Dean, School of Education and Human Services

Job Description

Job Description

THE UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS

DEAN, SCHOOL OF EDUCATION AND HUMAN SERVICES

The University of St. Thomas (UST) announces a national search for the position of Dean of the School of Education and Human Services (SEHS), with employment to begin July 1, 2027. As UST works to increase enrollment and strengthen its standing in the field of higher education, we seek a Dean who will develop and administer high-quality programs and instruction, foster mission-focused faculty development, and guide the strategic growth of the school in a manner that supports the University's distinctive Catholic mission.

UST prepares students for success in today's dynamic landscape through a strong core curriculum, exceptionally talented and dedicated faculty, and innovative co-curricular programs. An independent, coeducational private university, UST enrolls nearly 4,000 students (more than 3,000 undergraduates and almost 700 graduate students). We are Houston's only Catholic university and welcome students of all faiths and backgrounds.

Located in the fourth largest city in America, UST spans almost 20 city blocks in the heart of Houston's highly desirable Museum District/Innovation Corridor. The city is known for its fine and performing arts culture, leading medical and research facilities, a large port, winning sports teams, and abundant professional opportunities.

The campus is minutes from the renowned Texas Medical Center, the largest in the world, of which UST is a member institution. The vibrant downtown, with its many restaurants, theaters, concert halls and sports arenas, is also in close proximity.

Academic Programs

UST has five schools: the School of Arts and Sciences; the Peavy School of Nursing; the Cameron School of Business; the School of Theology; and the School of Education and Human Services as well as a number of Centers for Excellence including the Nesti Center for Faith and Culture, the Center for International Studies, the Center for Irish Studies, the St. John Paul II Institute, and the Center for Thomistic Studies. The University is served by close to 350 dedicated full-time and part-time faculty with 93% possessing a terminal degree.

The School of Education and Human Services encompasses three distinct yet complementary academic disciplines:

• Education
• Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Criminology, Law and Society

Its academic offerings include:

• Two undergraduate pre-professional programs in Criminology, Law, and Society and General Studies: Education
• An AAS in Pragmatic Studies and BAAS in Integrated Studies designed specifically for students who have learning differences that may interfere with academic success in a traditional collegiate setting
• Four graduate degree programs:
• Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Master of Education
• Doctor of Education
• MA in Criminology, Law and Society

The School of Education and Human Services (SEHS) is committed to preparing ethical professionals who serve their communities through education, counseling, leadership, and public service. Rooted in the University's Catholic intellectual tradition and Basilian charisms of goodness, discipline, and knowledge, the School of Education and Human Services is committed not only to respecting the distinctive contributions of each academic discipline but also seeking a higher synthesis of knowledge grounded in the mutually enriching dialog between faith and reason.

The Dean of the School of Education provides leadership in the following key functions:

Stewardship and Strategic Role Functions

• Develop and lead a clear strategic vision for the School of Education and Human Services, aligned with the University's strategic plan and Catholic mission, and integrate it into the school's academic planning and operations.
• Guide the strategic development, implementation, and evaluation of the school's academic programs to ensure their quality, relevance, and market competitiveness.

• Develop a strategy for the school to collaborate with and respond to the needs of regional Catholic schools and the growing classical and liberal arts K-12 movement in the United States and beyond.
• Create and maintain relationships with key mission aligned partners such as Texas Conference of Catholic Bishops' Education Department.
• Lead enrollment growth across the school, with an emphasis on expanding its graduate offerings.
• Ensure that the school's degree programs, concentrations, certificates, and executive education offerings are aligned with the workforce needs of the Houston professional community.
• Foster the conditions and relationships that support creativity, innovation, and the formation of learning communities among faculty and students.
• Expand donor funded scholarship opportunities and celebrate the achievements of our students in ways that inspire the community.

Support/Oversight Functions: Faculty and Department Chairs

• Foster a collaborative and supportive academic environment that promotes faculty excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, and professional development.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and administrative support to department chairs and program directors, ensuring they have the resources and guidance necessary to effectively lead their respective academic disciplines.
• Support faculty recruitment, retention, evaluation, and professional advancement, including opportunities for scholarly engagement, research, continuing education, and leadership development.
• Promote shared governance, transparent communication, and meaningful faculty participation in academic decision-making, while respecting the distinct needs and contributions of the School's academic disciplines.
• Ensure equitable and effective allocation of faculty resources, including teaching assignments, workload distribution, and support for scholarly and service activities.
• Foster a culture of collegiality, interdisciplinary collaboration, and continuous improvement that reflects the University's Catholic mission and commitment to academic excellence.

