Dean of Undergraduate Education

Role of the Dean of Undergraduate Education
The Dean of Undergraduate Education leads the Office of Undergraduate Education ( OUE) in fulfilling its mission to promote student success for all undergraduates through enriching and varied experiences that foster academic mastery, world readiness, and self-advocacy. The Office strives to eliminate barriers to student success, expand access to transformative programs and opportunities, and nurture students' personal growth and sense of community on campus. OUE consists of 55 full-time staff and employs more than 200 students, and in such, ensures program and staff practice accountability, treats students and colleagues with respect, and fosters environments of compassion, autonomy, and trust.

Professional Qualifications and Personal Qualities
The successful candidate must have a record of significant leadership in an academic setting, a demonstrated commitment to university service, and a history of undergraduate teaching. This individual must have an earned doctoral degree and be qualified for a tenured appointment in one of UT Dallas' seven teaching schools.

Additionally, the successful candidate should have:

* The necessary leadership skills to oversee a diverse set of units and programs and nurture a collaborative, team-oriented environment.
* Strong financial and personnel management skills.
* An understanding of an evolving higher education environment and engagement in national conversations on undergraduate education through organizations such as the American Association of Colleges and Universities ( AAC&U), Association for Undergraduate Education at Research Universities ( UERU), or Association for Public and Land Grant Universities ( APLU).
* A leadership approach that is adaptable and nimble.
* The ability to effectively promote innovation and change across an institution.
* A data-informed approach to strategic planning.
* The ability to build strong relationships with students, faculty, staff, and leadership across the University.
* Strong communication skills and the ability to effectively represent and advocate for the Office of Undergraduate Education to internal and external constituents.
* The ability to engage in fundraising and effectively steward philanthropic gifts.

The Dean oversees significant administrative functions and leads the provision of services provided by a large portfolio of programs within the Office's holistic student success framework. The programs support more than 12,000 students each academic year, including retention, persistence, completion, academic achievement, belonging, and post-graduation outcomes. OUE programming includes:

* Student Success Center
* Pre-Law Advising Center
* Health Professions Advising Center
* Student Outreach and Academic Retention advising
* Exploratory advising
* Graduation Help Desk
* Comet Cents
* Comet Cupboard
* First-Generation Student Programs
* Freshman Mentor Program
* Transfer Mentor Program
* First-Year Leader Program
* Service honors
* Undergraduate research initiatives
* Academic Bridge Program
* Undergraduate Success Scholars
* Nebula Scholars
* Comet Scholars
* Texas Leadership Scholars

Other OUE areas include the OUE Student Success Data Team, which administers multiple large-scale surveys to inform recruitment and critical components of the student experience; a central office administrative team; administration of multiple faculty, staff, and student awards; college readiness initiatives; and incoming student TSI and ALEKS math placement. The Dean is responsible for ensuring financial stewardship of more than $12 million in institutional funds, gifts, and endowments.

Leaders from OUE support and lead a variety of strategic initiatives, including the in-progress implementation of an enterprise CRM to support undergraduates throughout the student lifecycle and establish partnerships with individual faculty and departments across the University. OUE has a vitally important structural relationship with the Office of the Registrar, working cooperatively to ensure the consistency of catalog, grading, and degree requirements with student academic records. Likewise, the Dean collaborates with the Office of Admissions and Enrollment Operations to support strategic enrollment management functions, such as student success-oriented yield efforts and collecting and sharing relevant data to inform retention and persistence initiatives. The OUE collaborates with partners from the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, and the Dean supports and engages in significant fundraising and grant writing activities. In addition to sustaining other critical partnerships with units like the Division of Student Affairs, the core functions of this role require regularly delivering presentations, writing reports, and facilitating a high volume of meetings.

