Job Description
Aboutthe Opportunity TheUniversity of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), a nationallyrecognized arts conservatory, is seeking the next Dean of the Division ofLiberal Arts (DLA). The incoming Dean will join UNCSA at an exciting andpivotal time. As one of the nation's preeminent public arts conservatories,UNCSA prepares gifted emerging artists for professional careers at the highestlevels. Within this creative environment, the Division of Liberal Arts plays avital role - helping students situate their artistry within a broaderintellectual, cultural, and humanistic context, while providing the requiredcoursework necessary for them to graduate with a bachelor's degree in theirarts area. This next Dean will craft a shared vision for DLA that aligns withUNCSA's 2022-2027 Strategic Plan and will leverage the support from universityleadership and the talented and dedicated DLA faculty and staff.
Reporting to the Provost, the Dean provides both strategic vision andoperational leadership for the Division, working collaboratively across theuniversity to strengthen student success, foster academic excellence, andensure the liberal arts remain an integral component of every student'seducation. The next Dean will be a skilled academic leader who values both thecreative and scholarly dimensions of education and can navigate the uniqueculture of an arts institution while advocating for the enduring relevance of astrong liberal arts foundation.
For more information, please download the full leadership profile here.
About theUniversity The University of North Carolina School of the Arts is atop-ranked creative and performing arts conservatory in Winston-Salem, N.C.Founded in 1963 as America's first public arts conservatory, UNCSA celebratesmore than 50 years of training wildly creative, gifted and hardworking youngartists to do what they love, and do it brilliantly!
UNCSA is the only school in the U.S. composed of five artsconservatories on one campus: Dance, Design & Production, Drama,Filmmaking, and Music. The University serves over 1300 students at the highschool, undergraduate, and graduate level, selected by audition or portfolioreview and interview process. Along with rigorous arts training, studentsreceive intensive academic instruction through the Division of Liberal Arts andthe High School Academic Program.
Aboutthe Team TheDivision of Liberal Arts has a rich history at UNCSA serving as one of the keycornerstones of UNCSA's bachelor's degree. The curriculum is designed todevelop knowledge and skills that enrich students' artistic work, to nourishthem as multi-faceted individuals who are curious about the world, and toempower students to be culturally attuned, socially engaged, and responsibleglobal citizens. The DLA offers courses in composition, foreign languages(French, German, and Italian), history, humanities, literature, mathematics,media studies, philosophy, psychology, science, and writing.
The DLA is comprised of two staff members and approximately 25 full-time andadjunct faculty with disciplinary expertise and backgrounds in visual andperforming arts, music, history, humanities, and science; they are educatorswho are passionate, enterprising and committed to establishing a strong liberalarts foundation for UNCSA students.
Aboutthe Role The Dean of DLA will provide strategic vision andoperational leadership for the Division. The Dean will partner and collaboratewith senior academic and administrative leaders across the University,including the deans of UNCSA's five arts conservatories, the dean of high schoolacademics, and the vice provosts. The Dean's leadership team consists of anAssistant Dean of DLA, an academic advisor, an administrator, and a studentrecords specialist. The Division of Liberal Arts has an operating budget of approximately$1.9 million, primarily consisting of personnel funds.
The Dean is responsible for enhancing and promoting thequality and effectiveness of the Division's programmatic and teaching missionswhile setting a vision for continual impact. To be effective, this Dean must becognizant of the aspirations and challenges of collaborating within and outsideof DLA, and also able to inspire, persuade, and mobilize others to work in thebest interest of students, staff, faculty, and the entire institution. ThisDean has a remarkable opportunity to strengthen the impact of the division andits continued success within a top-tier arts school.
Key job duties include: advises the Provost on all mattersconcerning Liberal Arts and Undergraduate Education; works with associate deansacross campus to build initiatives related to student success and a seamlesseducational experience; works closely with the registrar's office and theProvost's office to create pathways for transfer students in the generaleducation program.; serves as principal administrative leader for the DLA;oversees the development of policy, programs, and services that are grounded inbest practices that promote learning both inside and outside the classroom;works closely with all campus departments, administrators, faculty, staff, andstudents to enhance student success in the emotionally and physically demandingenvironment of an arts conservatory; works collaboratively with the Office ofDevelopment to raise funds for the DLA; communicates effectively withconstituents to ensure that all policies, programs, services, and systems ofthe institution remain student-centered; articulates a clear vision for the DLAand raises awareness of and sensitivity to student needs, interests, andconcerns; and supports faculty in their teaching, research, and service.
MinimumEducation, Experience, and Skills Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree in a liberal arts or artistic discipline. At least 7-10 years of successful teaching experience in higher education. Significant academic administrative experience (e.g., department chair, assistant/associate dean, or dean).
PreferredEducation, Experience, and Skills Leadership Experience in a baccalaureate-level conservatory, arts-focused, or creatively intensive educational environment.Demonstrated success in undergraduate curricular innovation, academic program development, and student-centered initiatives. Experience with budget management, personnel oversight, and resource planning. Evidence of effective collaboration across academic and administrative units. Fundraising or advancement experience supporting academic initiatives. Proven ability to manage change and lead organizational culture shifts.
SpecialInstructions Thisposition remains open until filled. Review of candidates will beginimmediately, with search committee evaluations and interviews taking place inearly 2026.
EqualEmployment Opportunity and Other Information TheUniversity of North Carolina School of the Arts is an equal opportunity andaffirmative action employer and all qualified applicants are welcome to applywithout regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, genderexpression, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexualorientation, or veteran status. The application must be completed in fulldetail (including work history) for your qualifications to be considered.Failure to complete the application process as required by state regulationswill result in your application being rejected for the vacancy and you will notbe considered for the position. The UNCSA participates in E-Verify.Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employmenteligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. Final candidatesare subject to criminal background checks.
Contact Information For nominations or inquiries about this opportunity, contactScott Murray, Director of Executive Search at sfmurray@northcarolina.edu.
Job Tags
Full time, Work at office, Shift work,