Career Center

Falk College offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in health and exercise science, food studies, human development and family science, marriage and family therapy, nutrition science, public health, social work, sport analytics, sport management, and sport venue and event management. These offerings include three doctoral programs. Falk's mission is to provide instructional and research excellence and leadership in its fields of study through scholarship, practice, civic engagement, advocacy, and entrepreneurial endeavors to promote the health, performance, and well-being of individuals of all ages, their families, and their communities within the framework of social justice principles and the highest standards of professional competence. Falk College's signature theory-to-practice academic model includes intensive hands-on and experiential learning. As the chief academic and executive leader of the college, the dean is expected to provide the collaborative leadership and vision that unify and define its direction, advance its excellence and impact in research and interdisciplinary endeavors, foster vibrant undergraduate and graduate educational programs and opportunities, prioritize strategic investments, and improve operational efficiencies. The dean is also expected to serve as a strong and valued partner to the deans of Syracuse University's other schools and colleges, as well as to the vice chancellor, provost, and chief academic officer, to whom the dean reports.

The new dean should be a strategic, inspiring, dynamic, and visionary leader with strong constituent management skills and the administrative experience appropriate in scope to enhance Falk College's research and public engagement contributions. Candidates should show evidence of an ability to create cohesiveness and synergies among diverse disciplines, foster academic and research excellence, mentor faculty and staff, unify and build the college's capacity and core identity, support innovation and expansion, and focus the college's efforts and initiatives. The successful candidate will possess a vitae with experience and accomplishments in education and scholarship; demonstrated success in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility; a record of achievement in collaborative leadership and institutional change; and administrative experience within a complex environment. The scholarly credentials to be appointed at the level of full professor with tenure in one of the college's disciplines or interdisciplinary fields is strongly preferred, though all candidates with significant professional achievements and involvement with higher education will be considered.

The dean is the academic and executive leader of the Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics (Falk College), responsible for the quality, coordination, and conduct of all of the college's research and educational programs. Deans play a vitally important role at Syracuse University and are expected to work with the faculty and university leadership to develop, articulate, and implement a vision for the future direction of the educational, research, and outreach programs of their school or college and – together with the deans of the other 12 schools and colleges – for the university. The dean's primary role is to ensure that Falk College provides a rich environment that promotes excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, professional practice, and faculty scholarship. The dean has overall responsibility for defining the college's strategic priorities, developed in concert with its faculty; recruiting and retaining a diverse, high-quality faculty; advancing educational, research, creative, and outreach programs of the highest quality; attracting a diverse and committed student body; facilitating links between theory, research, and professional application; forging curricular and research connections with other schools and departments across the university; recruiting, developing, and retaining a talented and diverse staff; securing and managing the resources needed to implement the college's strategic vision; and maintaining productive relationships with alumni, trustees, donors, and community partners, as well as with local, national, and global academic and professional communities. The dean is responsible for aligning the college's plans with university objectives in a cross-campus culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, access, and belonging; shared governance; and the centrality of the student experience. The college is supported by a strong leadership team that includes associate deans responsible for academic affairs, student services, and research and an assistant dean responsible for advancement.

Syracuse University has retained WittKieffer, a national and global executive search firm, to assist in this search. All applications, inquiries, and nominations, which will remain confidential, are invited. Application review has begun and will continue until the position has been filled. Candidates are urged to submit their materials as soon as possible, using https://candidateportal.wittkieffer.com/login

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Robin Mamlet, Sandra Chu, and Luis Bertot at
FalkCollegeDean@wittkieffer.com.

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