University of Mary

Dean, School of Education

School of Education and Behavioral Sciences - Bismarck, ND - Full Time

Dean of the Liffrig Family School of Education and Behavioral Sciences

Position Overview:

The University of Mary is seeking an experienced and principled professional to serve as the Dean of the Liffrig Family School of Education and Behavioral Sciences.  The Dean works in collaboration with the Vice President for Academic Affairs and the Deans Council on matters related to strategic leadership and academic operations including faculty personnel, faculty development, academic programs, instructional quality, enrollment, budgets, and capital expenditure needs.  The Dean represents the school within the University of Mary and to the public.  Above all, the Dean fosters and sustains a collaborative culture that eagerly embraces and advances the University of Mary’s Christian, Catholic, and Benedictine mission and identity. 

The Liffrig Family School of Education and Behavioral Sciences offers a robust array of academic opportunities, including 18 undergraduate majors and 4 graduate programs, supported by a dedicated team of 26 full-time faculty members. The school plays a vital role in meeting the needs of our region –and beyond – through strong, active partnerships with regional public school districts, private Catholic schools, and a wide range of private, county, and state human-service and law-enforcement agencies.
The successful candidate will serve a faculty community defined by deep collegiality, high levels of engagement, and a strong commitment to innovation, teaching excellence, service, and professional growth.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Mission: Advances the ongoing implementation of Ex Corde Ecclesiae, the apostolic constitution on Catholic colleges and universities; sustains and builds a culture of ready and earnest hospitality among the teaching faculty and throughout the university, in accord with Saint Benedict’s admonition that all be received as Christ.
  • Strategic Leadership: Serves as a member of the Deans Council and provides high-level strategic guidance on developing and improving the traditional and online undergraduate and graduate programs in the Liffrig Family School of Education and Behavioral Sciences. Develops and maintains a culture that encourages faculty engagement, participation, collegiality, and innovation toward the achievement of faculty excellence in teaching, research, and service.
  • Academic Operations: Provides leadership, strategic direction, and operational guidance for the chairs in the school in the development and maintenance of the school’s undergraduate and graduate academic programs. Prepares or oversees the preparation of all academic program assessment reports, program/department budgets, and annual budget proposals. Leads and assists program chairs with faculty development, faculty evaluation, and faculty recruitment.
Campus Facilities & Surrounding Community: a main campus with 866,000 square feet of facilities, 13 residence halls & apartment buildings, a research library with 50,000+ volumes, a 24/7 campus restaurant, coffee shops, and a pub, along with 9 satellite locations throughout the United States and abroad. Bismarck/Mandan is an intimate metropolitan area with a population of approximately 120,000, exemplary family and parish life, friendly neighborhoods, a low crime rate, clean air, and excellent schools, and enjoyable recreational and cultural facilities: 75+ miles of hiking trails, 62 parks, 7 golf courses, and four seasons of recreational opportunities on the Missouri River.

For more information on the University of Mary, please watch a short video by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/Go37Hy6QrVs. A campus tour is available at https://youtu.be/XY66HYhVQSE?si=E_sHTMCtJ7fvP0u5.

Our Mission and Identity:
  • Mission: The University of Mary serves the religious, academic, and cultural needs of the people in this region and beyond, rooted in the commitment of the Sisters of Annunciation Monastery. We are Christian, Catholic, and Benedictine.
  • Christian Identity: We strive to accomplish our mission in faithfulness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, valuing each human person as created in the image and likeness of God. We aim to be agents of cultural renewal, advocating for justice and peace.
  • Catholic Identity: Drawing life from the heart of the Church, we integrate spiritual and philosophical approaches to enduring questions of human life, fostering dialogue between Faith and Reason; we are joyfully and faithfully Catholic.
  • Benedictine Identity: Inspired by the Benedictine Sisters, we cherish a heritage of prayer, community, and service, modeling virtues of warm hospitality, balance, and generosity.
Qualifications:
  • Educational Requirements: Doctoral degree
  • Experience: Minimum of five years’ experience and proven success in academic leadership with preference for experience at the dean or associate dean level or higher
  • Skills:
    • Demonstrated excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service
    • Demonstrated ability to lead in an ethical, consistent, creative, and accountable manner that embodies the mission and identity of the university
    • Experience with strategic planning
    • Experience with regional and discipline-specific accreditation
    • Experience with and support for non-traditional academic programming, including online and distance education
    • Excellent managerial and interpersonal skills
    • Ability to communicate effectively and collegially with diverse constituencies
Why Join Us?
This role offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact within a thriving and nationally regarded university committed to excellence and deeply rooted in mission.

Application Process:
Qualified candidates are invited to submit their resume and cover letter detailing their experience and suitability for this role. The successful candidate would ideally join us in Fall 2026 however the start date is negotiable, and the position will remain open until it is filled.

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