Georgia Southern University, an institution of the University System of Georgia, invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Georgia Southern University is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a Doctoral/Research University. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Georgia Southern offers 118 academic majors in a comprehensive array of baccalaureate degrees and selected master's and doctoral programs. The University has earned national accreditation in 62 program areas from 20 accrediting bodies. Academic programs are organized in eight colleges: Business Administration, Education, Health and Human Sciences, Information Technology, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the Jiann-Ping Hsu College of Public Health, the Allen E. Paulson College of Science and Technology, and the Jack N. Averitt College of Graduate Studies. The University awarded 2,968 degrees in 2007-2008.

A residential university with a fall 2007 enrollment of 16,841 students, Georgia Southern is the largest university in the southern half of Georgia and one of the most comprehensive centers for public higher education in the state. One of the top choices in Georgia for new freshmen, including HOPE Scholars, Georgia Southern enrolls an increasingly selective student body representing the United States and more than 85 nations. The University continues to enhance its academic profile through higher admission standards, an expanded Honors Program, and scholarships for academically talented students.

Georgia Southern University is committed to advancing the State of Georgia and the region through the benefits of higher education, offering baccalaureate through doctoral degrees, and a variety of outreach programs. The University fosters access to its educational programs, provides a comprehensive and fulfilling university experience, and enhances quality of life in the region through collaborative relationships supporting education, health care and human services, cultural experiences, scientific and technological advancement, athletics, and regional development. Georgia Southern's strategic plan includes advancing the University to the top tier of national rankings in its class.

The 675-acre park-like campus continues an era of capital construction that has opened new facilities for colleges and academic programs, student recreation and development, university housing, athletics, and public service. The learning environment is enhanced by a museum of cultural and natural history, a botanical garden, a unique wildlife education center, a performing arts center, a new Center for Art and Theatre, a new and expanded Library, and a continuing education and conference center. The University's Division I athletic teams compete in the Southern Conference. The campus is located in Statesboro, a safe, hospitable, and progressive Main Street community of 30,000, less than an hour from historic Savannah and beach resorts, and approximately 200 miles from Atlanta.

The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, with approximately 240 full-time faculty, serves 3,097 undergraduate and 186 graduate students in 10 departments: Art, Communication Arts, Foreign Languages, History, Literature and Philosophy, Music, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology and Anthropology, and Writing and Linguistics.  The College prepares students in over 20 baccalaureate majors and the Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, Master of Music, Master of Public Administration, Master of Science, and Doctor of Psychology programs. In addition to minors in all the major fields, the College offers minors in several other disciplines and in such interdisciplinary fields as Africana Studies, American Studies, Comparative Literature, Gender and Women's Studies, Latin American Studies, Linguistics, and Religious Studies.  The College offers professional and pre-professional preparation in liberal arts, fine and applied arts, and social sciences.  Through the core curriculum and elective courses, it provides a liberal arts base for all students of the University and promulgates and nurtures humanistic values on the campus through its many activities.  With new and expanding facilities, the College is recognized as the cultural center of the region, and enhances the quality of life through annual sponsorship of campus and community concerts, recitals, art exhibits, and theatrical productions.  CLASS web site is http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/.

Position Description.  Reporting to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the College, and is regarded as an intellectual leader within the College and across the campus and community.  The Dean sets the vision for the College within the parameters of the University's strategic plan, establishes new opportunities for the College, and directs its growth and development through shared academic governance.  Additionally, the Dean participates in campus-wide planning and is responsible for the College's teaching quality, budget, development and allocation of resources, and the administration of academic and research programs and alumni relations.  The Dean communicates official business of the College with University authorities, faculty, students, staff, and external constituencies and provides leadership in fundraising to augment state appropriations.  The position is a 12-month appointment, and the salary is competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience. 

Required Qualifications:

Doctorate or equivalent terminal degree in one of the College's disciplines from an accredited institution.

Outstanding record of teaching, research or creative activity, and service appropriate to appointment to the rank of tenured full professor in one of the departments of the College.

Demonstrated successful academic administrative experience with a minimum of 3 years at or above the department chair level (or commensurate experience), including budget and personnel experience.

Experience with strategic planning and program development.

A commitment to advancing efforts in securing grants and contracts for the College.

A history of open administrative style, showing flexibility in governance and demonstrating the ability to earn the trust and confidence of faculty, students, staff, and administrators.

Effective organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.

Experience or demonstrated skills and desire to lead a broad and intensive fundraising effort and a record of increasing community support for academic and cultural programs.

Successful record of, and commitment to, affirmative action, equality of opportunity, and diversity with demonstrated respect and advocacy for faculty, students, and staff.

Demonstrated commitment to the ideals of a liberal arts education in a public university.

Screening of applications will begin October 17, 2008, and will continue until the position is filled.  The position begins July 1, 2009.  A complete application consists of a letter addressing the qualifications cited above, a curriculum vitae, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least five professional references.  Other documentation may be requested. Georgia Southern University seeks to recruit individuals who are committed to working in diverse academic and professional communities. Applications and nominations should be sent to: Dean Frederick K. Whitt

                                Chair, CLASS Dean Search Committee

Georgia Southern University

P. O. Box 8073

                                Statesboro GA 30460-8073

Electronic mail: fwhitt@georgiasouthern.edu

More information about the institution and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences is available through http://www.georgiasouthern.edu/, http://class.georgiasouthern.edu/, or at http://chronicle.com/jobs/profiles/911.htm. Georgia Southern University seeks individuals who are committed to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and professional service within the University and beyond. Finalists will be required to submit to a background investigation. The names of applicants and nominees, vitae, and other non-evaluative information may be subject to public inspection under the Georgia Open Records Act. Georgia Southern University is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity institution. Individuals who need reasonable accommodations under the ADA to participate in the search process should contact the Associate Provost.

To apply: Please send application materials by postal mail.

Georgia Southern University is the largest and most comprehensive center of higher education in the southern half of Georgia. Georgia Southern University is classified by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching as a Doctoral/Research institution. A residential university serving over 16,000 students in Fall 2006, Georgia Southern’s hallmark is a superior undergraduate experience emphasizing academic distinction, excellent teaching, and student success. Founded in 1906, the University offers 123 degree programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral levels through eight colleges. The 675-acre campus is located in Statesboro, a community of approximately 30,000 residents, 50 miles northwest of historic Savannah, and 200 miles southeast of Atlanta.