Dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs About the Elliott School of International Affairs The George Washington University s Elliott School of International Affairs is one of the world s leading schools of international affairs. Located in the heart of Washington, D.C., our mission is to educate the next-generation of international leaders, conduct research that advances public understanding of important global issues, and engage the policy community in the United States and around the world. The School s unique location just steps from the White House, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the U.S. Department of State, and dozens of other U.S. and international organizations enriches our teaching and research, providing students and scholars with unmatched opportunities. In the words of one professor, Because of its location, we have the opportunity to constantly interact with practitioners and with students who are very engaged in the world. I am able to bring the world into the classroom in a way I never could have imagined. The Elliott School educates students in the theory and practice of international affairs, offering them in-depth analysis of international economic, political, scientific, and cultural issues. Our curriculum is interdisciplinary; most Elliott School full-time faculty members are jointly appointed in GW departments. With such rich academic backgrounds, Elliott School graduates are consistently sought after for challenging global careers across a myriad of public, private, and non-profit organizations. The Elliott School is one of the largest international affairs schools in the United States, with more than 2,000 undergraduates and 800 graduate students, 12 master s programs, and nine research institutes. Our students come from all over the world and are dedicated to developing a deeper understanding of the issues facing the world and tackling important international problems. The Elliott School has 86 primary faculty members and 103 secondary faculty members who are fully engaged in the intellectual life of the School. Our distinguished faculty represents more than a dozen disciplines, providing the basis for a sophisticated, multidisciplinary curriculum that allows students to combine knowledge of traditional fields of study such as political science, economics, history, anthropology, and geography with emerging interdisciplinary areas, including global health, energy, and global gender issues.
The Elliott School is committed to creating and sharing knowledge. Our nine dynamic research institutes provide venues where scholars and policymakers can come together to develop, test, and disseminate new ideas. Faculty members work individually and collaboratively across disciplines to sharpen intellectual debates and deepen academic and policy conversations about international affairs. Together, they contribute to the evolving and expanding body of knowledge that helps scholars, policymakers, and citizens better understand the world in which we live. We believe that the open exchange of information and ideas leads to more informed policy. As a nonpartisan institution, the school provides a unique forum in the heart of Washington, D.C., for scholars and policy practitioners from a variety of intellectual and international backgrounds to engage in some of the most important issues of our time. Our faculty members are regularly sought out by the media to help the public understand complex foreign and domestic policy issues, and our proximity to leading U.S. and international organizations puts our scholars in a powerful position to address policy problems as they unfold. About The George Washington University The George Washington University (GW) was created in 1821 through an Act of Congress, fulfilling George Washington s vision of an institution in the nation s capital dedicated to educating and preparing future leaders. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. The University has more than 20,000 students from all 50 states, the District and more than 130 countries studying a rich range of disciplines: from forensic science and creative writing to international affairs and computer engineering, as well as medicine, public health, the law and public policy. The GW academic experience is firmly rooted in its ten undergraduate and graduate colleges and schools. Each school has a distinct identity, yet all work together to create a dynamic and interdisciplinary learning environment. The undergraduate and graduate colleges and schools include: The Elliott School of International Affairs, The Columbian College of Arts and Sciences (which also contains The Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, The School of Media and Public Affairs, and The Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration), The School of Medicine and Health Sciences, GW Law, The School of Engineering and Applied Science, The Graduate School of Education and Human Development, The School of Business, The Milken School of Public Health, The College of Professional Studies, and The School of Nursing. GW comprises three campuses Foggy Bottom and Mount Vernon in Washington, D.C., and the GW Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn, VA. as well as several graduate education centers in the metropolitan area and Hampton Roads, VA. Under the direction of President Steven Knapp and Provost Steven Lerman and with approval from the GW Board of Trustees, the University released a new Strategic Plan in May 2013. The plan entitled Vision 2021 provides a framework for transformational progress over the next
