Dean

Job Description

The Opportunity 

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln seeks an innovative, inspiring and forward-looking academic leader to serve as the next Dean of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. The incoming Dean will have the opportunity to direct the vision of an energetic and engaged faculty, staff and student population. The new Dean will enjoy the advantages of a growing endowment with strong alumni and media support. 

The college’s educational experience is grounded in experiential learning, giving students meaningful opportunities to apply their skills in professional, real-world settings through strong connections with media, industry, and community partners. The Dean will have the unique opportunity to lead curricular innovation during a time of rapid change in journalism, media and communication and help define the future of the profession. 

The college looks to an exciting future under the direction of an outstanding leader to further broaden and deepen its impact.

The Position 

The Dean reports directly to the Executive Vice Chancellor and is the chief academic and administrative officer of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. The Dean has the responsibility for the strategic, programmatic, financial, fundraising, and management operations that support the mission and vision of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications and its role within the university and across the state. The Dean will join a group of fellow deans and campus leaders who are collaborative, supportive and committed. The Dean works alongside campus leaders to advance the values and mission of the university, ensuring the College’s efforts are in alignment with the overall priorities and goals. 

The incoming Dean will:

• Have the opportunity to define and implement the college’s next strategic vision with the input of talented faculty, staff, students, alumni and external advisory boards;
• Further the development of a relevant and distinctive identity for the college;
• Serve as a public voice to develop the reputation of the college externally on national and international stages, within the profession and private industry;
• Assure the continued prominence of the faculty by prioritizing the recruiting and retention of distinguished faculty at all levels;
• Support and engage staff, encourage their growth, and ensure they play an active role in the College's success and future.
• Cultivate academic programs that demonstrate professional relevance, impact, and sustainability, and champion the distinct, yet interconnected disciplines in the college;
• Work to fully realize and enact the college and university commitment to community and belonging, ensuring that all individuals and interactions matter;
• Seek out and continue valuable collaborations with other academic units and partners;
• Promote and support a strong research and creative activity agenda, including attracting external funding from federal agencies, corporations and foundations and continue to grow the College’s portfolio by expanding partnerships and pursuing new opportunities;
• Appreciate and foster the dual mission of research/creative activity and teaching to maintain an academic and professional focus;
• Assure that the college continues to serve its students with academic programs of the highest quality and effectiveness, promoting and sustaining practices for experiential learning, student success, persistence, retention, graduation and placement; 
• Continue an upward trajectory of enrollment in the college; 
• Engage alumni and other external supporters to advance the mission of the college; 
• Take a leading role in attracting interested donors to support the college’s mission; and
• Be an engaged academic leader at the university, working collaboratively and advancing the overall mission and priorities of the campus.

Compensation

Nebraska offers an attractive compensation and benefits package, commensurate with the successful candidate's background and experience.

How to Apply 

We will begin reviewing candidates immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Priority consideration will be given to those materials received by November 9, 2026. Applications should consist of a letter summarizing motivation, relevant leadership experience, and qualifications and a detailed curriculum vitae. 

Applicants should go to http://employment.unl.edu and search positions using requisition number F_260115, click on “Apply to this Job” and complete the form. Upload application materials. The names and contact information for at least three professional references will be requested from candidates who advance to the interview stages. 

Questions and nominations can be sent in confidence, to:

Kathy Farrell, Search Chair

James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean, College of Business

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

kfarrell2@unl.edu 

and

Allison Wortmann

Academic Personnel and HR Specialist

University of Nebraska-Lincoln

allison.wortmann@unl.edu

For questions and assistance with the application process, contact Allison Wortmann, Academic Personnel and HR Specialist, at allison.wortmann@unl.edu or by phone at (402) 472-4175.

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln seeks to attract and retain a high performing and collaborative workforce. UNL is committed to providing a work environment and culture that fosters personal and professional success where every person and every interaction matters. The University is proud to be one of Nebraska’s preferred and largest employers where individuals are able to participate and contribute to their full potential.

The University of Nebraska does not discriminate based on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation in its programs, activities, or employment. See https://equity.unl.edu/notice-nondiscrimination/. 

Job Requirements

Candidate Profile 

Successful candidates will have deep experience in and awareness of both the professions and academia and will bring a record of achievement that reflects a commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research and creative activity, and the public and professional impact of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. 

Specifically, candidates should demonstrate:

• A Ph.D. or terminal degree in a related discipline with an outstanding record of scholarly or creative achievement and/or an outstanding record of experience in the industry, with accomplishments commensurate with the rank of full professor in the college.
• A track record of successful leadership in a complex academic, professional, or organizational environment, including experience leading diverse, multifaceted teams or organizations; a significant record of success as an administrator whose credibility, communication skills and collaborative management style can energize a dynamic college. 
• A deep understanding of the academic enterprise and shared governance that clearly informs decision-making. 
• Strong business and financial acumen, including a focus on managing resources and aligning investments with institutional priorities. 
• The ability to cultivate academic programs, research and creative activity that demonstrate professional relevance, impact, sustainability and champion the distinct, yet interconnected disciplines in the college. 
• A record of building effective and collaborative relationships with a broad range of constituencies both across the university and with community partners and external audiences.
• A strong commitment to student success, fostering access consistent with UNL’s mission as a land-grant institution.
• A commitment to recruiting, supporting, and retaining an accomplished faculty and staff, and cultivating an inclusive campus community. 
• An understanding, capacity, and enthusiasm to advance development and fundraising activities.
• The highest level of integrity.

Additional Attributes

A highly qualified candidate will also: 

• Embody the role of advocate and champion for the College within the University setting and in the broader communities statewide and nationally;
• Possess and model a bold, creative, and systems-thinking approach that focuses on integrative solutions to complex problems; 
• Take bold, courageous risks to achieve excellence;
• Cultivate a vision for the future by enthusiastically embracing new ideas and thinking beyond what is known today;
• Demonstrate comfort with and knowledge of the range of disciplines and scholarship represented through the college;
• Model an ethic of care and cultural consciousness for all college constituents, with a visible and accessible presence;
• Listen actively and model feedback to foster transparency, awareness, and understanding of decisions and outcomes throughout the college;
• Exhibit an authentic curiosity and inspire others;
• Be energized to work in a complex organization and embrace the multifaceted needs of the college and university community, including students, staff, all faculty, and external partners; and
• Embrace the challenges and unknowns of higher education today including the enrollment landscape and bring meaningful solutions for growing the reach and impact of the college.
• Have navigated  technological changes, adapting curricula and/or research and creative activity for emerging media technologies and evolving digital platforms, such as AI. 

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