Trenton, New Jersey
Posted: 24-Feb-26
Location: Trenton, New Jersey
Employment Type:
Organization Type:
Assistant Dean, Heavin School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Education
D29: $110,000-$120,000
Heavin School of Social Sciences, Humanities & Education
315 W. State Street Trenton, NJ 08618
Thomas Edison State University was founded in 1972 to break down barriers to degree completion. Fifty years later, it proudly serves a diverse body of adult students with innovative and professionally relevant academic programming in a predominantly online delivery. Our team of high-energy student-focused professionals is welcoming new members who are making their mark in education and are ready to help change the lives of thousands of adult students across New Jersey and around the world.
Candidates who are excited by changing lives, committed to the success of all and want to be challenged by new and innovative opportunities, should submit an application.
Summary:
We are looking for an innovative, student-oriented, and service-driven leader for an exciting opportunity to serve as the Assistant Dean of the Heavin School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Education. We seek an individual who is academically and professionally qualified, energized to work at a fast pace, and excited by innovation and the power of education to improve lives. Moreover, we are seeking an individual who is passionate and prepared to challenge traditional models and mindsets and who is excited by innovation in the service of today’s adult learners.
Applicants should demonstrate their ability to build academic communities, engage students, address the educational needs of diverse and complex constituencies, and collaborate with external organizations.
Under the direction of the Dean, the Assistant Dean assists in the general administration of all academic aspects of assigned academic programs in the Heavin School.
The Assistant Dean will be responsible for the following:
Program and Curriculum Development
- Under the direction of the Dean or Associate Dean, support the development, implementation, continuous improvement and review of academic programs, certificates, and customized educational offerings.
- Support the development and implementation of the programs’ learning outcomes assessments.
- Support the assurance that educational programs meet appropriate professional standards and programmatic accreditation activities.
- Supports the Dean and Associate Dean in the recruitment, approval, and evaluation of mentors and subject matter experts (SME’s).
Student Centric Leadership
- Engage in coordinated outreach and support of students to enhance student success and persistence.
- Collaboratively support program enrollment, retention, and graduation initiatives with appropriate academic staff.
- Assist with key academic program responsibilities; strategic planning, hiring, performance management, enterprise-wide relationship building, and donor development.
- Assist the Dean and Associate Dean in administrating the University’s academic policies.
Community Engagement
- Assist in leading innovative initiatives associated with developing and engage external professional organizations, constituencies, and markets.
- Construct and support partnerships and beneficial relationships, strengthening the University’s educational and service commitment.
- Participate in professional organizations as appropriate to maintain currency in the academic field.
- Represent the School with internal and external audiences through committees, meetings, social media, and conferences.
Funding Expansion
- Support the Dean and Associate Dean in the identification, writing and managing of grants to support the School’s students and programs.
Competencies:
- Willingness to embrace alternatives to traditional higher education viewpoints.
Ability to:
- Work with professional and support staff, and the community at large,
- Work at a distance with students, mentors, and other professionals, and
- Use technology to communicate, synthesize information, and prepare reports.
Knowledge of:
- Current issues, trends and opportunities in relevant academic field(s),
- Current issues and trends in adult learning, distance learning, and online education.
- Demonstrable competencies related to the areas of responsibility described above.
Examples of Work:
- Daily engagement in myriad student enrollment, retention, and persistence efforts including but not limited to, report monitoring, daily email and phone outreach to at risk students, etc.
- Daily engagement in student issue resolution tasks including but not limited to, transfer course evaluation, program advisement, student-mentor issue resolution, etc.
- Prepare various reports including data collection and analyses at the direction of the Dean or Associate Dean.
- Monitor Help Desk system and respond to messages in a timely manner.
- Participate in grant, accreditation, and other projects as assigned.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements:
Minimum Education and Experience
- Possession of a master’s degree in a relevant academic discipline.
- A minimum of six (3) years’ experience as faculty or/and administrator in a higher education environment and relevant workforce experience.
- Significant leadership experience in the education industry can replace 3 years of faculty/administrator experience.
- Experience in developing and managing degree and certificates programs, working with students, and managing instructional staff.
*TESU strives to offer a flexible work environment while balancing the operational needs of the University. As such, we have several options for hybrid-work schedules. Positions determine what type of hybrid-work schedule is available and, if necessary, adjustments are made to support University operations.
Thomas Edison State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer