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Dean of the James L. Knight School of Communication
Queens University of Charlotte, in
partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates, is seeking applications and nominations for a
visionary, collaborative and inclusive leader to serve as the Dean of the James L. Knight School of Communication. Endowed
by the Knight Foundation, the mission of the Knight School of Communication is to develop students into effective communicators who become
engaged citizens and leaders in the communities they serve. The School offers undergraduate majors in communication and multimedia
storytelling, as well as concentrations in the areas of organizational and strategic communication, health communication, sports
communication, media studies, and journalism. In addition, the school supports a Master of Arts degree in communication in both campus and
online formats.
The School collaborates closely with the Queens Center for Digital Equity, an initiative that began as a project of
the School with support from the Knight Foundation. The Center convenes residents, organizations, government, and private sector partners to
co-create coordinated solutions that will help make Mecklenburg County the most digitally equitable community in America. The School is also
the higher education partner for the Charlotte Journalism Collaborative, a partnership of seven area media companies, that work together to
strengthen local journalism and encourage greater connection between reporters and local residents. The Knight School of Communication, much
like the city of Charlotte, is a growing and a dynamic unit that serves a diverse population of students. A priority is to increase the
visibility of its programs in the region and beyond.
Reporting to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean
of the Knight School provides academic and administrative leadership for the School’s programs and collaborates regularly with other
administrators, faculty and staff across the university. The Dean serves as the primary advocate and liaison for the School’s faculty
in matters of curriculum, policy, program development and resource allocation but must also have some external focus in order to advance
external partnerships and community initiatives that help elevate the School and the University.
Essential Duties and
Responsibilities include the following:
General:
- Provide intellectual and strategic leadership for the Knight
School of Communication (KSC) and its faculty, students, and staff. - Foster a climate of collaboration and shared purpose within the
School. - Ensure that KSC programs maintain excellent teaching and scholarship standards.
- Serve as an advocate for the needs
and programs of KSC and support faculty in teaching, professional development, service and scholarship. - Lead the development and
implementation of university strategic plans at the School level. - Supervise and support, in collaboration with undergraduate and
graduate admissions, efforts by KSC programs to recruit and retain students. - Encourage and support efforts to recruit and retain a
diverse faculty and staff and promote an inclusive and equitable environment. - In cooperation with the Office of Academic Advising,
ensure there is consistent and effective undergraduate advising in KSC. - Manage the KSC annual budget and coordinate the use of
funds to ensure appropriate staffing, including balance of full-time and part-time faculty and overloads. - Serve as a member of
Provost Council, the President’s Cabinet, and other university committees as needed. - Perform other duties as assigned by the
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Program Oversight and Direction:
- Establish annual and ongoing
goals for KSC that align with and support the university’s mission and strategic plan, and ensure the effective implementation of the
goals through appropriate allocation, development, and management of resources. - Provide oversight for the development of new
programs and the continued growth of current programs. - Collaborate with other academic leaders on university-wide programs, such as
the general education and honors programs. - Seek opportunities for cross-unit collaborations.
- Oversee curriculum
development and course offerings within KSC to ensure that they are consistent with the needs of students and available instructional
resources.
Personnel Development and Evaluation:
- Ensure that there are adequate resources to support the
continued professional development of faculty and staff members. - Conduct annual evaluations of all full-time faculty and
staff. - Make recommendations to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs in matters of promotion, tenure, renewal, and
continuance of faculty and staff members, as appropriate. - Oversee faculty and staff recruitment and retention in KSC.
External Relations:
- Engage regional groups, organizations, and institutions to intentionally create and sustain
collaborative ventures that advance the standing and excellence of the School. - Represent KSC and the University to external
constituencies. - Work with the Alumni Office on efforts that connect and engage KSC graduates with supporting the School.
- Convene the Knight School Advisory Board
- Partner with University Advancement to cultivate and steward donors as needed
Qualifications and Experience:
· Earned doctorate or terminal degree in communication, journalism,
digital media, civic media, or related communication arts field and a record of successful teaching and scholarship/creative activity.