The Dean of Undergraduate Education has a primary leadership role in the University for ensuring the quality and effective functioning of undergraduate education. The Dean, serving as Chair of the Council for Undergraduate Education, works closely with academic Deans and the Associate Deans for Undergraduate Education of the seven UT Dallas schools, together with faculty, and in cooperation with the Committee on Educational Policy and the Faculty Senate, on academic policies and procedures. The Dean is responsible for the undergraduate catalog and administers undergraduate policies and processes appeals for policy exceptions.

The Dean also serves as an ex officio member of several committees related to a variety of topic areas such as effective teaching, educational technology, student success, accessibility, athletics, and international education. The Dean serves as a key representative of and spokesperson for UT Dallas at many external local functions and on many official statewide committees, particularly those constituted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and The University of Texas System. Finally, the Dean will work in close collaboration with the future Vice Provost for Academic Success and Innovation to enhance the academic environment for undergraduate students and with the Associate Provost for Curricular Services and the accreditation liaison to ensure compliance with accreditation standards for new and revised academic programs established by The University of Texas System, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges ( SACSCOC).

The Dean reports to the Provost, is a member of the Deans' Caucus, and provides direct supervision, support, and performance evaluation of the Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Advising, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Education, Business Manager of Undergraduate Education, Software Systems Specialist IV, Director of the Academic Bridge Program, Assistant Director of the Comet Scholars Program, and Assistant to the Dean of Undergraduate Education.

The position of Dean of Undergraduate Education is a full-time, twelve-month administrative appointment. As such, classroom teaching, research, and scholarship are not required during service as Dean, although they are not actively discouraged if limited to a level that is consistent with the demands of the Office.

About University of Texas at Dallas
Overview
One of nine prestigious academic universities and five health institutions within The University of Texas System, UT Dallas is a top public research university located in one of the nation's fastest-growing metropolitan regions. Its seven schools offer more than 140 undergraduate and graduate programs, plus professional certificates and fast-track programs. The student body is 30,000 strong, reflecting students from over 100 countries and a multiplicity of identities and experiences. Over 65% of undergraduate students receive some form of need- or merit-based financial aid, and 66% of graduating seniors have no student debt compared to 48% in Texas and 32% in the nation (2021 TICAS report). The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education classifies UT Dallas as an R1 Institution - a classification reserved for doctoral institutions with the highest research activity.

UT Dallas is committed to graduating well-rounded members of the global community whose education has prepared them for rewarding lives and productive careers in a constantly changing world. A diversity of people, ideas, and perspectives is crucial to the University's vision and mission. UT Dallas is a place where members of the community from all backgrounds are welcomed, treated fairly, and encouraged in their pursuit of excellence.

The University has a variety of programs and initiatives to support engagement and success for all members of the campus community. Employee benefits include a range of physical and mental wellness resources. "LilyPad" lactation facilities are located throughout the campus. There are several Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) comprised of individuals who share common interests to help build community among UT Dallas faculty and staff (e.g., Universal Access ERG, Military and Veteran ERG, UT Dallas Young Professionals).

Rich with visual and performing arts venues, museum districts, professional and semi-professional athletics teams, botanical gardens, accessible trails, and so much more, the Dallas-Fort Worth ( DFW) metroplex has something for everyone to explore. UT Dallas partners with regional higher education institutions and school districts and with the Richardson Innovation Quarter (Richardson IQ), a major hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and educational activities.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a letter of interest and a CV or resume. WittKieffer is assisting The University of Texas at Dallas in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by March 21, 2025. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer's candidate portal.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Ryan Crawford, Julia Bradley, and Jenna Brumleve at UTD-UndergradDean@wittkieffer.com.

1) All employees serve as a representative of the University and are expected to display respect, civility, professional courtesy, consideration of others and discretion in all interactions with members of the UT Dallas community and the general public.

2) The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to providing an educational, living, and working environment that is welcoming, respectful, and inclusive of all members of the university community. UT Dallas does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its services, programs, activities, employment, and education, including in admission and enrollment. The University is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request reasonable accommodation in the employment application and interview process, contact the ADA Coordinator . For inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies, contact the Title IX Coordinator.