Dean and Chief Administrative Officer Kent State University at Geauga Position Profile Kent State University invites nominations for, and expressions of interest in, the position of Dean and Chief Administrative Officer of Kent State University at Geauga. The new Dean will join a dynamic university team committed to empowering students with the knowledge, skills and values required in our ever more complex world. Kent State University is the largest public multi-campus system in Northeast Ohio, with campuses serving nine local communities and a population of more than 41,000 students, nearly 4,000 fulltime faculty and staff, and 227,000 alumni worldwide. The Kent campus has a student body of nearly 29,000, with the seven regional campuses drawing more than 12,000 students from across Northeast Ohio. Kent State has received two prominent rankings in the 2016 edition of Best Colleges by U.S. News and World Report Kent State is ranked among the top 100 national public schools in the Top Public Schools list, and it holds a coveted spot in the first-tier list of Best National Universities category in the ranking of public, private and for-profit institutions nationwide. The university is hailed by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching among the nation s top 74 public high-research universities. Kent State is the only Ohio public or private university to make this year s list of Great Colleges to Work For by The Chronicle cultural, and workforce Development, of Higher Kent State Education. generates As an $1.96 engine billion for economic, annually in added income to the Northeast Ohio economy. The University seeks an academic leader committed to the highest quality in meeting the educational needs of the communities served by Kent State University at Geauga (located in Burton, Ohio) and the Regional Academic Center (located in Twinsburg, Ohio.) The successful candidate will demonstrate evidence of both strategic management within a university and relationship-building in the communities served. 1
The Leadership Opportunity To partner within the university to foster program and student growth Kent State seeks a Dean and Chief Administrative Officer who will be able to partner with colleagues at both sites and across the university to maximize opportunities for students at Burton and Twinsburg. To partner with the communities to initiate new offerings meeting community needs for graduates Kent State seeks a Dean who will take the pulse of the community and strive to meet their business and service needs. To create a vision and a planned approach toward reaching that vision for the campuses Kent State seeks a creative and strategic thinker to lead the campus in growth. To lead a willing and engaged faculty Kent State seeks an academic leader who will energize and empower faculty to offer extraordinary teaching and research guidance to students. To raise friends and funds to enhance the footprint of the campuses Kent State seeks a seasoned fund and friend raiser to meet the goals of physical expansion and increased program impact To advocate for the campuses, both in the communities served and within the university Kent State seeks a champion for the campus and its mission of service to the community. Desired Leadership Attributes A visionary who is a strategic thinker A commitment to the mission of a regional campus and the area it serves A competent and clear communicator and listener A skilled and collegial manager, willing to delegate A community builder A courageous and honest person, who is both enthusiastic and caring 2
Minimum Qualifications Terminal degree with faculty experience 8-9 years of progressively responsible experience in program development, marketing, budget, personnel Academic record sufficient to qualify for faculty appointment at senior rank Knowledge of university structure Knowledge of enrollment management best practices, including retention initiatives Extensive written and interpersonal communication skills Kent State University Since its founding as a teacher training school in 1910, Kent State has become an engine for economic, cultural and workforce development in northeast Ohio and beyond. The university has grown into one of Ohio s premier public universities. The university offers more than 200 global education opportunities at its campuses in Florence, Italy, and Geneva; centers in China and India; as well as partnerships with 60 institutes and universities across the globe. Kent State is proud of its outstanding faculty and staff, students, collaborative culture, exceptional academic and research orientation, and strong commitment to engagement, academic excellence and diversity. The university offers more than 282 associate and baccalaureate degree programs. Kent State serves the state, the nation, and the world through 165 graduate programs and has earned acclaim for applying new knowledge to address the needs of the communities it serves through a vast array of continuing education and workforce development programs. Kent State University at Geauga is part of the university s eight-campus system, which makes Kent State the third largest university on Ohio. After a significant increase in enrollment due to the recession, enrollment at the regional campuses has adjusted to the current economic climate and is in line with its expected enrollment under normal conditions. Kent State Geauga and the Regional Academic Center The Kent State University Regional Campuses advance Northeast Ohio by providing open access to a major university education. The campuses are key intellectual resources for social diversity, cultural enrichment, and economic development. The Kent State Geauga Campus is one of eight regional campuses within the Kent State University system and is strategically and conveniently 3