Support/Oversight Functions: Academic Programs

• Provide strategic oversight of the School's undergraduate and graduate programs, ensuring academic quality, curricular relevance, and alignment with the University's mission and strategic priorities.
• Collaborate with department chairs, program directors, faculty, and University leadership to evaluate, strengthen, and expand academic offerings, including traditional, online, and hybrid programs, in response to student needs, professional standards, and emerging workforce demands.
• Promote student recruitment, retention, progression, and successful degree completion through collaboration with Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, and other University departments.
• Strengthen and expand community partnerships, field experiences, clinical placements, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for professional practice and service.
• Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration among Education, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and Criminology, Law, and Society, creating opportunities for innovative programming, scholarship, and community engagement.
• Facilitate sustainable program growth through the development of new academic offerings, external partnerships, sponsored research, grants, and other initiatives that enhance the School's visibility and impact.

Administrative and Regulatory Functions

• Oversee resource allocation, resource acquisition, and responsible management of the School's budget in alignment with academic and strategic priorities.
• Ensure compliance with University, state, federal, and institutional regulatory requirements and reporting obligations, including requirements associated with The Commission on Colleges and Universities (CCU, formerly SACSCOC).
• Provide leadership and administrative support for the maintenance of CACREP accreditation for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, including ongoing compliance, assessment, reporting, and accreditation review processes.
• Provide leadership for the pursuit of Texas Education Agency (TEA) accreditation/approval and, once obtained, ensure continued compliance with applicable TEA standards, reporting requirements, and educator preparation regulations.
  • The Dean will serve as the designated EPP Legal Authority
• Address and ensure required curriculum documentation demonstrating alignment of coursework and training with discipline specific standards.
• Support department chairs and program leadership in maintaining compliance with other applicable professional, licensure, certification, and regulatory standards across the School's academic programs.
• Ensure timely and accurate completion of required institutional, accreditation, and regulatory reports and facilitate appropriate documentation and continuous improvement processes.
• Ensure consistent and equitable application of University policies and procedures relevant to faculty, staff, students, academic programs, and the School's academic mission.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• Terminal degree in a field represented in Education, Counseling, Criminology/Criminal Justice, or related fields with a solid reputation for excellence and scholarly achievement.
• Seven years of full-time, higher education teaching experience and at least five years of previous administrative experience (department chair, associate dean, dean, or equivalent) preferred.

The ideal candidate exemplifies both interpersonal excellence and professional effectiveness, bringing a leadership style that is collaborative, respectful, transparent, and grounded in strong communication. The candidate should demonstrate a commitment to integrating all disciplines in the school into the broader tradition of Catholic liberal education. The candidate should be an attentive listener who values diverse perspectives, builds trust and consensus, navigates conflict and competing priorities effectively, and inspires faculty and staff toward greater engagement, creativity, and innovation. Equally important, the candidate should demonstrate strong organizational and administrative leadership, with the ability to manage responsibilities reliably, communicate clearly and consistently, and ensure appropriate follow-through and accountability. The ideal candidate will bring knowledge of academic governance, accreditation, regulations and policies, fiscal management, faculty recruitment and development, and other areas essential to the effective operation of the School. They should demonstrate a clear commitment to teaching, learning, academic excellence, and student success, while bringing a forward-looking vision that prepares the School to respond thoughtfully to emerging trends and opportunities in higher education.

The Dean must demonstrate a genuine understanding of and commitment to the Catholic intellectual tradition, the dialogue between faith and reason, the principles of Ex Corde Ecclesiae, and the Basilian charisms of goodness, discipline, and knowledge. The Dean must also be willing and able to promote the University's Catholic identity in the daily life of the school. The University will actively seek, and strongly prefers, practicing Catholics for this role. Qualified candidates of other faith traditions who can credibly make and keep that commitment are encouraged to apply and will receive full consideration.

Applicants should submit:

• A comprehensive letter of application addressing the responsibilities and qualifications described above.
• A current curriculum vitae.
• A 1-to-2-page letter explaining how Ex Corde Ecclesiae will guide your leadership of the School of Education and Human Services.
• The names and contact information of five professional references. References will not be contacted without the candidate's prior consent.

Review of applications begins December 1, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled.

The University of Saint Thomas is committed to the religious, ethical, and intellectual traditions of Catholic higher education. As permitted by law, practicing Catholics who will advance the mission of the school are preferred for this position. However, the University invites all qualified applicants to apply .