| Position Title: |
Dean, Kendall College of Art and Design |
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| Location: |
Grand Rapids (Kendall) |
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| Department: |
45000 - GR Campus Dean's Office
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| Advertised Salary: |
$165,000 - $175,000. Salary commensurate with education, experience, and other requirements. |
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Benefits:
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Comprehensive benefits package (health care, vacation, etc.). Please see the following link for a list of benefits offered with this position.
Admin / Admin Temp Benefit Plans
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| FLSA: |
Exempt |
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| Temporary/Continuing: |
Continuing |
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| Part-Time/Full-Time: |
Full-Time |
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| Union Group: |
N/A |
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| Term of Position: |
12 Month |
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| At Will/Just Cause: |
At Will |
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| Summary of Position: |
The mission of the Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) is to prepare students for leadership in design, the visual arts, and art history through innovative, collaborative education that fosters intellectual growth and individual creativity and promotes the ethical and civic responsibilities of artists and designers, locally and globally. The Dean of KCAD is charged with the overall responsibility for the advancement of this mission and success of the College's academic programs through collaboration with faculty, students, staff, and others to provide strategic leadership to advance the overall quality and aspirational goals of the College. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong commitment to student success through leadership experience, talent, articulation of a shared vision, and the ability to build the future of KCAD with the faculty, administration, and staff. The Dean is responsible for college operations and academic programming on both the KCAD campus in Grand Rapids, MI and the main campus in Big Rapids, MI. The anticipated start date of this position Is July 1st, 2026; however, this is an estimated date and can be revised if needed. |
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| Position Type: |
Staff |
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| Required Education: |
Terminal degree from an accredited program in a discipline represented in or closely aligned with the Kendall College of Art and Design.
Business/Industry experience sufficient to qualify for tenure status and the rank of full professor in one of the departments/schools within the college. |
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| Required Work Experience: |
Five or more years of documented full-time or equivalent employment in higher education administration.
Three or more years of demonstrated full-time or equivalent experience in higher education as a department chair/head or higher.
Prior experience with alumni, donor, and community partnerships and engagement.
Demonstrated understanding of collective bargaining agreements.
Prior experience with accreditation and assessment of academic programs.
Experience In Interdisciplinary and/or inter-professional education. |
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| Required Licenses and Certifications: |
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| Physical Demands: |
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| Additional Education/Experiences to be Considered: |
Familiarity with critical Issues in higher education and national trends in art and design pedagogy and research.
A practical and academic understanding of, and enthusiasm for, the role of art and design in culture. |
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| Essential Duties/Responsibilities: |
Reporting directly to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the dean serves as chief academic and administrative officer of the College and ensures an organized and productive environment that encourages achievement by faculty and administrators.
Assure that the College serves students with programs of the highest quality and effectiveness.
Direct and coordinate leadership activities within Kendall College of Art and Design.
Work collaboratively with all the College Deans and within the departments to implement programs and services.
Develop and manage the college budget.
Advise the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs on academic matters, such as accreditation needs, development and assessment of academic programs, budget, and non-academic personnel matters.
Guide the development and implementation of strategic, academic, and DEI plans.
Develop, implement, and ensure that university and academic policies and procedures are followed. Work with accreditation agencies to achieve and maintain compliance standards.
Contribute and establish necessary communications and coordination with subordinates and superiors on all matters within their assigned responsibilities, through written and oral communications.
Analyze challenges within the department and recommend solutions to the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Pursuant to policies, procedures, and regulations and in collaboration with Human Resources, prepare and manage the college's hiring process to promote excellence and enhance diversity and Inclusion.
Work effectively with faculty and staff in program planning, assessment, and curriculum development.
Provide leadership for college fundraising efforts.
Work with Internal and external constituents regarding planning and funding for building maintenance and Improvements.
Carry out supervisory responsibilities, training, and funding of assigned faculty and staff in accordance with university policies and applicable laws.
Develop and maintain relationships with university administration, business, community, and individual and corporate supporters In the United States and around the world.
Promote and support program advisory boards and alumni relations.
In collaboration with the university's mission, vision, strategic, enrollment and retention plans, develop and manage department plans to help achieve university goals.
Oversee exhibitions, galleries, the Flexlab, and figure drawing models and facilitate the continual Improvement of learning environments.
Responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of designated Information.
Responsible for ensuring effective and appropriate administrative and laboratory support for all programs within the College.
Identify and implement innovative solutions to current and future technical problems to provide increased opportunities for faculty and students.
Cultivates an environment of belonging that values, respects, supports, and celebrates Individual similarities and differences, allowing students, faculty and staff to thrive authentically.
Support, promote, and develop university student enrollment and retention initiatives.
Any other duties assigned within the position classification area. |
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| Marginal Duties/Responsibilities: |
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| Skills and Abilities: |
Demonstrated ability to delegate, prioritize, and make transparent and effective decisions.
Attend workshops, seminars, and conferences related to areas of responsibility.
Serve and/or chair various University and community committees.
Demonstrated successful experience working directly with people from diverse backgrounds, including cultural, educational, socioeconomic, and life experiences. |
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| Required Documents: |
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Unofficial Transcript 1
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| Optional Documents: |
Unofficial Transcript 2 |
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| Special Instructions to Applicants: |
PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY: Applications should include a letter of interest and curriculum vitae. All applicants must also complete a full application on the Ferris website at Dean, Kendall College of Art and Design. Applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is filled. Confidential review of materials and screening of candidates will begin immediately. Harris Search Associates is assisting Ferris State University for this search. Please contact Eric Christ, Senior Consultant (eric@HarrisSearch.com, cell: 614-800-9974) for further details. Phone: 614-798-8500
Unofficial Transcript 1 (REQUIRED): Applicants must attach a copy of unofficial transcript of terminal degree.
Unofficial Transcript 2 (OPTIONAL): Applicants who have completed another degree to meet the education requirements must also attach a copy of that unofficial transcript.
Transcript must include Institution name, applicant name, date degree attained, degree awarded. Finalist will be required to submit an official transcript. |
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Initial Application Review Date:
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May 4, 2026 |
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| Open Until Position is Filled?: |
Yes |
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Posting Close Date:
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| EEO Statement: |
Ferris State University, an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, is committed to enhancing equity, inclusion, and diversity within its community. Ferris offers employment opportunities to qualified candidates seeking careers in a student-focused environment that values opportunity, collaboration, diversity and educational excellence. Learn more about the Ferris Mission and community at ferris.edu. The University actively seeks applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and other underrepresented groups. For more information on the University’s Policy on Non-Discrimination, visit: Ferris Non-Discrimination Statement. |
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Click here to learn more about working at FSU and KCAD. |
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