Professionally qualified candidates with documented track records of excellence in executive leadership and strong interpersonal skills may
also be considered.
· Prior administrative experience at the level of department chair/major program director (or professional
equivalent) is required; prior experience as dean or associate dean is preferred.
· Exceptionally strong communication
skills (verbal, written, interpersonal) and an ability to quickly establish and maintain strong rapport at all levels of the University;
· Demonstrated capacity in strategic planning, fiscal management, and be able to interpret and analyze quantitative data;
· Fundraising or grant making experience desirable;
· Self-motivation and the ability to lead and develop high
performing and diverse teams and committees in approaching and solving problems;
About the James L. Knight School of
Communication
The Knight School of Communication develops students into creative communicators who become engaged citizens
and leaders in the communities they serve. The School’s programs include practical training in traditional and emerging media
forms, as well as critical training in communication studies. With a strong foundational knowledge, graduates of the School are
sophisticated information analysts, with the ability to evaluate, reflect and act with a range of media forms in a variety of
environments. Faculty of the School are mentors to students, as well as well-respected scholars and experts in various industries
linked to the field of communication. Alumni thrive in such areas as journalism, media industries, advertising, public and community
relations, law, human resources, sports enterprise, corporate communication, government and education.
About Queens
University of Charlotte:
Located in the heart of the nation’s second fastest growing metropolitan area, Queens
University of Charlotte leverages the city’s diverse and thriving environment as an extended classroom. Nationally recognized for
undergraduate programs in international and interdisciplinary education, Queens blends the best of liberal arts learning with professional
preparation and community engagement. Focused on supporting success for diverse learners, faculty build close and collaborative
relationships with students and help them build intentional and individualized roadmaps for flourishing at Queens and beyond. At the
graduate program level, the University offers innovative educational experiences that help learners advance professionally and retool for
new opportunities. Our environs afford faculty myriad opportunities to advance their own professional growth and teaching and research
interests by collaborating with vibrant industry, non- profit, and community organization sectors.
Because of our history of
innovation and our legacy of strong leadership, Queens is positioned to be among the new forerunners of American higher education. This is a
defining moment for Queens. While other institutions are focused on sustaining and surviving, we are thinking much bigger. Institutions that
understand what is needed and are willing to reimagine what is possible can position themselves to thrive and strengthen their market
position after the pandemic with innovative approaches that are deeply connected to the world and its greatest challenges.
By 2030,
Queens aspires to become the leading, private, national university of Charlotte with deep, meaningful, and reciprocal connections to the
needs of our local community and economy; inventive and multidisciplinary academic programs that are connected to the world’s most
pressing challenges and biggest areas of opportunity; a fully connected, integrated, and innovative set of experiences that support holistic
wellness and wellbeing; a culture of continuous improvement and investment that enables faculty and staff to flourish and achieve their full
potential; and a comprehensive approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion that begins on campus and radiates throughout the community.
Application Process:
Queens University of Charlotte is partnering with the national search firm
Scott Healy & Associates for the Dean of the James L. Knight School of Communication search. All
applications and nominations are to be directed electronically to the College’s recruitment consultant:
Mr. Christopher
S. Healy
Vice President
Scott Healy & Associates
Complete applications will include the
following:
1. Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the Dean position
2. Updated CV
3. List of
five (5) professional references including name, title, contact information and relationship to you
Applications received by
January 28, 2022, will receive priority consideration. The position will remain open until filled.
Queens
University of Charlotte is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to supporting and celebrating all forms of diversity.
Queens does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sex (including pregnancy, child birth and conditions related to pregnancy
or child birth), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, national origin, disability, political beliefs, veteran
status, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law in the administration of its educational and admissions policies,
scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, employment and hiring policies, or other University-administered programs. Any individual
with a disability who needs any reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act to apply for a position or otherwise to
participate in Queens’ job search/selection process should contact the Director of Human Resources at 704.337.2222.
