Opportunity and Challenge Profile
Seattle University
Search for the Dean of the College of Education
Seattle, Washington

Seattle University (SU), a nationally-ranked independent Jesuit-Catholic institution adjacent to downtown Seattle, seeks an inspiring and experienced leader to serve as the Dean of the College of Education (COE). Reporting to the Provost, and working in collaboration with faculty, students, and staff, the Dean will build upon the many strengths of the COE - including its multidisciplinary programs and commitment to diversity and social justice - to ensure that the College continues to serve as a preeminent hub for training outstanding educators and leaders.

Founded in 1891, SU is one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States. SU currently enrolls more than 7,700 graduate and undergraduate students within eight schools and colleges. In 2012, U.S. News and World Report listed SU among the top ten universities in the West, and the Fiske Guide to Colleges named SU as a "Best Buy," a distinction given to institutions that provide a high-caliber academic experience at a lower cost. SU is among the most diverse independent universities in the West: 40 percent of its students are from ethnically diverse backgrounds and SU has representation from 77 nations and all 50 states.

The SU COE seeks to prepare students not only for educational careers but also for leadership for a just and humane world. The College, founded in 1935, has a distinguished alumni base of leaders across all sectors of the education world. The College offers 12 master's level graduate programs, a doctoral degree and several certificate programs. The College has one of the highest teacher-placement rates in the state and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

The Dean serves as the chief operating and academic officer for the COE and reports to the Provost. The Dean will lead the COE's faculty and staff members while serving as an external representative for the College of Education among K-12 and higher education leaders, state-level policy makers, and the local, regional, and national community. To help the College of Education fulfill its potential, the Dean will address several opportunities and challenges:

• Lead and facilitate a conversation about the vision of and for the College
• Ensure that the College's set of programs is sustainable and responsive to demand
• Generate sufficient revenues to support continued growth and excellence
• Develop a vision to support the growing role of technology in higher education
• Position the College at the forefront of education innovation in Seattle and beyond

A list of the desired qualifications and characteristics of the Dean can be found at the conclusion of this document, which was prepared by the search committee with the assistance of Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to provide background information and detail the key opportunities and challenges Dean of the College of Education Seattle University  related to the position. All confidential applications, inquiries, and nominations should be directed to the parties listed at the conclusion of this document.

About Seattle University

SU provides an academic experience steeped in the Jesuit-Catholic tradition. Nestled between the First Hill, Capitol Hill, and Central District neighborhoods, SU offers state-of-the-art facilities, including a new library and learning commons, on an environmentally-friendly 50 acre campus that was named the greenest in the state of Washington. The campus is home to a diverse community of 4,600 undergraduate and 3,100 graduate students, who are enrolled in the University's 104 graduate and undergraduate programs.
 
Father Stephen Sundborg has served as the President of Seattle University since 1997. During his tenure, President Sundborg's key objectives have been to encourage student-centered education, enhance academic excellence, and develop resources to support a growing student population. SU has built a new law school, a student center, and student residences, in addition to completing a successful capital campaign in 2010 under President Sundborg's leadership. With a current endowment of $178.8 million, the University is poised to kick off another capital campaign during the 2013-2014 academic year.
 
An education at SU is defined by excellent teaching, attention to student learning, and high-quality scholarship - goals which are supported by the University's 14:1 student to faculty ratio. In keeping with its Jesuit-Catholic mission, the University seeks to provide a total educational experience that encompasses the classroom, campus, and community. Under the leadership of Provost Isiaah Crawford, who joined the university in 2008, SU is midway through an Academic Strategic Action Plan, focused on advancing academic excellence and ensuring that all graduate and undergraduate students experience an integrated Jesuit-Catholic education for leadership. The plan, which includes initiatives for curricular renewal, faculty development, and the promotion of student success is available online.
 
SU's academic vision is derived from Jesuit-Catholic higher education traditions that reach 453 years back to 1551, when St. Ignatius, founder of the Society of Jesus, opened the Roman College in Rome, Italy. Jesuit-Catholic education today is defined by a focus on the student as a whole person, global engagement, a strong commitment to social justice, education of first-generation students, support of the intellectual mission of the Society of Jesus, and service to the community both locally and globally.
 
