Dean School of Education

Position: Dean of the School of Education
Department

VPAA Office

About the University

Established in 1965, Metropolitan State University (MSU Denver) was founded to serve students who were underrepresented in higher education whose life paths and experiences did not fit the traditional mold. Sixty years later, the University continues to serve over 16,000 of Colorado's extraordinary and diverse students, providing them with the foundation on which to build their unique aspirations. As the third largest public institution of higher education in Colorado, MSU Denver is a model university for today's college students.

Proud of its federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution that also offers graduate programs (gHSI) and the only Seal of Excelencia certified institution in Colorado, the University serves the most diverse undergraduate student population in the state, as well as the most first-generation students. Through affordable, flexible, and holistic education, MSU Denver helps students build essential skills grounded in a multicultural and global perspective that lead to undergraduate and graduate degrees, and career and life success.

At MSU Denver, we are committed to our CADRE values:
Community, Access, Diversity, Respect, and Excellence. We strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment where all community members are valued and belong. Our dedication to breaking down barriers to education, fostering open dialogue, and promoting world-class scholarship ensures that we provide exceptional services and innovative learning opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff.

About the School of Education

The School of Education at MSU Denver prepares people who will "Teach, Lead, and Transform." MSU Denver's School of Education develops excellent teachers and educational leaders who engage in reflective practice and scholarly activity, and who are ethical decision makers and agents of social change. We provide an intellectually rigorous, culturally relevant curriculum that fosters pedagogical expertise, cultivates critical thinking, and promotes imagination.

We acknowledge the present and historical systems of oppression and marginalization that permeate all levels of society and believe these structures of power and privilege need to be deeply understood by all members of our SOE community. We are committed to actively dismantling these systems and barriers within our SOE, and value lived experience that supports this work.

Position Summary

The Dean of the School of Education (SOE) provides academic and strategic leadership, fostering an inclusive, and forward-thinking vision for educator preparation and development. The Dean promotes an environment where faculty design and deliver innovative, evidence-based curricula that prepare educators to meet the evolving needs of diverse learners across the P-20 (pre-school through age 20) spectrum.

The Dean ensures high academic and professional standards, supports the School's growth, and engages in strategic planning aligned with MSU Denver's mission and values. This role includes oversight of academic programs, licensure and accreditation processes, budget and personnel management, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. To grow the School of Education, the Dean actively engages in fundraising activities to support the mission of the College.

The Dean champions student success through a commitment to recruiting diverse faculty and staff, supporting inclusive curricula, and fostering an environment of belonging. The successful candidate must work collaboratively with other senior leaders to achieve the University's strategic goals. The successful candidate will prioritize strategies and resource allocation that enhance student retention, degree completion, licensure outcomes, and career readiness.

The Dean represents the School to a wide range of constituents, including university leadership, school districts, accrediting bodies, community organizations, and policymakers. Through bold outreach, strategic partnerships, persuasive advocacy, and impactful fundraising, the Dean elevates the School's visibility and secures the resources needed to drive innovation and expand programs and centers.

Responsibilities

Academic Leadership and Student Success

* Provide visionary leadership for the SOE by managing strategic planning and aligning the School's goals with institutional priorities, anticipating future trends in educator preparation, and advancing student success.

* Ensure educator preparation programs are innovative, evidence-based, and aligned with state and national standards, reflecting current research, policy developments, and the evolving needs of P-20 education systems to support student achievement.

* Promote interdisciplinary collaboration across the University and with external partners by engaging colleges, departments, and community stakeholders to enhance program relevance, impact, and opportunities for student success.

* Maintain compliance with accreditation and…