Dean-School of Education & Human Services

Dean of the School of Education & Human Services (SEHS)

ABOUT CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY
Founded in 1941, Cornerstone University is a private, Christ-centered institution of higher education committed to preparing students to influence the world for Christ through academic excellence and spiritual formation. Rooted in a biblical worldview, Cornerstone integrates faith and learning across all disciplines, equipping graduates to lead with wisdom, integrity and purpose in a rapidly changing global society.

Located in Grand Rapids, Michigan, one of the Midwest’s most vibrant and economically dynamic regions, Cornerstone serves a diverse student body through traditional undergraduate programs, graduate studies and adult and professional education. The University also delivers flexible online offerings that expand access for learners balancing education with career and family responsibilities.

Cornerstone University enrolls approximately 2,000 students across its undergraduate, graduate and seminary programs. The University is organized into several academic units, including the School of Health, Science & Technology, the School of Business & Innovation, the School of Education & Human Services, the School of Ministry, Media & the Arts, and Cornerstone Theological Seminary. Across these schools, students pursue a wide range of degree programs designed to prepare them for meaningful vocations and lifelong service.

The University’s mission—to empower men and women to excel as influencers in our world for Jesus Christ by offering a student-focused learning community where Jesus Christ is central—guides all aspects of institutional life. This mission is supported by core values that emphasize Christ-centeredness, academic rigor, innovation and a deep commitment to student development.

Cornerstone is known for its relational, student-centered environment, where faculty invest deeply in mentoring and teaching. Experiential learning—such as internships, service-learning opportunities and global engagement experiences—ensure that students are well-prepared for both professional success and faithful leadership.

Cornerstone continues to build on its legacy through strategic initiatives focused on program innovation, enrollment growth, student success and expanded community partnerships. With a strong foundation in its historic mission and a forward-looking vision, the University remains dedicated to developing graduates who are equipped to serve, lead and make a lasting impact in their communities and beyond.

For more information, visit www.cornerstone.edu.

The Dean of the School of Education & Human Services drives the strategy for the school to leverage Cornerstone strengths in education, counseling, psychology, and social work, and also to continually explore new opportunities based on institutional vision and market research regarding employer and student expectations in the workforce. The Dean is an academic administrator eligible for faculty rank who will embody, model, and serve as the chief spiritual, intellectual/academic, and administrative leader of the school. The Dean will help to expand the reach of the institution through the cultivation of professional contacts, active partnership with enrollment, and oversee curriculum and instruction for majors, minors, certificates, and courses in the school.

The Dean will work with internal departments and the VPA’s Office to support both online learning and Grand Rapids campus programming. The Dean will aid in handling student and faculty issues as they arise and coordinate activity among the various schools. The core of Cornerstone University is defined and driven by its Christ-centered mission and Biblical confession.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Embody, model, and serve as the chief spiritual, intellectual/academic, and administrative leader of the school.

• Embody, uphold, and model the Cornerstone Mission, Confession, and Core Commitments and ensure that these are integrated in sophisticated and market-leading ways in how the school operates, performs, and assesses teaching, learning, and scholarship.

• Embody and demonstrate commitment to a thriving and innovative quality that is reflected through programmatic excellence resulting in enrollment growth and market expansion into new geographies and markets.

• Lead in strategic planning, evaluation, assessment, and innovation for the school and its programs.

• Collaborate with enrollment and marketing to develop and implement growth-oriented strategies resulting in gradual student increases.

• The Dean is also faculty and may teach a course each year as determined by the VPA.

• Oversee development of innovative curriculum and instruction in all programs offered by the school.

• Manages the School’s budget and prepares plans for future budgets

• Conduct needs assessments that involve collecting data from multiple
  constituents to identify programmatic areas to target for improvement

• Use needs assessment findings to inform interventions and innovative
  solutions to improve programs, and develop implementation plans to
  achieve program objectives.

