Virginia Tech is a renowned public research university located in Blacksburg, Virginia. With a commitment to innovation, excellence, and a collaborative spirit, the university has a distinguished reputation for fostering an inclusive and diverse learning environment.
The College of Architecture, Arts, and Design (AAD)—comprised of the School of Architecture, the School of Design, the School of Performing Arts, and the School of Visual Arts—launched in July 2022. Among its core values is a commitment to curiosity, inquiry, and exploration through research and creative scholarship.
The college invites applications for the inaugural position of Associate Dean of Research and Creative Scholarship. The associate dean will be integral to developing AAD’s diverse research areas. Reporting to the dean, they will, in consultation with the faculty community, help to cultivate the culture and infrastructure required to advance the college's research and creative endeavors by providing strategic leadership and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration within the college and beyond.
The college seeks a visionary, collaborative leader who embraces and thrives in a start-up environment of a new college composed of accomplished, award-winning architects, artists, and designers. Primary responsibilities and expectations of this position include:
Strategic Leadership: Develop and implement a visionary strategy for research and creative scholarship within the college by building upon existing strengths and identifying new opportunities. Align the college's research goals with Virginia Tech’s overall mission and the strategic priorities of both the university and the college.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Facilitate cross-disciplinary collaboration among faculty, students, and external partners to promote innovative research and creative initiatives that address complex challenges.
Research Support: Provide leadership in securing external funding, grants, and resources to support research and creative projects within the college. Offer guidance and mentorship to faculty and students.
Promotion of Scholarship: Advocate for the college's distinctive research and creative scholarship achievements, both within the university and on a national and international level. Enhance the visibility and impact of the college's scholarly work.
Faculty Development: Collaborate with faculty and leadership to identify opportunities for professional growth, research collaboration, and creative exploration. Support the development of research-focused initiatives that contribute to faculty success.
Student Engagement: Create opportunities for students to engage collaboratively with faculty in research and creative scholarship, fostering a culture of inquiry, exploration, and innovation among the college’s student community.
Administrative Management: Collaborate with other college leaders to ensure effective management of resources and operations related to research and creative scholarship initiatives.
While the priority of the position will be to provide strategic leadership and foster interdisciplinary collaboration, it is expected that the successful candidate’s own research and/or creative scholarship will enhance the college's community and external profile.
The College of Architecture, Arts, and Design at Virginia Tech affirms our collective responsibility to encourage, build, and embrace the polyculturalism of our world. We do this by acknowledging and addressing our past, recognizing our current responsibility, and acting in the interests of building and sustaining communities that are truly safe, supportive, and inclusive for all. Our commitment is to continually and proactively engage in these processes for the benefit of our students, staff, and faculty across the college, and the communities around the world we aim to serve.