Dean, School of Social and Natural Sciences

Roger Williams University

Dean, School of Social and Natural Sciences

Bristol, RI

Fri Jan 16 2026

Under the direction of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean is the principal academic of the School of Social and Natural Sciences. The Dean advances the mission of the University, contributes both academic and administrative leadership, and provides the first level of review for matters with the School. The Dean provides and manages effective support mechanisms for faculty and students and assists in the development and implementation of the School’s long‑range strategic plan and diversity initiatives.

The Dean provides leadership and management for the School in the areas of the quality and content of the curriculum, successful student outcomes, budgeting, faculty and staff recruitment, and development.

• Provide leadership for and oversee the development, coordination, organization, scheduling and supervision of instructional programs in the school, and promote interdisciplinary collaboration with programs in other academic units of the university.
• Provide leadership for school strategic planning efforts and participate in university strategic planning as part of the academic leadership team.
• Articulate the annual and longer‑term goals of the school.
• Oversee the development of curriculum initiatives, including graduate program development, with faculty, and shepherd those initiatives through the appropriate approval process.
• Develop, maintain, and manage budgets according to the timeline of the university, review proposed budgets, and make recommendations to the provost.
• Allocate resources to the programs within the school, including faculty, support staff, budgets, and space.
• Plan, develop, and manage the school’s day‑to‑day operations.
• Ensure that reports, course schedules, and other written material are submitted in a timely manner.
• Support faculty in teaching, scholarship, and grant writing.
• Provide leadership in hiring, retaining, mentoring, managing, and evaluating faculty and non‑faculty staff.
• Ensure the school’s compliance with all program and institutional accreditation standards and external regulatory and accreditation standards/bodies, where applicable, including oversight and support of program assessment and evaluation.
• Proactively pursue and participate in fundraising and grant proposals either personally or through faculty and/or staff members of the school.
• Administer and maintain accurate records for students, faculty, and staff, such as advising reports, professional development plans, annual evaluations, and other personnel records as appropriate for specific program needs and responsibilities of the school.
• Provide oversight for the promotion, tenure, and post‑tenure review process and recommend faculty reappointments, promotions, tenure, sabbatical leaves, committee appointments, and other teaching program assignments to the provost within the parameters of the faculty contract.
• Participate in admissions activities, including orientation sessions, open houses, admissions days and other programs for prospective students.
• Resolve student or faculty concerns and complaints.
• Ensure the safety of students, staff and visitors within the school building.
• Maintain compliance with safety and health codes in buildings, classes, laboratories and in faculty/student research.

• Periodically teach an in‑discipline course, schedule permitting and in consultation with the provost.

• A doctoral degree in Social or Natural Sciences or closely related discipline and four years of managerial experience at the department chair level or above.
• Evidence of scholarship and pedagogical experience appropriate for appointment at the level of full Professor.
• Possess a strong awareness of the needs of students, faculty, the university, and the community.
• Ability to relate to and work with students in various aspects of their academic pursuits.
• Proven ability to provide program leadership and development.
• Good interpersonal, management, and conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to…