Dean of Extended Studies

ArtCenter College of Design seeks an inventive, collaborative, and transformational leader to serve in the inaugural role of Dean of Extended Studies.

Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global leader in art and design education. With a current enrollment of approximately 2,138 students (57% female and 43% male, representing more than 50 countries), the College has a student/faculty ratio of 8 to 1. ArtCenter offers 11 undergraduate and 10 graduate degrees through its divisions of Media & Technology, Visual Art and Communication, and Industrial Design, as well as minors for undergraduate students in Business, Creative Writing, Material Science, Research, and Social Innovation through the division of Interdisciplinary Studies. Fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC ), ArtCenter is renowned for both its ties to industry and social impact initiatives; the College is the first design school to receive the United Nations’ Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status.

ArtCenter College of Design has developed numerous programming initiatives since 2000 that aim to serve high schoolers, pre-college students, alumni, and working adults through on-campus, online, national, and global art and design education, including ArtCenter Online and ArtCenter Extension. As part of its strategic plan, the College aims to expand non-degree programming in all modalities to diversify its revenue streams and reach students looking for something other than a college degree, bringing learners with diverse career goals and experiences and/or life circumstances to the College.

Reporting to the Provost, and with aligned support from both the board and executive level leadership, the Dean will advance this vision leveraging existing institutional strengths and identifying new markets to position ArtCenter for long-term success in educating the next generation of learners while also engaging individuals at all levels of learning, from K-12 through adulthood. This is an exceptional opportunity for a leader with a visible, engaged presence and the interpersonal agility to develop and galvanize a community around a shared, innovative, and integrated vision to expand, extend, elevate, reimagine, and rebrand what has been ArtCenter Extension and ArtCenter Online’s global education as ArtCenter Extended Studies.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong familiarity with the evolving national arts and design landscape and workforce needs. The Dean will be seasoned in successfully leading organizational change in a complex academic environment. They will bring demonstrated experience developing non-degree and certificate programs, extension credit and non-credit courses and programs and professional development programs, across all learning modalities —in person, online, and hybrid. The Dean will bring experience developing data-informed mission and strategic plans inclusive of student and community needs; familiarity with the competitive landscape of online education, including regional and national markets and programs offered by other institutions and providers; an understanding of the higher education business models – especially in the extension and online realms; and an understanding of creative practice pedagogy. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university or the equivalent in professional practice is necessary. Prior administrative experience in a higher education environment and knowledge of WASC accreditation are preferred.

From 2022, ArtCenter’s faculty are represented by the ArtCenter Faculty Federation, a local unit of the California Federation of Teachers. The College is currently in the middle of negotiating its first-ever Collective Bargaining Agreement, which will cover the terms of employment for faculty who teach extension courses. Prior experience working with unionized faculty is not required but can be helpful.

All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.

WittKieffer is assisting the ArtCenter College of Design in this search. For fullest consideration, application materials should be received by April 30, 2024.

Application materials should be submitted through WittKieffer’s candidate portal using the buttons below.

Compensation Range: The salary range is $200,000 to $226,600 annually. Final salary will be based on education, experience, skills relevant to the role and internal equity.

Diversity Statement: ArtCenter is fully committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive (DEI) campus community, not only in vision but in practice. In addition to DEI, it also includes access and belonging or DEIAB. The College’s diversity plan outlines a path forward and is predicated on our belief that multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures, and belief systems are essential to academic and creative excellence. We strive to learn more about differences while respecting the rich diversity in our world, attending to important questions about racial injustice and decolonizing our curriculum. Our campus environment must be vigilant in supporting the full participation of students, faculty, and staff of every race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic status, and political viewpoint. When DEIAB values are woven into the fabric of the organization, the experiences and engagements of faculty, staff, students, and visitors will be that much more enriched.

Equal Opportunity Employer: ArtCenter is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants on the basis of race (including hair texture and protective hairstyle), color, religion (includes religious dress and grooming practices), sex/gender (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and/or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition (genetic characteristics, cancer, or a record or history of cancer), military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry, disability (mental and physical, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, and genetic characteristics), genetic information, request for family care or medical leave, age (over 40), criminal background (Fair Chance Act), reproductive health decision-making, off-duty and off-premises cannabis use, or any other actual or perceived characteristic protected by applicable state or federal law. Equal employment opportunity is extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including without limitation, recruitment, hiring, upgrading, learning and professional development, promotion, compensation, benefits, leave of absence, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall and termination. This commitment applies to all persons involved in the operations of ArtCenter and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of ArtCenter.