Dean College of Science

Department: College of Science

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category:Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type:FullTime

Work Schedule:Fulltime 1.0 FTE 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax VA

Workplace Type:OnSite Required

Salary:Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check:Yes

Financial Background Check:Yes

About the Department:

George Mason University (George Mason) Virginias largest public research institution invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Science. Ranked among the top 25 most innovative national universities by U.S. News and World Report George Mason is located in the Washington DC metropolitan area with unsurpassed geographical access to federal agencies such as NSF NIH and FDA international organizations and major corporations across a myriad of industries.

Created a decade ago when the College of Science (COS) moved from the College of Arts and Sciences the COS houses eight departments and one school: Atmospheric Oceanic and Earth Sciences; Biology; Chemistry and Biochemistry; Computational and Data Sciences; Environmental Science and Policy; Geography and Geoinformation Science; Mathematical Sciences; Physics and Astronomy; and the School of Systems Biology. Other programs in the College include Biomedical Sciences Forensic Science Neuroscience and the SmithsonianMason School of Conservation. In the decade since the formation of COS the College has grown significantly in enrollment academic programs and research expenditures. In this context the COS seeks an entrepreneurial visionary Dean to propel the College forward and to advance its (inter)national reputation.

Nearly 3400 undergraduates and more than 1000 graduate students were enrolled in Fall 2024. They are taught by 146 tenureline faculty and 88 instructional faculty plus a robust cadre of adjunct faculty; in addition 64 research faculty and staff contribute to the Colleges vibrant research activities. The College is supported by approximately 100 dedicated staff members.

The College of Science has grown its research enterprise and as a research powerhouse in one of the most influential regions of the United States has ambitions to be on the cutting edge of science. George Masons College of Science will be the home of the $19.5M Landolt NASA Space Mission that will put an artificial star in orbit around the Earth. Principal investigators in the College have won awards from a diverse range of funding agencies including a $13.6M Naval Research Laboratory award (Physics & Astronomy) a $3.2M Defense Threat Reduction Agency award (Biology) a $3M Federal Highway Administration award (Center for Collision Safety & Analysis) and a $2.8M VA Dept of Education Lab School award (Mathematical Sciences).

Further increases in externally funded research are expected over the next several years. New government and corporate collaborations are emerging in the biomedical area growing data science initiatives expanding focus on environmental issues and transportation safety conservation efforts at the recently opened Potomac Science Center facilities in nearby Belmont Bay a strong academic and research presence in remote sensing and geospatial sciences and broadened sustainability climate and water security programs. Entrepreneurial and economic development options will increase with new discoveries additional patents and the continued success of current spinoff companies.

Academic programs and pioneering research initiatives are housed at the Fairfax campus the Science and Technology (SciTech) Campus the Potomac Science Center the SmithsonianMason School of Conservation (a partnership between George Mason and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute) and other specialty locations throughout the region. This broad regional presence combined with strategic national and international connections reinforces the Colleges mission to provide worldclass scientific leadership in a wide variety of areas important to modern society.

About the Position:

Reporting to James Antony the Provost and Executive Vice President the Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the College of Science and as an essential member of the Universitys leadership team. The Dean provides visionary leadership to elevate the College of Sciences academic and research excellence and to advance its (inter)national reputation. In full alignment with the strategic direction of the University the Deans primary responsibility is to provide innovative leadership to the College (faculty administrators staff and students) in all aspects of operation including academic affairs research administration and planning student recruitment and career placement enrollment management and financial aid financial management and institutional advancement. The Dean oversees an operating budget of $61 million and 21 direct reports.

Responsibilities:

• Provides vision and leadership to strengthen existing programs elevate the Colleges profile nationally and globally and promote its achievements and research;
• Develops a multicampus strategy that coordinates academic and research programs across campuses addresses infrastructure needs and ensures smooth student transition to the new SciTech campus;
• Maintains the Colleges financial stability by advocating for and developing a clear budget model and deftly managing financial constraints;
• Develops a studentfocused agenda that centers student success research and mentorship; cultivates a supportive and inclusive culture that supports the academic and personal wellbeing of students;
• Strengthens the research infrastructure and leverages resources to further enable and promote productivity;
• Recruits and retains excellent faculty and enhances their opportunities for career development;
• Fosters internal and external collaboration and deepens engagement by seeking crosscollege initiatives engaging alumni and fostering industry partnerships;
• Maintains highquality teaching standards; and
• Engages in fundraising and resource generation for key initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• A recognized leader in their field with academic credentials including a Ph.D. or other relevant degree and a record of scholarship sufficient for appointment as a tenured full professor;
• The inclination to seek and analyze (quantitative and qualitative) data from a variety of sources to support decisions and to align others with the Colleges overall strategy;
• Ability to set and articulate vision and strategy to a wide range of constituents and to engage them in its implementation;
• Values governance and consensus building;
• The ability to attract and recruit top talent motivate the team delegate effectively and manage performance; widely viewed as a strong developer of others;
• Aptitude and genuine interest in fundraising building partnerships and stakeholder engagement;
• Accessible and engaged; provide consistent transparent communication with strong listening skills and open dialogue;
• An experienced leader with strong management skills and financial acumen;
• A genuine commitment to the teaching and research missions of the University;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Naturally connects and builds strong collaborative relationships with others demonstrating an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively; and
• An ability to inspire trust and followership in others and to foster an environment that promotes ideation and innovation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant experience working in a public fouryear institution;
• Some direct experience working with an international branch campus; and
• Understanding of international education and work with branch campuses; ability to engage effectively with external constituents.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration applicants must apply forDean College of Science at and submit the online application to include CV and letter of interest. The letter of interest should reflect how a candidates qualifications and experience match those described in this leadership profile.

George Mason University has retained Russell Reynolds to support this recruitment. Joi HayesScott and Jett Pihakis Russell Reynolds Associates are leading the search. Inquiries applications and nominations should be sent to . The search process will unfold with the greatest possible attention to candidate confidentiality.

Posting Open Date:November 4 2024

For Full Consideration Apply by: December 2 2024

Open Until Filled:Yes