LEADERSHIP STATEMENT DEAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
THE OPPORTUNITY Few institutions of higher learning can match Western Washington University s combination of academic excellence and extraordinary natural setting. The 15,000 student, 224-acre campus, located in Bellingham, Washington, overlooks Bellingham Bay and the San Juan Islands and was named one of the most beautiful coastal campuses. Bellingham lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 55 miles south of Vancouver, BC. With its year-round mild climate, recreational opportunities abound from the water to the nearby ski slopes of 10,778-foot Mount Baker and the alpine country of the cascades. According to the 2016 U.S. News and World Report rankings, Western is the highest ranking public, master s granting university in the Pacific Northwest and second among top public, master s-granting universities in the West. Western Washington University is also a top producer of Fulbright Scholars; no institution of its class produced more Fulbright winners than Western in 2013. Faculty at Western are true teacher-scholars who invest themselves in the education of their students and in the university as a whole. Western s supportive, collaborative environment of shared governance and culture of collegiality have contributed to its being named one the best colleges in the nation to work for, by the Chronicle of Higher Education. The Western experience is founded in the liberal arts with a special emphasis on environmental sustainability and the public interest. This approach drives innovation at Western. Through its many institutes, including The Institute for Energy Studies, the Karen W. Morse Institute for Leadership, the Border Policy Research Institute, and the IDEA (Inter-Disciplinary Entrepreneurship in Action) Institute, Western has a meaningful impact on our region and society at large. For the third straight year, Western was first in the nation among mediumsized universities sending its graduates to the Peace Corps. It is no surprise that Western has been awarded the 2014 President s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction and has been named an Ashoka U Changemaker Campus. http://www.wwu.edu/
The College of Business and Economics (CBE), an AACSB-accredited college, embodies this excellence in the public interest. The CBE Center for Economic & Financial Education, for example, provides training in financial education for elementary and secondary teachers in the neediest communities across the state. In conjunction with the Huxley School of the Environment, CBE offers a bachelor s degree in Business & Sustainability. The Center for International Business adds a global perspective to the education of CBE graduates. Most recently, the college opened the Saturna Sustainable Investing Lab. The College of Business and Economics houses five academic departments (Accounting, Decision Sciences, Economics, Finance & Marketing, and Management) and several interdisciplinary centers. Degrees offered at the main campus in Bellingham include BAs in Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, and Financial Economics; a BS in Manufacturing and Supply Chain Management; an MBA; and a Master of Professional Accountancy (MPAcc). Students who get a B.A. in business have the opportunity to concentrate in a variety of disciplines. The College also oversees an MBA program in Everett and a BA in General Business in Poulsbo. The College employs 66 tenure and tenure-track faculty at the Bellingham campus with over 95% having a research doctorate. CBE also has a team of talented and committed NTT instructors who bring significant professional experience to our classrooms. Seventeen administrative and professional staff work for CBE. There are about 1,200 full-time students in the undergraduate program and about 80 in the Master s programs.
CBE classes develop managerial, analytical, quantitative, and communication skills that prepare students to lead and contribute throughout their careers. The College seeks to instill a commitment to ethical behavior, an emphasis on forward-looking behavior, and an active role in the community. Innovative teaching and outstanding research are acknowledged with financial awards and other recognition, while collaboration, collegiality, and respect pervade the life of the College. The College of Business and Economics is accredited by the AACSB International at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Additional information about CBE: http://cbe.wwu.edu/. THE POSITION Western seeks a dean who fosters innovation, collegiality, inclusiveness, and diversity. The Dean is the chief visionary of the college as well as its academic and administrative leader, providing strategic direction in an environment that is founded in faculty governance and collaborative leadership. Outreach and advocacy are critical parts of this role. As a key member of the university s central executive leadership team, the Dean works with other executive leaders and the faculty in a collaborative collective bargaining environment to implement the university s mission and is an active and visible leader within both the university and greater community. In conjunction with the department chairs, policy council, and faculty governance committee, the Dean creates and implements short and long-term strategic goals consistent with the CBE s mission and vision. The Dean reports to the provost and works closely with the Deans of Western s six other colleges and the graduate school.
KEY RESPONSIBILITES Provide leadership for academic as well as strategic planning in an environment that values faculty governance and embodies an environment of diversity and inclusion. Manage resources and budgets, including annual operating budgets and short- and long-range financial plans. Critically develop and assess new and existing programs, realigning resources as appropriate. Achieve successful philanthropic support for the college, working in collaboration with university development personnel. This entails engaging in active fundraising outreach to alumni, industry partners, foundations, agencies, and other potential local, regional, and national donors. Actively pursue academic excellence and diversity in faculty, staff, and students through recruitment, advancement, development, and retention. Maintain or enhance high standards of student scholarship, supporting the values of a public, comprehensive, residential, student-centered, liberal-arts-driven college and university. Oversee faculty appointment, development and evaluation, including the review of all faculty evaluation, tenure and promotion recommendations in a collective bargaining setting. Seek out opportunities to improve the quality of offerings through interdisciplinary and cross-campus collaboration. Serve as an advocate for Western and CBE both internally and externally. Further develop and leverage an active alumni network. Provide leadership in the maintenance of AACSB accreditation
QUALIFICATIONS Education: Doctorate degree or equivalent experience appropriate to the Dean s role and responsibilities. A proven ability to provide leadership and set priorities around a shared vision. A record of uncompromising professional integrity. SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE The successful candidate will excel in demonstrating a large portion of the following skills and experience: Ability to build consensus and share decision-making where appropriate, with a demonstrated commitment to supporting bottom-up initiatives. Vision, creativity, and resourcefulness, demonstrated through leadership experience and accomplishments. Demonstrated commitment to diversity and equal opportunity among faculty, staff, and students. Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills. Record of successful fundraising efforts with alumni, business, non-profit entities, and/or other donors.
Administrative experience in higher education, with a preference for academic experience in business, economics, or a related field. Demonstrated success working with a shared governance model. Documented experience with budgeting and managing personnel. Ability to involve and engage faculty, students, staff, alumni, employers and donors. Ability to attract, mentor and retain high quality faculty and administrators. Experience with the AACSB accreditation process. Experience promoting a global perspective. APPLICATION AND NOMINATION PROCESS While applications and nominations will be accepted until a new Dean is selected, interested parties are encouraged to submit a cover letter, vita, and other supporting materials addressing the above qualifications, skills, and experience to our consulting firm at the address below by December 15 to assure optimal consideration. Please address materials to: WWU College of Business and Economics Dean Search R. William Funk & Associates 100 Highland Park Village, Suite 200 Dallas, Texas 75205 Email: krisha.creal@rwilliamfunk.com Fax: 214/295-3312 ~WWU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. WWU is sensitive to and has a policy addressing dual career assistance. All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires. For disability accommodation, call (360)650-3774.~