Search for Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Northwestern University, School of Professional Studies Chicago, Illinois Evanston, Illinois THE SEARCH Northwestern University (Northwestern), one of the world s leading private research universities, seeks an Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in the School of Professional Studies (SPS). SPS is one of the premier schools of professional studies in the country. One of the 12 colleges and schools of the University, SPS and adult learning have been a core part of Northwestern s mission for more than 80 years. The Associate Dean provides vision and leadership in the development, delivery, and management of undergraduate and graduate degrees, international and professional development programs, as well as summer session programs, and s/he leads curriculum and faculty development efforts, ensuring superior quality and integrity of the academic experience. Reporting directly to the Dean, this is a visible, key leadership position that collaborates actively within SPS, across Northwestern schools, with important stakeholders throughout the University. SPS seeks candidates with outstanding leadership skills to join an entrepreneurial and innovative School. The Associate Dean must be deeply committed to SPS s mission of access and have a firm belief in, and experience working with, online education. The Associate Dean will be a strategic thinker with a solid record of identifying market trends and opportunities leading to the creation of high-quality, rigorous educational programs. The successful candidate will have a record of developing successful and innovative academic programs and healthy, vibrant online communities. S/he will be a seasoned administrator and will have demonstrated experience with academic programs and faculty, and a commitment to student success. Creativity and a collaborative management style are essential to interface successfully with faculty and staff as well as other internal and external constituencies. Northwestern SPS is assisted in this search by Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm. All inquiries, nominations, and applications should be directed in confidence to the firm as described at the end of this document. NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY Founded in 1851, Northwestern University is a private institution recognized both nationally and internationally for the quality of its educational programs at all levels. US News and World Report consistently ranks the University s undergraduate programs among the top 15 in the country.
Northwestern University, School of Professional Studies Page 2 of 7 Northwestern boasts 12 schools. The Kellogg School of Management consistently ranks among the top five business schools in the country, while Northwestern s School of Law and School of Education and Social Policy each hold the number 10 spot. The Feinberg School of Medicine and the McCormick School of Engineering rank among the top 20 in their respective areas of study. Northwestern combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment that transcends traditional academic boundaries. It provides students and faculty with exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal, and professional growth in a setting enhanced by the richness of Chicago. Northwestern has grown to encompass three distinct campuses: a 240-acre lakefront campus in Evanston; a 25-acre lakefront campus in Chicago where the law and medical schools, as well as the business school s part-time program and professional program, are located; and a campus in Doha, Qatar that offers undergraduate programs in partnership with the Qatar Foundation. Included among its 3,344 full-time faculty members are Tony Award winners, MacArthur Fellowship recipients, a Nobel Prize winner, and members of numerous honorary and professional societies, including the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, American Academy of Arts, and Sciences, and American Council of Learned Societies. The SPS adjunct faculty includes leadership from Fortune 500 corporations, awardwinning writers, and faculty who also teach and conduct research at the other schools at the University. The University is supported by more than 5,600 full- and part-time staff members. The University has 8,353 undergraduate students and 12,855 graduate students for a total enrollment over 21,200 students. More than 90% of undergraduate applicants rank in the top 10% of their high school classes, and Northwestern s National Merit Scholar enrollment rate is among the highest in the nation. A charter member of the Big Ten and the conference's only private institution, Northwestern sponsors 19 intercollegiate athletic teams (eight men's and 11 women's) and numerous club sports. Northwestern's approximately 230,000 alumni include leaders in government, law, science, education, medicine, media, and the performing arts from around the world. With an operating budget just shy of $2.29 billion and an endowment of $9.8 billion, Northwestern has a history of prudent and responsible financial management, budgeting, and operating. THE SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL STUDIES SPS is a national leader in continuing and professional education by providing innovative opportunities that serve the lifelong learning needs of its students. Serving degree-seekers, career-changers, and early- to mid-career professionals, SPS offers diverse educational pathways to serve the goals and ambitions of its students. Founded in 1933 as the University College, the School was renamed in 2014 to better reflect its expanded mission and robust student body.
