Dean, College of Liberal Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Education, Mathematics and Computer Sciences

Dean, College of Liberal Arts, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Education, Mathematics and Computer Sciences

New York, United States Staff Full-time $225,000

Mercy University invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of a newly established College (name to be determined) that brings together the liberal arts, social and behavioral sciences, education, mathematics, and computer sciences in a unified academic home dedicated to interdisciplinary learning, academic excellence, student success, and preparation for a rapidly changing workforce. This is an exciting time to be at Mercy University, as the Dean will have the unique opportunity to shape the future of this transformative entity from its inception.

The Dean will be the chief academic and administrative officer of the College, charged with translating this bold vision into reality.

Reporting directly to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean will provide visionary leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight to the new College. This is a special opportunity to develop a College, by shaping its academic programs; recruiting and supporting faculty; cultivating alumnae/i, community, school-district, nonprofit, and industry partnerships; and establishing a culture of excellence, innovation, collaboration, and student-centered academic achievement.

About the College

The newly created College will play a central role in Mercy University’s new academic structure by integrating foundational disciplines with professional and applied programs that are essential to civic life, educational leadership, technological fluency, and human understanding. The College, as the overarching unit for four Schools, will strengthen academic identity, enhance program alignment, expand interdisciplinary collaboration, and support innovative pathways for students across the undergraduate and graduate experience.

The College will serve approximately 3,230 students, including 2,080 undergraduate students and 1,150 graduate students, across 45 academic programs: 20 undergraduate programs and 25 graduate programs. The College comprises these Schools:

• School of Mathematics and Computer Science
• School of Humanities
• School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
• School of Education

Its academic portfolio includes undergraduate and graduate programs in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Mathematics, English, History, Spanish, Behavioral Science, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, School Psychology, Early Childhood and Childhood Education, Teaching Students with Disabilities, Educational Administration, Literacy and Multilingual Studies, TESOL, School Leadership, and related fields. Through this combination of disciplines, The College will be positioned to advance interdisciplinary teaching and learning, support liberal learning and the University’s General Education program, prepare educators and human-service professionals, and strengthen students’ analytical, technological, communication, and civic capacities.

The College will also contribute to the University’s cross cutting interdisciplinary pillars, through General Education, expanded research, and the AI Entrepreneurship Innovation Hub. By fostering cross-campus collaboration and teaching innovation, the College will prepare graduates to address complex social, educational, technological, and cultural challenges.

Key Responsibilities

• Student Success

• Set clear student success goals for retention, progression, and completion; use dashboards and disaggregated data to close equity gaps.

• Integrate career readiness by expanding internships, practica, and employer-partnered projects aligned with program outcomes.

• Align advising, tutoring, and early-alert interventions with program learning outcomes to improve persistence and time to degree.

• Establish Student Advisory Councils that inform continuous improvement and strengthen belonging and campus climate.

• Expand high-impact practices (undergraduate research, service learning, global learning) and assess learning gains.

• Faculty Development

• Oversee faculty and staff recruitment, retention, and development; support excellence in teaching, scholarship/creative work, and service.

• Integrate professional development into institutional culture in partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning and relevant units.

• Launch structured mentoring for early- and mid-career faculty tied to promotion and scholarly goals; promote evidence-based and inclusive teaching.

• Implement transparent workload equity norms for teaching, scholarship/creative activity, and service.

• Recognize excellence through selective awards and public showcases of faculty scholarship and creative work.

• Oversee appointment, evaluation, promotion, and (where applicable) tenure processes in consultation with School leadership and faculty governance.

• Strategic Leadership and Academic Innovation

• Define a vision, and partner across faculty staff and administrators of the college to set long-term academic goals, and align resources to support innovation

• Develop and oversee the school’s budget with decision-making authority over program allocations, strategic initiatives, and faculty support resources in consultation with the Provost.

• Model high standards of professional accountability and hold subordinates accountable for achieving ambitious results

• Monitor key college metrics and provide actionable feedback, ensuring team members take ownership of academic goals and operational successes

• Ensure alignment of schools and policies with the Colleges academic values and priorities.

• Spearhead strategic initiatives for data governance, enrollment management, academic marketing, and accreditation compliance

• Be a partner across all offices of the university to meet college and university priorities including data integrity, marketing, enrollment, recruitment

• Effectively monitor accreditation status and requirements and ensure just in time action across all requirements for success.

• Lead the College Advisor Board and ensure employer, alumni and other stakeholder involvement in ensuring college, school and program success.

• Lead strategic planning for the College in alignment with University priorities and accreditation standards; engage faculty and staff in planning and decision-making.

• Guide curriculum development, program review, and continuous improvement to ensure academic rigor, relevance, and student success.

• Advance portfolio optimization and new offerings responsive to evolving workforce needs (e.g., certificates and other credentials, 4+1 pathways).

• Develop coherent online, hybrid, and other such initiatives with clear quality standards, student support, and enrollment strategies.

• Coordinate external funding (grants, corporate partnerships) to seed program innovation and student success initiatives.

• Ensure alignment of College and School policies and priorities with University values.

• Support leadership succession planning.

• Collaborative and Inclusive Culture

• Cultivate a collegial, student-centered environment that values diverse voices among faculty, staff, and students.

• Strengthen shared governance and meaningful faculty engagement in shaping the College’s vision and direction.

• Conduct periodic climate assessments and implement action plans that advance access and belonging.

• Ensure transparent communication of decisions, rationales, and timelines, especially during organizational change.

• Uphold integrity, fairness, and understanding in faculty and student grievance processes.

• Fiscal Responsibility

• Serve as chief fiscal steward for the College; develop and oversee the College budget with decision-making authority over School allocations, strategic initiatives, and faculty support, in consultation with the Office of the Provost.

• Implement multi-scenario budgeting aligned with strategic priorities and enrollment forecasts; monitor program margins and contribution analysis.

• Ensure School and program leaders effectively manage budget allocations, program fees, and course scheduling in response to demand, accreditation constraints, and student pathways.

• Strengthen fiscal controls, compliance, and data integrity; coordinate with Institutional Research and Finance for decision support.

• Develop multi-year equipment, space, and technology plans that support scholarship/creative activity and instructional innovation; monitor risk and mitigation related to enrollment volatility and regulatory change.

• Donors, Development, and External Relations

• Provide thoughtful and strategic leadership in advancing philanthropic support for the College, in close partnership with Advancement.

• Represent the College to alumnae/i, donors, employers, community partners, and professional organizations; be a visible