Position Specification Hofstra University Dean, Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Dean, Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Hofstra University
Position Specification Hofstra University
Hofstra University recently entered a new era with the appointment of its ninth—and first female—president, Dr. Susan Poser, in August 2021, as well as a new provost, Dr. Charlie Riordan, in July 2022. This new leadership at Hofstra is investing heavily in academic programs for students while also growing the scholarly and research enterprise and reputation of the University. Hofstra is expected to be officially recognized as a Carnegie R-2 university within the next 18 months. Significant investments are also being made in student-centered facilities and athletics, and implementation of a new strategic direction for the University has recently gotten underway. Founded in 1935, Hofstra University is a nationally ranked and recognized private university in Hempstead, Long Island, 25 miles east of New York City. Hofstra is a diverse, dynamic institution that honors tradition while challenging convention. A Hofstra education combines an intimate learning environment with all the resources of a large university, including state-of-the-art facilities for academics and student life. The campus, a recognized arboretum and Tree Campus USA School, is a leafy oasis just a quick train ride away from New York City and all its cultural, recreational, and professional opportunities. With 22 academic centers and institutes, a business incubator, a museum, a cultural center, legal clinics, the Saltzman Community Services Center, and the awardwinning WRHU college station, Hofstra offers its students, community, and surrounding residents many opportunities for scholarship, resources, and engagement. Hofstra is also the only university to host three consecutive presidential debates (2008, 2012, and 2016). Hofstra is home to 470 full-time faculty and 725 part-time faculty. Out of these, 71% are tenured; 47% of faculty are women, and 22% of full-time faculty are faculty of color. Faculty teach across the following colleges and schools: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Stuart and Nancy Rabinowitz Honors College Frank G. Zarb School of Business Lawrence Herbert School of Communication Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science School of Health Professions and Human Services Maurice A. Deane School of Law Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies Hofstra University Continuing Education
In Fall 2021, Hofstra enrolled 6,050 undergraduate students and 4,193 graduate and professional students. Students choose from approximately 160 undergraduate programs and 165 graduate programs. Sixty percent of students are women and 40% are students of color; 5% are from outside the U.S. The first-year student retention rate for the Fall 2021 cohort was 83%; the four-year graduation in 2021 rate was 60%; and the six-year graduation rate was 70%. Diversity and inclusiveness have earned Hofstra 5 out of 5 stars for fostering an LGBT-friendly campus environment according to the LGBT-Friendly Campus Pride Index, 2021 edition. The Hofstra community also has a strong tradition of disability advocacy dating back to 1963, when it became the first American university that was a fully wheelchair-accessible campus. Hofstra University is proud of its designation as an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) from the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), with 16% of the undergraduate enrollment identifying as Hispanic/Latino. Hofstra’s dynamic campus offers hundreds of social, academic, and cultural events. The campus has 35 residence halls housing 3,500 students, 18 eateries, 6 theaters, and more than 200 student clubs. The Hofstra University Museum of Art is nationally accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is comprised of a collection of more than 5,000 works of art from the world’s diverse cultures. The Hofstra libraries contain over 800,000 volumes and provide 24/7 online access to more than 100,000 full-text journals and 200,000 electronic books. Athletics contribute to the vibrance of the Hofstra community, with 21 varsity sports teams that compete at the NCAA Division I level in the Colonial Athletic Association. Hofstra University is one of the three institutions in NYC metropolitan area that has schools of Engineering, Law, and Medicine.
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Position Specification Dean, Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Hofstra University
Moving into Fall 2022, the University maintains a strong financial position after years of stable financial management, increased ratings from Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s, and above benchmark growth in the endowment, which currently sits at $749 million. Senior administration and the Board of Trustees have excellent partnerships with the community and all levels of government, serving on county and state advisory boards and councils, and an academic partnership with Northwell Health.
Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (HCLAS) is the largest college at the University, with ~3,900 students in more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree-granting programs, organized into four schools: School of Humanities, Fine and Performing Arts; the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs (which includes traditional social sciences departments such as anthropology, economics, history, political science, and sociology); and the School of Education. Curricula in these schools are informed by the liberal arts tradition and structured so that graduates gain the skills of critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and effective oral and written communication. The schools are also responsible for delivering the general education that all undergraduates must complete. Graduate programs in HCLAS provide students with the knowledge and experience that enable them to become respected experts in their field. HCLAS houses 25 departments: Specialized Programs in Education; Teaching, Learning and Technology; Comparative Literature, Languages and Linguistics; Drama/Dance; English; Fine Arts, Design, Art History; Music; Romance Languages and Literatures; Writing Studies and Rhetoric; Biology; Chemistry; Geology, Environment and Sustainability; Mathematics; Physics; Psychology; Anthropology; Economics; Global Studies and Geography; History; Philosophy; Political Science; Religion; Reference Services and Collection; Sociology; and Military Science. Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is dedicated to the genesis of knowledge and creative works in the arts and humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences, and to the transmission, preservation, analysis, and evaluation of knowledge and creative works within the Hofstra University academic community and across larger regional and global communities. The following principles guide the mission of HCLAS: ●
The liberal arts and sciences are the foundation for all higher education. The main objective of a liberal arts education is to enable students, working with faculty and with one another in an atmosphere of freedom and tolerance, to gain an understanding of how people have attempted throughout history to render the breadth of human experience intelligible. To that end, students explore the various ways in which the human mind has engaged, and continues to engage, its physical and social environment through art, literature and languages, philosophical and historical inquiry, scientific and mathematical reasoning, and social scientific analysis. Students also master the oral and written communication skills required for active ethical participation in a society characterized by increasing interdependence and diversity. HCLAS graduates emerge as lifelong learners who are intellectually ambitious and adaptable global citizens. HCLAS is further committed to broadly cultivating the moral judgment, aesthetic sensibilities, and emotional maturity of students to prepare them for lives of social responsibility as members of their local, national, and global communities.
