Job Details

Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies

Position Number: 7013910
Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
Position Type: Deans - Other

Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies
Mechanicsburg, PA, United States

Description:

The Dean will lead the University's School of Graduate and Professional Studies, ensuring the programming is mission driven, academically excellent, market sensitive, and revenue positive.

Primary Duties

Foster the vision, mission and identity of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.

1. Personnel management:

a. Recruit and hire full-time and adjunct faculty, in collaboration with program directors within the strategic and financial planning.

b. Assess faculty performance by writing evaluative letters for term tenure and for promotions, sabbaticals, and Scholarship Chairs.

c. Conduct initial reviews with faculty members, typically in the fifth semester of employment.

d. Encourage a collegial, participatory faculty culture. Oversee and manage personnel issues involving School faculty and staff.

e. Develop a hiring plan for graduate programs.

f. Provide and support professional development for department chairs and directors.

g. Review performance of Program Directors on a continuing basis.

h. Approve annual development goals for faculty.

i. Cultivate the cultural intelligence of GPS professionals.

j. Cultivate a strong faith-based and developmental student experience.

2. Fiscal management:

a. Serve as budget liaison between program directors and Director of Operations and Finance. Work within established parameters to guide program budget development/management.

b. Financial Planning of SGPS (Director of Operations and Finance)

c. Work with the Development Office to identify potential sources of funding.

d. Seek and apply for grants

3. Curriculum Oversight:

a. Oversee curriculum development (new programming), modification of program curricula within the strategic and financial planning.

b. New Program Development in coordination with other partners where appropriate, through established governance.

c. Foster Student Centered Learning and Support (Director of SGPS Student Services).

d. Monitor the efficiency of curricular offerings (curricular baseline efficiency).

e. Participate in accreditation reviews and program evaluation (if applicable), under the leadership of program directors.

f. Chair Graduate Council

h. Oversee assessment work for all programs.

4. Campus leadership:

a. Encourage and support the university vision and strategic planning within the School

b. Coordinate with university offices on Winding Hill and Grantham Campuses.

c. Serve on Provost's Cabinet and contribute to or lead initiatives at the request of the Provost

d. Advocate for faculty perspectives on academic and institutional issues

e. Represent Provost's Office on campus committees

f. Serve on the University Council

5. Enrollment Management and Marketing:

a. Coordinate with the Director of Enrollment, SGPS and support program directors in navigating recruitment, enrollment, and retention of students.

b. Have regular touchpoints with Graduate Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communication, and Institutional Research to ensure continuing strength of current programs and identify potential emerging areas of programming

6. Supervision:

a. Provide oversight for Programs Directors in the School of Graduate and Professional programs, Director of SGPS Student Services, and the Director and Finance and Operations of SGPS

Secondary Duties

1. Other duties as assigned

Qualifications
Education Required

Terminal Degree

Experience Required

A minimum of six years' collegiate teaching experience as a ranked faculty member (undergraduate and graduate), academic administrative experience, educational technology experience and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Skills, Characteristics Required

Ability to develop and implement strategic planning and organizational design
Outstanding leadership, management, project management, and communication skills
Understanding and appreciation of rapidly evolving models of teaching, learning, and scholarship
Comprehensive understanding of the spiritual, educational, and professional development of graduate students as well as the ability to model the integration of Christian faith and professional growth
Ability to support and articulate the University's faith-based vision and mission for Christian graduate programming

Special Working Conditions

Evenings and weekends as required by programming, some travel.

Driving Requirements

TBD

About Us
Messiah University's commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence draws inspiration from its mission "to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society." The university has pursued this vision through a strategic planning process that encourages diversity through employee and student composition, campus climate, and an educational program that seeks to equip and enable educators and students to embrace diversity. Candidates should clearly articulate why diversity and inclusive excellence matter to them as persons of faith as well as in their profession. Candidates will speak to how as a potential employee, they will contribute to the advancement of this vision through their teaching-learning, research, institutional service, and public engagement.

Job Info
Job Identification: 267
Job Category: Student / Academic Services
Posting Date: 03/17/2026, 06:19 PM
Job Schedule: Full time
Locations: 401 E Winding Hill Rd, Mechanicsburg, PA, 17055, US

To apply, visit https://messiah-ibvrjb.fa.ocs.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1/job/267