Dean, School of Education

Position Description and Application Instructions

SUMMARY

The Dean of the School of Education serves as the chief academic and administrative officer and as the key ambassador for Vanguard Universitys School of Education and therefore is responsible for all educational and operational activities of the School of Education across traditional undergraduate non-traditional and graduate educational programs. The Dean leads the vision and strategy for the School of Education leading the faculty and staff of the school in fulfilling Vanguard Universitys mission and pursuing its vision and continually advancing the school forward in educational impact and innovative growth borne of a collaborative healthy faculty and staff culture. The Dean will hold an appointment as Administrative Faculty reports to the Provost Vice President of Academic Affairs and serves as a member of the Academic Leadership Council (the Provosts senior leadership team).

Vanguard Universitys programs in education have long been highly regarded in Orange County and beyond. The School of Education holds a deeply-held vision to equip teachers and educational leaders to bring love and wisdom to classrooms and schools so that students families and communities are empowered to flourish. Indeed this vision is consistent with mission and values of Vanguard University a Hispanic-Serving Institution with a highly diverse student body (approximately 2/3 students of color). By championing education for love and wisdom Vanguards School of Education seeks to become the leading provider of Christ-centered preparation of teachers and educational leaders in Orange County and our broader region.

Guided by Vanguards strategic plan and Ascend 2030: Our Strategic Plan for Academic Renewal and continuing momentum developed over the last three years under the leadership of Dean Jeff Hittenberger PhD the Dean of the School of Education leads the faculty and staff of the School of Education in fulfilling the Schools mission and pursuing its vision continually advancing the School forward in educational impact internal health and innovative an increasingly complex and challenging environment for educators serving Pre-K-12 schools the Dean will led the School of Education to continue to a) build on its stellar reputation and expand its name and standing across the Southern California educational community b) strengthen and expand relationships with school districts schools and educators across Orange County and the State of California c) innovate new creative programs that will spur enrollment growth and serve the future of education and d) educate students at every level with love and wisdom. Working internally within the School of Education the Dean will demonstrate leadership by cultivating a first-class faculty and engaging strategic planning and program development to ensure mission-aligned and market-responsive programs that align with Vanguards identity as a Christ-centered institution preparing students for Spirit-empowered life of Christ-centered leadership and service. Working with key external constituencies as an ambassador the Dean will cultivate relationships with educational leaders to extend the schools reach enlarge the schools network and expand institutional support.

Position begins July 1 2026. Applications and nominations will be reviewed starting May 1 2026 and the search process will continue until the position is filled.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Chief Academic Officer for the School of Education 40%:

• Provide strategic oversight of the Schools academic programs and personnel in its undergraduate and graduate level education.
• Work with University leadership to continually develop and strengthen academic programming that is academically rigorous standards-aligned practically relevant appropriately innovative and affordable and accessible to future teachers and educational leaders.
• Advance innovation in academic programming through creative partnerships and continuous approaches to quality improvement.
• Ensure a top-notch faculty by providing leadership supervision mentoring and coaching to faculty.
• Promote the integration of faith learning and living among faculty and students.
• Oversee accreditations re-accreditations program reviews and ongoing educational assessment within the School.
• Model effective teaching and servant leadership by teaching up to 12 units a year in courses fitting the Deans subject matter expertise.

Chief Administrative Officer for the School of Education Member of Academic Leadership Council 40%:

• In collaboration with the President Provost and faculty develop a strategic plan for the School that identifies key priorities and commitments for the next season of the School.
• Serve on the Academic Leadership Council working collaboratively with the deans of the other schools and colleges on academic strategy academic culture program development joint teaching opportunities and budget efficiencies toward the betterment of the University as a whole.
• Lead the School with an eye toward fiscal health including achieving revenue targets developing external funding from private donors and foundations and effectively stewarding budget resources.
• Ensure the School of Education and academic program marketing aligns with the mission and ethos of Vanguard University.
• Serve as program director for academic program(s) as resources and faculty expertise dictates.
• Supervise directly staff and resident faculty within the School and indirectly supervise part-time and adjunct faculty through Chairs and Program Directors.
• Recruit develop and supervise administration and staff within the College.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Provost Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Key Ambassador for the School of Education 20%:

