Dean, Kendall College of Art and Design

Position Title: Dean, Kendall College of Art and Design   Location: Grand Rapids (Kendall)   Department:

45000 - GR Campus Dean's Office

  Advertised Salary: $165,000 - $175,000. Salary commensurate with education, experience, and other requirements.   Benefits:

Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.

Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans

  FLSA: Exempt   Temporary/Continuing:  Continuing   Part-Time/Full-Time: Full-Time   Union Group: N/A   Term of Position: 12 Month   At Will/Just Cause: At Will   Summary of Position: The mission of the Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) is to prepare students for leadership in design, the visual arts, and art history through innovative, collaborative education that fosters intellectual growth and individual creativity and promotes the ethical and civic responsibilities of artists and designers, locally and globally. The Dean of KCAD is charged with the overall responsibility for the advancement of this mission and success of the College's academic programs through collaboration with faculty, students, staff, and others to provide strategic leadership to advance the overall quality and aspirational goals of the College. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong commitment to student success through leadership experience, talent, articulation of a shared vision, and the ability to build the future of KCAD with the faculty, administration, and staff. The Dean is responsible for college operations and academic programming on both the KCAD campus in Grand Rapids, MI and the main campus in Big Rapids, MI. The anticipated start date of this position Is July 1st, 2026; however, this is an estimated date and can be revised if needed.   Position Type: Staff   Required Education: Terminal degree from an accredited program in a discipline represented in or closely aligned with the Kendall College of Art and Design.

Business/Industry experience sufficient to qualify for tenure status and the rank of full professor in one of the departments/schools within the college.   Required Work Experience: Five or more years of documented full-time or equivalent employment in higher education administration.

Three or more years of demonstrated full-time or equivalent experience in higher education as a department chair/head or higher.

Prior experience with alumni, donor, and community partnerships and engagement.

Demonstrated understanding of collective bargaining agreements.

Prior experience with accreditation and assessment of academic programs.

Experience In Interdisciplinary and/or inter-professional education.   Required Licenses and Certifications:     Physical Demands:

• Office Environment

  Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered: Familiarity with critical Issues in higher education and national trends in art and design pedagogy and research.

A practical and academic understanding of, and enthusiasm for, the role of art and design in culture.   Essential Duties/Responsibilities: Reporting directly to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the dean serves as chief academic and administrative officer of the College and ensures an organized and productive environment that encourages achievement by faculty and administrators.

Assure that the College serves students with programs of the highest quality and effectiveness.

Direct and coordinate leadership activities within Kendall College of Art and Design.
Work collaboratively with all the College Deans and within the departments to implement programs and services.

Develop and manage the college budget.

Advise the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs on academic matters, such as accreditation needs, development and assessment of academic programs, budget, and non-academic personnel matters.

Guide the development and implementation of strategic, academic, and DEI plans.

Develop, implement, and ensure that university and academic policies and procedures are followed. Work with accreditation agencies to achieve and maintain compliance standards.

Contribute and establish necessary communications and coordination with subordinates and superiors on all matters within their assigned responsibilities, through written and oral communications.

Analyze challenges wit