Associate Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Academic Innovation

RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

The associate dean of inclusive excellence and academic innovation (associate dean) is an essential role within the college’s leadership team. The associate dean’s portfolio will focus on advancing inclusive excellence across all key functional areas of the college, with particular attention to the core area of teaching and learning. This position will play a key role in implementing the LBC 2032 Strategic Plan, especially in the areas of Strengthening Community and Advancing Inclusive, Interdisciplinary, and Experiential Teaching, Advising & Learning, in alignment with the MSU Strategic Plan and DEI Report and Plan. The associate dean will provide intellectual and strategic leadership to promote inclusive excellence and exceptional teaching and learning experiences. The person appointed to this position will build positive relationships within the vibrant LBC community of faculty, students, staff, advisors, and alumni, as well as with those advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at MSU, notably the Council of Diversity Deans, Faculty Excellence Advocates, the Office for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion, and the LBC Inclusion Committee. The associate dean will supervise ten employees, including three direct reports.

The associate dean reports to the dean of Lyman Briggs College. Associate deans at MSU are considered faculty members. However, this position is a full-time, annual year (12-month), and 100% administrative role. The successful candidate will begin January 2024 (exact start date negotiable), the first (renewable) appointment will be effective for five years, and the position will be supported by the executive assistant to the associate deans.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS

Lyman Briggs College seeks an innovative and talented academic leader to serve as associate dean of inclusive excellence and academic innovation. This individual will demonstrate cultural humility, be comfortable with the many dimensions of identity, and be adept at fostering dialogue with multiple constituencies and achieving results through influence and collaboration.

Candidates must have an advanced degree and five years of relevant experience. The search committee is particularly interested in competitive candidates who have a broad set of skills and experience deemed important for success as the associate dean. Preferred qualifications include:

• A PhD or other terminal degree, preferably in one of the disciplinary and/or interdisciplinary areas of the college.
• Three years of administrative or leadership experience in higher education.
• Demonstrated understanding of the challenges faced by members of underrepresented and/or marginalized groups and the visible and invisible institutional structures needed to increase DEIB in educational settings.
• Evidence of developing, implementing, and/or assessing initiatives that advance DEIB and address barriers.
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching through the use of innovative and evidence-based approaches in their classrooms.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including effective communication, collaboration, and problem-solving with a wide range of individuals, groups, and institutions to achieve results and effect change.
• Demonstrated ability to balance strategic thinking and effective administration.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES OF THE ROLE

Across all three areas of their portfolio, the associate dean of inclusive excellence and academic innovation will:

• Center diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
• Apply an intersectional and broad view of diversity.
• Advance faculty, student, staff, and advisor success.
• Manage the portfolio’s budget and staff.
• Align efforts and outcomes with the LBC 2032 Strategic Plan.
• Balance time and energy between strategic and administrative efforts at the college and university.
• Think and act strategically and collaboratively to advance DEIB throughout all functions of the college and ensure the overall success of LBC.

Area 1: Advancing Inclusive Excellence & Strengthening Community

• Help create and sustain an accessible and inclusive LBC community that values cultural and academic diversity.
• Help identify and address root causes of inequities, including policies, practices, attitudes, and cultural messages that reinforce differential treatments and outcomes.
• Support the acquisition of a common foundation of equity-consciousness and a shared language and analysis of systemic inequities with the purpose of eliminating structural inequity.
• Identify and challenge barriers within the disciplinary groups, college, and university in the recruitment, advancement, and retention of a diverse faculty and staff and collaborate to equitably administer the processes of:
  • faculty, advisor, and staff annual review;
  • faculty and advisor reappointment, tenure, and promotion;
  • searches and orientation/onboarding;
  • faculty, staff, and advisor “stay” and “exit” interviews.
• Be a visible and accessible leader for underrepresented and marginalized community members.
• Lead, coordinate, and assess 2032 LBC Strategic Plan initiatives to increase DEIB, especially those related to Strengthening Community.
• Collaborate with the LBC Committee for Inclusivity to develop, implement, and assess programming (e.g., workshops, colloquia, communications, and recognition days) that aims to advance DEIB.
• Lead college and collaborative efforts to apply for university and external funding to support future DEIB-related initiatives.
• Collaborate on the development of systems of accountability for reaching DEIB goals and objectives in the 2032 LBC Strategic Plan.
• Collaborate with college communicators and the engagement team to create communication materials for internal and external audiences related to DEIB initiatives and outcomes.
• Collaborate and coordinate with the Holmes Hall residential life staff and the LBC student success and advising team to create policies, programs, and practices that promote DEIB in the recruitment, retention, and successful completion of systemically marginalized student populations.

Area 2: Advancing Academic Innovation

• Support, communicate, and amplify LBC teaching (faculty-focused) and learning (student-focused).
• Lead, coordinate, and assess 2032 LBC Strategic Plan initiatives related to teaching and learning.
• Supervise and collaborate with the assistant dean of student success and advising (ADSSA) to:
  • manage and administer LBC course scheduling and planning (academic year, summer sessions, and Education Abroad & Away (EAA);
  • understand and improve current LBC student experiences, challenges, and successes;
  • ensure LBC is in compliance with accreditation bodies;
  • ensure LBC follows best practices regarding instruction and curriculum;
  • develop and support programs that improve student LBC persistence and graduation;
  • decrease opportunity gaps among groups of students with different identities;
  • plan and implement activities or initiatives relating to student affairs.
• Supervise and collaborate with the associate director of SSA and the coordinator of the learning assistance program to ensure success of the college’s EAA programs and the peer learning programs
• Collaborate with faculty to identify, pilot, implement, and assess initiatives that support the instructional success of faculty members and advance LBC’s distinction and excellence in undergraduate education, including curriculum and pedagogical innovation and assessment.
• Develop and administer programs and initiatives that support instruction-focused faculty professional development.
• Manage the hiring of fixed-term instructors to fill short-term instructional needs, sabbatical planning, course buyouts, and leaves of absence.
• Oversee the management of instructional spaces, including renovation planning and requests and the annual teaching and learning environment (TLE) process.

Area 3: Collaborative Leadership

• Engage nationally with scholarship and societies advancing DEIB and academic innovation in higher education.
• Collaborate with the LBC leadership team and administrators from other units (e.g., president, provost, vice presidents, deans, associate/assistant deans, and department chairs) to promote LBC’s commitments to academic innovation and inclusive excellence.
• Develop partnerships and liaise with other DEI-focused leaders and with DEI-focused groups across campus (e.g., Coalition on Racial and Ethnic Minorities, Gender and Sexuality Campus Center).
• Develop partnerships and liaise with other teaching and learning-focused leaders and groups across campus (e.g., Create for STEM, Center for Teaching and Learning Innovation).
• Represent LBC on MSU committees that intersect with their portfolio (e.g., MSU Council of Diversity Deans, Council for Undergraduate Education Deans).
• Support and participate in LBC events with faculty, students, families, alumni, donors, and friends (e.g., commencement, recruitment and welcome events, development events), some of which are outside of normal business hours.
• Represent LBC at university events, as needed.