Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Wayne State College in its search for Dean of the School of Business and Technology. 
 
Wayne State College, a success story in higher education, is enjoying year over year graduate and undergraduate enrollment growth of 28% as well as increased retention. Additionally, the College has made significant capital investments including major renovations of residence halls, Performing Arts Center, School of Education building, and is about to embark on a $26M Athletic Facility.  
 
Working closely alongside their colleagues, the Dean is a proactive, student-centric leader with a proven history of successful growth initiatives, strong partnership and collaboration skills, and results-focused leadership. The successful candidate will coordinate the development and delivery of academic programs meeting the demands of today’s workforce and students while enhancing the visibility and reputation of the existing business and technology programs. It encompasses both leadership and administrative managerial roles. This position assumes primary responsibility and oversight of personnel, activities, budgets, and facilities in the School of Business and Technology comprised of Business & Economics, Masters of Business Administration, Computer Technology & Information Systems, Technology & Applied Science offering the following programs: Accounting/Public Accounting, Professional Studies, Finance, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Office Administration, Agri-Business, Economics, International Business Studies, Management, Marketing, Supply Chain Management, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Family & Consumer Sciences and Industrial Technology. This Dean will also play a key role, working with the leadership team and faculty, in ensuring the full utilization of the Center for Applied Technology in support of the growth of technology jobs in the state. 
 
This position reports directly to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. 
 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES  

1. Assuming primary responsibility for functions related to academic accreditation and external oversight.   
2. Leading and managing all accreditation/oversight requirements for specialized programs (such as those of Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education in Nebraska) are met and reports are filed correctly and in a timely manner.  
3. Assisting the Vice President for Academic Affairs with issues related to curriculum policy and procedure.  Working with the academic units and the Registrar to oversee and schedule curriculum and catalog changes.  
4. Assisting the Vice President for Academic Affairs with development and maintenance of the budgets for the School of Business and Technology.  
5. Facilitating the connection between academic program accreditation and assessment.  
6. Representing the school in administrative and academic matters including recommendations to Dean’s Council, Academic Council, President’s Staff, and Student Services regarding programming, student engagement and success, and program needs.  
7. Coordinating and implementing appropriate technology, pedagogy, modes of delivery, and student learning outcomes to advance degree completion and retention.  
8. Administering school faculty and staff employment recommendations, evaluations, and professional development opportunities.  
9. Providing coherence and coordination of school activities related to curriculum development and implementation in accordance with applicable policies and procedures, programmatic and individual course offerings, and scheduling, as well as assessment and improvement of academic programs and learning outcomes in partnership with the other deans.  
10. Serving as the budget supervisor for the school; exercise budgetary oversight, oversee the allocation of funds, and facilitate budgetary needs.  
11. Communicating, collaborating, and building consensus effectively and appropriately with all members of the campus community.  
12. Managing faculty, staff, student, and administrator relations within the school, and addressing and/or resolving conflicts in a productive and fair manner.  
13. Overseeing curriculum matters such as class scheduling, program approval, appeals, waivers, substitutions, and special requests.  
14. Facilitating transfer agreements and articulations with two and four-year institutions.  
15. Acting as content manager for school websites.  
16. Maintaining positive relationships with external constituents.  
17. Engaging in funding and grant writing activity within the school.  
18. Other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. 

  
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS  

• A Master’s degree in field housed within the School of Business & Technology.  
• Management experience that involves supervising staff and budget.  
• Demonstrated success developing partnerships within business, industry, and education.  
• A demonstrated understanding of and interest in the educational sector, including working with students and faculty.  
• Strong verbal and written communication skills. 

 
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS  

• Higher education teaching and/or administrative experience that includes specialized accreditation, facilitation of program assessment and supervision of faculty. 
• Terminal degree in field housed within the School of Business & Technology. 

  
About the Institution  
  
Wayne State College serves as a model of success for regional public higher education. Investments in infrastructure and facilities, expanded academic programs and partnerships, a whole-campus approach to recruitment and retention, and a commitment to strategic planning have yielded 28% growth in enrollment during the past six years, soaring to more than 4,500 students.   
  
