Dean, College of Christian Studies and College of Visual and Performing Arts - Fall 2027

The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor welcomes inquiries, nominations, and applications for a dean to lead two colleges: the College of Christian Studies and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The dean will champion each college’s faculty, programs, and distinct identity while advancing the University’s mission to prepare students for leadership, service, and faith-informed discernment in a global society.

This shared-dean model is designed to provide strong academic and administrative leadership while preserving the distinctive identities, disciplines, traditions, and missions of each college. The successful candidate will appreciate the unique contributions of Christian Studies and the Visual and Performing Arts to the life of a Christian university and will demonstrate the ability to lead effectively across diverse academic disciplines.

The College of Christian Studies offers biblical courses to all students and programs in Christian Studies, Christian Ministry, and Transformational Development. It also houses the Center for Baptist Studies. The College of Visual and Performing Arts includes Art, Music, and the UMHB Arts Academy. Its studios, ensembles, exhibitions, and performances serve the University and Central Texas. Art and Music hold disciplinary accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, and the National Association of Schools of Music. Their studios, ensembles, exhibitions, and performances are vital parts of the university’s academic and cultural life.

Because this position serves two colleges with different disciplinary traditions, the successful candidate must be an effective listener, advocate, and academic leader.  The Dean will provide common administrative leadership while enabling each college to flourish according to its distinct academic mission.

The Dean will work with Associate Deans in each college, teach up to two courses per year, serve under a 12-month contract, and report to the Provost & Senior VP for Academic Affairs.

The successful candidate should be a:

• Communicative leader who builds trust, listens attentively, and advocates effectively for both colleges and their distinct contributions;
• Collaborative leader who works with faculty and Associate Deans across different academic and professional traditions;
• Strategic leader who guides curriculum, assessment, enrollment, student success, program review, and appropriate innovation;
• Academic leader who supports excellent teaching, scholarship, creative work, and faith-informed inquiry;
• Responsible steward who manages personnel, budgets, facilities, and disciplinary accreditations with sound judgment;
• Engaged leader who builds relationships with churches, schools, arts organizations, alumni, and the Central Texas community; and a
• Christian leader who advances the mission of each college and the University while preserving their distinct identities.

The successful candidate should possess the following qualifications:

• Must be an active and committed Christian who supports UMHB’s mission, is Baptist, and participates actively in a local Baptist church;
• An appropriate terminal degree from an accredited institution in a discipline represented in the College of Christian Studies;
• A record of teaching, scholarship, creative work, or professional achievement suitable for a faculty appointment;
• Substantial academic leadership or administrative experience and the ability to work across disciplines;
• Experience in a discipline represented in the College of Visual and Performing Arts is a plus;
• Demonstrated ability to administer collegially and advocate for both colleges, their faculty, and their students; and
• Must agree to the University’s Employee Statement of Understanding.

Competitive salary commensurate with experience, excellent benefits including medical and dental insurance, retirement plan with match and UMHB tuition benefits for employees and their dependents.