Dean Undergraduate Studies - Undergraduate Studies

TITLE

Dean of Undergraduate Studies

JOB SUMMARY

The Dean of Undergraduate Studies reports to the provost and provides strategic leadership to ensure academic excellence, broad access to opportunity, and continuous improvement in undergraduate programs. The Dean collaborates closely with academic deans, faculty, and staff to support curriculum development and review, enhance general education, and foster a cohesive, supportive undergraduate learning environment. A key responsibility of the Dean is to work with undergraduate programs and Academic Assessment to embed and assess workforce readiness skills - such as AI literacy, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork - throughout the undergraduate curriculum. The Dean plays a leadership role in preparing students for lifelong learning and success in a rapidly evolving world. The Dean coordinates the activities of the Undergraduate Council and Curriculum Committee, collaborates with faculty governance bodies, and represents the institution on system and statewide committees related to undergraduate education. The Dean works in close partnership with the Vice Provost for Student Success, who oversees academic advising and other student success functions, to align academic and co-curricular strategies that support student persistence, retention, and timely graduation.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to: Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Supervises: First-Year Experience staff; First Year Seminar Coordinator; Assistant to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies; Director of Transfer and Compliance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES - May include, but not limited to the following:

• Provide vision and leadership for undergraduate academic programs and policies.

• Collaborates with Academic Assessment on the development, implementation, and assessment of the general education curriculum.

• Work with academic colleges and departments to implement best practices in teaching, curriculum innovation, retention, and student success.

• Support undergraduate programs in embedding and assessing workforce readiness skills, such as critical thinking, communication, collaboration, cultural competence, and AI literacy, across the curriculum.

• Promote excellence in undergraduate teaching in collaboration with the Center for Faculty Success by fostering faculty development, collaboration, and pedagogical innovation.

• Collaborate extensively with the Vice Provost for Student Success to align academic priorities with advising, mentoring, and student support programs.

• Coordinate the development and implementation of undergraduate academic policy, including review of student petitions and exceptions.

• Lead the Undergraduate Council and Curriculum Committee and work with faculty governance structures on curriculum, assessment, and educational policy.

• Serve as a liaison to the Office of the Registrar to ensure consistency in academic policy, degree requirements, catalog management, and grading practices.

• Partner with Enrollment Management on strategic enrollment efforts and data-informed yield, retention, and completion initiatives.

• Collaborate with Institutional Research and other units to administer and use institutional surveys and data tools to improve the undergraduate experience.

• Represent the university in external academic and policy conversations, including those sponsored by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

• Lead the First-Year Experience staff and manage related budgets and initiatives.

• Promote inclusive excellence and student belonging across undergraduate programs.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Performs other duties as requested.

EDUCATION

Earned doctorate in an academic discipline represented at TWU.

EXPERIENCE

*A record of teaching, scholarship, and service consistent with appointment at the rank of full professor.

*Demonstrated leadership in undergraduate education, curriculum innovation, and student success.

*Experience collaborating with faculty governance and developing academic policies.

*Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in higher education.

*Experience with data-informed decision-making and student success assessment strategies.

*Five or more years of progressively responsible academic administrative experience preferred.

REQUIREMENT

Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.

All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - The following are essential:

*Knowledge of undergraduate curriculum design, general education, and learning outcomes assessment.

*Knowledge of best practices for integrating and assessing workforce readiness competencies, including AI literacy.

*Knowledge of state, system, and accreditation policies related to undergraduate education.

*Ability to lead and implement academic innovation in a shared governance environment.

*Skill in strategic planning, team leadership, and budget management.

*Ability to use institutional data and survey findings to drive continuous improvement.

*Strong interpersonal and communication skills for working across units and representing the university externally.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described in the Essential Duties and below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The employee may be required to travel occasionally work evenings and weekends.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment.

SAFETY

TWU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources and Risk Management within 24 hours of the incident.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Texas Woman's University, an AA/EEO employer, provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected category, class or characteristic.

All offers of employment will be contingent on the candidate's ability to provide documents which establish proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Positions at Texas Woman's University deemed security-sensitive require background checks and verification of all academic credentials.

If you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Under HB 558, enacted by the 76th Texas State Legislature, if you are currently of the age and gender requiring registration with Selective Service, but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for employment with an agency in any branch of Texas state government. For additional information regarding registration or status, you can contact the Selective Service System at 847-688-6888 or www.sss.gov.