
• Create and sustain an inclusive and equitable divisional climate that values diverse backgrounds, identities, experiences, and viewpoints.
• Address conflict, misconduct, and concerns in a fair, transparent, and timely manner consistent with college policies and values.
• Actively teach, model, and reinforce the Three R's — Respect, Responsiveness, and Responsibility — to influence the development of professional behaviors among faculty, staff, and students.
• Uphold the College's non-discrimination and equal opportunity commitments in all hiring, evaluation, programming, and student service decisions.
• Cultivate psychological safety within the division by encouraging open dialogue, constructive feedback, and a growth mindset.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in a discipline within the Arts & Sciences or in Higher Education Administration, Educational Leadership, or a closely related field.
• Current or recent academic teaching experience at the College level. at an accredited post-secondary institution.
• Minimum of one (1) year of progressively responsible experience in higher education. .
• Demonstrated experience in budget management and fiscal oversight.
• Proven record of effective faculty and/or staff supervision and evaluation.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success, equity, and inclusive excellence.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences, including students, faculty, staff, administration, and community members.
• Ability to understand, navigate, and work effectively within complex organizational structures and established shared governance processes.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, sensitive, and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
• Experience with regional accreditation processes, program review, and outcomes-based assessment at the institutional or divisional level.
• Demonstrated success leading curriculum development, program innovation, and strategic academic planning initiatives. Experience serving on or leading college-wide governance bodies, advisory committees, or strategic planning teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or terminal degree) from an accredited institution in a discipline represented within the Arts & Sciences or in Higher Education/Educational Leadership.
• Two (2) or more years of progressively responsible academic leadership experience in a community college or similar open-access institution.
• Demonstrated experience in building and sustaining K-12, workforce, and community partnerships, including dual enrollment and early college programming.
• Experience with grant writing, management, and implementation of externally funded projects.
• Bilingual or multilingual communication abilities.
• Demonstrated record of fostering belonging in hiring practices, curriculum design, and student support.

Knowledge, Skills & AbilitiesKnowledge

• Comprehensive knowledge of Arts & Sciences disciplines, including humanities, natural and social sciences, mathematics, and related fields.
• Knowledge of community college philosophy, mission, and the diverse populations served by open-access institutions.
• Knowledge of accreditation standards, academic governance structures, and higher education policy and law.
• Knowledge of workforce development trends, regional labor market dynamics, and the role of higher education in economic development.
• Knowledge of budgetary processes, fiscal controls, and resource planning in a higher education context.
• Knowledge of student development theory, retention strategies, and evidence-based practices for supporting student success.
• Knowledge of K-12 education systems, dual enrollment frameworks, and college readiness pathways.

Skills

• Strong organizational, project management, and time management skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced academic environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills — written, verbal, and presentational — with demonstrated ability to engage diverse audiences effectively.
• Skilled in data analysis, institutional research interpretation, and using evidence to inform strategic decisions.
• Strong financial acumen and budget management skills.
• Skilled in conflict resolution, mediation, and applying diplomacy in sensitive and complex situations.
• Proficiency with technology platforms used in higher education administration, including learning management systems, student information systems, and productivity tools.
• Skilled in fostering collaborative team environments and building consensus across diverse stakeholder groups.

Abilities

• Ability to provide visionary and entrepreneurial academic leadership that inspires innovation and continuous improvement.
• Ability to develop, articulate, and execute a compelling divisional vision aligned with institutional mission and strategic goals.
• Ability to build authentic, trusting relationships with faculty, staff, students, community partners, K-12 stakeholders, and industry representatives.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and decisive leadership in ambiguous or rapidly changing circumstances.
• Ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder projects from inception through completion within established timelines and budgets.
• Ability to champion equity, access, and inclusion as foundational principles in all decisions, policies, and practices.
• Ability to effectively represent the College in external forums, civic organizations, and community partnerships.
• Ability to promote and sustain a collegial, respectful, and high-performance culture across the division and institution.

ZSC offers an excellent benefits package including the following:

• Competitive base salary
• Comprehensive healthcare plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
• HSA/FSA
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life and long-term disability insurance
• Supplemental retirement savings plans
• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick, and personal leave

2025 SB1 Statement of Commitment

As required by Ohio Revised Code section 3345.0216, Zane State College will: educate students by means of free, open and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth; equip students with the opportunity to develop intellectual skills to reach their own, informed conclusions; not require, favor, disfavor or prohibit speech or lawful assembly; create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth and tolerates differences in opinion; treat all faculty, staff and students as individuals, hold them to equal standards and provide equality of opportunity with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

The final candidate is subject to the successful completion of reference checks and a background check.