Associate Dean Position Profile

Wayne State University invites applications and nominations for the Associate Dean position in the School of Information Sciences (SIS). Reporting to the Dean of the School of Information Sciences and the Wayne State University Library System (ULS), this is a unique leadership opportunity for an experienced, nationally recognized leader to help grow the School and to provide oversight for its academic programs. It is also an exciting time at Wayne State University, which is Michigan's premier urban research university located in the Cultural Center and Midtown""the epicenter of Detroit's renaissance. Wayne State University has a strong urban commitment and has 29,000 full and part-time students.

The School of Information Sciences (SIS) is home to two master's degrees: a master's in Library and Information Science (LIS) that is fully accredited by the American Library Association (ALA); and a new master's in Information Management (IM). As a leader in online graduate programs in the country, the School is an exemplar of exceptional online instruction at Wayne State University. Faculty research and teaching span numerous specialties including: Health Informatics, Data Analytics, Archives, Human Computer Interaction, History of Libraries and Information, School Library Media, Public Library Services to Children and Young Adults, Data Curation and Web Architecture. The School is a member of the iSchools consortium with a large student enrollment of students from 37 states, four provinces of Canada among other countries such as Hong Kong and New Zealand. For more information about the School of Information Sciences, please visit our website at http://sis.wayne.edu.

Along with the Dean of ULS and the SIS faculty, the successful candidate will lead the School as we build on existing strengths and create an exciting, sustainable vision for the School's degree programs. The Associate Dean will influence library leadership as a member of the Dean's Leadership Council, build strong working relationships with campus departments, facilitate new collaborations, expand joint programs with other colleges, and develop entrepreneurial ideas that support services which benefit both units as well as the university.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Associate Dean oversees the management of the School, guides its strategic planning; seeks to enhance and manage its resources; provides leadership in outreach efforts; provides student services; fosters excellence in teaching and research; encourages interdisciplinary activities; and teaches one class per year in either fall or winter semesters. As part of overseeing the School's annual budget, the Associate Dean will operate under a new budget model termed responsibility centered management (RCM). The Associate Dean will pursue and encourage innovative use of technology in teaching and learning, increase campus-wide support for online teaching.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Based on the expected future directions for the School, the new Associate Dean should have:

  • Earned doctorate and extensive record of scholarly achievement in LIS/IS or a related field;
  • Demonstrated success in grant writing and generating research funding;
  • Evidence of excellent teaching skills; significant involvement in graduate education with qualifications for tenure at the rank of full or associate professor;
  • Recent administrative experience in an information school, library or information organization, preferably at a university level;
  • Demonstrated commitment to shared governance;
  • Ability to advance the School through fundraising;
  • Knowledge of higher education trends;
  • An appreciation for the service role of an urban institution;
  • Experience teaching in an online environment;
  • A demonstrated commitment to diversity and diversifying the faculty and the student body within the information professions;
  • Have demonstrated innovative thinking and creative ways to generate resources to support vision implementation through entrepreneurship and;
  • Have demonstrated outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, working in teams, and ability to work across organizational boundaries to achieve goals.

DESIRED knowledge and skills include:

  • Experience working in an urban environment or university and commitment to urban libraries;
  • Demonstrated commitment to shared governance;
  • Have demonstrated success at mentoring and promoting faculty;
  • Demonstrated success in working with alumni and donors to enhance programs and funding; and;
  • Demonstrated success working with student affairs and administrative services offices in the University.

THE CAMPUS AND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES:

Wayne State University is located in the heart of Detroit's Cultural Center, the home of renowned museums, galleries and theaters, most within walking distance. The WSU main campus encompasses 203 acres of beautifully landscaped walkways and gathering spots, linking 100 education and research buildings. The University Library System includes Public Services, Shiffman Medical Library, Arthur Neef Law Library, Library Computing & Media Services, Office for Teaching & Learning, Collections & Scholarly Communications, UGE 1000, School of Information Sciences, Detroit Area Library Network (DALNET) and Library Administrative Services. For more information, please visit: http://www.lib.wayne.edu/

SALARY AND BENEFITS:

Salary and rank to be determined commensurately with qualifications and experience. The university offers an array of outstanding benefits including dental and health care plan options, TIAA-CREF or Fidelity, tuition assistance for employees and family, relocation assistance and liberal vacation allowance.

APPLICATION:

For best consideration, please apply by Feb. 15, 2019. Wayne State University's ON-LINE HIRING SYSTEM is where the application will need to be submitted including a complete resume or CV, letter of interest, and contact information for at least three professional references. Please visit the WSU jobs website to apply - posting number 044136. Please direct questions about the position to the chair of the SIS Associate Dean Search Committee, Dr. Kafi Kumasi at ak4901@wayne.edu.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION are woven into our mission and our strategic plan. We value all people and understand that their unique experiences, talents and perspectives make us a stronger organization and better individuals. We strive to make this campus a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone. Wayne State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

OUR MISSION: We will create and advance knowledge, prepare a diverse student body to thrive, and positively impact local and global communities.
OUR VISION: We will be a pre-eminent, public, urban research university known for academic and research excellence, success across a diverse student body, and meaningful engagement in its urban community.

OUR VALUES: While our vision and mission show where we want to go, our values guide us on the way. They cut across organizational boundaries, bind us culturally, and permeate our strategic and tactical initiatives. They are the defining traits of the Wayne State community.

COLLABORATION: When we work together, drawing upon various talents and perspectives, we achieve better results.
INTEGRITY: We keep our word, live up to our commitments and are accountable to ourselves and each other.

INNOVATION: We are unafraid to try new things and learn by both failure and success.
EXCELLENCE: We strive for the highest quality outcomes in everything we do.

Learn more about what defines Wayne State and explore our 2016-21 strategic plan, Distinctively Wayne State University (https://strategicplan.wayne.edu/download/strategic-plan.pdf).

As an urban research university celebrating 150 years in the heart of Detroit, WSU is one of the three major research universities that make up the Michigan University Research Corridor. Among these research institutions, WSU is the most diverse campus and the only one with Carnegie Foundation designation for both research intensiveness and community engagement. Just finishing a successful capital campaign, Wayne State is poised for growth and influence and becoming even more integral to the overall economy in Southeast Michigan.

WSU is located two miles north of downtown in Detroit's Midtown cultural center; with easy access to the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit Symphony, the Detroit Opera House, numerous museums, and professional basketball, baseball, football and hockey venues. Wayne State is also within two miles of Canadian border crossings to Windsor, Ontario. For more information,
visit https://wayne.edu/about/detroit.

Please visit the WSU jobs website to apply - posting number 044136.