Assistant Dean, School of Information at Pratt Institute, New York, NY

Posted March 7, 2021

Description:

The School of Information at Pratt Institute seeks an Assistant Dean to help fulfill the Schools’ vision, mission and goals. Located on Pratt Institute’s Manhattan campus, the School of Information’s vision is to empower people to improve lives and communities through information, knowledge, and culture. With approximately 250 students from around the country and the globe, the school is distinguished in its focus on arts, culture and technology and its relationship to the information field. The School offers Masters programs in Library and Information Science, Museums and Digital Culture, Information Experience Design and Data Analytics and Visualization.

Reporting to the Dean of the School of Information, the Assistant Dean will lead a number of important functions, be a leader within the School of Information and work to ensure the success of the entire school, as well as the success of the Institute. Working collaboratively with the Dean, faculty, and staff, the Assistant Dean will take on and lead a number of important, internal-facing functions with the School. The Assistant Dean will serve as a resource for the school’s four areas of study while also working to bring them together. The desired start date for this position is July 1st, 2021.

Pratt is an internationally recognized school of architecture, art, design, and information, which draws students from diverse cultural and geographic backgrounds. We are committed to advancing diversity and inclusion in our curriculum as well as in the ranks of our faculty, students, and staff, and seek applicants who can contribute to the furtherance of these goals.

Position Duties:

• Moving the School Forward: Work towards accomplishing the School’s Mission, Vision and Goals and Strategic Plan.
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI): Collaborate with Dean, faculty and students to advance the School’s and Institute’s DEI initiatives.
• Administration: Assist the Dean in day-to-day oversight and guidance; offer ongoing support to faculty and intervene as needed on individual academic and personnel issues; assist in miscellaneous operational activities including conferring with faculty and students; supporting school-wide events and projects; supporting external relationships with alumni, donors, and professional partners; conducting research and preparing data.
• Admissions and Recruitment: Lead the recruitment and admission of a strong and diverse student body. Make admissions decisions and scholarship allocations within the framework of admissions criteria, enrollment targets, and Admissions Committee frameworks.
• Course schedule: Develop the course schedule each semester.
• Part-time faculty hiring: Work with Dean to recruit part-time faculty to teach courses in the programs as needed and provide teaching/learning resources and assistance to new and continuing faculty as needed.
• Assessment: Collaborate with Dean/administration on planning and assessment and accreditation preparation activities, including ongoing data collection and analysis related to the academic experience of students.
• Curriculum: Collaborate with Dean, faculty, Curriculum + Teaching Leads, and School Curriculum Committee to ensure high-quality and up-to-date curriculum.
• Portfolio: Hire instructors for portfolio workshops and ensure the success of portfolio workshops
• Prospective Students: Collaborate with Dean/administration and Graduate Admissions to respond to prospective students’ inquiries about the programs (email, phone, in-person). Host prospective student information sessions in cases where Dean is not available.
• Student Affairs: Manage student concerns or issues in accordance with Institute policies and procedures.
• Participate in and assume all other related responsibilities as required.
  
  

Qualifications:

•  A Master’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited college/university.
• 5-7 years working in either an academic administration or as academic faculty with administrative responsibilities, with a proven track record at driving academic program success. 
• College-level teaching experience is required.
  
  

Skills:            

• Champion diversity and inclusion efforts.
• Demonstrated leadership capacity accompanied by inspiration, collegiality, sound judgment and discretion.
• Evidence of superior interpersonal and communication skills that reflect clarity of expression and effectiveness in working with diverse groups in a complex organizational setting.
• Demonstrated ability to develop collaborative relationships and partnerships with faculty, staff, and academic leadership
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to compile and analyze data sets using digital tools to drive decision-making.
• Ability to work within School and Institute’s strategic direction and framework.
• Ability to participate in school-wide planning processes that aim to drive positive improvement to the School.
• Ability to use Google Suite and Microsoft Office to accomplish work objectives
  
  

How to Apply:

The original job posting with full description can be found here. Apply using the job portal found there. Review of applications to begin March 15, 2021 and continue until the position is filled.

To apply, please submit a cover letter, CV, a one page statement describing how you have worked to promote diversity, equity and inclusion in your career and how you plan to continue to do so at Pratt, and the names and contact information for three professional references.

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pratt Institute recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.