J09147
Dean of the School of Natural Sciences
School of Natural Sciences
Scope: 
St. Edward's University is an independent Catholic university, which has increasingly gained national recognition for its high quality academic programs, characterized by its Holy Cross educational mission. More than 5300 students attend St. Edward’s, with undergraduates coming from 46 states and 28 countries. The University offers five bachelor degrees in more than 50 areas of study, and it offers eleven masters degrees.

 
The mission of the School of Natural Sciences is rooted in the Mission Statement of St. Edward’s University, which calls for a balance among the humanities, sciences, and the professions. The School offers programs that provide students with knowledge, skills, and experience to prepare them for careers in biology, bioinformatics, chemistry, computer science, computer information science, forensic chemistry, environmental chemistry, mathematics or related professions. The School, also, offers courses such as Science in Perspective, Mathematics for the Liberal Arts, and History and Philosophy of Science, which contribute to the General Education curriculum. The School of Natural Sciences strongly promotes research and scholarly activities among students and faculty, which in turn provides the ultimate active learning environment for the students and teaches them to be lifelong learners.
 
The School of Natural Sciences offers outstanding facilities for students and faculty. The recently completed $21 million John Brooks Williams Natural Sciences Center-North houses biology and chemistry; and the $22 million John Brooks Williams Natural Sciences and Technology Center-South is scheduled for construction, with an opening in the fall of 2013. It will add another 50,000 square feet of academic space for physics, mathematics and computer science, as well as general education. In addition to these new campus resources, St. Edward’s recently acquired the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, a 227 acre pristine urban wilderness, which offers an interdisciplinary field laboratory providing research and hands-on learning for all St. Edward’s academic schools.
Responsibilities: 
The University invites nominations and applications for the Dean of The School of Natural Sciences, who reports directly to the University’s Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Dean is responsible for providing exemplary leadership in the School of Natural Sciences, focused on enabling students to realize their potential through creative and outstanding programs of excellence as they build a foundation for life-long learning in the natural sciences and/or prepare for one of the many outstanding professional career opportunities in the sciences.
Qualifications: 
The successful candidate will: have a terminal degree in the natural sciences; demonstrate excellence in teaching and research; give evidence of the ability to provide leadership in recruiting and retaining highly qualified students and faculty; demonstrate the capacity for creative and innovative leadership in curricular development; be committed to enhancing and perpetuating the Holy Cross tradition as an integral part of the University’s Catholic heritage; be willing and able to engage in ongoing, strategic planning aimed at positioning the School of Natural Sciences in the forefront of its peers nationally; be dedicated to the dynamic engagement of all constituencies who can be helpful in strengthening the School of Natural Sciences through effective resource development (including strengthening an already successful faculty grants program); be committed to expanding and enhancing opportunities for graduates; and be able to provide the requisite ongoing leadership for the integration of the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve in the University’s academic programs. Successful completion of an employment and/or criminal history background check is required.
How to Apply: 
The review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The appointment will be effective on or about July 1, 2010. Inquiries, nominations, and applications will be held in confidence; and should be submitted prior to Nov. 10, 2009 to receive full consideration. Application materials should include a letter of interest in which the candidate identifies the distinctive qualifications, background, and experience which not only prepare him or her for effective leadership but, also, for service within the University community. Each candidate should provide a curriculum vita, and the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses of five references. All documents should be electronically submitted (MS Word format) to: stedwardsnaturalsciences@academic-search.com

 
Further information is available at: www.academic-search.com or www.stedwards.edu
 
Assisting the University in these searches is: Dr. Roy B. Shilling, Jr., Senior Consultant; Academic Search, Inc.; 1825 K Street, NW, Suite 705; Washington, DC 20006; rbs@academic-search.com *512-922.9465

St. Edward's University is an equal opportunity employer and hires only U.S. citizens and documented workers.

Posted: 
09/28/2009
Available: 
07/01/2010
Faculty Application (PDF)