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Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for the Minneapolis Campus and Online, the Dean of Advancing Studies will provide visionary and strategic leadership for the development and management of programs within the School of Advancing Studies. The Dean will oversee the curricula, program directors, faculties, students, program development, expansion of academic offerings, and overall academic administration. 

The dean has responsibility for pursuing and developing new programs and partnerships, supporting public relations and admissions, enhancing the School’s profile, visibility, and effectiveness, developing faculty in the areas of teaching and learning, evaluation of faculty, and managing budgets. This position fosters an atmosphere that embodies the mission of the university and facilitates strategic planning, delivery, diversification and growth, and evaluation of academic programs

The ideal candidate will work towards infusing curricula and student experiences at the bachelor’s level with work-integrated learning and the model of flourishing through virtue formation, in alignment with the university’s Lasallian, Catholic mission and values. This position is vital to ensuring students are equipped with practical skills and virtuous character, fostering holistic development for both professional success and personal growth.

Job Responsibilities: 

1. Leadership & Strategy for Advancing Studies

• Provide visionary leadership for the School of Advancing Studies, overseeing all current and new programs as well as non-traditional academic programs such as continuing education, certificate programs, non-credit certificates, other similar credentials and professional development courses.
• Develop innovative strategies to expand offerings in response to market demand, ensuring all programs align with Lasllian, Catholic values and promote lifelong learning.
• Collaborate with faculty and industry leaders to integrate work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities into current and new academic programs.
• Ensure programs foster virtue formation and holistic flourishing, integrating the Catholic Intellectual Tradition into practical, professional contexts and creating formation experiences for students.
• Launch flexible degree pathways tailored for students with varying amounts of prior college credit. These pathways will include options for both part-time and full-time enrollment, ensuring accessibility and adaptability to meet diverse student needs and schedules.
• Supervise program directors and faculty hiring within the School of Advancing Studies

2. Integration of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) and Virtue Formation

• Be knowledgeable about the University’sWIL model and able to implement the model within one year of hire. 
• Develop and oversee initiatives to embed work-integrated learning opportunities within academic programs.
• Partner with partnership directors and academic departments along with external organizations to create practical learning experiences that allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.
• Ensure that WIL experiences promote not only professional skills and best practices in the field but also the development of virtues such as integrity, compassion, and responsibility, in accordance with the university’s Catholic ethos.
• Implement assessment tools to evaluate the impact of WIL and virtue formation on student growth, professional readiness, and ethical development.

3. Academic & Operational Oversight

• Oversee the administration, scheduling, and management (i.e. operations) of all programs within the School, ensuring efficiency and operational excellence.
• Oversee program development, ensuring academic quality, and alignment with HLC accreditation requirements.
• Manage the budget, resource allocation, and staffing for the division, ensuring fiscal responsibility while promoting growth and innovation.
• Collaborate with university leadership to ensure that programs are aligned with institutional goals and that the School contributes to the broader mission of the university.
• Lead efforts in faculty development, particularly in the areas of online education, work-integrated learning, and the integration of virtue formation into teaching practices.
• Oversee efforts to ensure quality online education.
• Lead all program-level assessment activities for the programs within the School.

4. Marketing and Enrollment Management

• Collaborate with the university’s marketing organization on developing all brand-building and strategic elements for the School’s programs and certificates.
• Facilitate regular meetings with Program Directors to review and clarify each program's differentiation and positioning and ensure marketing strategies align with its distinguishing traits.
• Develop and execute a strategic customer relationship management program with prospective students, employers, professional associations, and others designed to build awareness of the School’s programs.
• Work with Enrollment Management to develop strategies for building a strong pipeline of incoming students and pathways to the graduate programs.
• Set and ensure enrollment strategies that are in line with university financial targets.

5. Student Experience & Support

• Ensure that the student experience in all programs reflects the university’s commitment to Lasallian, Catholic values and holistic personal development.
• Foster a learning environment and engage in formation activities (including service activity) that support students not only academically and professionally, but also spiritually and ethically, encouraging them to grow in virtue.
• Work with student services to provide resources and support that enhance student success, especially for non-traditional and online learners.
• Working with Campus Ministry, create opportunities for community-building and spiritual growth within online programs, integrating the university’s mission into all aspects of the student experience.

Education:

• • PhD, EdD, or equivalent terminal degree in a relevant field such as Education, the Arts, Business, or Professional Studies.
  • A strong understanding of Catholic Christian Intellectual Tradition and education is required, with a preference for candidates who have a background in adult learner pedagogy and/or WIL.

Experience:

• • • • Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in higher education leadership, with a focus on online education, professional studies, or continuing education.
      • Demonstrated experience integrating work-integrated learning and character formation.
      • Proven track record in developing and scaling online education programs.
      • Experience with student-centered approaches that emphasize holistic development, especially within a framework of Christian virtue formation.

Skills & Abilities:

• • • • • Strong leadership and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple programs and initiatives simultaneously.
        • Willingness to support and contribute to the Lasallian Catholic dimensions of the University and its institutional mission
        • Ability to develop and nurture relationships with industry partners to support work-integrated learning.
        • Expertise in online education technologies and methodologies, with the ability to drive innovation in online teaching and learning.
        • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students across diverse settings.