Job Description

Position Details

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Position Information

NBAPOSN Title

Working Title

Dean of College of Education

Brief Position Overview

The Dean provides academic and administrative leadership for faculty, staff, and students while stewarding resources strategically and responsibly. The Dean will foster faculty and staff professional growth, strengthen accreditation processes, and ensure the College's continued role as a state and regional leader in educator preparation. The Dean provides academic and administrative leadership for faculty, staff, and students, offering vision and direction while stewarding resources responsibly. The Dean will expand student success strategies that enhance retention, graduation, and career placement, while fostering faculty and staff professional development.



The successful candidate will be a collaborative visionary who is prepared to lead teacher preparation into an exciting and rapidly-changing future, understands & supports impactful teaching practices, advocates for educational values, builds strong networks with P-12 schools and communities, and cultivates trust, collaboration, and shared governance. The Dean must embody the transformative role of education at all levels, preparing the next generation of educators, leaders, citizens, and lifelong learners. As the public face of the College, the Dean will communicate its strengths and accomplishments to internal and external audiences, facilitate partnerships across local, state, and national communities.

Position Number

Department

Dean - College of Education

Division

College of Education

Appointment Type

Administrative

Contract Term

Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

FLSA

Union Affiliation

Exempt from Collective Bargaining

FTE

1.0

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Compensation

Annual

Salary

Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications

Contract Type

MUS

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type

Open


Position Details

General Statement

Montana State University Billings (MSUB) invites applications for the position of Dean of the College of Education (COE), one of Montana's largest and longest-serving teacher preparation programs. The Dean serves as the College's chief academic officer, reporting directly to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.



The Dean provides academic and administrative leadership for faculty, staff, and students while stewarding resources strategically and responsibly. The Dean will foster faculty and staff professional growth, strengthen accreditation processes, and ensure the College's continued role as a state and regional leader in educator preparation. The Dean provides academic and administrative leadership for faculty, staff, and students, offering vision and direction while stewarding resources responsibly. The Dean will expand student success strategies that enhance retention, graduation, and career placement, while fostering faculty and staff professional development.



The successful candidate will be a collaborative visionary who is prepared to lead teacher preparation into an exciting and rapidly-changing future, understands & supports impactful teaching practices, advocates for educational values, builds strong networks with P-12 schools and communities, and cultivates trust, collaboration, and shared governance. The Dean must embody the transformative role of education at all levels, preparing the next generation of educators, leaders, citizens, and lifelong learners. As the public face of the College, the Dean will communicate its strengths and accomplishments to internal and external audiences, facilitate partnerships across local, state, and national communities,

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide visionary, collaborative leadership that honors the College's history and builds upon ongoing successes and internal strengths. Champion shared governance and inclusive decision-making. Lead strategic planning, budgeting, and personnel/resource management. Expand student success initiatives focused on recruitment, retention, and graduation. Forge strong partnerships with urban, rural, and tribal schools, as well as community colleges and state agencies. Support faculty scholarship, creative activity, and grant-seeking efforts. Ensure successful accreditation and program review processes, including CAEP and State of Montana requirements. Recruit, evaluate, and retain faculty and staff Provide strategic oversight of all academic programs, ensuring that they incorporate best practices while also keeping an eye on healthy enrollment numbers Advocate for the College and the education profession at state and national levels. Build donor, alumni, and community support through effective fundraising.

Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Required Qualifications

A terminal degree (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) in a discipline represented within the College of Education. Impactful leadership experience at or above the level of department chair or director, including strategic planning and resource management. Record of teaching, scholarship, and service worthy of achieving appointment of associate professor. Successful experience with educator preparation program accreditation (CAEP-preferred). Evidence of shared governance and fruitful collaboration with faculty, staff, and students. Experience with academic program development, assessment, and improvement. Successful teaching experience at the P-12 and college level Excellent communication, listening, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to be a good steward of people--cultivating a culture of trust and collaboration. Experience with faculty recruitment, promotion, and tenure processes. Demonstrated success and experience teaching in multiple modalities including face-to-face, hybrid, and online. State or national-level leadership in education organizations. Experience in fundraising, donor cultivation, and alumni engagement Experience engaging with P-12 education systems. Demonstrated commitment to serving diverse learners

The Successful Candidate Will

Special Requirements

Physical Demands

This position has supervisory duties?

Yes


Posting Detail Information

Announcement Number

STAFF - VA - 2600027P

Number of Vacancies

1

Desired Start Date

07/01/2026

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

11/18/2025

Close Date

Open until filled

Yes

Special Instructions Summary

Applicants will be reviewed and interviewed on an ongoing basis after the screening date. The screening date begins 10 calendar days after a position is posted on the employment website.

Quick Link for Internal Postings

https://employment.msubillings.edu/postings/7560

Diversity Statement

Montana State University Billings is committed to providing a working and learning environment free from discrimination. As such, the University does not discriminate in the admission, access to or conduct of its educational programs and activities nor in its employment policies and practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, creed, service in the uniformed services (as defined in state and federal law), veteran status, gender, age, political beliefs, marital or family status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation or preference. In support of the University's mission to be inclusive and diverse, applications from qualified minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged.



Montana State University Billings makes accommodation for any known disability that may interfere with an applicant's ability to compete in the hiring process or an employee's ability to perform the duties of the job. In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU Billings provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference or request accommodation, contact the Human Resources Office, Montana State University Billings, 1500 University Drive, Billings, MT 59101-0298, 406-657-2278, employment@msubillings.edu.



MSU Billings Non-Discrimination Policy and Discrimination Grievance Procedures can be located on the MSU Billings Website: http://www.msubillings.edu/humres/eeos.htm