Job Description:

Dean, College of Sciences

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Sciences (COS). Reporting directly to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean will set strategic, operational, and financial direction for the COS and will fully embrace UTRGV's mission to receive R1 "very high research activity" distinction by the Carnegie Classifications of Institutions of Higher Education. The university seeks an experienced, dynamic, visionary, and transformational leader who will work in concert with faculty, staff, and students to promote a culture of excellence and carry out a vision that leads the college to greater prominence in the Rio Grande Valley, across Texas, and beyond.

UTRGV was created by the Texas Legislature in 2013 and is the second largest Hispanic Serving Institution in the US, where most of the students are bilingual and bicultural. UTRGV is committed to becoming a bilingual, bicultural, and biliterate institution and is actively pursuing this part of its mission through the Office of Bilingual Integration under the Office of the Provost. With campuses throughout the Valley, UTRGV empowers successful futures, enhances daily life, and lets the region shine as a global innovator in higher education, bilingual education, health education, biomedical research, and emerging technology that inspires positive change.

The College of Sciences is one of the largest colleges at UTRGV with over 200 faculty and 3,000 students and is home to the department of Physics and Astronomy and the schools of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, and Earth, Environmental and Marine Sciences, with each offering a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs. The college also houses several state-of-the-art programs and centers that offer unique research experiences for students at all levels, including doctoral. The college takes pride in preparing students for diverse careers including medical and health professions, emphasizes hands-on experimental learning, community-engaged research, and learning, and developing innovative solutions for local and global challenges.

The Role of the Dean

• Serve as the chief academic and administrative leader for the COS.


• Provide leadership and oversight of the college, including budget, faculty and student productivity and development, research, external relations, and multi-disciplinary collaborations within the university.


• Oversee the college's academic and scholarly activities, working with faculty to articulate a shared vision of excellence, and focusing on developing, expanding, and strengthening academic programs in the college and developing policies governing its academic programs.


• Inspire and support faculty, staff, and students and foster an environment of collegiality, transparency, teamwork, and respect.


• Collaborate with all stakeholders to determine the priorities and direction of the college and facilitate efforts to develop and implement the college's strategic plan.


• Support the expansion of the research capabilities of the college, focusing on externally funded faculty research to address local and global challenges and improve life in the Rio Grande Valley area and beyond, while maintaining departmental excellence in teaching.


• Advocate for the COS and ensure that it is aligned with the priorities of UTRGV.


• Maintain a physical presence at all campuses and locations.


• Fully embrace UTRGV's mission to receive R1 "very high research activity" distinction by the Carnegie Classifications of Higher Education Institutions.


• Support UTRGV's vision of becoming the preeminent bilingual, bicultural, and biliterate university.


• Foster student success and satisfaction by providing fundamental scientific, mathematical, and statistical literacy.


• Pursue revenue growth through development, grants and contracts, and professional development programs for the advancement of college resources.


• Expand and strengthen liaisons with domestic and international educational institutions to assess, develop, and manage innovative academic programs and curriculum development.


• Further the mission of the university by expanding external resources, strengthening regional, national, and global connections and nurturing collaboration amongst colleges across the university.

Required Qualifications

• Terminal degree in an appropriate field.


• Minimum of five (5) years of administrative experience at the chair level or above.


• Established record of scholarship, teaching, and service that qualifies the candidate for a senior level faculty appointment in one of the college's disciplines.


• Evidence of past effectiveness in responding to the educational needs of a multicultural population.


• Demonstrated ability to secure grants and external funding.


• Demonstrated commitment to shared governance and decision making.


• Demonstrated ability to lead with integrity and transparency and communicate effectively with all stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience at a R2 Doctoral University "high research activity" or higher.


• Experience and/or knowledge of distributed campus models.


• Experience in multidisciplinary ventures.

The full position profile can be accessed at https://greenwoodsearch.com/current-opportunities/.

How to Apply

Greenwood Asher & Associates® is assisting The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. Inquiries, nominations, and application materials should be directed to Greenwood Asher & Associates®. Application materials should include a:

• Letter of interest that clearly states the applicant's qualifications for the position


• Current résumé/curriculum vitae

We strongly encourage submitting application materials as PDF attachments. The search will be conducted with a commitment of confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made.

Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. Details on benefits can be found at https://www.utrgv.edu/human-resources/benefits/index.htm.

Please direct Inquiries, nominations, and application materials to:

Kyle Pybus-Jerome, Senior Executive Search Consultant

E-mail: kylepybusjerome@greenwoodsearch.com

Tracey Weldon, Vice President of Executive Search

E-mail: traceyweldon@greenwoodsearch.com

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. UTRGV promotes and ensures equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or protected veteran status. Our University is committed to complying with all government requirements and ensures nondiscrimination in our education programs and activities, including employment. An eligible veteran, surviving spouse of a veteran, or an orphan of a veteran is entitled to preference in the selection process over other applicants who do not have greater qualifications. Further, we grant an employment preference to former foster youth who were in the permanent managing conservatorship of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services on the day preceding the individual's 18th birthday over other applicants for the same position who do not have a greater qualification. We encourage women, minorities, and differently-abled persons to apply for employment positions of interest.

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