decade. GW s new Strategic Plan identifies four real-world priorities that align with the University s comparative institutional advantages: the growing importance of globalization and global issues; a worldwide need to improve governance and policy; the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and leadership; and innovation through cross-disciplinary collaboration. Overall, the initiatives set forth in Vision 2021 will create a more unified undergraduate educational experience, spark new research, and expand GW s contributions to the local, national, and global community. Dean s Role and Responsibilities The Elliott School of International Affairs seeks a new Dean who will build upon the Elliott School s already impressive global reputation for scholarship and excellence in international affairs. The Dean is the academic and administrative head of the Elliott School, reporting directly to GW s Provost. The Dean s primary objective is to provide compelling and innovative leadership to every part of the Elliott School, including academic affairs, administration, planning, student recruitment, enrollment management, financial aid, financial management, and institutional advancement. More specifically, the Dean: Provides leadership on innovative curriculum development and new program initiatives. Strengthens excellence in scholarship and teaching. Supports, enhances, and promotes faculty research and productivity. Works with the faculty to attract and retain outstanding scholars and professors. Continues to improve the quality of the students entering and graduating from the Elliott School, and the career opportunities available to them. Focuses on ways to enhance the student experience. Efficiently and fairly manages the financial and human resources of the Elliott School through an effective annual operating budget and long-term financial plans. Develops the financial resources of the Elliott School, especially through fundraising to relieve the financial burden on students and to enhance scholarship, teaching, and innovative programs. Fosters and expands the Elliott School s relationships with alumni, members of the academic community, government, and the policy world, internationally as well as domestically. Qualities and Desired Characteristics The next Dean of the Elliott School should have many of the following qualities and characteristics:
Strategic Vision Substantial administrative experience that demonstrates strategic leadership in planning, communication, and organization. The ability to articulate a compelling vision that builds upon the Elliott School s strengths and embraces strategic growth and excellence in these and other areas. A strong appreciation for the multi- and inter-disciplinary nature of the School and its research centers and institutes, a commitment to bringing research to policy practice, and a priority of excellence in teaching. A track record of creative and entrepreneurial thinking, advocacy for the area of international affairs, and collaborative approaches to teaching and research. Leading and Managing Teams Proven history managing a highly complex organization or team, inside or outside academia. Demonstrated ability to build programs or institutions not just maintain them and an ability to work with varied constituencies and interests in order to manage institutional change processes. A track record of fostering a culture of collaboration, mutual respect, and teamwork. The new Dean will be open-minded, collegial, and able to develop relationships based on trust, confidence, and respect. He or she will be open to considering a diverse range of viewpoints and have demonstrated experience in building effective coalitions to move the agenda forward and proactively soliciting others views before making key decisions. The ability to think logically and clearly. Has a proven ability to set priorities and take initiative to achieve goals, individually and for teams. The flexibility to create nuanced plans and objectives that adapt to the situation and/or colleagues at hand, while bringing to life an inspirational future for the Elliott School as a whole. The ability to work with Deans of other schools on shared goals. Communications, Building Relationships, and Fundraising Multi-faceted experience and associated broad professional networks. The new Dean should have some experience or familiarity with academe, government, and the policy world more generally, potentially in both the public and private sectors, and internationally as well as domestically. Experience building an institution s funding base to increase and diversify financial support. The new Dean will have a strong knowledge of the foundation and the corporate world, and willingness to spend time cultivating relationships with alumni and donors both in the U.S. and internationally. A demonstrated ability to clearly articulate the School s unique strengths; vigorously pursue excellence; advocate for the required inputs (including financial resources) to sustain current and achieve the next level of excellence, both internally and externally; and foster a related shared vision and commitment. A demonstrated comfort and experience working with the media is preferred.
Intellectual Prowess and Passion for the Mission Intellectual depth and breadth. The new Dean will have a track record of scholarly and/or policy leadership in one or more of the Elliott School s represented disciplines, addressing one or more of the major challenges in global and international affairs. She or he will also have a strong appreciation for the full range of the Elliott School disciplines, and their import to a broad array of global and international challenges. An appreciation for the Elliott School s academic mission and values; a strong track record of significant and sustained research and publication in international affairs is preferred, as is related teaching experience. Applications and Nominations Nominations and expressions of interest will continue to be considered until the position is filled. The Search Committee will initiate the screening of candidates upon receipt of information. Nominations and/or letters of application, including current curriculum vitae, should be electronically sent to: GW Elliott School Search Committee c/o Mirah Horowitz Russell Reynolds Associates GWElliottSchool@russellreynolds.com The university is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not unlawfully discriminate in any of its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.