POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Dean of the Graduate College
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1049
GRADE Unclassified
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Provost
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Dean of the Graduate College is part of the leadership team for the division of academic affairs. Areas of responsibility include development and oversight of graduate education, including graduate programming, faculty support and graduate enrollment management. The Dean of the Graduate College oversees administration of the Graduate College including budgets and operations in graduate admissions, marketing, curricular support and graduate assistantships. The Dean of the Graduate College works to ensure the quality of graduate programs, serves as the primary liaison in communicating and collaborating with administrators, faculty, staff, students and other constituents of the university on graduate education and collaborates with the provost and the vice president for community and global partnerships in promoting and stimulating academic research.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A terminal degree in a discipline or related field that is represented among the Graduate College’s portfolio of programs.
Experience: A record of success in all areas — teaching, research and service — commensurate with tenure as a faculty member at Missouri State University is required. Academic administrative or leadership experience is required.
Skills: Demonstrated leadership ability is required, including a demonstrated ability to work effectively and collegially with university administrators, faculty, staff and students. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Effective interpersonal skills and sensitivity to issues affecting a wide range of constituencies are required. Experience in budget, financial and personnel management is required. Demonstrated commitment to fostering and implementing policies and practices that promote inclusive excellence and cultural competence at Missouri State University.
Other: A demonstrated commitment to high-quality graduate education. An understanding of federal and state legislation and compliance issues that affect personnel decisions and the delivery of quality educational services to students is required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides administrative oversight of the university’s graduate education enterprise, including graduate enrollment management, visioning for graduate education and development and adherence to academic policies affecting graduate students.2. Works in partnership with colleges and academic units to achieve the university’s mission in graduate education and to create multidisciplinary opportunities.
3. Seeks and creates external partnerships (e.g., community-based partnerships, community-supported graduate assistantships, customized graduate education programs for employees, etc.), including collaborating with the vice president for community and global partnerships to establish partnerships with international institutions to offer graduate degrees and certificates.
4. Provides input and guidance on graduate tuition and fees.
5. Manages the budget and financial affairs of the Graduate College cost center and supervises personnel of the Graduate College office.
6. Supports graduate student recruitment by providing a dedicated customer relation management (CRM) system and collaborating with academic programs on specific marketing campaigns.
7. Supports graduate student admissions by providing a tailored admissions system that highlights each program’s unique attributes and criteria and facilitates holistic approaches to admission decisions.
8. Supports graduate student persistence and completion efforts, such as new student orientation and thesis/dissertation support and approval.
9. Works with deans and academic unit leaders to ensure optimal local support for graduate programs and provides onboarding and access to professional development for graduate program directors.
10. Facilitates and approves appointments of graduate assistantships and initial training of teaching assistants.
11. Works with the Graduate Council and its subcommittees, supporting the review and approval of graduate-level course curricular changes, new graduate program approvals and graduate faculty appointments.
12. Oversees graduate interdisciplinary programs to facilitate external and internal collaborations and support access to graduate education for students of all academic backgrounds.
13. Ensures recognition of the achievement of graduate students and faculty by sponsoring events, such as the 3-Minute Thesis and the Einhellig Interdisciplinary Research Forum.
14. Promotes and stimulates academic research and faculty development by working in collaboration with the provost and vice president for community and global partnerships.
15. Works with the Missouri State University Foundation, the office of research administration and other university offices to explore opportunities for external funding to support graduate education.
16. Participates in university wide leadership teams and represents the university externally as directed.
17. Participates in regional, national and international graduate education communities to ensure knowledge of external factors affecting graduate education and engage with best practices.
18. Facilitates a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
SUPERVISION
The Dean of the Graduate College supervises management, professional and administrative support staff.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED NOVEMBER 2024