Increased opportunities at Wayne State have not come with a higher price tag for students. Our aggressive work to keep costs down while leveraging scholarships and aid have resulted in the average indebtedness for graduates decreasing each year for the past four years, from $23,599 to $18,088, while the percentage of students graduating with zero debt has grown to 35% from 31% during the same period.   
  
The College’s momentum is sustained by a data-driven blueprint that aims to inspire students, strengthen communities, and serve our region. Our goals are clear: continually improve retention and graduation rates, provide high-quality academic programs and campus facilities, support workforce and economic development in the region, maintain affordability and access, and manage resources for sustainability.  
  
Our physical campus is beautiful and well-positioned to meet our needs. Careful planning and stewardship have brought about a newly built Center for Applied Technology, several completely renovated residence halls, academic buildings, and athletic facilities, and an inviting Campus Commons area at the center of a 128-acre campus that speaks directly to visitors about the pride we have in our history and traditions.   
  
Alongside our commitment to the physical campus, the College’s vision, mission, and core values precisely define our highest aspirations, our commitment to the students we educate, and the guidance we have set for ourselves and our important work.  
  
Our vision states that “Wayne State creates an environment of rigorous teaching, active learning, and meaningful service that engages students on a path to transformational leadership.” Our mission states that “Wayne State inspires students through access to affordable, high quality academic programs, personalized support services, and a culture committed to diversity, sustainability, and creativity. The College strengthens communities by engaging students in experiential learning and leadership opportunities. Wayne State serves the region through cultural opportunities, strategic partnerships, and innovative economic development programs.”   
  
We believe in ourselves and work hard each day to help our community achieve its dreams. The College’s core values around diversity, engaged learning, sustainability, innovation and agility, partnerships, and culture and community guide the strategies and the execution of the mission while serving as the foundation for Wayne State’s work.  
  
Wayne State started its life as a Normal School in 1891, became a state school in 1910, and was renamed Wayne State College by the Nebraska legislature in 1963. We have become a   
leading comprehensive college in Northeast Nebraska, with 15 academic departments within four academic schools and more than 130 career pathways.   
  
Wayne State students, staff, faculty, alumni, and friends hold this institution in high regard for a reason. The College was borne out of the hard work, tenacity, and grit of early leaders and has been sustained and advanced by the same spirit throughout its history. We invite prospective students and employees to join us on our mission. Learn more at www.wsc.edu.  
 
About the School of Business and Technology 
 
Quality academic programs in a personalized setting have long been the trademark of the School of Business and Technology. For more than 50 years, students have earned vocational degrees applicable to careers in business, industry and education. The list of lawyers, CPAs, teachers and other professionals speaks to the success our graduates experience in the world of work. Learn more at https://www.wsc.edu/bst  
 

Living in the Area  
  
Located in scenic northeast Nebraska, Wayne offers the vibrancy of a small college town combined with an outdoor lover’s dream with rolling hills and prairies. The tri-state area is rich with hiking and mountain bike trails as well as beautiful State Parks and the Lewis & Clark recreation center. In addition, Wayne enjoys a cost of living 16.2% lower than the national average. The public schools in Wayne are consistently rated above average. Additionally, Wayne residents enjoy low crime rates and lower than the national average housing prices.   
   
Wayne is southwest of Sioux City, Iowa; northwest of Omaha, Nebraska; and north of Lincoln, Nebraska. Wayne is less than 2 hours from Omaha, Nebraska’s largest city offering every recreational and cultural amenity including restaurants, shopping, museums, zoos, aquariums, and theatre. The Old Market and its cobblestone streets are lined with galleries, shops, breweries, and restaurants.   
 
To Apply  
 
Please do not email applications.  
 
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially. 
 
Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are treated confidentially. 
 
Inquiries and questions: Please send to wscdeanbustech@acesrch.com    
Nominations and referrals: Please send to nominations@acesrch.com