Full-time:  Dean, College of Arts, Humanities, Sciences, and Theology
Position Tracking Number:  A26
School/College:  College of Arts, Humanities, Sciences, and Theology
Location:  Azusa, CA

For Applications and Nominations Contact: Jeff Davis, jeff@jdavisassociates.com, 714-420-5600.

Download Opportunity Profile

About APU:
APU is seeking employees who desire to engage in our thriving culture by cultivating community through professional interactions, demonstrating a posture of lifelong learning, and modeling Christ-like character. Working together, employees at APU commit to establishing a university atmosphere that is edifying to God and to one another.

Azusa Pacific University is a comprehensive, evangelical, Christian university located 26 miles northeast of Los Angeles, California. As a leading Christian university in California, Azusa Pacific University grounds rigorous academics on a solid spiritual foundation. With an intentional focus on scholarship, faith integration, diversity, and internationalization, APU provides high-quality academic programs within a tight-knit community of disciples and scholars. APU is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as an R2 Doctoral University, recognizing APU’s high level of research activity. A leader in the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, APU is committed to excellence in higher education. Offering more than 100 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs on campus, online, and at seven regional locations across Southern California, APU continues to be recognized annually as one of America’s Best Colleges by U.S. News & World Report.

Position Description:

Azusa Pacific University seeks an outstanding academic leader for the position of Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, Sciences, and Theology.

The College of Arts, Humanities, Sciences, and Theology represents a merger of two current colleges/schools – the College of the Arts, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the School of Theology (undergraduate programs). Reporting to the Provost, the Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, Sciences, and Theology is responsible for the leadership, planning, direction, and management of the full range of programs offered by the new College.

The Dean will collaboratively and creatively advance the scholarship, research, and integration of faith and learning for a dynamic learning community with strong enrollment. APU seeks a leader with a successful history of leading in a complex environment who understands the breadth and complexity of the disciplines represented, undergraduate and graduate education, accreditation and licensure, diverse student populations, and current trends in higher education. Anticipated hire date for the new dean will be July 1, 2025.

The faculty and staff see an opportunity for an inspirational visionary to create a unified identity for the College, fostering a sense of community and belonging across schools and departments, and clarifying how its distinctive parts fit together to fulfill its mission and that of the University. The possibilities exist for greater integration, interdisciplinary and inter-professional opportunities within arts, humanities, and sciences, and across the campus. Recruiting, developing, and retaining a diverse faculty and staff, continuing to build financially viable programs, and representing the College with internal and external stakeholders will be a top priority of a successful Dean.

Qualifications, Characteristics, and Attributes:

The Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, Sciences, and Theology will be the academic, administrative, and community leader, providing a defining role during a time of change and transition for this vibrant, engaged college. As such, a minimum of eight years of leadership experience in a complex academic environment with grant and research funding is required for the new leader.

Communication, collaboration, and transparency are essential leadership traits to advance the College and develop a multi-year plan to further opportunities as a research institution. The Carnegie Foundation designates APU as an R2 Doctoral University research institution.

The ideal candidate will have an unwavering commitment to APU’s Statement of Faith and What We Believe document. They will further champion the spiritual formation and holistic development of all students in curricular and co-curricular settings to ensure that diverse learners thrive.

Other qualifications, characteristics, and attributes include:

• Record of teaching, scholarship, and service along with a terminal degree (PhD preferred).
• Unwavering commitment to equip, promote, and enhance the integration of faith and learning across all disciplines.
• Transparent, collaborative leadership style.
• Champion and advocate of staff, faculty, program directors, and department chairs.
• Knowledge of strategic planning and implementation.
• Verified servant leadership with utmost personal integrity.
• Excellent relational and communicative skills.
• Fiscal experience and a history of success with grants and fundraising.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and leverage data to make decisions.
• Deep commitment to diversity and an equitable approach embodying a strong sense of cultural awareness.
• Adept at the use of technology to complement instruction and learning.
• Thorough understanding of regional and programmatic accreditation and licensure.

Experience: Extensive experience in higher education academic leadership and administration.

Workload: Full-time, 12 months.

Hire Date: July 1, 2025

Mental Demands:

• Ability to integrate Christian values in all aspects.
• Ability to engage in critical thinking and exercise independent judgment.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information.
• Self starter in all aspects of the University's mission, with the ability to communicate effectively in written and oral form.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods of time. 
• Visual acuity to read words and numbers.
• Sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment.
• Speaking and hearing ability sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone.
• Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force and occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.

Compensation:

Grade 29: $180,710 to $207,816 is the annual salary for this role and reflects what Azusa Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on the qualifications, experience, and internal equity. In addition to compensation, APU offers a competitive benefits package.

ANTICIPATED SEARCH CALENDAR:
It is anticipated that in person/on-site interviews of the top candidates for Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, Sciences, and Theology will take place in spring 2025, with a hired date of July 2025.

SEARCH AND SELECTION PROCESS:
APU’s Provost is charged with vetting candidates for this position with assistance from an internal Search Committee and the expertise of Jeff Davis of J. Davis & Associates. JDA will explore a broad network to suggest potential candidates. This thorough search will include consideration of applications and nominations, and the subsequent review of CVs. When appropriate, candidates will be asked to complete the APU employment application*, provide a thorough vocational history, respond to a questionnaire, and take part in a screening interview with Jeff Davis. Those forwarded for consideration will then be interviewed in person by the Search Committee. Next, references and backgrounds will be checked, degrees verified, and an extensive candidate profile will be prepared for the Committee and the Provost. When preferred candidates are identified, they will participate in a final interview as well as meet with members of the APU faculty, staff and leadership team.

*Applicants must submit a completed Azusa Pacific University faculty employment application.

Contact: Jeff Davis, jeff@jdavisassociates.com, 714-420-5600.

Additional Information:

Candidates must align with Azusa Pacific University's Christian identity. Faculty members are expected to sign a Statement of Faith (available at http://www.apu.edu/about/believe), to adhere to the policies outlined in the Faculty Handbook, and to integrate the Christian faith in teaching and scholarship.

Azusa Pacific University is a Christ-centered, multicultural community that values and seeks faculty and staff who are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation. Please click the links to learn more about 'what we believe', our 'mission statement', and our 'statement of faith'.

You can learn more about APU by watching the stories of faculty, staff, and alumni as they carry out our mission here: http://www.apu.edu/stories/

Azusa Pacific University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures.  Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.

Azusa Pacific University conducts background checks on all final candidates.