Northwestern University, School of Professional Studies Page 3 of 7 A proven partner to its colleagues, SPS contributes substantially to Northwestern s innovative edge, its ability to reach students, and to its national and global reputation of excellence. The School of Professional Studies has a history of strong financial performance and is poised for a future of growth, innovation, and steadfast commitment to its mission. SPS staff, faculty, and administration share a deep service commitment to providing its diverse student population with access to high-quality education through flexibility in location as well as the types and levels of credentialing offered. SPS is a crucial member of the Chicago community, offering adult learning opportunities to the city. The School s mission guides programs and investments, as SPS aims to deliver a superior Northwestern education to outstanding students whose academic pursuits must be balanced with professional or personal commitments. SPS student outcomes exceed national averages, seeing 62% of master s degree students graduating within five years and 60% of SPS non-first-time-student undergraduate degree seekers graduating within seven years. Supported by 100 full-time staff members and over 400 adjunct faculty, courses are offered on the Evanston and Chicago campuses, as well as online. 16% of SPS faculty members hold a full-time appointment within Northwestern, and 83% teach on a part-time basis while engaging in careers outside of the academy. 65% of faculty hold a terminal degree in fields related to SPS programs; the remaining 35% hold master s degrees. More information on the School is available at https://sps.northwestern.edu/. THE DEAN Thomas F. Gibbons became Dean of Northwestern SPS in 2002. Dean Gibbons, a former labor attorney with more than 20 years of experience in negotiations, mediation, and arbitration, is also a senior lecturer with Northwestern s School of Law. He regularly teaches courses in the field of mediation, arbitration, and conflict resolution on the undergraduate and graduate levels. He has taught mediation training at SPS for the past 10 years. Dean Gibbons is a past president of the Chicago Chapter of the Association for Conflict Resolution, past co-chair of the Chicago Bar Association's Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, and past president of the University Professional and Continuing Education Association. He holds law degrees from Yale Law School and DePaul University College of Law. ACADEMIC OFFERINGS SPS is committed to providing degree-completion programs for adults, with approximately 450 students in the process of completing their undergraduate degree part-time. The depth and breadth of SPS s offerings reflects the aspirations of its students. SPS offers16 bachelor s degree programs in a broad range of subjects, from biological science to psychology to organizational behavior. Post-baccalaureate programs cover more than 35 academic subjects, and each year enroll more than 500 students interested in changing careers, advancing professionally, and preparing for
Northwestern University, School of Professional Studies Page 4 of 7 graduate school. Approximately 2,600 students are in SPS graduate programs, with nearly 80% of students participating remotely via 449 online courses, allowing for increased flexibility. SPS offers 11 master s degrees, seven offered as fully online programs. In addition, SPS s 70+ graduate, postbaccalaureate, and professional development certificate programs provide opportunities for students with advanced degrees to expand their expertise and update their skills. SPS s International and Professional Development Programs department explores and responds to emerging trends in continuing education, expanding the School s reach from a regional campus to a destination for students in the United States and around the world. This area develops new pedagogical approaches to help SPS better meet industry needs, reach more diverse audiences, and broaden the School s educational portfolio in both domestic and international markets. The Professional Development portfolio consists of 14 different programs, as well as key national and international partnership offerings. Summer Session is Northwestern University s fourth quarter, providing credit and noncredit courses to precollege, undergraduate, and graduate students. The programs include field study, immersion, study abroad opportunities, courses and workshops for teachers and professionals, and a variety of summer institutes. SPS s Office of Summer Session and Special Programs provides opportunities for Northwestern units to create innovative, high-quality programs that are consistent with the University s academic mission and responsive and accessible to a diverse, expanding student population. SPS also offers academic study groups for older adults through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute as well as public safety and policy training through the Center for Public Safety. The Office of Distance Learning (DL) at SPS collaborates with SPS faculty and industry experts, using research-supported best practices to develop academically rigorous and engaging programs that reach adult learners from around the world. DL staff also contribute to digital learning initiatives across the University. In 2016, SPS served approximately 2,200 online students from 34 countries. THE ROLE OF THE ASSOCIATE DEAN As a close partner and a direct report to the Dean, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs provides vision and leadership in the development, delivery, and management of undergraduate and graduate degrees, international and professional development programs, and summer session programs. Keeping with SPS s tradition of innovation and excellence, the Associate Dean will recognize and seize new markets and opportunities. S/he will discerningly examine the pedagogy of continuing, adult, and distance learning. The Associate Dean convenes and chairs the academic program planning committee, manages the strategic academic plan, and leads development of new initiatives and programmatic