SU reflects those characteristics in many ways, including a deep commitment to service as more than three-quarters of SU students serve the community through volunteer activities and internships. In 2009, SU made a long-term, campus-wide commitment to the surrounding community by forming the Seattle University Youth Initiative. The Initiative brings together SU faculty, staff, and students from all disciplines, as well as parents, the Seattle School District, the City of Seattle, foundations, faith communities, and more than 30 community organizations to help children in Seattle succeed in school and life. Focused on creating a "cradle to college" pipeline for students in the Central District neighborhood at the Bailey Gatzert Elementary School, the program provides deep learning and engagement opportunities for SU students that support a full range of wrap-around services to neighborhood families and students. Learn more about the Seattle University Youth Initiative.

About the College of Education

The Seattle University College of Education was founded in 1935 and has a long and distinguished history of preparing ethical and reflective leaders who make changes across all levels of the education Dean of the College of Education Seattle University sector and beyond. The College seeks to prepare students not only for educational careers but also for leadership for a just and humane world. The mission, vision, and values of the College are fully integrated into all programs of study (see Appendix I for a description).
 
The COE offers 13 graduate degrees, including a doctoral program in educational leadership, as well as professional certification courses and continuing education courses, to over 560 students. The COE offers education specialist degree programs in principal preparation, school psychology, and special education, and master's degree programs in adult education and training, counseling, curriculum and instruction, educational administration, literacy for special needs, teaching, teaching with special education endorsement, special education, student development administration, and teaching English to speakers of other languages. Learn more about the COE's degree and certificate programs.
 
Though the College does not offer a bachelor's degree program, undergraduates can pursue study in the field through the Matteo Ricci College or through the Liberal Studies major in the College of Arts and Sciences. Students in the Humanities for Teaching program at Matteo Ricci College at SU take foundational humanities courses and specialized teaching courses, as well as classes in the discipline they wish to teach. Students who graduate from the Humanities for Teaching with a bachelor's degree are given preferred entrance to the COE's master's in teaching program. The Liberal Studies major in the College of Arts and Sciences provides K-8 teacher preparation courses at the nearby Bailey Gatzert elementary school.
 
The College has a dedicated team of 35 experienced and passionate faculty members, as well as a staff of 15. The COE is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and maintains accreditations in school psychology from the National Association of School Psychologists and community counseling by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
 
In 2008, the College ratified a strategic plan that remains the driving vision for the COE. The four central goals of the strategic plan were to: prepare practitioners and policy makers to be educational leaders for a just and humane world; model collegial and collaborative communities in interactions among faculty, staff, students, and external constituencies; provide leadership in teaching, learning, scholarship, service, and reflective practice; and increase recognition as leaders in the profession and influence as policy makers. The strategic plan is a live document, updated each year with the progress made toward accomplishing each goal.
 
Students at the COE have a variety of opportunities to enhance their learning experience beyond the classroom. In addition to graduate assistantships and participation in the University-wide Youth Initiative, the COE is home to Middle College High School (MCHS). Operated by Seattle Public Schools, MCHS is a small alternative high school that offers a standard high school curriculum on a university campus.

Role of the Dean of The College of Education

The Dean reports to the Provost and works in collaboration with the senior leadership team and deans from other colleges. The Dean provides academic and administrative leadership for the COE faculty and staff, overseeing its teaching, research, and service missions. The Dean oversees all personnel matters, a $5.73 million budget, and all academic programs. In addition, the Dean carries out an important external role, within the University and in the broader community, as an advocate and ambassador for Seattle University and the COE and as a spokesperson and thought leader for issues related to education. Reporting to the Dean are two associate deans, academic chairs and program directors, a half-time development director, and other additional staff members.Dean of the College of Education Seattle University

Key Opportunities and Challenges for the Dean

The Seattle University COE has many distinguishing strengths, including a diverse collection of academic programs, strong existing partnerships, a talented and accomplished faculty and a deep commitment to social justice. Throughout its nearly 80-year history, the COE has trained generations of teachers and educational leaders to serve the state of Washington and beyond. The overarching challenge for the next Dean will be to harness these strengths and take the COE into the next era of excellence.