• Perform process and outcome evaluations to evaluate the fidelity of
  implementation and effectiveness of interventions/programs in achieving the
  established objectives.

• Perform faculty evaluations using an evidence-based framework and provide
  constructive feedback to support the faculty’s professional growth.

• Recommend/design professional development opportunities to address the
  faculty’s professional learning goals.

• Oversee internship placements of all teacher candidates as
  part of a capstone experience. Establish
  partnerships with local K-12 schools for internship placements.

• Follow national trends in teacher preparation programs to ensure
  Cornerstone’s education programs remain competitive and attractive to
  prospective students.

• Supervises the faculty and staff of the school and works with the Office of Academics on faculty evaluation, hiring, and scheduling.

• Working in coordination with the Office of Advancement, seeks and secures on-going and new corporate and philanthropic funding sources, building and maintaining relationships with a select list of donors. Represents University in meeting with potential funding sources for the SEHS when the opportunities arise.

• Maintains ongoing contact with the University's staff regarding programs and plans.

• Actively maintains and explores knowledge about the external environment as it relates to change in higher education and programs.

• Actively leads the school; inspiring, connecting, and empowering staff, members and stakeholders in achieving the goals of the school.

• Fosters an exemplary culture of professionalism, innovation, trust, integrity, optimism, and professionalism.

• Achieve retention effort results within the school as well as student outcomes.

• Communicates effectively and frequently with a variety of constituencies.

• Work as necessary outside office hours to meet deadlines and address operational emergencies in some cases.

• All Cornerstone University and WCSG employees will regularly interact with students in a variety of projects, activities, and settings. As such all employees are expected to serve as Christian leaders and mentors by effectively living a gospel-centered lifestyle, ministering and discipling through a biblical worldview.?

• Other duties may be assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

Education, Training and Experience:

• Doctorate or nearing completion of a doctoral degree in a field represented by the school is preferred, or a relevant master’s degree with an equivalent number of directly applicable years of education, clinical counseling, psychology and/or administration experience.

• Seven to ten years of related experience in one or more of the school’s fields and/or administration is expected.

• Communication Proficiency

• Financial and Budget Management

• Initiative

• Personal Effectiveness / Credibility

• Results Driven and Entrepreneurial

• Stress Management/Composure

• Performance Management/Coaching and Accountability

Demonstrated Skill and Ability to:

• Embody, model, and serve as the chief spiritual, intellectual/academic, and administrative leader of the school.

• Embody, uphold, and model the CU Confession, and the CU CWV, AV, and BCC and ensure that these are integrated in sophisticated and market-leading ways in how the school: operates, performs, and assesses teaching/learning/and scholarship.

• Collaborates with Enrollment and Marketing to develop and implement means of promoting and marketing programs to students resulting in enrollment growth.

• Highly developed interpersonal skills. Ability to meet people with ease.

• Strong organizational skills, well disciplined, able to work under pressure of many priorities and meet deadlines.

• Knowledge of long-range planning processes.

• This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, filing systems and other technologies.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• A personal relationship with Jesus Christ and an active Christian commitment.

• A theology that supports the values and mission of Cornerstone University core commitments evidenced by an ability to affirm and sign the university’s doctrinal statement, “The Cornerstone Confession.”

• Four other foundational pillars, along with the university’s mission and confession, form Cornerstone’s Core Commitments.

• The Cornerstone Christian World View

• The Cornerstone Academic Vision

• The Cornerstone Beautiful Christian Community

• The Marriage and Human Sexuality Position Statement

These core commitments convey who we are, what we believe and how we live and work together in community. Employees are expected to faithfully attend an evangelical and biblical church whose core beliefs and practices are consistent with Cornerstone’s confession and core commitments.

Popular SEHS degree programs: B.S. in Elementary Education, B.A. in Secondary Education (7-12), B.A. in Special Education, B.A. in Psychology, Bachelor of Social Work, M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership & Development, M.A. in TESOL.