Northwestern University, School of Professional Studies Page 5 of 7 offerings. The Associate Dean leads curriculum and faculty development efforts, ensuring superior quality and integrity of the academic experience. S/he retains primary oversight in academic partnerships with other Northwestern schools and outside entities and collaborates with faculty and advisory board members to determine admission and academic standards for existing and new programs. The Associate Dean will distribute his/her time across the Evanston and Chicago campuses as needed. The Associate Dean has five direct reports and oversees an organization of 31 people. The incumbent collaborates with other SPS senior leaders to develop a dynamic recruitment strategy, ensure fiscal compliance, set and apply academic policy, and resolve student academic issues. The Associate Dean has primary responsibility for a budget of about $19.0 million and for creating the School s annual academic and fiscal strategic plan, in consultation with the Dean. OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES The next Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will join SPS during an exciting time for impact at Northwestern as well as across higher education. S/he will advance SPS s mission and build on its status as a leader for professional and continued education. Enjoying support from SPS and the broader Northwestern community, the Associate Dean is poised to be a transformative leader of disruptive innovation and will address the following opportunities and challenges: Develop and articulate SPS s academic vision and strategy alongside the Dean. The Associate Dean will arrive at SPS during a transformational time in higher education. There is an increased interest in academic offerings that align with workforce training and transitional adult education. With a persistent concentration on the SPS mission, this position will take the lead in building the academic vision and strategy. Moreover, through an understanding of the traditional academy, an aptitude for building programs of academic rigor, and the ability to work with traditional academics, the Associate Dean will be positioned to lead the academic teams in developing annual strategic plans and fiscal budgets to shape all educational activity. The Associate Dean will inspire the entire SPS team and engage them in the day-to-day delivery of this vision. Develop innovative delivery methods, identify cutting-edge programs of study, and lead competitiveness in the marketplace. SPS is at the forefront of an unprecedented change in how education is delivered, how students access learning, and how learning outcomes are measured. With one of the largest graduate and for-credit professional development enrollments in the nation, innovation is crucial to the School s ability to serve its constituents and can be seen throughout the programs and their delivery. Looking forward, the incoming associate Dean will not only be informed of the trends in professional, graduate, and undergraduate education, but s/he will be an expert in this market and will be on the forefront of reimagining pedagogics. Working with faculty and staff, the Associate Dean will continuously identify emerging areas, drive to market early with relevant offerings, and develop new types of academic learning
Northwestern University, School of Professional Studies Page 6 of 7 experiences. The Associate Dean will develop opportunities for curricular and pedagogical innovation and exploration, including nontraditional forms of programming. With a sound business mind and the creative autonomy to experiment, the Associate Dean will build excellent programs that are the best of their kind. Shepherd a culture of collaboration and partnership. The Associate Dean will personally model collaborative leadership that transcends across ranks in the School and the institution. A champion for the SPS leadership, staff, faculty, and students, the Associate Dean will be an insightful, collaborative, transparent, strategic, and persuasive representative of SPS, both internally and externally, for the School s mission and identity. The Associate Dean will nurture staff development and build upon a supportive culture. By continuing in SPS s tradition of pro-actively deepening ties with other Northwestern academic units, s/he will be an astute partner to colleagues, will be service minded, and will balance an enterprise-wide perspective with School interests. Promote a keen commitment to the School mission and to student success across the SPS community. SPS works to invigorate a shared identity across its community. Working with the Associate Dean of Student and Alumni Services, the Associate Dean will continue to build a student-first, mission-first culture that seeks to engage faculty, staff, and students as a vibrant community, both in the classroom and online. With a deep knowledge of the many aspects of lifelong learning, s/he will engage the SPS team in a conversation about what student success means in this field and how to tailor programs to help SPS students achieve their academic and professional goals. Personally valuing the School s mission, the Associate Dean will be a key figure in harnessing the community s passion for it and, in turn, expressing its identity and purpose to further engage others. PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS The ideal candidate will have earned their doctoral degree and while no one person may embody all, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional qualifications and personal qualities: Senior leadership experience, including management of staff and in-depth knowledge of academic planning policies, procedures, administration, and budgeting of academic programs; Evidence of developing and implementing successful, innovative, and complex program and course offerings in a higher education environment; Demonstrated experience in long-term strategic and financial planning; Understanding of the national and regional landscapes of continuing education, including trends and issues that significantly impact the field; Entrepreneurial and collaborative leadership style; experience working with faculty, students, and administrators; Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills;
Northwestern University, School of Professional Studies Page 7 of 7 Comprehensive knowledge of pedagogy, instructional design, and distance learning in higher education; And flexibility, energy, and creativity. APPLICATIONS AND NOMINATIONS Nominations, applications, and inquiries are being accepted for the position. Consideration of candidates will continue until the position is filled. Candidates must submit a curriculum vitae and cover letter. All candidate information will be held in strict confidence. Electronic submission is strongly encouraged. Confidential inquiries concerning this search should be directed to Isaacson, Miller via: www.imsearch.com/6285 Jacqueline Mildner, Principal Anna Graulich, Associate Isaacson Miller, Inc. Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.