Dean of Research and Graduate Studies

About Arkansas Tech:

Founded in 1909, Arkansas Tech University is a comprehensive public institution with a rich history, holding the distinction of being the fourth largest in the state and currently rated #1 in Student Mobility.

Located in Russellville, ATU is dedicated to student success, access, and excellence as a responsive campus community providing opportunities for progressive intellectual development and civic engagement. Embracing and expanding upon its technological traditions, ATU inspires and empowers community members to achieve their goals while striving for the betterment of Arkansas, the nation, and the world.

Arkansas Tech serves approximately 9,500 students (8,750 undergraduate and 750 graduate) through its campuses in Russellville and Ozark. ATU’s main Russellville campus offers a vast array of undergraduate programs of study and more than 20 graduate degree options across the colleges of Arts and Humanities, Business and Economic Development, Education and Health, and STEM. Oversight for all graduate programs is housed within the separate Graduate College.

ATU’s 559-acre campus is small enough to offer students individual attention yet large enough to provide a quality education. Its graduation rate is among the highest in the state and region. With a student-faculty ratio of 18:1, more than 40% of classes are fewer than 20 students.

Regarding social mobility, ATU is ranked No. 1 in Arkansas and nationally among the top five percent of institutions providing students with access to an enhanced socioeconomic status after graduation. The university boasts a vibrant and varied student life, offering more than 100 Registered Student Organizations representing various interests: Academic/Professional, Fine Arts, Fraternity/Sorority, Honorary, Multicultural, Recreational, Religious, Special Interest, and Student Governance.

Among its many accomplishments, the university has increased new gifts and pledges to the Arkansas Tech University Foundation by more than 300 percent, from $2.5 million in 2015-16 to $9.5 million in 2019-22. In 2021, the university received a gift of $6.1 million to establish the Bibler Scholarship Endowment. In 2022, the university received a $5.2 million grant from the Miller family to develop the Center for Global Studies. ATU is the leading university in Arkansas for Arkansans enrolled in STEM, and since 2019, it has been the host institution for the prestigious Arkansas Governor’s School.

ATU’s athletic teams, the Wonder Boys and Golden Suns, compete in 10 NCAA Division II sports and are five-time Great American Conference All-Sports Trophy winners (2012-16). The men’s golf team secured the National Championship in 2021. The university also offers strong intramural and club sports programs. For more information about the University, visit http://www.atu.edu.

Position Summary:

Arkansas Tech University invites applications and nominations for the Dean of Research and Graduate Studies position with an expected start date of January 2023. This position reports to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and includes a substantial benefits package, including retirement, healthcare, dental, vacation accrual, and many others.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Research:

Integrate research and scholarship into the overall ATU experience

Update research compliance/oversight policies, procedures, and resources

Promote a wide-ranging definition of scholarship inclusive of all disciplines

Enhance opportunities to engage in scholarship and research

Graduate Studies:

Recruit and retain high-quality graduate students through innovative marketing strategies and internal mechanisms

Enhance data collection to improve understanding of graduate programs, graduate students, research/scholarship endeavors, recruitment, and predictive analytics

Enhance the quality and rigor of graduate programs by integrating best practices in graduate education.

Support the development of new graduate programs and the growth of existing graduate programs

Provide essential student services and academic support tailored to graduate students

Build External Bridges and Broaden Institutional Visibility:

Create avenues that encourage cross-discipline collaboration

Expand partnerships with organizations, industry, and other colleges and universities, domestic and international

Develop mutually beneficial programs and partnerships that connect faculty/student expertise and research interests with community and state needs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

An earned doctorate from an accredited institution with a record of achievement as a university teacher-scholar (must qualify for appointment at the rank of full professor in one of the disciplines of the college)

Administrative experience in higher education and/or public education

Ability to provide visionary leadership for the college

Evidence of successful managerial competencies

Appreciation and use of technology in supporting college operations and curriculum initiatives

A successful record of collaboration within the university setting and external to the university

Ability to work successfully within the P-20 environment

A history of success with assessment and accreditation efforts

Ability to advocate for faculty and students

Ability to support alternative modes of delivery, ie: on-line

Demonstrated ability to interact with diverse groups and populations

Minimum Requirements:

The successful candidate will hold a terminal degree in one of the fields represented by Arkansas Tech University's Graduate College and will receive tenure in the appropriate department with their initial contract.

The candidate will have leadership experience as an academic dean, assistant dean, graduate coordinator, or department head/chairperson at a regional comprehensive university, with a record of graduate program growth, program development, increased academic quality, pedagogical innovation, external funding opportunities, and online delivery.

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated evidence of supporting excellence in teaching, scholarship, professional activity and community service

Demonstrated commitment to the development of innovative teaching and instructional technologies

Ability to envision new opportunities for the college

Evidence of successfully engaging and developing external relationships that effectively build an infrastructure of fundraising and resource enhancement for program support and growth

Experience in providing oversight to graduate programs

Experience with providing oversight for student teachers and interns

Proven success in student recruitment and retention

Demonstrated success in teaching and assessment practices

Evidence of working with community, public/private/charter schools and industry partners to enhance the educational experience for students

Evidence of securing significant research/foundation/state/national level grants

Work Location, Environment, and Physical Demands:

This position is located in the Crabaugh Building, room 214.

This position is assigned a desk, computer and phone.

Activities include ability to prioritize assignments, work nights and weekends, and travel within the state to attend relevant meetings.

This position is assigned a desk, computer and phone.

Activities are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding, and manipulating a computer mouse (80%); required to stand for varying lengths of time and walk moderate distances to perform work (10%).

Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing and pulling up to 25 pounds (10%).

Regular use of standard office equipment including, but not limited to: computer workstation/laptop (keyboard, monitor, mouse), printer, fax, calculator, copier, telephone and associated computer/technology peripherals.

Regular activities require ability to quickly change priorities which may include and/or are subject to resolution of conflicts.

Frequent interruptions and irregularities in the work schedule with early morning, evening and/or weekend work may be required.

Environment is considered a high stress level relative to the case load received.

To be considered for the position of Dean of Research and Graduate Studies, all applications must be received and processed through our applicant tracking system Cornerstone prior to the closing date on September 29, 2023, before 6:00 pm central time.

Please go to https://atu.csod.com/ats/careersite/search.aspx?site=1&c=atu to apply now.

This position is subject to a pre-employment criminal background check. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

Arkansas Tech University is an AA/EOE employer committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.