What are the responsibilities and job description for the V.P./Academic Dean position at Garrett Seminary?
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, an ecumenical graduate theological school related to the United Methodist Church located in Evanston, IL on the campus of Northwestern University, invites nominations and expressions of interest for the position of Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean.
The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean (the Dean) will join Garrett at an exciting time of change and growth as the Seminary implements the ambitious and transformative GarrettNext strategic plan. The Seminary will also soon celebrate its 175th anniversary and the launch of a major capital campaign. The Dean will play a central role in shaping and implementing this dynamic strategic direction by providing innovative educational, intellectual, and administrative leadership for Garrett’s diverse faculty and student body, thus enabling Garrett to achieve its vision and live into its mission to prepare courageous leaders in the way of Jesus who cultivate communities of justice, compassion, and hope.
As the chief academic officer, the Dean will work closely with the President of the Seminary and the senior leadership team, to lead a world-class faculty in preparing future religious leaders and scholars, organizational and movement leaders, artists and community organizers whose work will lead to the “thriving of the Church and the healing of the world.”
The successful candidate will be an experienced administrator and have at least 3—5 years of experience in higher and/or theological education. They will be a highly regarded teacher and accomplished scholar who will provide leadership and management for all academic programming, infusing the intellectual and academic life of the seminary with dynamism and vision for meeting the needs of students and the partner churches and organizations students will lead. Responsibilities include leading curriculum and course planning, student and program assessment and degree evaluation, and faculty development around curriculum and teaching and learning in multiple modalities.
The successful candidate will have an earned doctoral degree. They will bring proficiency in best practices in educational policies and trends in higher and theological education and will be a person of faith who is comfortable speaking about their Christian commitments and has strong connections to a Christian community’s structures and programs.
The Dean will also serve as a member of Garrett’s faculty, with the possibility of tenure as determined in the review process. They will be encouraged to continue their research and teaching, contributing to the curricular and formational life of the Seminary from their position as an administrator, scholar, and teacher.
Those interested in the role may submit:
- A cover letter detailing their interest in the role and why they feel they would be a strong match;
- A current Curriculum Vita
- Three professional references and their contact information
Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the role is filled. Inquiries can be directed to President Javier A. Viera (president.office@garrett.edu).
Founded in 1851 and beginning operations in 1853, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary (www.garrett.edu) serves more than 400 students in degree, certificate, and licensing programs from many denominations and cultural backgrounds, fostering an atmosphere of ecumenical interaction. Garrett-Evangelical prepares courageous leaders in the way of Jesus, who cultivate communities of justice, compassion, and hope. Programs include master of divinity, master of arts, master of theological studies, doctor of philosophy and doctor of ministry degrees, as well as several certification programs, course of study programs, and lifelong learning programs. Its 4,500 alumni serve churches, organizations, and civil society in a wide range of professions around the world.
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary does not discriminate, or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, marital status, age, disability, citizenship, veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification prohibited by law in admissions, recruitment, financial aid, employment, housing, services, or in its educational programs or activities.