The Senior Associate Dean will play a pivotal role in advancing faculty and staff development across the School of Graduate Studies (SOGS). This leadership position will collaborate closely with the dean, assistant deans, and chairs in SOGS to design and implement professional development initiatives and provide comprehensive faculty guidance through handbooks and Appointment, Promotion, and Tenure (APT) support. As a faculty member in the Department of Applied Education, they will partner with the chair of Applied Education to foster scholarly activity in education research. The Senior Associate Dean will also lead the development of a faculty and staff incentive plan to promote excellence and engagement.

•    Professional Development: Collaborate with the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs to identify and address developmental needs across departments and development a comprehensive professional development program that provides training and resources for students, staff, and faculty in SOGS.
•    Design, implement, and assess professional development programs for faculty and staff.

•    Faculty Guidance and Support: Work with the Dean to develop annual faculty contracts. 
•    Work with Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs and department chairs to develop and maintain a comprehensive faculty handbook that is specific for SOGS.
•    Provide clear and consistent guidance on APT processes and expectations that follow college guidelines while serving the specific needs of the SOGS.
•    Serve as a resource for faculty navigating career progression and institutional policies.

•    Incentive Plan Development: Lead the design and implementation of a faculty and staff incentive plan that aligns with institutional goals and promotes performance, innovation, and collaboration.
•    Engage stakeholders to ensure transparency and equity in incentive structures.

•    Scholarly Activity in Education Research: As a faculty member in Applied Education, promote and support education research initiatives within the department and across SOGS.

•    Facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration and mentorship to enhance scholarly output.

•    Lead and support grant writing and dissemination of research findings.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Preferred:
•    Deep understanding of faculty development, higher education administration, and academic policy.
•    Strong leadership and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across diverse teams.
•    Strategic thinking and problem-solving abilities.
•    Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
•    Experience with incentive program design and implementation.
•    Familiarity with education research methodologies and scholarly dissemination.
Education and Experience Required:
•    Terminal degree (e.g., PhD, EdD) in a relevant field.
•    Minimum of 5 years of experience in academic leadership or administration.
•    Demonstrated experience in faculty development, academic policy, or program management.
Education and Experience Preferred:
•    Experience in graduate education leadership.
•    Proven track record of scholarly activity in education research.
•    Experience working with faculty handbooks, APT processes, and incentive program development.
Licensure, Certification or Registration Required:
•    None required.
Licensure, Certification or Registration Preferred:
•    None required