Dean, School of Library and Information Management
SLIM Program Administration
Emporia State University

Posted December 11, 2015 

Emporia State University’s School of Library and Information Management seeks applications or nominations for the position of Dean. Emporia State University (ESU) serves more than 6,000 students with internationally-recognized academic programs in Business, Teaching, Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Library & Information Management. ESU competes in Division II athletics and has a dynamic, diverse learning environment led by highly-qualified faculty. One of six public universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents, ESU was founded in 1863 as the first public institution of higher learning in Kansas. ESU serves students from around the world. Fall 2015 enrollment includes students from 94 Kansas counties, 46 states, and 61 countries. More than 60,000 alumni live in all 50 states and 70 countries. Located in the heart of the scenic Flint Hills, ESU is in close proximity to Wichita, Topeka, and Kansas City. More information on the University may be found at www.emporia.edu.

ESU’s School of Library and Information Management (SLIM) holds ALA accreditation for its MLS program, and currently serves over 350 students. Weekend-intensive classes for SLIM’s MLS program are taught at the Emporia campus as well as at SLIM’s off-site regional locations in Portland, Salt Lake City, Denver, and Kansas City/Overland Park. SLIM also offers additional degrees and certificates, including the Doctor of Philosophy and the Master of Science in Informatics.

Qualifications, Role, and Responsibilities of the School of Library and Information Management Dean

Qualifications
The threshold qualification is academic experience warranting tenure at the associate or full professor level in accordance with the School’s promotion and tenure policies (as specified in the University Policy Manual, pgs. 1-14 -- 1-18), including excellence in university teaching and a record of research and scholarly activity.
Candidates must have an earned doctorate in LIS or a related field and a master’s degree from an ALA-accredited program.
Candidates must have at least 3 years of successful university administrative and leadership experience within an LIS program, preferably at a doctoral-granting institution in the United States or Canada.
Preference will be given to candidates with successful professional experience in libraries, archives, or other information institutions; experience with and commitment to ALA-accreditation processes; evidence of building partnerships and fostering collaboration between the university, federal and state level funders, and library association leadership; and experience in using innovation in teaching that improves student learning.

Role
The Dean of the School of Library and Information Management is the chief academic and administrative officer of the School and reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Dean is responsible for providing vision and leadership in the areas of academic scholarship, community and alumni engagement, student and faculty recruitment and retention, relationship building, and ALA accreditation. As a transformational leader, the Dean will provide visionary direction for the School within the parameters of the strategic plans of both the School and the University and further enhance and support the School’s standards of excellence.

Responsibilities
The Dean will be expected to build upon the past and lead the School toward its vision of “embracing an interdisciplinary culture of collaboration and diversity for the common good.” The mission of the School of Library and Information Management is “educating successful library and information professionals with imagination, creativity, and innovation.” The Dean will play a significant role in supporting and promoting the following goals which were developed in conjunction with the School’s mission statement:

• Achieve excellence in the education of students for professional careers in library and information organizations.
• Increase and improve initiatives to engage in collaborative efforts with SLIM constituents at local, regional, national, and international levels to increase SLIM visibility across contexts and ensure continued support for our program.
• Increase global awareness and intercultural sensitivity among SLIM students through continuing programs that offer opportunities for intercultural engagement and study.
• Enhance SLIM’s physical facilities for functionality and aesthetics.
• Nurture human potential through the infusion of diversity within the curriculum, research, outreach, and the recruitment of students, faculty, and staff.

Additionally, the Dean will be expected to:
• Foster an open and inclusive environment where divergent views are encouraged and respected and consensus is sought in decision making.
• Contribute to and manage all efforts related to teaching, program development, and assessment.
• Mentor faculty, staff, and students and provide leadership and support in areas of collegiality, research, and grant work.
• Advocate for and represent SLIM to the University, the community, alumni, and stakeholders, including library leaders in Kansas, Colorado, Oregon, and Utah.
• Manage personnel issues and oversee strategic budgetary decisions.

Applications including cover letter, curriculum vitae, and names and contact information for five references should be sent electronically to Gary Wyatt [email protected]. For assistance, please call 620-341-5899. Review of applications will begin after January 29, 2016, and will continue until the position is filled. The preferred start date is June, 2016. A pre-employment background check is required. Members of the search committee will be attending the ALISE 2016 Conference and the 2016 ALA Midwinter Meeting.

Emporia State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, sex, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other factors which cannot lawfully be considered by law.