Dean of the College of the Sciences

Central Washington University (Central or CWU) invites nominations and applications for the Dean of the College of the Sciences (COTS). The new Dean will join a friendly and collaborative academic home, with exciting possibilities for innovative programs and partnerships, faculty and staff colleagues who are sincerely focused on excellence and student success, and students who aspire to contribute to the betterment of society and who desire to expand their opportunities for a generational legacy of college attainment.

About Central Washington University:

Central has a long history of preparing graduates for successful careers in an ever-changing world. Beginning in 1891 as a teachers' college (Washington State Normal School), Central has continued its commitment to scholarship, public service, and student success. Over the last 125 years, Central has grown from 50 students to approximately 8,500 students at combined campus locations, with an additional 2,300 enrolled through high school partnerships across the state. Ninety-four percent of the students are undergraduates, with six percent graduate students. 4,000 students live on campus or within walking/ biking distance.

CWU has grown in scope as well, offering a full complement of academic programs, including more than 135 accredited undergraduate majors and 32 accredited master's degree programs, as well as many minors and relevant certificate options.

The main campus offers a traditional residential experience and a range of academic and campus life activities. Programs are also delivered at eight University Centers across the state, offering convenient degree and certification programs, as well as online opportunities for students who cannot attend a traditional campus. The 380 acre campus also includes an arboretum, pond, and greenhouse (associated with the Biology department), Lydig Planetarium (part of the College of the Sciences), and a sustainable farm (growing food for the campus and community).

CWU is comprised of 643 faculty and 2,457 staff (2023 figures) committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each person plays a part in supporting and empowering students to fulfill their dreams.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. CWU ranks in the top 31% of Regional Universities in the West by U.S. News & World Report (2025). It is also rated 21st in Best Colleges for Veterans, 42nd in Best Value Schools, and 66th in Top Performers in Social Mobility. CWU is an Emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (23% Hispanic undergraduate student population) with a goal of becoming a Hispanic Serving Institution. In October 2024, Central Washington University was selected by the US Department of Education (Raise the Bar Initiative) as among the top 100 predominantly bachelor's-granting institutions eligible for the inaugural Postsecondary Success Recognition Program, a new annual award that incentivizes schools in a position to better serve these underrepresented communities.

CWU's ongoing, intentional efforts to provide equal access to postsecondary education for all learners are ingrained in the Vision and Mission statements, which call for the campus to become a "model learning community of equity and belonging." Through a multi-pronged approach, including intensive outreach work, innovative financial aid solutions, and a variety of continuing education programs like Running Start and College in the High School, CWU is building the bridges necessary to deliver higher education access to the communities we serve.

Located in the heart of Washington state amid the scenic landscapes of the Kittitas Valley, the Ellensburg campus, as well as the Yakima and Wenatchee University Centers, are situated on the ancestral homelands of the Yakama people who have lived in this area from time immemorial. Tour the campus in Ellensburg here: https://youtu.be/HjdhOegDa9A

Life in Ellensburg:

Central Washington University's main campus is located on 380 acres in Ellensburg, Washington, a city of approximately 20,000 people. The overall population of the Ellensburg micro area in the Kittitas Valley is almost 50,000. Located in the center of the state, between Seattle on the west and Spokane on the east, the community enjoys access to a variety of scenic and recreational opportunities from mountain to high desert to rainforest environments. Residents cite the friendly small-town atmosphere, four seasons with 300 days of sunshine, diverse recreational activities and cultural activities, and close ties to Central Washington University as some of the reasons they love their community. Ellensburg offers a thriving arts district, one of the oldest and most celebrated rodeos in the country, accessible healthcare, numerous service clubs, and houses of worship. Please see this link to learn more about Ellensburg.

The Dean is the administrative leader of the College, serving to unite faculty and staff in consultative work that advances the mutually shared mission of the University and of the College. Reporting to the Provost/Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean functions as an administrator, planner, leader, and spokesperson for the College. The Dean provides leadership in advancing the College among its many constituencies, and in positioning the College to respond successfully to the challenges and opportunities of contemporary higher education. In conjunction with the department chairs and faculty governance groups, the Dean creates and implements short and long-term strategic goals consistent with the College mission and vision. The Dean collaborates closely with the administration, support services, faculty, staff, and students, as well as community agencies, and the general public. The Dean leads and manages change, ensures inclusive and ethical practices, allocates College resources, and models student-centered decision-making.

Responsibilities

• program planning
• budget management
• personnel actions
• chair, faculty, and staff development
• curriculum delivery
• planning for facilities and equipment
• departmental operations
• strategic planning
• fund-raising
• compliance assurance for grants, contracts, and health/ safety for operations, as well as collective bargaining agreements, College level policies and procedures, and mission-linked accreditation standards of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
• responsiveness to students at all the educational sites where the College provides instruction

The Dean is supported by an associate dean, an administrative specialist, engagement and outreach manager, and support staff. Department chairs are elected by departments and serve a four-year term. Each department chair provides management for their department regarding planning, curriculum, faculty development, and department resources.

• Earned doctorate from an accredited institution in a discipline associated with programs represented in the College of the Sciences
• Four years of leadership experience directing academic endeavors at the level of department chair/equivalent or above, or equivalent experience in the public or private sector outside academia
• A record of teaching effectiveness, professional leadership, and scholarship sufficient to support tenure and appointment as a professor in one of the College's academic departments
• Demonstrated experience with budgetary and personnel resources, including faculty Reappointment, Tenure, and Promotion (RTP) processes, or equivalent employee feedback and promotion processes
• Ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, other college deans, and students to develop, articulate, and implement a shared vision and strategic initiatives for the College
• Excellent interpersonal, written and public speaking skills
• Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and evidence of experience effectively engaging and working with a diverse population of faculty, staff, students, and communities
• A commitment to shared governance and collaborative decision making
• Ability to engage external stakeholders and work effectively with donors and grant agencies
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with complex budget and management operations that include multiple revenue streams and multiple layers of policy requirements
• Leadership of strategic planning at the program level or above
• Experience in leading transformative change, particularly in the face of evolving higher education landscapes, technological advancements, or shifts in student demographics
• Experience with curriculum development, assessment, and program review, including through multiple delivery modes
• Successful record of community engagement and/ or fundraising with donors, foundations and/or public organizations to include partnerships with industry, government, or research organizations that benefit students and faculty research
• Experience managing programs in a multi-site (locations) environment
• Experience in recruiting, mentoring, and evaluating faculty, as well as promoting professional development for both faculty and staff, to include best practices for recruiting and retaining diverse faculty and staff
• Experience in establishing partnerships with diverse populations, including Hispanic and tribal communities
• Experience with student retention and recruitment efforts, strategic enrollment planning, and high impact programs
• Oversight of accreditation efforts/reports and/or in conducting accreditation reviews and other state/national standards compliance
• Leadership experience at a level beyond department head
• Experience as a faculty member or administrator in a collective bargaining environment
• Attainment of the rank of full professor

Salary: This position has a minimum annual salary of $155,784 and maximum annual salary of $249,255. The Hiring Department's expected hiring range is $185,000 - $230,000. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits and Other Employment Information

CWU is committed to investing in its employees and creating a healthy and successful work environment. The University offers medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for employees and dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits and Leave as well as the CWU HR webpage.

The campus has a collective bargaining agreement environment for faculty and staff. Administrators, including the deans, are exempt employees and are not covered by a CBA. Retreat rights for academic deans are negotiated as part of the hiring process.