Dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

About Framingham State University:

Framingham State University was founded in 1839 for a singular purpose - meeting a public need to promote the public good.  At our founding as the nation's first public normal school, that need was for comprehensively educated public school teachers who would, in turn, promote an educated citizenry.  FSU continues to offer exceptional teacher education programs and, while we are proud of our roots as a teachers' college, we have grown far beyond them.  Public need continues to evolve and FSU right along with it.  Our students and alumni are making waves in the fashion industry, designing nutrition plans for professional athletes, writing for major media and news organizations, and working for Fortune 500 companies right here in Framingham. FSU is a proudly [MK1] public institution offering accessible, affordable educational opportunities that integrate an academically challenging liberal arts education with workforce preparation programs, in a highly personalized teaching environment. Our programs have expanded but our purpose and commitment to public education for the public good remain steadfast. 

At FSU, we are deeply committed to inclusive excellence and strive to promote a culture of antiracism, encouraging a challenging yet collaborative learning environment, and providing culturally relevant education. FSU is designated as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and also belongs to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence community, providing national leadership in science education and exploring strategies that will lead to more inclusive science education. We are honored that our commitment earned FSU six Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Awards from INSIGHT Into Diversity. We encourage applications from those who share our commitment to promoting a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community.

FSU currently enrolls about 3,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and professional students, offers 39 undergraduate majors, and enrolls 41% BIPOC students , and 57% first time, full-time students in our undergraduate programs identify as a first-generation student. Ideally situated between Boston and Worcester, FSU and the surrounding area are steeped in history, achievement, and innovation and provide access to urban hotspots, verdant landscapes, natural and cultural amenities, and diverse communities.

Our founding motto, LIVE TO THE TRUTH, was said at the end of each class by beloved first principal, Cyrus Peirce, who sought to discover and teach "truth in theory and principle...truth in spirit and motive...truth in manner and form...truth intellectual and truth moral." Early leaders found this motto "speaks of sincerity of spirit...of intensity of effort, of resolution to succeed, of joy in achievement." LIVE TO THE TRUTH aptly reflects our past and our pledge for the future as it continues to guide our institution in practice and endeavor. If you share in this quest for truth and a commitment to living it fully, make the next chapter of your career the best chapter at Framingham State University.

Learn more about our career opportunities at www.framingham.edu/careers.

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The Dean articulates the goals of the College of STEM, both within the university and to the outside community. The Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the College of STEM, consisting of the departments of Biology; Chemistry and Food Science; Computer Science; Environment, Society, and Sustainability; Mathematics; Nursing; and Nutrition and Health Studies; and two major centers, the Christa McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning and the John Stalker Institute for Food and Nutrition.

In addition to the Bachelor's Degrees awarded from these academic departments, the College offers M.Ed. programs in Mathematics, STEM, and School Nutrition Specialist; M.S. and 4+1 programs in Food & Nutrition; MSN programs with concentrations in Nursing Education, Nursing Case Management, and Nursing Leadership; and the Professional Science Master's in Biotechnology with a concentration and certificate program in Quality Assurance and Biotechnology Operations. The College also offers a rich variety of graduate and post-baccalaureate certifications.

The Dean will possess visionary leadership skills with focus on inclusion and achievement for the College and will be committed to action by leveraging existing resources, pursuing external financial support, and fostering partnerships with other academic institutions, industry partners and a vibrant local community.  The Dean will foster the intellectual contributions of the STEM faculty, center directors, and campus leaders, communicate effectively, and address and advocate for the needs of the FSU STEM community by promoting interdisciplinary collaborations among departments, centers, and administrative offices at the University. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Department chairs and faculty for Biology; Chemistry and Food Science; Computer Science; Environment, Society, and Sustainability; Mathematics; Nursing; and Nutrition and Health Studies; and staff of the Christa McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning and the John Stalker Institute for Food and Nutrition. Co-supervises office staff.