In recent years, the COE has been challenged to sustain the high enrollment levels it has seen in the past, which may be attributed in part to the growth in competing campus-based and online education programs. The next Dean will need to position the COE to ensure than it remains at the forefront as a graduate program of education and successfully maintain NCATE accreditation. Through open, respectful management, the Dean will help the COE sustain and enhance an academic program that combines social-justice oriented learning, teaching, and research, and that is supported by a seamless administrative infrastructure. To achieve these goals, the Dean will address the following opportunities and challenges:
 
Lead and facilitate a conversation about the vision of and for the College
Upon joining the SU community, the Dean will engage members of the COE in a broad conversation focused on understanding the current status of the College and shaping a clear vision and setting priorities to guide the College's future. The Dean will encourage and facilitate faculty, staff, and student discussions about SU's mission-centered programs, education philosophy and policies, and the trajectory of the COE. Through these interactions, the Dean must come to be known as an open, engaging leader who is respectful of the College's traditions, passionate and excited about the COE's potential and able to lead the College into the future.
 
Ensure that the College's set of programs is sustainable and responsive to demand
In light of declining enrollment and in response to the changing market for the education programs, the Dean will lead a review of the College's programs. By conducting a market analysis, the Dean will identify the COE's strengths as well as opportunities for efficiency and growth. Through this process, the Dean will forge a compelling vision for how the COE can further secure its position as a leading school of education. Building upon the goals and objectives of the College, as well as the academic vision of the President and Provost, the Dean will seek to make good programs better, accentuate programs that distinguish the COE from its competitors and develop new programs that meet emerging demand.
 
Generate sufficient revenues to support continued growth and excellence
The Dean must ensure that the COE generates sufficient revenues to support continued growth and program improvement. This endeavor will require a combination of skillful enrollment management; fundraising; increased research productivity; and the development of diverse and distinctive academic programs that continue to attract a strong, steady base of students. The Dean will work with the President, Provost and other senior leaders at SU to support the upcoming capital campaign, and must be able to present a compelling vision for the COE that will attract the interest of an array of philanthropic donors. In addition, the Dean will ensure that the COE creates deep and lasting connections with its alumni and builds partnerships with key leaders in industry and government.
 
Develop a vision to support the growing role of technology in higher education
As technology continues to adapt and improve and competitors continue to emerge in the online space, SU and the COE must seek to make technology empower academic quality. The Dean will encourage and Dean of the College of Education Seattle University support faculty and staff to develop and further their understanding of how of how technology can be integrated and effectively utilized in the classroom. In addition, though the University remains committed to its on-campus student experience, graduate and continuing education programs offer a unique opportunity to utilize online learning to expand the reach of the COE to students who may not otherwise be able to reach SU's campus. The Dean will lead the College in the exploration and development of hybrid- and distance-learning opportunities that respond to the demands of COE students and further position the College as a leader and innovator in education.
 
Position the College at the forefront of education innovation in Seattle and beyond
The Dean will serve as an ambassador for the COE within and beyond Seattle. The College has longstanding connections to the Seattle Public Schools and with the Archdiocese of Seattle and the Dean will continue to develop and strengthen these partnerships. At the same time, the Dean will serve as an external advocate for the College, and help promote dialogue about issues facing the broader education community by forging connections with PreK-12, post-secondary education, foundations, non-profits, and educational leaders across the state. Through this process, the Dean can lead the College to build its reputation as a go-to resource for informed ideas and innovative strategies to guide and improve the work of educators in all contexts. 

