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 staf f. 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 leader hip, 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 theSchool'sgoals with institutional priorities,anticipatingfuture 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 licensure requirements, includingColoradoDepartment of Education standards, ensuring all programs meet or exceed expectations for quality, rigor, accountability, and positive student outcomes. Administrative Management - Oversee the School's departments, centers, and programs, including personnel, budget, and resource allocation to ensure efficient operations andequitablesupport strategic goals. - Collaborate with the Provost and senior leadership to align theSchool'sgoals with institutional priorities, contribute to university-wide initiatives and lead efforts to recruit andretaina diverse, high-quality faculty and staff through inclusive hiring and professional development. Community and External Engagement - Represent the School to local, state, and national education organizations and policy bodies, enhancing visibility through outreach, partnerships, and community engagement, including participation in public forums, advisory boards, and collaborative initiatives. - Engage in advocacy and policy work that advances the mission of the School and University bymonitoringlegislative developments andadvisingsenior leadership on strategic responses. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Lead efforts to create a welcoming and supportive culture by promoting access, diversity, equity, and inclusion for students, faculty, staff, and the community. - Demonstrate a commitment to serving historically underserved and linguistically diverse populations by supporting culturally responsive pedagogy and inclusive curriculum development. Professional Development of Department Chairs, Faculty, and Staff - Encourage and support the professional development and mentorship of faculty and staff, as well as provide support for faculty in teaching, scholarlyactivity ,and service. - Promote a culture of learning and academic excellence by fostering collaboration, collegiality, career advancement, continuous improvement, innovation, and shared governance. Fundraising and Development - Collaborate with University Advancement to cultivate donor relationships and secure external funding byidentifyingpriorities and effectively communicating theSchool'simpacttopotential supporters. - Pursue grants and philanthropic support to strengthen programs, scholarships, and research initiatives, working with faculty and staff to develop competitive proposals and steward donor relationships. Strategic Planning and Governance - Collaborative, forward-thinking leadership in campus-wide strategic planning and governance to shape MSU Denver's future with innovative, solutions-oriented approaches and a commitment to constructive progress. - Support MSU Denver's designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority Serving Institution (MSI) collaboratively to ensure that theSc