Associate Dean for Research, Accountability, and Planning in the College of Education & Professor

The Associate Dean for Research, Accountability, and Planning for the College of Education will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction to support the college’s mission and goals. The position focuses on research development, program assessment, and administration, and provides leadership for the Departments of Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership & Technology, and Educator Preparation Services. The Associate Dean will work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and university leadership to promote academic excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

 

This is a 12-month tenured* position located primarily on Tarleton State University’s main campus in Stephenville, Texas. Work hours: Mon-Fri; 8 AM-5 PM or as work and teaching responsibilities indicate. The position requires occasional travel to all campus locations served by the department. It is expected that the Associate Dean will also fulfill teaching and research duties sufficient to hold the rank of a tenured Full Professor.  

*Tenure upon arrival would be granted through approval from the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. 

Job Responsibilities:

70% Administration: 

Research Development

• Facilitate and promote faculty research and scholarship with college faculty, including securing external funding and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.
• Identify and support grant opportunities, assist faculty with grant writing, and oversee post-award administration processes.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance the college’s research profile and productivity.
• Mentor college faculty to support their scholarly and professional development.

Program Assessment and Accreditation

• Lead and coordinate efforts to assess academic programs, ensuring alignment with accreditation standards and continuous improvement practices.
• Collaborate with department chairs and faculty to ensure program goals and outcomes are met.
• Support data collection, analysis, and reporting to meet internal and external accountability requirements.
• Serve as a liaison to accreditation bodies and oversee preparation for accreditation visits and reviews.

Administrative Leadership

• Oversee the Departments of Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership & Technology, and Educator Preparation Services, fostering collaboration and innovation across units.
• Provide leadership for strategic planning, resource allocation, and operational management within the college.
• Collaborate with the Dean on budget planning, faculty hiring, and workload assignments.
• Ensure compliance with university policies and procedures, including faculty evaluations and tenure/promotion processes.

Student Success and Faculty Support

• Promote a culture of excellence in teaching, learning, and student engagement.
• Support initiatives to enhance student recruitment, retention, and completion.
• Work with faculty to design and implement professional development opportunities.
• Advocate for faculty and staff needs, fostering an inclusive and collegial environment.

 

20% Teaching:  

• Plan, prepare, and deliver lectures, seminars, and/or laboratory offerings to undergraduate and/or graduate students, which may include general education core curriculum.
• Assess student performance, provide timely feedback, and evaluate student learning outcomes to inform teaching practices and curriculum improvements.
• Incorporate innovative teaching methods, technologies, and pedagogical approaches to enhance student learning and engagement. 

 

10% Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity:  

• Maintain an active agenda for research, scholarship, or creative activity appropriate to the applicant’s academic discipline. 
• Make original contributions to the advancement of knowledge/creative expression in the applicant’s discipline through scholarly publication, presentation, or exhibition.
• Demonstrate potential for external funding, national impact, or professional recognition.

 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Earned doctorate in a teaching discipline in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership, Educational Technology, or a closely related field from an accredited university.
• Must have a distinguished record in teaching and research that warrants a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Professor. 
  • Eligibility for tenure will be determined by reviewing the candidate’s record of years of experience and professional achievements in teaching, service, and research consistent with Texas A&M University System guidance.
  • Tenure upon arrival would be granted pending approval from the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.

 

Preferred Requirements: 

• A record of successfully securing external funding, with the ability to bring existing funding to the position to support scholarly activities and initiatives.
• Experience developing faculty in research development or other faculty initiatives.
• Administrative and leadership experience as department head/chair at the college/university level or experience in supervisory/management position(s) in an academic arena.
• Previous experience in oversight of accredited academic programs or in leading a program toward accreditation.
• Demonstrated ability to use and understand data to inform strategic planning and decision-making for the department.
• Strong evidence of ability to set operational goals from strategic plans and lead direct reports to accomplish strategic goals and initiatives. 

 
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 
Knowledge and understanding of disciplinary subject matter at a level adequate for undergraduate or graduate-level instruction; written and oral communication skills sufficient to conduct effective teaching and research activities; ability to interact with students, staff, and faculty in a professional, collegial, and collaborative manner. 

***Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience***  

Employment applications must include (required): 

• Completed online application
• Cover Letter / Letter of Interest addressing qualifications 
• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• At least 3 current professional references and their full contact information, and
• Unofficial transcripts
  • Applicants with degrees earned outside the United States must submit transcripts translated into English, along with an official credential evaluation from a recognized service.
• Philosophy Statement related to Leadership, Teaching, and Research - no more than 1500 words.    

Applications received by Tarleton State University must have all job application data entered.  Failure to provide all job application data could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application.  “See resume” is not an acceptable entry in the job application.  Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to submit materials by April 1, 2025, to ensure full consideration. Anticipated start time frame is Summer/Fall 2025. 

Official transcripts must be received directly from each degree‐granting institution prior to a letter of appointment being issued. 

A founding member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton State University is breaking records — in enrollment, research, scholarship, athletics, philanthropy, and engagement — while transforming the lives of over 18,000 students in Stephenville, Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan, and online. For 125 years, Tarleton State has been committed to accessible higher education opportunities for all while helping students grow academically, socially and professionally through programs that emphasize real world learning and address regional, state and national needs.

Tarleton State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer. As a member of The Texas A&M System, Tarleton will provide equal opportunity for employment to all persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and will strive to achieve full and equal employment opportunity through The Texas A&M System.