Dean of the Division of Continuing Education
Cambridge, MA, USA
Full time Education
Harvard University's Dean of the Division of Continuing Education oversees a powerful global education platform and the primary outreach arm for the Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS), serving more than 30,000 part-time learners across the globe each year. With a deep commitment to academic excellence and expanding opportunities for learning and educational innovation, the dean of DCE leads the Division in its mission to extend Harvard to part-time and summer learners with the academic ability, curiosity, and drive to succeed in rigorous Harvard courses and programs. Harvard University invites nominations and applications for this important FAS leadership position.
The Dean serves as the Chief Academic and Administrative Officer for all aspects of continuing education in the FAS, including the Extension School, the Summer School, the Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement, and the Harvard Professional Development Programs. The Dean is responsible for shaping DCE's open and comprehensive academic curriculum, with courses and programs to meet the interests and needs of Harvard's employees, students, and a diverse public beyond Harvard's gates. He or she will be responsible for the strategic direction and management of all DCE offerings and will provide significant thought leadership in Harvard's efforts in online learning, distance education, and the productive use of technology in pedagogical innovation. The Dean oversees a total staff of approximately 300 in areas including undergraduate degree programs, master's degree programs, Registrar, Academic Services, and Academic Administration.
With passion for serving students at every stage of learning and with deep commitment to fulfilling and promoting both the access and academic rigor aspects of the Division's mission, the next dean must be a highly engaged, visible, and collaborative leader with a deep understanding of the evolving challenges facing higher education and continuing education in the region, the nation, and the world. The next dean will show confidence, courage, and conviction in leading the Division and will be energized by the unique possibilities for leadership and innovation afforded through Harvard's outstanding reputation and resources. The next dean will possess many of the following qualities and qualifications:
An innovation mindset, an entrepreneurial outlook, and the ability to conceive of and implement an exciting vision, in collaboration with others;
Decisive, objective decision making that moves processes forward in an environment open to change and innovation, as well as sensitivity and ability to productively engage with the faculty governance processes;
Ability to partner effectively with FAS leadership to seek their counsel and ensure open, timely communication;
A collaborative orientation and an openness to building and sustaining synergies and win-win partnerships within a university setting;
Experience conceiving academically rigorous and timely programs for rapidly evolving disciplines, as well as for liberal arts fields that have been the hallmark of a Harvard education for nearly 400 years;
Deep interest in engaging with diverse constituencies, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni;
A commitment to technology as a tool to bring about innovation and to elevate pedagogy;
A genuine regard for and in-depth knowledge of online learning as a pedagogy with high value and integrity;
A sophisticated understanding of marketing and an ability to engage in in-depth, strategic dialogue about marketing and branding;
Strong administrative, management, and leadership skills and an ability to build mutual trust and inspire leadership in others;
Fiscal and budgetary acumen;
Cultural sensitivity and a strong personal commitment to diversity, and fostering a culture of inclusion and belonging.
The successful candidate will possess advanced academic and professional credentials (terminal degree preferred) and a minimum of fifteen years of substantial professional experience. Experience and passion around meeting the unique learning needs of DCE's diverse student populations is required.
Please send all nominations and applications electronically and in confidence to:
Ruth Shoemaker Wood, Partner
Holly Jackson, Senior Associate
Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates, LP
HarvardDCE@storbecksearch.com
For more information, please visit Harvard Division of Continuing Education home page at https://www.dce.harvard.edu/.
For a full position profile, please visit: https://assets.storbeckpimentel.com/files/resources/harvard-dce-pd.pdf?5e18b3d073ec0
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.
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