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Divisional Dean, School of Social Work
Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Boise State University in its search for its
Inaugural Divisional Dean, School of Social Work.
For best consideration, please apply by October
28th.
This is an exciting opportunity and exceptional time to join Boise State University. Surrounded by bucolic
mountains and rivers and located in a vibrant city with an active, engaged community and a robust and fast-growing economy, Boise State has
been nationally recognized for innovation. Having obtained Carnegie Classification in 2016, Boise State University is a growing research
institution (R2).
Joining a strong and growing program, the successful candidate is an inclusive, collaborative, decision maker
comfortable working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Powered by creativity and innovation, and uniquely positioned in the
Northwest as a metropolitan research university of distinction, Boise State University seeks its inaugural Divisional Dean in the School of
Social Work to:
· build on the School’s history of success;
· lead and continue to grow the thriving MSW
and BSW programs;
· develop and expand existing distance and alternative education platforms;
· and support
interdisciplinary, interprofessional, and community-engaged teaching, scholarship, research, and service.
As the chief academic
officer for the School of Social Work, the Divisional Dean will be a demonstrated leader with an entrepreneurial spirit and possess the
capacity to lead and promote innovative program development and growth. Additionally, the Divisional Dean will exercise responsibility for
academic and administrative operations; including budget, personnel, programs, and physical facilities. The ideal candidate will promote,
foster, and encourage a positive working environment for staff, faculty, and students alike. Through consultation with the faculty, the
Divisional Dean will establish a vision in setting priorities, maintaining academic standards, and strengthening faculty scholarship and
research. Experience with budgets for large programs will be an asset, as will a proven track record with both teaching and research
including grant management.
Areas of responsibility include leadership for graduate and undergraduate programs, outreach, and
continuing education; establishment and expansion of research, clinical practice, and educational programs; growth of extramural funding and
fundraising; cultivation of alumni relations; and building and sustaining strong relationships with internal and external constituents.
Working in partnership across the College and University, the Divisional Dean represents the School within the University, the external
community and region, the state, as well as with external agencies and organizations.
The Divisional Dean reports directly to the
Dean and participates in a shared governance system with faculty, staff, and students.
Required
Qualifications:
The University seeks individuals with:
· A Ph.D. in Social Work or a closely related field, a
Master’s degree in Social Work from a program accredited by the CSWE, and full professor status;
· A solid record of
professional accomplishment;
· Commitment to excellence in research and teaching;
· Administrative, budget, and
leadership skills;
· Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accreditation experience;
· A high standard of
excellence, and strong community engagement skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
· Proven skills in
leadership and a commitment to excellence and innovation with a vision for the future of education in social work;
· Program
development and management in face-to-face, online, and distance education;
· Ability to secure external research funding and
assist and support faculty and students applying for external research grants and opportunities;
· Experience in developing
and maintaining successful community partnerships;
· Success in supporting innovative curriculum, research, and program
development;
· Track record of work with doctoral programming (DSW and/or PhD);
· Capacity to make bold
leadership decisions that support growth despite the changing climate in higher education.
About the
Institution:
A metropolitan research university with over 19,000 students, Boise State is ranked by U.S. News &
World Report as one of the “Top Up-and-Coming” universities in the West and as one of the “Top 50 for
Innovation.” The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching has recognized the University as one of the fewer than 100
universities with a community engagement classification. The University offers over 150 academic programs, including 76 Master’s
degrees, and four doctoral programs. The 285-acre campus is located near downtown Boise on the south bank of the Boise River and includes
more than 170 buildings. Despite the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the University broke records for 2021 research and
sponsored project awards and expenditures. The University strives to be a “new kind of research university” in which research
impacts students at all levels of their education, is fully integrated into how people teach and learn, and helps students become innovative
thinkers and leaders. In the face of the significant uncertainty and economic disruptions, University donors increased their support by more
than $7.6 million during fiscal year 2021, the result of more than 83,000 gifts from 24,500 individual, corporate, and foundation
donors.
About the School of Social Work:
The School of Social Work prepares graduates in Idaho and the
Pacific Northwest for beginning and advanced social work practice. Programs are rigorous and transformative, and faculty provide a
comprehensive and hands-on education. Curriculum includes a liberal arts perspective informed by recognition of the critical import to
social work education and practice of cultural, political, and socio-historical contexts; skills in communication, reasoning, analysis and
critical thinking and inquiry; understanding of human behavior; and scientific method. The department of social work officially became a
School in 1994. Originally under the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs, the School was transitioned to the College of Health
Sciences in 2014. Today the School has the largest graduate program at the University. The 280 undergraduate students and 470 graduate
students (86 face-to-face and 384 online) are served by 16 faculty. In addition to the undergraduate BSW program, the School also offers
both the Full-Program MSW and the Advanced Standing MSW options. All social work programs have been reaffirmed for accreditation through
February 2026 by the CSWE.
Living in the Area:
Boise is Idaho’s capital and a city consistently
recognized as one of the nation’s best places to live. Each year the city ranks on multiple top 10 lists and has been placed among the
best U.S. downtowns, the best city to raise a family, the healthiest, the best place to retire, the best place to be a doctor, and a good
spot for yogis and asthmatics. Beautifully situated at the base of the Rocky Mountain foothills, downtown Boise is the cultural center and
home to a variety of shopping and dining experiences. The downtown contains a pedestrian zone with sidewalk cafes and many local
restaurants, bars, and boutiques. The city’s attractions include the art deco Boise Art Museum and sculpture garden; the sandstone
Idaho State Capitol Building; the classic Egyptian Theatre; the Basque Block, which showcases Boise’s Basque heritage; and Zoo Boise on the
grounds of Julia Davis Park. Boise offers numerous recreational opportunities, including extensive hiking and biking in the foothills north
of downtown. The Boise River runs through the heart of the city and an extensive twenty-five-mile urban trail system called the Boise River
Greenbelt runs along the river and features walking, jogging, and biking paths; prime wildlife habitat; and is a common destination for
swimming, rafting, kayaking, and fishing.
To Apply:
For best consideration, please apply by
October 28th.
To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjyyelwt
Please do not email applications.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. All applications are treated
confidentially.
Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are treated confidentially:
Inquiries and questions:
Please send to [email protected]
Nominations and referrals: Please send to [email protected]
Institution’s EEO
Statement
Boise State University is an equal opportunity employer. The University is committed to providing
equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment as provided for by federal, state, and local law.
Boise State prohibits, to the extent permitted by applicable law, discrimination against any individual on the basis of race, color,
religion, gender, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, or sexual orientation. As an
affirmative action employer, the University is building a culturally diverse faculty and staff and strongly encourages applications from
women, minorities, qualified individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans.
