DescriptionThe University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) invites applications for the position ofDean of the College of Education Health & Rehabilitation.
We are seeking a collaborative executive leader who understands that the future of Maines schools begins in our classrooms. Reporting directly to the VPAA/Provost the Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer for the College championing faculty scholarships fostering student success and ensuring that our programs remain the gold standard for pedagogical innovation and professional accreditation.
Key Responsibilities
Academic Leadership & Curricular Excellence
- Visionary Leadership:Provide the primary Academic vision for the College facilitating the creation and advocacy of forward-thinking programs in partnership with faculty and the VPAA/Provost.
- Quality Assurance & Assessment: Lead the rigorous implementation of academic program development formal reviews and comprehensive assessment process to maintain institutional excellence.
- Pedagogical Innovation: Approve the acquisition of cutting-edge instructional technology and equipment while assisting programs in adopting new tools to enhance educational delivery across all modalities.
- Professional Engagement: Maintain active professional development within your own academic discipline to stay at the forefront of educational scholarship.
Faculty Advocacy & Personnel Management
- Faculty Development: Champion the teaching service and scholarship of the faculty and actively promote initiatives for undergraduate research.
- Recruitment: Coordinate the recruitment and orientation of full- and part-time faculty.
- Performance Management: Oversee appointments tenure and promotions in accordance with the UMF Faculty Handbook and collective bargaining agreements (AFUM/PATFA).
- Mentorship: Encourage and sustain high levels of professional engagement and scholarly activity among UMF faculty.
Strategic Operations & Fiscal Stewardship
- Institutional Alignment:Collaborate with the Vice Presidents and other Deans to implement strategic planning that meets both university-wide goals and departmental needs.
- Fiscal Responsibility: Lead the development of budgets and resource allocations approve expenditures and represent the Colleges needs in institutional budget processes.
- Operational Management: Ensure effective management of the office including office assignments and presiding over college-wide meetings.
- Academic Scheduling: Finalize complex academic schedules in consultation wit the registrar advisors admissions and other Deans.
- Policy Governance: Develop and evaluate College policies to ensure compliance with federal state and system-level regulations.
Student Advocacy & External Relations
- Student Success: Act as a primary student advocate by addressing academic concerns and fostering an environment conducive to student achievement.
- Co-Curricular Partnerships: Partner with the Dean of Students to develop activities that reflect the values and professional interests of the College.
- Community Representation: Serve as the Colleges ambassador to the University and broader community supporting outreach and marketing efforts.
- Resource Development: Facilitate the acquisition of external grants and identify new sources of financial assistance to grow College Programs.
Complete job description
Required Competencies & Skills
Leadership & Academic Management
- Administrative Oversight: Proven experience in personnel management curriculum development and comprehensive program assessment.
- Collaborative Leadership: A collegial and inclusive management style that fosters strong partnerships with all university stakeholders.
- Strategic Problem Solving: Advanced decision-making skills with a focus on evaluating results and implementing innovative data-driven solutions based on lessons learned.
- Advocacy: A commitment to promoting the Colleges reputation and value both internally and to the external community.
Communication & Professional Excellence
- Executive Communication: Evidence of superior verbal written and presentation skills across diverse platforms.
- Ethics & Integrity: Demonstrated ability to exercise principled judgement make ethical decision and maintain strict confidentiality regarding sensitive matters.
- Inclusive Excellence: A steadfast commitment to ensuring high-quality educational access for both traditional and non-traditional student populations.
Instruction & Technology
- Pedagogical Versatility: Direct experience teaching in various environments including in-person online and hybrid modalities.
- Technological Fluency: Proficiency in Microsoft Office Google Suite and virtual tools with the agility to master emerging technologies and social media.
Required Qualifications
- Earned Terminal Degree: A Ph.D. Ed.D. or equivalent form of an accredited institution.
- Administrative Experience: A minimum of five (5) years of successful academic administrative experience.
- Academic Record: Must be a tenured professor with a distinguished record of teaching scholarship and service or possess comparable professional experience.
- Leadership Background: Experience as a mentor supervisor and faculty leader.
Preferred Qualifications
- Accreditation: Significant experience with regional and external accreditation processes.
- Strategic Planning: Practical experience in institutional strategic planning and implementation.
- Early College: Familiarity with Early College initiatives and high school-to-college pathways.
- National Trends: A deep understanding of the national trends challenges and evolving issues in higher education.
Application Requirements:
- Cover Letter
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae
- Contact information for three (3) professional references
We are not able to consider applicants who require any visa sponsorship support
Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.
For full consideration materials must be submitted by 4:30 pm EST on Tuesday March 3 2026.
The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening.
The University of Maine offers a wide range of benefitsfor employees including but not limited to tuition benefits (employee and dependent) comprehensive insurance coverage including medical dental vision life insurance and short and long term disability as well as retirement plan options.
The University of Maine at Farmington employees are Mandatory Reporters with the exception of UMFs licensed clinical medical providers (including athletic trainers) and mental health providers and their clinical interns when working in their capacity as providers.
Equal Opportunity Statement
The University of Maine System (the System) is an equal opportunity institution committed to fostering a nondiscriminatory environment and complying with all applicable nondiscrimination laws. Consistent with State and Federal law the System does not discriminate on the basis of race color religion sex sexual orientation transgender status gender gender identity or expression ethnicity national origin citizenship status familial status ancestry age disability (physical or mental) genetic information pregnancy or veteran or military status in any aspect of its education programs and activities and employment. The System provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. If you believe you have experienced discrimination or harassment you are encouraged to contact the System Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX Services at 5713 Chadbourne Hall Room 412 Orono ME 04469-5713 by calling 207.581.1226 or via TTY at 711 (Maine Relay System). For more information about Title IX or to file a complaint please contact the UMS Title IX Coordinator at