Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Since its founding in 1821, Widener has undergone multiple transformations to become a selective, nationally ranked, doctoral university. Today, Widener offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, as well as certificate programs, to 3,215 undergraduates and 3,276 graduate students across three campuses and online.
Widener’s distinctive collection of programs reflects its foundational belief that the liberal arts and sciences and professional/pre-professional programs are mutually reinforcing. The University is proud to embrace the following seven schools and colleges:
College of Arts and Sciences
College of Health and Human Services
School of Business Administration
School of Engineering
School of Nursing
Commonwealth Law School (in Harrisburg, PA)
Delaware Law School (in Wilmington, DE)
In addition, Widener has developed a number of innovative interdisciplinary offerings and research programs, including: undergraduate majors in Business Analytics, Digital Media Informatics, and Robotics Engineering; interprofessional graduate health sciences programs; groundbreaking multidisciplinary research and programs addressing challenges in neurosciences and medical care; and a sustainability law and policy program combining environmental sciences with legal education.
Widener University’s main campus in the City of Chester is located just off I-95 and is only twenty minutes from Philadelphia, the nation’s sixth largest city and home to world-class art, culture, sports, entertainment, and history. The main campus sits on 110 acres and has benefited from over $220 million in new construction and renovations over the past decade.
The Role of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences

Widener University seeks an innovative, collaborative, inclusive, and visionary leader to serve as its next Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. The next dean will have the opportunity to expand an already thriving College and sharpen its strategic focus by capitalizing on its current strengths and identifying new areas for growth and innovation. The dean will lead the largest college at Widener, serving nearly a third of undergraduate students and helping to educate all undergraduate students across the university, with a strong commitment to the student experience and a diverse set of programs.
Student success is at the heart of the College of Arts and Sciences – the faculty and staff at Widener are exceptionally and genuinely student centered. Leading a faculty that takes pride in their College’s intimate teaching and learning environment and are united in their focus on retaining and graduating undergraduate and graduate students, the next dean must be a strong advocate for a transformative student academic experience that is rooted in a liberal arts foundation.
The College of Arts and Sciences is home to 800 students across 25 disciplines, including areas such as the biology, history, criminal justice, mathematics and psychology, among several others. The wide-ranging areas are united by a collective commitment to providing students with a liberal arts education that is enhanced by service learning, research opportunities, leadership skills, and hands-on experience. Faculty at Widener are deeply committed to the three pillars of teaching, scholarship, and citizenship. The next dean will have the opportunity to support the College’s exceptional students, faculty, and staff by providing personal leadership and attracting the resources necessary to continue and expand on the College’s mission.
The Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences will provide creative vision and fiscal stewardship for the College while also serving as a member of the President’s Executive Team, demonstrating leadership throughout the greater Philadelphia region, and on the national and global stages. A highly collaborative leader, the dean will nurture and shape mutually beneficial internal and external partnerships that enhance student, faculty, and industry knowledge development and further the College’s positive momentum and growth.
Reporting to Provost Andrew Workman and serving as a cooperative and creative thought partner on the Provost’s Council, the next dean will work in concert with University leadership to advance the strategic objectives of the University as a whole. The dean will oversee a College comprising approximately 100full-time faculty and 20 full-time staff. The dean works closely with the College Executive Committee composed of 3 Associate Deans, an Assistant Dean, the Director of Graduate Programs, and the Chairs of the 6 academic departments.
Contact Information

This is a full-time position that will be performed on site in Pennsylvania. Salary commensurate with experience with a generous benefits package.
Widener University is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to a policy of non-discrimination in employment practices on any basis including sex, race, national origin or ethnicity, religion, disability, status as a veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status or other protected status covered by federal, state or local law.

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