(Archived) Dean of the School of Education

Founded in 1891, North Park University is a Christian university affiliated with the Evangelical
Covenant Church of over 3,200 students from around the country and world. Located for over
125 years on the land of the Miami and Potawatomi tribes in what is today Chicago’s northside,
NPU has recently been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution and is committed to serving
diverse populations. Elevating North Park University’s core distinctives of Christian, city-centered,
and intercultural, NPU values diversity among its staff and is committed to building a
racially and culturally diverse intellectual community, and strongly encourages the nomination
and candidacies of persons who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color regardless of gender.

MISSION
The mission of North Park University is to prepare students for lives of significance and service
through education in the liberal arts, professional studies, and theology.

VISION
Building on our core institutional identity—Christian, city-centered, intercultural—our vision is
to create a university of uncommon character and enduring excellence, where faith, learning, and
service meet.

North Park University is in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago, one of the most ethnically
diverse zip codes in the United States. It is nine miles from downtown Chicago. The North Park
campus has often been referred to as an oasis in the heart of the city – a place where students
from urban, rural, and suburban backgrounds alike can call home. And all of this within the
major metropolitan backdrop of Chicago: one of the world’s largest and most diversified
economies, renowned for its museums and music, and voted best large city in the U.S. for four
years in a row by Condé Nast Traveler.

The School of Education offers bachelor’s degrees and credentialing for teaching in elementary,
middle grades, senior high, and K-12 school programs; a post-bachelor’s teacher licensure
program; and five approval or endorsement options in areas such as bilingual, English as a
Second Language; and special education. Additionally, the School offers four master’s degrees
in education; educational leadership; literacy, language, and culture; and teaching.

Reporting to the Provost, the Dean of the School of Education provides leadership and
administrative oversight to the academic departments.

Essential Responsibilities:
A. Lead the School of Education (SOE) in strategic planning, program review while
advancing a culture of assessment in collaboration with the Office of Institutional
Effectiveness.
• Realize the School of Education mission and vision and implement
strategic planning initiatives
• Obtain and maintain State Accreditation with the Illinois State Board of
Education
• Build and manage an advisory board
• Develop collaborative partnerships within the K-12 school sector with
Chicago Public Schools, charter schools, suburban school districts and
private schools throughout the region
• Establish and maintain assessment programs designed to enhance student
learning
• In cooperation with faculty and staff, ensure that plans and programs are
accurately described and correctly implemented in the calendar, the
catalogues, and the schedule of classes

B. Provide leadership for the faculty and staff in program performance consistent
with the mission of the University.
• In collaboration with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, provide
oversight for the development of quality and effectiveness indicators of
existing academic programs
• Encourage innovation and creativity in the development and improvement
of majors, nurturing programs and opportunities specific to the School of
Education

C. Supervise, evaluate, and support each departmental unit in a manner that
promotes excellence in instruction and research while pursuing innovative
solutions.
• Articulate and monitor academic standards with balance for faculty,
student, and administrative concerns
• Supervise and collaborate with Program Coordinators in the department

D. Serve as the chief advocate for the School of Education faculty.
• Support instruction, scholarship, and creative projects
• Represent the School of Education in the University
• Encourage participatory decision-making, shared governance, a spirit of
collegiality, and inclusion throughout the School of Education
• Support the historic principles of tenure and academic freedom

E. Communicate effectively with Illinois State Board of Education:
• Approve undergraduate and graduate programs.
• Stay current with licensure requirements and changes
• Represent the views of the North Park School of Education for policy
discussions

F. Facilitate clear communication among faculty and staff concerning the overall
operations of academic programs, administrative policy, budgets, and hiring.
• Provide collaborative leadership and an effective structural link between
the School of Education faculty, the administration, and other University
units
• In collaboration with faculty and administration, establish written policies
and procedures for operations in the School of Education

G. In collaboration with the University Dean, oversee and evaluate the work of
faculty and staff in the School of Education, including tenure and promotion
reviews, post-tenure reviews, sabbaticals, and special assignments.
• Observe classroom instruction and provide feedback in a collaborative
manner for the betterment of student learning
• Provide recommendations for faculty in the tenure and promotion
process
• Provide counsel on personnel issues leading to problem-solving
• Provide leadership in hiring, planning staff needs, and organizational
structures

H. Develop and manage budgets.
• Provide oversight of annual budget development and tracking
• Expand professional development opportunities for faculty and seek grant
support for special initiatives

I. Hear cases of student academic integrity, appeals and academic grievances
Essential Qualifications:
• A collaborative leader who can work with and bring together diverse groups to
achieve growth and excellence
• Knowledge and passion for diversity and intercultural relations
• Earned Doctorate in Education or related field
• Maintain current Professional Educator License or equivalent
• At least five years of higher education administrative experience which includes
leadership of faculty
• Successful experience motivating, leading, and encouraging faculty and
collaboratively growing programs
• Breadth of understanding to lead the range of programs
• Experience with budgets, strategic planning, and decisive decision making
• Administrative or teaching experience in Public or Private K-12 education, and/or
higher education
• Demonstrated ability in curriculum design, assessment and evaluation
• Evidence of scholarly contributions (e.g., publications, and presentations at
professional conferences)
• Evidence of service (e.g., involvement in professional organizations, state or
regional review committees)
• Proven track record as a practitioner who possesses a solid reputation in the field.
• Experience developing and proposing programs for state accreditation.
• State licensures processes and endorsements

Application Process
Interested applicants should review the North Park Staff Application and submit:
1) A detailed cover letter addressing the expectations of the position.
2) A written statement that describes your understanding, experience, and commitment to
North Park’s three core identities--Christian, city-centered, and intercultural—as well as
your Christian faith journey and how it aligns with the mission and values of the
University.
3) A current curriculum vitae (CV).
4) A list of three professional references with contact information and a brief description
explaining the working relationship of each to the applicant.

NOTE: Nothing in this job description restricts the supervisor’s right to assign or reassign
duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.