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Support and strongly advocate for STEM programs and disciplines on campus and locally, across the state, within the New England region, and in national and international venues.
• Provide innovative and creative leadership and work collaboratively with our university community to support student-centered programs (current and new) that respond to university-wide enrollment and retention goals and a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff.
• Encourage and support quality teaching and scholarship, both disciplinary and pedagogical, as well as professional development for faculty and staff.
• Provide leadership for and oversee the development, coordination, organization, scheduling, and supervision of all instructional programs, both undergraduate and graduate, in the College.
• Promote appropriate interdisciplinary collaboration with programs in the College and other academic Colleges of the University.
• Acquires new resources and appropriately allocate resources for departments and centers in the College, including budgets and space.
• Make recommendations to the Provost in the evaluation of faculty members in the departments of the College.
• Oversee and coordinate the hiring of faculty members in the departments of the College, negotiating salary and start-up requests with faculty candidates.
• Administer the College's anti-racist activities in a manner consistent with the policies of the University.
• Work with academic departments in the development of budgets according to the timeline of the University, review proposed budgets, and make recommendations to the Provost.
• Coordinate planning at the strategic and operational levels in a manner that maintains and improves the overall effectiveness of the College, including in the area of enrollment.
• Initiate and oversee undergraduate program reviews and ensure that individual programs within the College achieve and maintain appropriate accreditation/certification.
• Coordinate with the Dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Education (DGCE) to assure that the graduate programs in the College are appropriately administered and supported and the College is appropriately involved in credit and non-credit continuing education opportunities.
• Promote College of STEM sponsored activities and events to campus and local communities, encouraging regional residents to meaningfully engage with Framingham State.
• Work collaboratively with faculty, department chairs, center directors, graduate program and continuing education coordinators, and deans and other administrators (including, for example, the Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement) to achieve the mission of the University.
• Work within a unionized environment and participate in local governance structures.
• Assure that reports, course schedules, and other written materials are submitted in a timely manner.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.
• Responsible for reporting to the Equal Opportunity Officer or Title IX Coordinator knowledge or receipt of reports of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and retaliation from students or other members of the university community.
• Accountable for ensuring that equal opportunity, inclusion, and equity are integrally tied to all actions and decisions in areas of responsibility.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

In-person, on-campus position with occasional weekend and night activities required. 

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• An earned terminal degree (Ph.D) from a regionally accredited institution in one of the disciplines of the College.
• Demonstrated record of distinguished teaching, research/scholarship, and service (including significant contributions to appropriate professional organizations) in one of the College's academic disciplines.
• At least three (3) years of leadership and management in higher education at the level of Department Chair or in another administrative leadership position/s.
• Knowledge of higher education practices and trends, including but not limited to curriculum and instruction.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in program development, review and revision, and data- informed decision making.
• Evidence of commitment to student success, equity, anti-racism, and institutional diversity and the ability to promote inclusive environments for faculty, staff, and students.
• Effective communication skills, both orally and in writing, with diverse constituencies. 
• Documented ability to collaborate and interact collegially with faculty, students, other administrators, parents, K-12 personnel, and other external constituencies.
• Professionalism, integrity, good judgment, creativity, and collegiality.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible, non-unit position. The salary range is $145,000-160,000.

Framingham State University conducts criminal history and sexual offender record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

Framingham State University is an equal opportunity employer.

Members of underrepresented or minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to equity, diversity, and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions:

Candidates must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter addressing any areas of specialization/expertise
• CV/Resume
• Equity and Inclusion Statement*
• Names and contact information for three professional or academic references (references are not contacted automatically upon submission of application).

*An Equity and Inclusion Statement is a personal statement on a candidate's past efforts, as well as future plans, to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion. Regardless of personal demographic characteristics, FSU has a commitment to hiring candidates who share our commitment to the American Association of College and Universities (AAC&U) Inclusive Excellence Model. The equity and inclusion statement is an opportunity for candidates to discuss scholarship, professional skills, experience, and/or willingness to engage in activities that would enhance the university's efforts to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Equity and inclusion statements will be considered as part of a transparent and comprehensive review of candidates' application materials.

For priority consideration, please submit application materials by Nov. 15, 2023. The review of applications may continue beyond that date and until the position is filled, at the discretion of the search committee.

Framingham State University only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you experience technical issues with the online application process, please submit a helpdesk ticket.

Framingham State University understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office at 508-626-4530 or [email protected] .