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Within the context of its liberal arts mission, HCLAS is also committed to the development and support of selected pre-professional programs, both graduate and undergraduate, that further the career aspirations of students and that meet the needs of society.
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HCLAS recognizes that academic excellence is nurtured in a community of scholars united in the common goal of mutual enlightenment. To that end, HCLAS is committed to attracting, supporting, and retaining a diverse community of talented students and distinguished faculty.
What is unique about HCLAS? ● HCLAS is home to seven endowed chairs: the John Cranford Adams Chair in the Humanities; the Sardarni Harbans Kaur Chair in Sikh Musicology; the Sardarni Kuljit Kaur Bindra Endowed Chair in Sikh Studies; the Monsignor Thomas Hartman Chair in Catholic Studies; the Robert and Florence Kaufman Endowed Chair in Jewish Studies; the Joseph l. Dionne Endowed Chair for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership; and the Peter S. Kalikow Chair in Presidential Studies.
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Position Specification Dean, Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Hofstra University
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There are several endowed distinguished professorships held in Ecology and Conservation, Literature, Nonviolent Social Change, Disability Studies, and Italian and Italian American Studies. HCLAS awards the international Guru Nanak Interfaith Prize. Among distinguished past awardees is the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso. Hosts the New Opportunities at Hofstra (NOAH) Scholars Program, an initiative established in 1964. It is a free, five-week, pre-freshman summer academy boot-camp in the humanities and social sciences focused on the socio-economic realities of the US and higher education and justice-oriented change-making. DOE, NASA, NEH, NEA, NSF, and NIH grants won by numerous faculty. Faculty include Fulbright scholars. Has one of the top Music Business Programs in the country (Billboard 2022).
HCLAS includes 241 full-time faculty, 210 of whom are tenured and 19 of whom are tenure-track (125 full professors, 89 associate professors, 24 assistant professors, and 3 instructors), including seven endowed chairs. There are 82 administrative and clerical staff. HCLAS’s 2022-2023 budget is $71.2 million. In 2021-2022, approximately $5 million in grants were awarded to HCLAS. A comprehensive list of program offerings in HCLAS is available at Hofstra College of Liberal Arts & Sciences | Hofstra University.
Dean, Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences The Dean of the Hofstra College of Arts and Sciences reports to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Dean plays a key leadership role in advancing the mission, operations, and service of the College, with complete line responsibility for personnel, general administration and management, budget, academic, and development functions. The Dean leads the College, working closely with their senior leadership team and department chairs. The following administrators currently report directly to the Dean: ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●
Senior Associate Dean for Curriculum & Personnel Vice Dean for Student Academic Affairs Assistant Dean for Budget & Finance Director of Academic Planning and First-Year Programs Executive Dean for the Program in Public Policy and Service Associate Dean for External Relations and Field Placement, School of Education Senior Associate Dean, School of Education Associate Dean and Executive Director, Center for Educational Access and Success Director, Child Care Institute Administrative Assistant Associate Dean, Library and Information Services
Key Priorities: ▪ Provide leadership to create new programs, particularly for first year undergraduate students; ▪ Provide a vision for building interdisciplinary programs within the College and among the College and other schools at Hofstra; ▪ Advance the College’s stature and reputation; ▪ Launch a College-wide strategic planning process; ▪ Develop the financial resources of the College, especially through fundraising and external donor relations; ▪ Recruit and retain faculty, enhance their career development, and promote a culture of shared governance; ▪ Recruit, retain, and develop talented staff who support the operations of the College in ways large and small; ▪ Ensure a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all members of the College community; ▪ Lead the College faculty in reimagining the General Education requirements for the contemporary world; ▪ Promote the College’s research enterprise and increase research expenditures, fostering collaboration across HCLAS and across the University; ▪ Increase communications such that HCLAS’s achievements are appropriately highlighted both within the University community and to external audiences; ▪ Ensure sound financial and operational management; and ▪ Work collaboratively with the provost and the deans of the other schools to advance the mission of Hofstra University.
