Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS)

About This Role:

Kansas State University seeks a dynamic and experienced leader to serve as the next Betty L. Tointon Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences (HHS). The successful candidate must have the experience and vision to inspire, guide, and facilitate the College’s strong and diverse faculty and staff in the advancement of high-quality teaching, research, service, and extension while providing leadership that assures the integrity, excellence, relevance, and success of the College's multi-faceted programs for the 21st century.  The Dean reports directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President, Jesse Perez Mendez, and serves as a member of the Academic Leadership and Deans Councils.

This position is ideal for a cutting edge, learner-centric leader with a proven history of successful growth initiatives, strong partnership and collaboration skills, and results-focused leadership. The next Dean will be required to sustain and grow the College of HHS’s excellence in teaching, research, extension, and engagement; promote a team-oriented leadership approach; drive further development and growth in enrollment, disciplines, and degrees; and cultivate internal and external partnerships to propel advancement of the College’s new strategic plan goals and priorities. The Dean must embrace and understand how a range of thought and background among learners, faculty, administration, and staff works to strengthen academic programs and enrich the University community. 

The most successful candidates will have an earned terminal degree and a record of scholarship and teaching suitable for a tenured appointment as a full professor in one of the disciplines within the College of Health and Human Sciences or a closely related field. A strong record of academic administration is also preferred.

For more information about this opportunity, position expectations, and the local community view the executive profile. 

For information on how to apply or to submit nominations, please refer to the Search Process section.

About Us:

As part of Kansas State University, a comprehensive land-grant institution, the College of Health and Human Sciences is devoted to excellence in teaching, research, service, extension, and engagement. The College is fully committed to advancing the University’s land-grant mission and its vision to become a Next-Generation Land-Grant University.

The College of Health and Human Sciences has approximately 2,800 learners (graduate and undergraduate) and approximately 210 faculty and staff.  Home to 16 undergraduate and 19 graduate degree programs housed in the Schools of Human Sciences, Health Sciences, and Consumer Sciences as well as an interdisciplinary Center on Aging, we provide learners with the education and skills needed to make a meaningful impact in the holistic well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Please visit the college website for additional information regarding the College, its newly reorganized schools and their program offerings.

Worksite Options:

This position is required to be performed on-site. Work is performed on employer premises or designated assignment location.

What You’ll Need to Succeed:

Educational Requirements

• An earned doctorate in one of the disciplines represented in the College, or in a closely related field.

Required Competencies/Qualifications 

• A strong record of distinguished academic achievement in teaching, research, and/or extension which merits appointment as a tenured, full professor in one of the College's departments, with evidence of professional distinction and national or international recognition in their field.
• Proven success as an innovative, strategic, and empathetic leader with the ability to plan, coordinate, articulate, and execute a strategic vision and initiatives while engaging others.
• Demonstrated success as a strategic and creative planner and an outstanding collaborator and relationship builder with exceptional communication, emotional intelligence, and interpersonal skills.
• A proven record as a successful administrator with responsibility for guiding strategy, evaluating personnel, motivating faculty and staff, resource acquisition and allocation, engaging external constituencies, and fostering inclusive teamwork to create collaborative relationships across varying groups. 
• Demonstrated success in fund development, external fundraising, and financial management. 
• A demonstrated understanding of and commitment to all aspects of a land-grant mission, including teaching, research, extension, and engagement.

Preferred Competencies/Qualifications

• A working knowledge of programs which require external clinical or experiential learning and/or the programmatic accreditation process.
• An appreciation for the college’s people, programs, mission, and vision.
• A proven ability to develop and implement successful interdisciplinary and/or international programs.
• A proven ability to initiate, lead, and facilitate transformational change and innovation initiatives, be adaptable with changing conditions, and comfortable with the ambiguity that accompanies a large public university.
• A firm grasp of the opportunities and advantages of a land-grant university with R1 status.
• A history of building, enhancing, and sustaining partnerships across a university, local communities, state, region, and nation.
• Understanding of and effective use of shared governance to achieve college and university-wide goals.

Other Requirements:

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States at the time of employment.

Search Process:

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile.

WittKieffer is assisting Kansas State University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by December 2, 2024.

Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to:

Sandra Chu and Corin Edwards, K-StateDeanHHS@wittkieffer.com

Screening of Applications Begins:

For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by December 2, 2024.

Anticipated Hiring Pay Range:

Commensurate with experience