Dean for College of Education

The Dean of the College of Education (COE) provides visionary, strategic, and collaborative leadership for the faculty, staff and students within the College. This includes advancing high impact programs in teacher education, family studies and human development, and interdisciplinary studies while contributing to the institution's distinctive polytechnic mission. Graduates are known for being highly effective, classroom-ready, and deeply committed to serving diverse learners. COE maintains robust partnerships with local school districts, community organizations, and state agencies to maintain strong P-12 pathways into education careers and to meet pressing regional and statewide teacher workforce needs. The College also offers innovative and high impact programs in integrative and interdisciplinary studies. This is an exceptional opportunity for an innovative educator to help shape the future of teacher preparation and workforce development in one of the nation's fastest-growing and most dynamic regions.

Reporting directly to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the next Dean will champion the university's polytechnic mission by strengthening applied, experiential learning in education and interdisciplinary programs; ensure continued excellence in teacher preparation, licensure, and field-based training; expand partnerships with school districts, employers, and state agencies to support P-12 education and workforce development; support and grow innovative, interdisciplinary programs aligned with evolving educational needs; lead faculty and staff development, promote scholarly and creative activity, and advance student success; and serve as a collaborative member of the university's academic leadership team and contribute to institutional strategic initiatives.

• Provide strategic direction and administrative oversight for all academic departments and programs within the college, including budgeting, staffing, and operations.
• Advance a culture of collaborative excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, including curriculum development, accreditation, assessment, and student success.
• In consultation with college faculty and staff, select and supervise the associate dean, administrative staff, department chairs, and center directors. Facilitate coordination and collaboration across academic departments and programs and promote interdisciplinary teaching and learning both within the college and with other colleges.
• Build and sustain strong partnerships with government and community stakeholders to support workforce readiness, experiential learning, including student teaching/practicum/internship, and program innovation.
• Recruit, retain, and develop faculty and staff committed to exceptional student learning and success, scholarly and creative activity, and public impact. Conduct annual evaluations of faculty and staff, program coordinators and department chairs. Recommend faculty for retention, tenure, and promotion.
• Serve as an advocate for the college within the university and externally, articulating its mission and accomplishments to a wide range of audiences.
• Collaborate with other deans and university leaders to support cross-college initiatives, institutional planning, and polytechnic-focused priorities.
• Participate in resolution of complaints; student academic and professional misconduct; and faculty and staff grievances as determined by university policy.
• Represent the institution on state, regional, and national assignment where appropriate.
• Participate on University committees as assigned.
• In collaboration with the Vice President for Advancement and the Office of Sponsored Programs, plan and participate in solicitations, implementation, and compliance with external funding opportunities and sponsored projects.
• Assist the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in other areas as needed.

Required:

• An earned doctorate in a discipline represented within the college;
• A record of academic achievement and professional experience appropriate for appointment as a tenured professor in the College;
• Demonstrated multi-year success in academic leadership, including experience with curriculum development, budget management, accreditation, and personnel management;
• Deep knowledge of teacher education, licensure requirements, accreditation and P-12 education systems;
• A clear commitment to innovation, community engagement, interdisciplinary teaching and learning, and applied learning consistent with a polytechnic university. Experience in innovative teaching and learning, innovative program development, student recruitment and retention, faculty recruitment and development, and fiscal management.
• Experience building external partnerships and securing external funding or industry collaboration.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and leadership skills. Experience in promoting a welcoming working and learning environment for all College faculty, staff and students.

• Experience in public higher education, preferably at a teaching-focused institution;
• Strong relationships with P-12 education leaders, educational organizations, and/or state education agencies;
• Proven ability to lead organizational change and drive programmatic innovation;
• Experience with strategic planning, enrollment growth, and external partnerships.

POSITION DETAILS, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS: Full-time overtime-exempt staff position. Annual salary of $140,000-$160,000 depending on qualifications and experience. Desired start date of January 2026. Excellent benefits package included that begins on start date; includes medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, employee assistance and wellness programs, retirement plan contributions, and undergraduate tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents, as well as paid holidays in addition to sick and vacation leave accruals. See https://humanresources.utahtech.edu/employee-benefits/ under "Benefits Summary" for more details.

ELECTRONIC APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Application review begins October 1, 2025; position open until filled. Submit application materials (including resume contents and contact information for three professional references) and upload a cover letter electronically. If, because of a disability, you need special services or facilities in order to apply for this opening, please call the Human Resources Office at (435) 652-7520.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY: Utah Tech University is an open, comprehensive, polytechnic institution, committed to exceptional student learning and success that has adopted an instructional approach of "active learning. active life" and a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. We seek faculty and staff committed to creating an active, applied and career-oriented learning environment that is student-centered. Established in 1911 as a community college and in 2013 as a state university, our University is located in picturesque southwestern Utah, approximately 120 miles north of Las Vegas. The area is renown for its red rocks, desert climate, over 300 days of sunshine annually, and featuring easy access to world-class outdoor recreational opportunities. Click here to learn more about the University.

Utah Tech University is a fast-growing Utah public institution of higher education, with more than 13,000 students. We offer over 250 programs, including doctoral, masters, bachelors, associates, certificates, endorsements, minors, and/or emphases. We seek to recruit and retain diverse and ambitious faculty and staff who bring new ideas, possess values and career aspirations aligned with the mission and vision, and are inspired to build a premier open, comprehensive, polytechnic university. Utah Tech University is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer; the President and employees of the University are fully committed to Affirmative Action within its employment programs and activities. Utah Tech does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or the University's non-discrimination policies:

• Director of Equity Compliance / Title IX Coordinator: Hazel Sainsbury - titleix@utahtech.edu, HCC 579, 435-652-7747.
• Deputy Title IX Coordinator: Brenda Medrano - titleix@utahtech.edu, BROWN 102, 435-879-4769.

• U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, ocr@ed.gov, 800-421-3481.
• U.S. Department of Education, Denver Regional Office, ocr.denver@ed.gov, 303-844-5695.