Qualifications and Characteristics

The most competitive candidates will possesses most, if not all, of the following qualities and characteristics:

• An earned doctorate degree in education, or another relevant discipline, from an accredited institution.
• A distinguished record of scholarship and teaching that merits appointment as a full professor or equivalent experience that merits an appropriate faculty appointment.
• Relevant and appropriate administrative experience, preferably in higher education at the college or school level or above.
• Demonstrated success in external relations, development activities, and/or procurement of extramural funding.
• Demonstrated success in enhancement and development of graduate and/or professional programs in education.
• The ability to recruit, motivate, inspire, and retain talented faculty and staff.
• Expertise and/or experience in PK-16 education.
• A record as a consensus builder with a demonstrated history of successfully bridging internal and external stakeholders and forging unity and loyalty.
• A proven record of forging strong professional partnerships within a wide variety of organizations.
• Outstanding communication skills and ability to mediate and solve conflicts.
• A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing supporting an equitable, socially just, and diverse learning community.
• High levels of energy, stamina, and charisma and an impeccable reputation for integrity.  

Location

SU is located between First Hill and Capitol Hill, one of Seattle's most vibrant neighborhoods, with a unique mix of ethnic restaurants, coffee houses, retail shops and other services. The city of Seattle, which serves as the extended campus of the University, is considered to be one of the most livable cities in the U.S. and is renowned as a hub for outdoor recreation and arts and culture. Seattle combines unparalleled natural beauty with small-town friendliness, a Pacific Rim outlook, and cosmopolitan amenities. Contrary to its reputation, Seattle receives less precipitation than New York City, Atlanta, Houston, and most cities along the eastern seaboard. Learn more about Seattle; for more about Washington.

Applications, Inquiries, and Nominations

Screening of applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Applicants should send three separate documents: a detailed letter of application; a curriculum vita or resume; and a list of at least 8 references including complete contact information and a description of the relationship to the applicant. Electronic submission of applications and correspondence is strongly preferred. Inquiries and nominations can be submitted to the same e-mail address or one can contact the search firm representatives at the address or phone number listed below.

Julie Filizetti and Cati Mitchell
Isaacson, Miller
649 Mission Street, Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94105-4128
Phone: 415.655.4900
Fax: 415.655.4905
E-mail: 4641@imsearch.com

Seattle University is committed to achieving excellence through cultural diversity and strongly encourages applications and nominations of women, individuals with disabilities, veterans and individuals from diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds. Seattle University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Dean of the College of Education Seattle University

Vision:
The Seattle University College of Education will be an educationally excellent learning community that prepares professional leaders dedicated to education for justice and service to others.
 
Mission:
The College of Education strives to:
• be a scholarly learning community of students, staff and faculty characterized by collegiality and collaboration.
• lead by collaboratively serving others from a grounding in the ethics and values of the Jesuit tradition.to provide a curriculum relevant to the needs of the profession, the greater society and supported by the best practice and research.
• welcome and represent the diversity of our society through its teaching, programs, students, and personnel.
• produce graduates who are compassionate and effective professionals in their respective areas of preparation.

Values:
As an educational community dedicated to service to others, the College of Education faculty
and staff embrace the following values:

Collaboration and Care
We are committed to our students. Our programs and curricula enable collaboration within and among P-12 schools, colleges, universities, families, community members and organizations.

Academic Excellence
As faculty, we are outstanding teachers/scholars, dedicated to service and actively engaged in making contributions to our professions. The curricula we deliver are rigorous and reflect current best practices. Our curricula anticipate and create the knowledge, skills and dispositions needed for reflective leaders in their professions.

Diversity
Our commitment to understand and respond to human differences is articulated and practiced throughout all aspects of the programs, including admissions, curriculum and student field experiences. Our programs provide opportunities to learn about the world beyond the border of the United States, and to learn about American society's relation to and place in the larger world system.

Faith
Our programs honor the many beliefs of our students and faculty members. Through open dialog we seek to prepare professionals who experience the Jesuit educational traditions grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and appreciate multiple perspectives.

Education for Justice
As a college, we have a commitment to education for justice consistent with the Jesuit tradition. This includes advocacy and action with and on behalf of others and reflects beliefs in the dignity of the Dean of the College of Education Seattle University human person and the rights of individuals in a just society to participate fully in the socio-cultural, economic and political structures that affect them.

Leadership
We seek to develop responsible and reflective leaders committed to the common good. Leadership is modeled by our faculty who provide leadership in their programs, the college, the university, local and global community service, and in their professional fields.