Dean of the Faculty

Duties and Responsibilities

• Faculty Leadership and Development
  • Provide leadership for a healthy collaborative and mission-centered faculty culture
  • Oversee faculty recruitment hiring mentoring evaluation promotion and annual reviews
  • Encourage faculty growth in teaching excellence scholarship and professional development
  • Support faculty spiritual formation and missional engagement
  • Lead faculty meetings and facilitate shared governance processes
  • Collaborate with recruitment leadership to utilize faculty at strategic points in the recruitment process
• Academic Quality and Curriculum Oversight
  • Provide oversight for curriculum development review and continuous improvement
  • Ensure academic programs meet graduate theological education standards and reflect Wesley Seminarys mission and theological commitments
  • Lead program assessment processes in collaboration with the faculty and Academic Services
  • Support innovative teaching practices and pedagogical excellence
• Program Innovation and Development
  • In coordination with the CAO and in partnership with the EVP identify design and launch new academic programs credentials and delivery models to drive enrollment growth and meet the ministrys evolving needs
  • Encourage faculty participation in program innovation and emerging ministry needs
  • Provide academic leadership in shaping proposals for new programs and program modifications
• Academic Strategy and Planning
  • Serve as a key contributor to Seminary-wide academic strategy and long-term planning
  • Advise the EVP on academic trends faculty capacity and strategic opportunities
  • Participate in decisions and activities related to program growth consolidation or closure
• Institutional Representation
  • Represent Wesley Seminary in denominational church and selected external academic contexts where academic leadership and faculty voice are essential and can contribute to enrollment
  • Serve as an ambassador for the Seminarys academic vision and mission in collaboration with the EVP CAO and the VP of Enrollment
• Academic Partnerships
  • Assist in cultivating and sustaining academic partnerships with seminaries universities churches and ministry organizations
  • Provide academic oversight and faculty engagement for partnership initiatives
  • Collaborate with executive leadership to ensure partnerships are academically sound and missionally aligned
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Work closely with the Director of Academic Services to ensure strong alignment between academic vision and academic operations
  • Collaborate with Admissions Advancement Learning Innovation IT and University partners to support student success enrollment growth and program sustainability
  • Serve as a bridge between faculty and administrative teams ensuring effective communication and integration of academic priorities
• Accreditation Support (Academic Leadership Role)
  • In collaboration with the CAO (responsible for accreditation execution and reporting) provide academic leadership and faculty oversight for accreditation processes (ATS HLC and related bodies)
  • Review and validate academic components of accreditation reports
  • Prepare faculty for accreditation visits and evaluations
• Teaching and Scholarship
  • Teach in areas of expertise as appropriate (typically limited to 12 courses annually)
  • Maintain scholarly engagement consistent with faculty rank and Seminary expectations
• Other Responsibilities
  • Fulfill additional academic leadership responsibilities as assigned by the EVP consistent with the scope and purpose of the role
• Supervisory Responsibility
  • Provide leadership and supervision to any part-time or full-time:
    • Faculty
    • Assistant Dean
    • Academic Program Directors
    • Faculty Administrative Assistant

Qualifications:According to Indiana Wesleyan University employment policy all employees must possess a strong Christian commitment and adhere to the standards outlined in the IWU Community Lifestyle Statement.

Education

• Terminal degree (Ph.D. Th.D. Ed.D. . or equivalent) in theology ministry religious studies or a closely related field

Experience

• Demonstrated excellence in teaching at the graduate level
• Academic leadership experience (e.g. Program Director Department Chair Associate Dean or equivalent)
• Experience in curriculum development and program assessment
• Familiarity with ATS standards and theological education accreditation

Required Skills

• Deep Christian faith aligned with the mission and values of Wesley Seminary and The Wesleyan Church
• Collaborative relational and servant-hearted leadership style
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Commitment to Kingdom diversity global Christianity and accessible theological education
• Visionary and innovative mindset balanced with academic rigor and integrity

IWU Kingdom Diversity Statement

IWU in covenant with Gods reconciling work and in accordance with the Biblical principles of our historic Wesleyan tradition commits to build a community that reflects Kingdom diversity. We will foster an intentional environment for living teaching and learning which exhibits honor respect and dignity. Acknowledging visible or invisible differences our community authentically values each members earthly and eternal worth. We refute ignorance and isolation and embrace deliberate and courageous engagement that exhibits Christs commandment to love all humankind.

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER

As a religious educational institution operating under the auspices of The Wesleyan Church Indiana Wesleyan University is permitted and reserves the right to prefer employees on the basis of religion (42 U.S.C. Sections 2000e-1 and 2000e-2).

The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities duties and skills required for the position. Employees will be required to follow other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and State Laws.