So Take the Next Steps
Mercy University invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean
of a newly established College (name to be determined) that brings together
the liberal arts, social and behavioral sciences, education, mathematics, and
computer sciences in a unified academic home dedicated to interdisciplinary
learning, academic excellence, student success, and preparation for a rapidly
changing workforce. This is an exciting time to be at Mercy University, as the
Dean will have the unique opportunity to shape the future of this
transformative entity from its inception.
The Dean will be the chief academic and administrative officer of the College,
charged with translating this bold vision into reality.
Reporting directly to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic
Affairs, the Dean will provide visionary leadership, strategic direction, and
operational oversight to the new College. This is a special opportunity to
develop a College, by shaping its academic programs; recruiting and supporting
faculty; cultivating alumnae/i, community, school-district, nonprofit, and
industry partnerships; and establishing a culture of excellence, innovation,
collaboration, and student-centered academic achievement.
About the College
The newly created College will play a central role in Mercy University's new
academic structure by integrating foundational disciplines with professional
and applied programs that are essential to civic life, educational leadership,
technological fluency, and human understanding. The College, as the
overarching unit for four Schools, will strengthen academic identity, enhance
program alignment, expand interdisciplinary collaboration, and support
innovative pathways for students across the undergraduate and graduate
experience.
The College will serve approximately 3,230 students, including 2,080
undergraduate students and 1,150 graduate students, across 45 academic
programs: 20 undergraduate programs and 25 graduate programs. The College
comprises these Schools:
- School of Mathematics and Computer Science
- School of Humanities
- School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
- School of Education
Its academic portfolio includes undergraduate and graduate programs in
Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Mathematics, English, History, Spanish,
Behavioral Science, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Psychology, Social Work,
Counseling, School Psychology, Early Childhood and Childhood Education,
Teaching Students with Disabilities, Educational Administration, Literacy and
Multilingual Studies, TESOL, School Leadership, and related fields. Through
this combination of disciplines, The College will be positioned to advance
interdisciplinary teaching and learning, support liberal learning and the
University's General Education program, prepare educators and human-service
professionals, and strengthen students' analytical, technological,
communication, and civic capacities.
The College will also contribute to the University's cross cutting
interdisciplinary pillars, through General Education, expanded research, and
the AI Entrepreneurship Innovation Hub. By fostering cross-campus
collaboration and teaching innovation, the College will prepare graduates to
address complex social, educational, technological, and cultural challenges.
Key Responsibilities
Student Success
Set clear student success goals for retention, progression, and
completion; use dashboards and disaggregated data to close equity gaps.
Integrate career readiness by expanding internships, practica, and
employer-partnered projects aligned with program outcomes.
Align advising, tutoring, and early-alert interventions with program
learning outcomes to improve persistence and time to degree.
Establish Student Advisory Councils that inform continuous improvement and
strengthen belonging and campus climate.
Expand high-impact practices (undergraduate research, service learning,
global learning) and assess learning gains.
Faculty Development
Oversee faculty and staff recruitment, retention, and development; support
excellence in teaching, scholarship/creative work, and service.
Integrate professional development into institutional culture in
partnership with the Center for Teaching and Learning and relevant units.
Launch structured mentoring for early- and mid-career faculty tied to
promotion and scholarly goals; promote evidence-based and inclusive
teaching.
Implement transparent workload equity norms for teaching,
scholarship/creative activity, and service.
Recognize excellence through selective awards and public showcases of
faculty scholarship and creative work.
Oversee appointment, evaluation, promotion, and (where applicable)
tenure processes in consultation with School leadership and faculty
governance.
Strategic Leadership and Academic Innovation
Define a vision, and partner across faculty staff and administrators of
the college to set long-term academic goals, and align resources to
support innovation
Develop and oversee the school's budget with decision-making authority
over program allocations, strategic initiatives, and faculty support
resources in consultation with the Provost.
Model high standards of professional accountability and hold subordinates
accountable for achieving ambitious results
Monitor key college metrics and provide actionable feedback, ensuring team
members take ownership of academic goals and operational successes
Ensure alignment of schools and policies with the Colleges academic values
and priorities.
Spearhead strategic initiatives for data governance, enrollment
management, academic marketing, and accreditation compliance
Be a partner across all offices of the university to meet college and
university priorities including data integrity, marketing, enrollment,
recruitment
Effectively monitor accreditation status and requirements and ensure just
in time action across all requirements for success.
Lead the College Advisor Board and ensure employer, alumni and other
stakeholder involvement in ensuring college, school and program success.
Lead strategic planning for the College in alignment with University
priorities and accreditation standards; engage faculty and staff in
planning and decision-making.
Guide curriculum development, program review, and continuous improvement
to ensure academic rigor, relevance, and student success.
Advance portfolio optimization and new offerings responsive to evolving
workforce needs (e.g., certificates and other credentials, 4+1
pathways).
Develop coherent online, hybrid, and other such initiatives with clear
quality standards, student support, and enrollment strategies.
Coordinate external funding (grants, corporate partnerships) to seed
program innovation and student success initiatives.
Ensure alignment of College and School policies and priorities with
University values.
