UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS URBANA-CHAMPAIGN

DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF FINE AND APPLIED ARTS

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, one of the premier public research universities in the country, invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts (FAA). The University of Illinois is a world-class land-grant university committed to excellence in research, teaching, public engagement, and international programs. The university has a long tradition of shared governance and is committed to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. We seek a visionary Dean dedicated to partnering with the College’s faculty, staff, and students to advance creative practice and scholarship.

The College of Fine and Applied Arts at Illinois is singular in the nation for its diversity, innovation, and breadth.  The college mission is dedicated to the advancement, practice, and understanding of the arts.  The central focus of the college is the synergy between research and the preparation of students for professional careers in the creation and interpretation of the environmental, visual, and performing arts.  Deeply related to that focus is the commitment to elevate and sustain the study of the arts as both a necessary mode of understanding and a vibrant expression of human experience within the local, national, and international communities. 

The college comprises the Schools of Architecture, Art and Design, and Music; the Departments of Dance, Landscape Architecture, Theatre, and Urban and Regional Planning; Krannert Center for the Performing Arts; Krannert Art Museum; and Japan House.  There are over 660 faculty and staff including more than 150 tenure system faculty, and over 1850 undergraduate and 635 graduate students enrolled in over 30 majors and 10 minors. 

As the chief academic and executive officer of the college, the Dean has the primary responsibility for providing a unified vision, in alignment with the university strategy, strategic direction, faculty and staff development, the promotion and tenure process, budgetary oversight and planning, academic and curricular issues, fundraising, and facilities development.  The position of Dean of FAA reports to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost and is a senior administrative position with a seat on the Council of Deans.  The Dean will support and empower faculty, students, and staff; promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and access across the college; enhance and build interdisciplinary partnerships and collaborations across the campus, Illinois, and the world; and be a strong advocate and spokesperson for the college both on campus and with external partners and stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will possess superb leadership skills; outstanding administrative, budgetary, and fundraising experience; a demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access; excellent communication skills; and an ability to manage the challenges of undergraduate, graduate, and professional education in a complex university environment. They will have experience developing and nurturing relationships and partnerships across a variety of disciplines and with outside partners.  Candidates whose backgrounds are in a university setting should hold a terminal degree and have a distinguished record of teaching and of accomplishments in research and creative activity.  Candidates whose backgrounds are in a non-academic setting should have a distinguished record of professional accomplishments and demonstrate an understanding of and investment in scholarly achievement and a familiarity with the academic enterprise. Additionally, a proven record of achievement, commensurate with an appointment at the rank of full professor, is required.

This full-time, 12-month appointment has a negotiable start date with salary commensurate with experience.

Application Procedures:

Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. The University strongly encourages nominations of, as well as applications from, women and individuals traditionally underrepresented in academia and leadership. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, applications should be received by January 17, 2024. Candidates should provide a CV/resume and a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described above along with a minimum of three professional references. All inquiries, nominations/referrals, and applications should be sent electronically to:

Benjamin Tobin, Partner (he/him)

Becky Piper, Managing Associate (she/her/hers)

Lauren Wilkes, Senior Associate (she/her)

Alaine Small, Senior Search Coordinator (she/her)

Isaacson, Miller

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Founded in 1867, the University of Illinois is located in Urbana-Champaign and is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement, distinguished by the breadth of its programs, academic excellence, and internationally renowned faculty. Illinois faculty have earned 23 Nobel Prizes; two faculty and 18 alumni are Pulitzer Prize winners, and our faculty and alumni are well-represented in the memberships of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Academy of Engineering. The campus is a leader in access for students with disabilities and was the first to provide disabilities access to all campus programs, facilities, and services and the first to offer comprehensive wheelchair sports programming. Additional information about the University may be obtained from its website, www.illinois.edu.

The campus community includes approximately 35,000 undergraduate students; 21,000 graduate and professional students; 3,250 tenure-system and specialized faculty members; 3,900 academic professionals; and 4,300 staff members. The campus is home to 16 colleges and schools that address a variety of disciplines and fields including: College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences; College of Applied Health Sciences; Gies College of Business; College of Education; Grainger College of Engineering; College of Fine and Applied Arts; Graduate College; School of Information Sciences; School of Labor and Employment Relations; College of Law; College of Liberal Arts and Sciences; College of Media; Carle Illinois College of Medicine; School of Social Work; the University Library; and the College of Veterinary Medicine. With over 500,000 alumni from around the world, Illinois fully embraces its global presence while remaining committed to its land-grant heritage.