Academic Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Honors (D35)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Ramapo College, Main Campus - Mahwah NJ
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number:
Core: Teaching & Learning Core
Department: Office of Undergradute Studies & Honors
Opening Date: 10/06/2026
FLSA: Exempt
Bargaining Unit: MN

POSITION TYPE/EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK:

This is a full-time, managerial position and days of work and hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Note: This position is in the "NL" category of employment (non-fixed work week), and individuals in this role have no claim or entitlement to time off or cash compensation for hours worked beyond their normal schedule. Compensatory time will not be granted for work done as an extension of the regular work day. It is the policy of the College to grant hour for hour compensatory time off, with advance approval, only when employees are required to work on a holiday. Time earned must be used within one fiscal year from the time it is earned.
Salary Range:
Manager - D35
$155,000-$175,000
Ramapo College of New Jersey is committed to considering qualified candidates who are legally authorized to work in the United States. Candidates who are currently authorized to work in the United States through a valid immigration status or employment authorization are encouraged to apply. Visa sponsorship may be considered for qualified candidates and positions, subject to applicable federal immigration laws and regulations.
JOB SUMMARY:

The Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Honors provides strategic leadership for the undergraduate academic experience at Ramapo College in alignment with the College's Comprehensive Academic Plan (CAP). The Dean is responsible for the integrity, coherence, and continuous improvement of the College's general education curriculum, honors program, and other College-wide academic initiatives that support student learning from matriculation through graduation.

Working collaboratively with academic deans, faculty governance bodies, and student success units, the Dean advances a shared vision of liberal arts education through high-impact learning experiences, interdisciplinary engagement, and data-informed student success strategies.

Examples of Duties
The Dean supervises:

• Director of the Honors Program
• Coordinators of the Center for Reading and Writing
• Coordinator for Prestigious Scholarships and Fellowships
• Director of First Year Seminar
• Administrative staff supporting Undergraduate Studies

Undergraduate Curriculum Leadership (Vision, Mission and Planning)

• Ensure the quality, coherence, and rigor of the Undergraduate General Education curriculum.
• Lead general education and core curriculum planning, scheduling, assessment, and revision.
• Collaborate with Deans, Conveners, faculty, and staff to ensure successful implementation of the General Education curriculum.
• Support interdisciplinary initiatives and high-impact educational practices (e.g., writing across the curriculum, undergraduate research, experiential learning, first-year seminar, senior capstone).

Oversight of College-wide Academic Programs

• Coordinate key College-wide programs including Honors, Prestigious Scholarships and Fellowships, Critical Reading and Writing, Self-designed Major.
• Oversee the administration and operation of and ensure the academic quality of College-wide program spaces including the Honors Lounge and the Center for Reading and Writing.
• Manage faculty and staff in their roles directing and contributing to College-wide programs. Work with academic deans to develop long-range staffing plans for College-wide programs, including adjuncts, and adequate support staff who are aligned with program delivery, enrollment, and market projections; prepare job descriptions/ads and other documentation for all positions; appoint search committees and supervise the search process; recommend the appointment of appropriately-qualified faculty and staff; and render timely, professional judgement on periodic evaluations, reappointment, tenure, promotion, and reclassification.
• Facilitate ongoing technological training of faculty and staff who support College-wide programs.

Student Academic Achievement and Engagement

• Develop and implement strategies to support student retention, progression, and completion.
• Coordinate advising and academic support services including tutoring and supplemental instruction throughout College-wide programs.
• Coordinate and develop articulation agreements as they relate to College-wide programs in support of transfer students.
• Work closely with Enrollment Management to recruit and retain undeclared students, and ultimately graduate students from a major at Ramapo College. Collaborations with Enrollment Management include duties such as:
  
  • Attending and representing or assigning designees, when appropriate, to attend and represent undeclared students at prospective and accepted students and parents at official recruitment events including but not limited to Open Houses, Admitted Student Days, and other recruitment events.
  • Collaborating with the Center for Student Success on advisement of new students and orientation.
• Adjudicating student appeals to academic policies and enforcing academic policies for Undeclared Students.
• Facilitating major declaration events and information sessions for undeclared students.
• Mediate between students, faculty, staff, and parents in legal and appropriate ways. Facilitate the resolution of disagreement or conflict between faculty, staff and students.
• Collaborate with Deans, Conveners, faculty, and Center for Student Success staff to enhance the student academic experience.
• Provide leadership on initiatives related to equity, access, and inclusive excellence in the undergraduate curriculum.

Institutional Leadership and Governance

• Serve as a key liaison between College-wide programs, the registrar, and other administrative units on curricular issues.
• Serve on standing committees consistent with all other Academic Deans.
• Serve as ex-officio member of GECCo and WAC, or similar governance committees.
• Co-Chair Academic Advising council and other key committees related to academic policy and standards.
• Interpret and enforce academic policies and recommend revisions as needed.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation standards and institutional policies within College-wide programs.
• Actively represents College-wide programs to students, parents, community patrons, professional organizations, articulation partners, business and industry, and relevant constituencies.
• Represent undergraduate academic affairs in College-wide planning and accreditation efforts.

Administrative and Fiscal Leadership

• Analyze data on student performance, persistence, and graduation to inform policy and practice.
• Prepare reports, plans, and analyses to document and advance College-wide programs activities, initiatives, programming, and development. internal use and external stakeholders.
• Assume responsibility for all fiscal matters at the unit level. This includes creating, monitoring, managing, reconciling, and being responsible for the budgets of the College-wide programs overseen by the Dean.
• Plan for, request, and disburse operational, travel, and other funds legally, responsibly, and fairly within given budget limitations.
• Provide accountability and transparency in the distribution of resources assigned to College-wide programs.
• Develop or oversee the development of Capital funding proposals and internal and external grant proposals to meet the needs of College-wide programs.
• Develop, facilitate, and/or actively engage, as appropriate, in fundraising activities that support College-wide programs.

DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ACADEMIC UNIT:

• The Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Honors works collaboratively to maintain facilities, programming, and staffing of all entities related to the College-wide programming.
• Developing external partnerships is a vital component of the Dean's function. The Dean will actively engage in maintaining and expanding connections with appropriate regional, national, and international UG Studies and Honors communities, partnering with the Ramapo College Foundation and interacting with Deans in similar positions at other institutions. The Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Honors is responsible to maintain and enhance the already excellent reputation of Ramapo and its programs.

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• A record of teaching, scholarship, service to College and community, and professional responsibility equivalent to that expected at the time of tenure at Ramapo College.
• Experience with College-wide, general education programs, as well as honors programs and liberal arts curricula
• Knowledge of disciplinary/professional trends and higher education activities on the state and national level.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of a liberal arts education.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee the administration of grants.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Collaborative approach to governance.
• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Continued adherence to high professional and ethical standards.

Qualifications
EDUCATION

A terminal earned degree in the appropriate academic discipline from an accredited college or university is required.

EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of five years' experience at the equivalent of tenured Associate Professor or Full Professor level in a higher education environment combining academic instruction and administration, as determined by the Provost in consultation with the President. At least three years of experience on college-wide committees that oversee curriculum; evidence of college-wide committee leadership. If the candidate is from within Ramapo College, the individual must be tenured.