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Position Specification Dean, Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Hofstra University
Specific Responsibilities: Executive Leadership: Provide leadership in establishing the College’s strategic objectives, and develop and manage all resources essential to the achievement of these objectives. Work with faculty, academic leadership, and University leadership in pursuit of broader institutional goals. Academic Leadership: Serve as a collaborative leader who empowers others and has an established record of effectively engaging, convening, and supporting diverse disciplines. Support, enhance, and promote faculty teaching excellence, research productivity, and service. Promote a culture of transparency and shared governance. Advocate and lead active collaborations among other Hofstra units and external partners. Recruit and retain top faculty who will further the College’s academic mission, attain high standards of excellence, and enhance the diversity of the College and University. Evaluate faculty for appointment, tenure, and promotion. Enhance the student experience by fostering excellence in programs and classroom teaching. Fundraising and External Relations: Ensure a strong financial future for the College by cultivating individual donors, foundations, and corporations. Lead the development and implementation of strategies to build strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, partners, and collaborators. Articulate, communicate, and advocate the College’s vision to external constituencies. Represent the College through active participation at external events. Financial Management: Manage the financial resources of the College through an effective annual operating budget and long-term financial plan. Oversee College-wide resource acquisition and utilization.
Professional Qualifications: Visionary Leadership ▪ An established record of effective, strong, and collaborative academic leadership. ▪ Ability to unite students, faculty, and staff to pursue the future together. ▪ Demonstrated commitment to enhancing diversity and equal opportunity for individuals from underrepresented or historically marginalized groups. ▪ A history of developing and promoting shared governance between faculty and administration. ▪ The capacity to formulate and articulate a shared vision, to persuade a wide range of audiences of its value and to engage others in its implementation. ▪ Ability to recruit outstanding new faculty as well as retain the College’s strongest faculty, with specific experience engaging with, recruiting, and retaining faculty of color and from diverse backgrounds. ▪ Familiarity with appointment, promotion, and tenure procedures. ▪ Ability to motivate and inspire others to strive continuously for academic excellence. ▪ Strong interdisciplinary ethic. ▪ Successful experience as a dean, associate dean, department chair, research center or institute director will be deemed a valuable asset to an individual’s candidacy. ▪ Experience with faculty unions is a plus, but not required. Appreciation of Academic Mission ▪ Extensive administrative and management experience combined with genuine commitment to the teaching, research, and service missions. ▪ Deep understanding of the critical importance of knowledge production and scholarship, as well as the importance of providing students with the highest quality educational experience. Intellectual Breadth ▪ An appreciation of the wide range of disciplines represented in the College, and an ability and willingness to support the diverse missions of the College’s many units. Focus on Students ▪ Genuine understanding of the teaching mission and the importance of providing undergraduate and graduate students with the highest quality educational experience. ▪ Must understand and value the importance of a diverse student body.
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Position Specification Dean, Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Hofstra University
Fundraising Ability ▪ Demonstrated interest, and preferably success, in strengthening philanthropic support from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Financial Management Experience ▪ A distinguished record of operational leadership demonstrating excellence, growth, and financial effectiveness. Demonstrated experience in fiscal management. Accreditation ▪ Familiarity with accreditation processes. Academic Qualifications ▪ Appropriate academic credentials, including a passion for academic excellence and a record of success in research. ▪ Deep understanding of the value of a liberal arts education. ▪ Scholarly accomplishments in one of the disciplines represented by the College, as well as involvement in societies and/or associations at a national level. ▪ Credentials for appointment at Full Professor level, including a Ph.D. or other terminal degree. Personal Qualities ▪ Unquestioned, unassailable personal and academic integrity. ▪ Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills, with a focus on openness and transparency. ▪ Innovative and creative problem-solver, with a willingness to take strategic risks. ▪ Data driven. ▪ Ability to foster a collegial and respectful work and educational environment.
Hofstra University Leadership Dr. Susan Poser is the ninth president of Hofstra University. She assumed the office of the president on August 1, 2021. A bio of Dr. Poser is available here. Dr. Charles G. Riordan serves as Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and he assumed the office on July 1, 2022. A bio of Dr. Riordan is available here.
Nomination and Application Process Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. Interested candidates should submit confidentially, in electronic form (Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF files preferred), a curriculum vitae and letter of interest to: Hofstra.HCLAS@russellreynolds.com. Though all materials received will be reviewed, please submit materials by November 14 th for priority consideration. All materials and inquiries will be held in strict confidence until the final stages of the search, at which time the express permission of the finalists will be obtained before making their candidacy public. Hofstra University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected veteran. 2208-229NA
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Position Specification Dean, Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Hofstra University
Contact Jett Pihakis Russell Reynolds Associates 1700 New York Avenue, NW Suite 400 Washington, DC 20006-5208 Direct: +1-202-654-7870 jett.pihakis@russellreynolds.com
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