• Embody promote and articulate the mission vision and identity of Vanguard University.
• Serve as a key connection with both private schools (and networks) and local school districts including board members principals and educators particularly Orange County and beyond in the SoCal area and across California and work to develop strategic partnerships.
• Partner with University Advancement to increase philanthropic and foundation support for education programs.
• Represent Vanguard University and the School of Education to key constituencies including churches schools alumni donors peer institutions and relevant scholarly societies establishing effective relationships of trust and confidence with external constituencies to promote academic programs while representing the faculty and university.
• Provide a clear voice for education with love and wisdom for the School of Education on campus and around the world.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE:

• Vibrant belief in Jesus Christ with ample evidence of personal discipleship.
• Education: Masters degree in education or related field required. Earned doctorate in Education or a related discipline strongly preferred.
• 10 years of educational leadership experience (at least 5 years in a management role).
• Engagement in meaningful professional relationships with local and state education leaders and/or the ability and willingness to establish and cultivate such relationships.
• Demonstrated ability to winsomely articulate the Schools vision and mission as well as program needs that would provide rationale and impetus for institutional and external funding.
• Demonstrated commitment as a team player to support and collaborate with senior leadership and faculty colleagues.
• Strong analytical abilities and requisite knowledge of higher education trends institutional and disciplinary accreditation standards and tools commonly used for assessment and accreditation.
• Ability and devotion to embrace uphold and preserve Vanguards Assemblies of God theological distinctives including the Pentecostal heritage of Spirit-empowered life and thought.
• Utmost personal and professional integrity with the willingness and ability to earn respect and trust and demonstrated high level of emotional intelligence including self and relational awareness.
• Experience collaborating with administration faculty and staff as well as successful leadership and team management experience.
• Working knowledge and/or ability to learn various software and data analysis programs relevant to areas of responsibility (e.g. student information systems data management platforms).
• Strong strategic and operational planning/budgeting skills.
• A commitment to spiritual and organizational health that is expressed in organizational effectiveness stewardship of resources collegiality and personal well-being.
• Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills that will result in effective collaboration with faculty and key campus stakeholders for strategic thinking team building and managing differences.
• Regular participation in worship and service within a local church community.
• A life marked by the love of Christ consistent with Biblical standards.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Interested candidates must submit the following to the AssociateDirector of Human Resources Kayla Gonzalez at by 11:59 p.m. - Thursday April 30 2026.

• Letter of Interest
• Curriculum Vitae
  • Colleges/universities attended location & degree or units earned.
  • Majors or fields of study undergrad and graduate majors minors and areas of concentration.
  • With the most recent a chronological listing of teaching experience - name and location of institutions title/academic rank full/part-time dates of employment
  • A specific listing of courses previously taught
  • Publications presentations honors awards and memberships in professional organizations
  • With the most recent employment position/title full/part-time dates of employment
  • Any other qualifying experience paid/voluntary other.
• Accompanying Essays

1. Personal Testimony of Relationship with Jesus Christ: Please provide a brief account of your experience of coming to faith in Christ. Include current church attendance ministry outreach and service involvement any experience you have had with the Assemblies of God or other Pentecostal churches.
2. Philosophy of Christian Education and Role of a Christian University: Explain what you believe to be the elements essential to the educational theory and practice of a Christian University.
3. Integration of Faith Teaching and Scholarship: Explain how you integrate your faith with your discipline and in your teaching and scholarship.

• References
  • Names e-mail and phone numbers of at least 3 people not related to you whom we may contact for an evaluation of your professional abilities.

Review of submissions will start on May 1 2026.Those individuals determined to be best suited for the position will be asked to complete a formal application and will be invited to an interview.

Nominations for this position will also be accepted through Thursday April 30 2026. Employees may nominate an individual for this position by emailing with the individuals name and a short explanation as to why she/he should be considered. The nominated individual will be contacted and encouraged to participate in the selection process.

SALARY

This is a full-time FLSA exempt position.

Salary Range: $130000to $155000 (Annual)

Placement within the salary range is commensurate upon education and experience. Posted salary range reflects anticipated hiring scale for the position. Placement at the upper range is reserved for those that demonstrate the highest level of education and experience necessary for this position. Vanguard University offers a generous benefit package.