Salary: $115,531.00 Annually
Location : Main Campus, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA
Job Type: Full-Time Board-Approved
Job Number: 03001
Division: Academic Affairs
Department: Communication/English/Media
Opening Date: 09/04/2026
JOB GOAL:To advance the college's mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.
GENERAL JOB SUMMARY: The Dean of Communication, English, and Media, supported by an associate dean, provides strategic leadership, vision, and administrative oversight for the department while fostering a culture of communication, collaboration, innovation, and trust. The Dean advocates for the value of communication, literacy, critical thinking, and media education; supports faculty excellence, quality instruction, and student success; and leads the department in responding to emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, workforce needs, enrollment trends, and legislative changes affecting higher education. The dean works collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, college leadership, and community partners to advance the college's mission and ensure the department's continued relevance and vitality. The dean also serves as a member of the division leadership team, contributing to divisional strategy, institutional initiatives, and the advancement of college wide goals.
The typical work schedule will be Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm with occasional evenings.
UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES: - Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.
- Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.
- Champion Service- anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.
- Perseverance- commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.
- Lead- regardless of title, through positive influence.
DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES: - Serve as an active member of the division leadership team, collaborating with fellow deans and college leaders to advance divisional priorities, support institutional initiatives, and contribute to strategic planning and decision making.
- Provide leadership and vision in the development and implementation of departmental goals and priorities and facilitate their achievement.
- Recruit, hire, develop, and evaluate faculty and staff within the Communication, English, and Media department.
- Support faculty excellence through coaching, mentorship, professional development, innovation, and leadership opportunities.
- Develop, manage, and monitor the department's annual budget.
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen curriculum, student success, and workforce and community partnerships.
- Foster interdisciplinary collaboration across Liberal Arts and workforce programs.
- Partner with student support services to identify and address barriers to student success.
- Communicate effectively with faculty, staff, students, and college leadership regarding departmental goals, challenges, and opportunities.
- Promote and support the implementation of the college's Quality Instruction framework and instructional practices that enhance student engagement, learning, and success.
- Serve as the lead administrator for the Liberal Arts program, coordinating assessment and accreditation-related activities, facilitating the work of the Liberal Arts Council, and collaborating with the other Liberal Arts deans to provide shared leadership for program planning, goal attainment, assessment, and continuous improvement.
- Perform other related work duties as assigned.
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:- Represent the College most positively with prospective, former, and current students, employees, community partners, and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrate and promote the College's core values of Respect, Innovation, Collaboration, and Excellence in all interactions, decisions, and professional responsibilities.
- Demonstrate strong leadership, strategic planning, and administrative skills, with the ability to inspire innovation and continuous improvement.
- Lead through change, navigate complex challenges, and build consensus among diverse stakeholder groups.
- Provide strategic vision for the future of Communication, English, and Media programs in response to evolving student, workforce, technological, and legislative needs.
- Maintain knowledge of emerging trends in higher education, communication, literacy, media, instructional practices, and technology to support departmental innovation and effectiveness.
- Communicate clearly and effectively in oral and written forms.
- Establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with students, colleagues, staff, administrators, and the public.
- Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences.
- Foster an inclusive environment that values and supports belonging, respect, and the exchange of diverse ideas.
The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned. PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES WITH/WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:Position involves working in an office setting. Occasional (10-33%) standing, pushing, pulling and grasping. Frequent (34-66%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work. Constant (67-100%) sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking and hearing.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: - Master's degree in a discipline represented in the department
- Three years of progressively responsible leadership experience in an educational setting.
- Minimum of three years of teaching experience in higher education
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:- Community college teaching and leadership experience
- Demonstrated experience supporting faculty development and curriculum innovation
Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Kirkwood offers a wide range of employee benefits. Read more about them !
01
Do you have a master's degree in a discipline represented in the department and three years of progressively responsible leadership experience in an educational setting?
02
Do you have a minimum of three years of teaching experience in higher education?
03
Student success is central to Kirkwood's mission. How do you define student success in a community college environment, and what strategies would you prioritize as Dean of Communication, English, and Media to support student success for a diverse population of learners?
Required Question