Support leadership succession planning.
Collaborative and Inclusive Culture
Cultivate a collegial, student-centered environment that values diverse
voices among faculty, staff, and students.
Strengthen shared governance and meaningful faculty engagement in shaping
the College's vision and direction.
Conduct periodic climate assessments and implement action plans that
advance access and belonging.
Ensure transparent communication of decisions, rationales, and timelines,
especially during organizational change.
Uphold integrity, fairness, and understanding in faculty and student
grievance processes.
Fiscal Responsibility
Serve as chief fiscal steward for the College; develop and oversee the
College budget with decision-making authority over School allocations,
strategic initiatives, and faculty support, in consultation with the
Office of the Provost.
Implement multi-scenario budgeting aligned with strategic priorities and
enrollment forecasts; monitor program margins and contribution analysis.
Ensure School and program leaders effectively manage budget allocations,
program fees, and course scheduling in response to demand, accreditation
constraints, and student pathways.
Strengthen fiscal controls, compliance, and data integrity; coordinate
with Institutional Research and Finance for decision support.
Develop multi-year equipment, space, and technology plans that support
scholarship/creative activity and instructional innovation; monitor risk
and mitigation related to enrollment volatility and regulatory change.
Donors, Development, and External Relations
Provide thoughtful and strategic leadership in advancing philanthropic
support for the College, in close partnership with Advancement.
Represent the College to alumnae/i, donors, employers, community partners,
and professional organizations; be a visible, public-facing leader who
elevates the College's visibility and reputation in the broader community.
Actively engage prospects, alumnae/i, donors, and other external
stakeholders to articulate academic priorities and align donor interests
with institutional goals.
Establish College Advisory Boards and, where appropriate, program-level
industry or sector-related councils to inform strategy, cultivate
advocacy, and help identify new philanthropic prospects.
Coordinate with Advancement to design and execute cultivation,
solicitation, and stewardship plans aligned with academic and strategic
priorities.
Build alumnae/i pipelines for mentorship, internships, and
philanthropy—and deepen relationships with individual and organizational
donors.
Ensure donor intent compliance and transparent reporting on endowed and
restricted funds' impact on students, faculty, and programs.
Support external funding pursuits (grants, corporate and foundation
partnerships, public funding) in collaboration with relevant University
offices.
Excellence Through Shared Responsibility
Practice robust shared governance by collaborating across the University
on policies, initiatives, and strategic priorities.
Facilitate consistent implementation of University, College, and School
policies and priorities.
Oversee systematic assessment of student learning outcomes and program
review; use data for continuous improvement and document “closing the
loop”.
Ensure adherence to institutional policies, external regulations, and
accreditation standards; maintain accurate, current, and compelling
public-facing information (including web content and program outcomes).
Champion cross-University initiatives (student success, research/creative
activity, civic engagement) and report progress to the Provost.
Professional Development and Sustainability
Participate in professional development and training to ensure currency,
development
Leverage 360-degree feedback and self-reflection to create an actionable
development plan, driving professional growth and role advancement
Actively apply feedback from peers, managers, and stakeholders to
demonstrate tangible performance improvements and career progression
Qualifications
Terminal degree in a relevant discipline, with eligibility for tenure at
the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.
Progressive leadership experience over ten years in a complex academic
setting, including significant academic and fiscal planning
responsibility.
Demonstrated success supporting faculty excellence and staff development,
shared governance, and culture of accountability.
Proven track record in budget management, resource stewardship, strategic
planning, and accreditation processes.
Evidence of external fundraising, grant acquisition, alumnae/i relations,
and partnership development.
Student-centered ethos with commitment to teaching,
research/scholarship/creative activity, and student development.
Demonstrated commitment to fostering access, equity, inclusion, and
belonging.
Strong communication, collaboration, and advocacy skills; personal
integrity and sound judgment.
Exceptional communication skills to build consensus among faculty,
students, and administration.
Experience with curriculum development, student retention strategies, and
program growth.
Demonstrated ability to lead through changes and evolving higher education
environments and complex regulatory environments.
Demonstrated ability to hold people accountable, provide feedback and
evaluation
Reporting Relationships
Reports to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and
collaborates with Office of the Provost.
Supervises School Directors and designated College staff.
Collaborates closely with University leadership, Faculty Senate and other
governance bodies, Institutional Research, Enrollment Management, Student
Success, Finance, Advancement, and Communications/Marketing.
Work Environment and Expectations
Commitment to community outreach, shared governance, and active
participation in University life.
Ability to travel locally and nationally as needed.
Evening/weekend responsibilities as required by College and University
events.
About the University
Mercy University is an independent, coeducational institution serving more
than 9,000 students each year across campuses in Westchester, the Bronx,
Manhattan, as well as online. It is a federally designated minority-serving
institution and the largest private Hispanic Serving Institution in the state
of New York. Mercy offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree
programs and certificate programs within six schools: Business, Education,
Health and Natural Sciences, Liberal Arts, Nursing and Social and Behavioral
Sciences. Mercy was founded in 1950 by the Sisters of Mercy whose mission of
transformative education remains strong. For more information, visit
www. mercy.edu.
