Faculty Positions
Position Title / Rank: Dean, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
Office: College of Social and Applied Human Sciences
Unit: Dean's Office
Date Posted: October 29, 2021
Deadline: Open until a suitable candidate is found
Please reference AD #21-45
Position Description:
The University of Guelph invites applications, nominations, and expressions of interests for the position of Dean, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences with the appointment effective July 2022. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a globally recognized College conducting innovative, interdisciplinary, and community engaging research in a collegial and student-centred environment.
The University of Guelph has achieved prominence in Canada and around the world for its commitment to developing exceptional thinkers and engaged citizens. The University plays an integral role in the educational, business, and cultural life of Ontario, through the impact of its teaching, research, and community service, and through its special mandate to serve the province in support of the agri-food sector and veterinary medicine. Guelph's colleges and campuses conduct leading edge interdisciplinary teaching, experiential educations and innovative research in the physical and life sciences, arts, business, social sciences, and agricultural and veterinary sciences. Dedicated to cultivating the essentials for our quality of life - water, food, environment, animal and human health, community, commerce, culture, and learning, the University of Guelph community shares a focus on collegiality, a profound sense of social responsibility, an obligation to address local and global issues, and a concern for sustainable development. Nearly 27,000 undergraduates and over 3,000 graduate students attend the University of Guelph, including students located at its Ridgetown Campus and the University of Guelph-Humber. Further information about the University of Guelph can be found at www.uoguelph.ca.
The College of Social and Applied Human Sciences is a dynamic, diverse engaged, and interdisciplinary community of 5,000 undergraduate students, over 400 graduate students, and 223 full-time faculty and staff. Its five academic units of Family Relations & Applied Nutrition; Geography, Environment and Geomatics; Political Science; Psychology; and Sociology & Anthropology and its two Institutes of Development Studies and Community Engaged Scholarship offer 28 undergraduate and 34 graduate degree programs, emphasizing experiential learning and knowledge application in community, research, professional, and policy settings. Committed to research innovation and scholarship that will challenge students and engage with society, the College has five research centres, 10 research chairs and funding of over $8.5 million annually. Current initiatives include a focus on indigenization, equity, diversity and inclusion, including consideration of curriculum, research, and student and faculty support. The College promotes innovation in teaching through the Hub for Teaching and Learning Excellence and supports interdisciplinary teaching and research through the Interdisciplinary Hub. Additional information is available at www.csahs.uoguelph.ca.
Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), the Dean, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences is a member of Guelph's senior leadership team and will be expected to provide leadership to the University community. Within the College, the Dean will provide strategic direction, academic planning leadership, and administrative oversight to achieve the highest possible standards in teaching, research, creative activity, and service. Working collaboratively with a variety of internal and external partners to further enhance the reputation of the College, the Dean will lead in promoting innovative and multi-disciplinary approaches to teaching and research, and in increasing funding support.
The successful candidate will be an accomplished academic and advocate for the social and applied human sciences with a record of building strong teams and relationships, fostering academic innovation, managing resources, and promoting multi-disciplinary initiatives. Extensive academic leadership experience will enable the new Dean to relate to a range of internal and external partners and promote excellence, equity, diversity, indigenization, and inclusion among faculty, staff, and students. The Dean, College of Social and Applied Human Sciences will possess an open and collegial style, outstanding management, communication, and interpersonal skills, a creative approach to problem solving, a strong commitment to academic excellence in research, teaching, and engagement, experience or an interest in fundraising.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply: however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. The University of Guelph and Laverne Smith & Associates will provide support in the recruitment processes to appliants with disabilities, including accommdation that takes into account an applicant's accessibility needs. The University recognizes that applicants may have had obligations outside of work that have negatively impacted their record of achievements (e.g. parental, elder care, and/or medical). You are not required to disclose these obligations in the hiring process. If you choose to do so, the University will ensure that these obligations do not negatively impact the assessment of your qualifications for the position.
At the University of Guelph, fostering a culture of inclusion is an institutional imperative. Acknowledging the University's diverse population and ensuring that every member of an inclusive campus is a valued contributor is a foundational pillar of success. The University invites and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that are traditionally underrepepresented in employment, who may contribute to further diversification of our Institution.
The search committee will begin consideration of candidates immediately and will continue until the role is succussfully filled. Applications should include a letter of introduction, curriculum vitae and the names of three references (who will not be contacted without consent of the candidate), and be submitted electronically, in confidence, to:
Laverne Smith & Associates Inc. Email: GuelphCSAHS@lavernesmith.com