located on 87 acres of land in the approximate geographic center of Geauga County offering a private school approach to education at an affordable public price, close to home and work. Kent State University at Geauga The campus was originally named the Geauga County Academic Center, and was established in an outreach effort to communities for increasing degree options to students graduating from high school. Originally housed at West Geauga High School, the school offered basic LER (Liberal Education Requirement) classes in the evening for Associate degrees programs only. In its first semester in the fall of 1964, there were eight classes and 119 students. With year after year of steady enrollment growth and increased academic offerings, the administration envisioned a need to establish daytime classes. Due to the unavailability of classroom space during the day at the high school, in 1967 a Day School was established in Chardon, Ohio, with 82 students enrolled. The administration recognized the urgency for Kent State to establish itself in the heart of Geauga County after a study showed significant increases in residential and school population coupled with Geauga County s open land and industrial development. In 1969, with the help of the advisory board and tremendous support from the community and area businesses, the vision came to life. Several sites were considered, with the final decision to accept 87 acres of property that was donated by B. J. Shanower. The campus strategically made its permanent home in the approximate geographic center of Geauga County in Burton, Ohio, located next to the Geauga County fairgrounds. The Twinsburg Connection As Geauga experienced continued success, in 1991 the Twinsburg opportunity was born. Here again, administration filled a need, offering Chrysler Stamping Plant employees an opportunity to take classes using one classroom at the Old School in the center of Twinsburg. With the support of the Geauga Campus, Twinsburg began to experience steady growth and in Fall 2012 moved into a new facility. The Kent State Regional Academic Center is a state-of-the-art facility located at the intersection of I-480 and Rt. 91 in Twinsburg, Ohio, serving students from a fourcounty area. 4
Together, Kent State Geauga and the Regional Academic Center serve a diverse student body of over 2,500 students. Kent State at Geauga and the Regional Academic Center at Twinsburg are committed to providing a superior education for a diverse student population in a creative learning environment preparing students to participate fully in society. Fifteen degrees are offered between Kent State Geauga and the Regional Academic Center, including seven baccalaureate degrees and the Master of Technology. In addition, students in the College of Public Health attend classes offered at the Regional Academic Center leading to a Master of Public Health degree in health policy management. Kent State offers 282 baccalaureate degrees that can be started at Kent State Geauga and the Regional Academic Center and completed at the Kent Campus. In addition, Kent State Geauga offers a suite of online offerings to accommodate the diverse student population, all taught by QM-certified instructors. Academic Programs Associate Degrees Applied Business Accounting Technology Business Management Technology Computer Technology Applied Science Nursing (ADN) Nursing (Paramedic to ADN-RN) Nursing (LPN to ADN) Associate of Arts Associate of Science Bachelor s Degrees Business Administration Business Management Integrative Studies Middle Childhood Education Nursing (BSN) Nursing (RN to BSN) Psychology Technical and Applied Studies 5
Advisory Board The purpose of the Kent State University Geauga Advisory Board is to represent the interests of both the local community and Kent State University in the overall development of higher educational programs for the campus service area. Specifically, the board is established to assist the university and community to understand better local educational needs and opportunities. The board interprets the role and mission of the local campus to the community. It promotes the goals and objectives of both the campus and the university and assists in the development of those resources necessary for the campus to carry out its educational mission, especially the financial resources necessary to meet the ever-increasing costs of higher education. Finally, the board encourages and provides educational, political and other assistance as appropriate for the campus and university to accomplish their educational objectives. Geauga County, Ohio Geauga County is just 30 miles from Cleveland and is primarily rural and suburban. It is home to the fourth largest Amish community in the world and home to many small industries. It offers a pleasant and yet accessible lifestyle. In 2008, it was rated as the fourth best place to live in the country. There are world-class healthcare facilities within easy reach and welcoming communities within a short distance of the campus. Twinsburg, Ohio Twinsburg is suburban, residential city located in Summit County, Ohio, between Akron and Cleveland. The city of Twinsburg has frequently been ranked in CNN Money Magazine s Best Places to Live and Cleveland Magazine s Rating the Suburbs. 6
Application Process In order to receive full consideration, applications should be received by November 13, 2015, and include a substantive letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and a list of at least five professional references with email addresses and phone numbers. All nominations, inquiries and applications will be confidential until finalists are identified for campus interviews, at which time names and curriculum vitae of a finalist may become public. Nominations and applications must be submitted electronically in MSWord or Adobe PDF to kentstategeauga@agbsearch.com. Assisting Kent State University in this search: Dr. Louise H. Feroe, AGB Search 1133 20 th St. NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20036 lhf@agbsearch.com p: 914-475-2105 Kent State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer EOE/AA/M/F/DIS/VET 7