Dean, School of Education

Vanguard University

Summary

Position Description and Application Instructions

The Dean of the School of Education serves as the chief academic and administrative officer, and as the key ambassador for Vanguard University's School of Education, and therefore is responsible for all educational and operational activities of the School of Education, across traditional undergraduate, non-traditional, and graduate educational programs. The Dean leads the vision and strategy for the School of Education, leading the faculty and staff of the school in fulfilling Vanguard University's mission and pursuing its vision, and continually advancing the school forward in educational impact and innovative growth borne of a collaborative, healthy faculty and staff culture. The Dean will hold an appointment as Administrative Faculty, reports to the Provost Vice President of Academic Affairs, and serves as a member of the Academic Leadership Council (the Provost's senior leadership team).

Vanguard University's programs in education have long been highly regarded in Orange County and beyond. The School of Education holds a deeply-held vision to equip teachers and educational leaders to bring love and wisdom to classrooms and schools so that students, families, and communities are empowered to flourish. Indeed, this vision is consistent with mission and values of Vanguard University, a Hispanic-Serving Institution with a highly diverse student body (approximately 2/3 students of color). By championing education for love and wisdom, Vanguard's School of Education seeks to become the leading provider of Christ-centered preparation of teachers and educational leaders in Orange County and our broader region.

Guided by Vanguard's strategic plan and Ascend 2030: Our Strategic Plan for Academic Renewal, and continuing momentum developed over the last three years under the leadership of Dean Jeff Hittenberger, PhD, the Dean of the School of Education leads the faculty and staff of the School of Education in fulfilling the School's mission and pursuing its vision, continually advancing the School forward in educational impact, internal health, and innovative growth. In an increasingly complex and challenging environment for educators serving Pre-K-12 schools, the Dean will led the School of Education to continue to a) build on its stellar reputation and expand its name and standing across the Southern California educational community, b) strengthen and expand relationships with school districts, schools and educators across Orange County and the State of California, c) innovate new, creative programs that will spur enrollment growth and serve the future of education, and d) educate students at every level with love and wisdom. Working internally within the School of Education, the Dean will demonstrate leadership by cultivating a first-class faculty and engaging strategic planning and program development to ensure mission-aligned and market-responsive programs that align with Vanguard's identity as a Christ-centered institution preparing students for Spirit-empowered life of Christ-centered leadership and service. Working with key external constituencies as an ambassador, the Dean will cultivate relationships with educational leaders to extend the school's reach, enlarge the school's network, and expand institutional support.

Position begins July 1, 2026. Applications and nominations will be reviewed starting May 1, 2026, and the search process will continue until the position is filled.

Essential Functions

Chief Academic Officer for the School of Education [40%]:

• Provide strategic oversight of the School's academic programs and personnel in its undergraduate and graduate level education.
• Work with University leadership to continually develop and strengthen academic programming that is academically rigorous, standards-aligned, practically relevant, appropriately innovative, and affordable and accessible to future teachers and educational leaders.
• Advance innovation in academic programming through creative partnerships and continuous approaches to quality improvement.
• Ensure a top-notch faculty by providing leadership, supervision, mentoring, and coaching to faculty.
• Promote the integration of faith, learning, and living among faculty and students.
• Oversee accreditations, re-accreditations, program reviews, and ongoing educational assessment within the School.
• Model effective teaching and servant leadership by teaching up to 12 units a year in courses fitting the Dean's subject matter expertise.
  
  

Chief Administrative Officer for the School of Education| Member of Academic Leadership Council [40%]:

• In collaboration with the President, Provost, and faculty, develop a strategic plan for the School that identifies key priorities and commitments for the next season of the School.
• Serve on the Academic Leadership Council, working collaboratively with the deans of the other schools and colleges on academic strategy, academic culture, program development, joint teaching opportunities, and budget efficiencies toward the betterment of the University as a whole.
• Lead the School with an eye toward fiscal health, including achieving revenue targets, developing external funding from private donors and foundations, and effectively stewarding budget resources.
• Ensure the School of Education and academic program marketing aligns with the mission and ethos of Vanguard University.
• Serve as program director for academic program(s) as resources and faculty expertise dictates.
• Supervise directly staff and resident faculty within the School, and indirectly supervise part-time and adjunct faculty through Chairs and Program Directors.
• Recruit, develop, and supervise administration and staff within the College.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Provost Vice President of Academic Affairs.
  
  

Key Ambassador for the School of Education [20%]:

• Embody, promote, and articulate the mission, vision, and identity of Vanguard University.
• Serve as a key connection with both private schools (and networks) and local school districts, including board members, principals and educators, particularly Orange County and beyond in the SoCal area and across California and work to develop strategic partnerships.
• Partner with University Advancement to increase philanthropic and foundation support for education programs.
• Represent Vanguard University and the School of Education to key constituencies, including churches, schools, alumni, donors, peer institutions, and relevant scholarly societies, establishing effective relationships of trust and confidence with external constituencies to promote academic programs while representing the faculty and university.
• Provide a clear voice for education with love and wisdom for the School of Education on campus and around the world.
  
  

Application Process

Interested candidates must submit the following to the Sr. Director of Human Resources, Ken Bott, at ken.bott@vanguard.edu by 11:59 p.m. - Thursday, April 30, 2026.

Letter of Interest

Curriculum Vitae

• Colleges/universities attended, location, & degree or units earned.
• Majors or fields of study, undergrad and graduate majors, minors, and areas of concentration.
• With the most recent, a chronological listing of teaching experience - name and location of institutions, title/academic rank, full/part-time, dates of employment
• A specific listing of courses previously taught
• Publications, presentations, honors, awards, and memberships in professional organizations
• With the most recent employment, position/title, full/part-time, dates of employment
• Any other qualifying experience, paid/voluntary, other.
• Accompanying Essays
• Personal Testimony of Relationship with Jesus Christ: Please provide a brief account of your experience of coming to faith in Christ. Include current church attendance, ministry, outreach and service involvement, any experience you have had with the Assemblies of God or other Pentecostal churches.
• Philosophy of Christian Education and Role of a Christian University: Explain what you believe to be the elements essential to the educational theory and practice of a Christian University.
• Integration of Faith, Teaching and Scholarship: Explain how you integrate your faith with your discipline and in your teaching and scholarship.
  
  

References

Names, e-mail, and phone numbers of at least 3 people not related to you whom we may contact for an evaluation of your professional abilities.

Review of submissions will start on May 1, 2026. Those individuals determined to be best suited for the position will be asked to complete a formal application and will be invited to an interview.

Nominations for this position will also be accepted through Thursday, April 30, 2026. Employees may nominate an individual for this position by emailing ken.bott@vanguard.edu with the individual's name and a short explanation as to why she/he should be considered. The nominated individual will be contacted and encouraged to participate in the selection process.

Salary

This is a full-time FLSA exempt position.

Salary Range: $130,000 to $155,000 (Annual)

Placement within the salary range is commensurate upon education and experience. Posted salary range reflects anticipated hiring scale for the position. Placement at the upper range is reserved for those that demonstrate the highest level of education and experience necessary for this position. Vanguard University offers a generous benefit package.

To apply, please visit: https://recruiting.myapps.paychex.com/appone/MainInfoReq.asp?R_ID=7119992

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