Dean of the College of the Arts (COTA), University of Florida
Dean of the College of the Arts (COTA), University of Florida | Gainesville, Florida
The University of Florida (UF) seeks a passionate, transformative, and strategic leader to serve as the next Dean of the College of the Arts (COTA). The University of Florida is a leading public, land-grant, R1 research university spanning agriculture to the arts. COTA is a dynamic college that comprises the School of Art and Art History, School of Music, School of Theatre and Dance, Center for the Arts in Medicine, Center for Arts, Migration, and Entrepreneurship, and Digital Worlds Institute. The mission of the College of the Arts (COTA) is to be a transformative community, responding to and generating paradigmatic shifts in the arts and beyond. COTA achieves the university’s mission by training professionals and educating students as artists, designers, and scholars while developing their capacities for critical study and creative practice.
As the College’s chief academic and administrative officer, the Dean will play a key leadership role in demonstrating interdisciplinary progress at the confluence of the arts, and the ability to navigate the complexities of a leading American research university. COTA plays an essential role in concert with the educational mission of the broader University, and the Dean will further elevate the College as an engine of the intellectual life on campus in new and creative ways, deeply integrating COTA into the fabric of UF across disciplines. Working with the leadership team, the Dean will set a bold and innovative vision, establish new opportunities for the College within the University’s strategic plan, and direct the growth and development of the College through shared governance. The Dean will participate in campus-wide planning and will be responsible for the College’s teaching quality, accreditation, budget management, allocation of resources, administration of academic and research programs, alumni relations, and extension of its local, state, national, and international outreach. The Dean will also lead fundraising efforts and ensure that the College meets its goals as it looks towards the next capital campaign.
KEY OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR THE DEAN
- Develop, communicate, and execute a vision and plan for the strategic growth of the College of the Arts
- Invest in the retention, development, and recognition of staff members in the COTA community
- Continue to grow the research profile of the college
- Ensure the success of the College of the Arts through fiscal management and active fundraising efforts
- Modernize and improve the College of the Arts’ physical infrastructure and facilities
- Champion COTA’s innovative spirit including utilization of artificial intelligence and its integration with
the arts
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
The College seeks a leader who will further foster an environment that empowers students to engage authentically and creatively with an ever-changing world. The Dean will support and position emerging and established faculty artists and researchers to grow their artistic careers. The Dean will be a capable manager able to draw on a strong and empowered staff to continue to drive COTA forward.
The performance and personal competencies required for the position include the following:
- Leadership: An established record of effective and collaborative leadership that also provides evidence of skill in designing and facilitating work that advances curiosity, inclusion, open intellectual discourse, and the well-being of all in an environment of complex diversities.
- Academic Credentials: Demonstrated experience in teaching, research, and service appropriate to appointment to the rank of a tenured full professor in one of the units of the College. A terminal degree related to one of the College’s disciplines. Candidates from a wide range of backgrounds are encouraged.
- Demonstrated Commitment to the Arts: A deep and clearly demonstrated commitment to arts or design in any area of the research spectrum of the college, and/or to interdisciplinary engagement. A commitment to the importance of arts and design broadly, beyond the candidate’s own area of expertise.
- Financial Management and Administrative Experience: Experience and demonstrated success in academic administration, including budget and personnel management. Evidence that the applicant will provide effective representation of the college on the UF campus, and to the state of Florida. Proven success in managing a leadership team within a complex organization. Proven
ability to manage resources strategically. - Capacity for Fundraising: The ability to lead strategic, large-scale fundraising initiatives, including capital campaigns, that align with the short and long-term goals of the College and University. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience building and nurturing relationships with alumni, friends, foundations, corporate partners, and key stakeholders to secure principal and leadership gifts to advance arts education and research.
- Focus on Students: Demonstrated understanding of the teaching mission and of a commitment to student success.
- Personal Qualities: A commitment to the mission of a global public research university. Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. Innovative and creative problem-solving, along with a willingness to take risks. Ability to foster a collegial, collaborative, inclusive, and respectful work and educational environment.
The position is a 12-month appointment with a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
APPLICATIONS, INQUIRIES, AND NOMINATIONS
Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website for the search: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-florida-college-arts/dean.