Dean, School of Education

Hofstra University

School of Education

Dean

 

The School of Education (SOE) at Hofstra University invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean. This is a particularly exciting time to take on SOE leadership, as the School of Education has very recently separated from the Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, where it had been housed since 2016. This is a new era for the School of Education as a standalone unit, and Hofstra seeks a visionary leader and entrepreneurial builder to take the School to new heights. Hofstra was officially recognized as a Carnegie R-2 university earlier this year. In addition to significant investments being made in growing the research and scholarly enterprise, Hofstra is also investing in academic programs for students, student-centered facilities, and athletics. There is a great deal of energy around the University’s recently launched Hofstra 100 strategic plan.

 

Since Hofstra’s founding, studies in education have been a cornerstone of the University. Within the School of Education, there are two departments: the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Technology (TLT) and the Department of Specialized Programs in Education (SPE). TLT houses the following undergraduate and master’s level program clusters: Early Childhood and Childhood Education (Birth-Grade 6); Secondary Education (Grades 7-12); Special Subjects (K-12); as well as a doctoral program in Learning and Teaching. SPE includes the following undergraduate and master’s level program clusters: Health and Physical Education; Educational Leadership and Policy Studies; Literacy Studies; Special Education and doctoral programs in Literacy Studies and in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. The School is home to 260 undergraduates, 496 graduate students, 21 tenured or tenure-track faculty, 104 adjunct faculty, 15 administrative staff, and 4 clerical staff. A full list of programs can be found here.

 

Hofstra’s School of Education boasts passing rates on teacher certification exams higher than the NY State average. Ninety-nine percent of students pass the EAS on the first try, while SOE students pass all certification exams, including CSTs, 95% of the time. 94% of graduates were “Satisfied” or “Extremely Satisfied” with their overall experience in the Hofstra School of Education. Earlier this year, the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) awarded full 7-year accreditation to Hofstra’s educator preparation programs. The Commission’s action affirms that the programs meet all four AAQEP standards for completer performance and program practices.

 

The SOE Dean reports to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and leads the School, working closely with their senior leadership team and department chairs. The next SOE Dean will provide bold vision and leadership to strengthen programs, grow enrollments, and advance the School’s reputation. In addition, the Dean will revisit and update the recently completed strategic plan to ensure alignment with School vision, will assess academic programs and curriculum to ensure modernization, and will grow the tenure-line faculty. The Dean will promote the School’s research enterprise and increase research expenditures, fostering collaboration with external partners and across SOE and the University. The Dean will also develop the financial resources of the School, especially through fundraising and external donor relations, including the creation of an alumni advisory board. The Dean will strategically expand partnerships with Long Island-area and other NYC-area schools to strengthen the School’s teaching and opportunities for on-site applied learning. Broadening the reach of the School of Education is a key priority.

 

The successful candidate will have a thorough understanding of current trends in education with a vision for how to position a school of education for future success. Administrative or teaching experience in a K-12 setting is a plus, but not required. Candidates from academia will have credentials for appointment as a full professor with tenure, including an earned doctorate, teaching experience, and a record of success in scholarship as well as involvement in professional organizations and/or associations. Expected credentials for candidates from outside academia are more flexible. More importantly, such nontraditional candidates will have deep professional and leadership experience with a significant record of success, including change management experience, as well as an understanding of the importance of the academic research mission.

 

Founded in 1935, Hofstra University is a nationally ranked and recognized private university in Hempstead, Long Island, 25 miles east of New York City. A Hofstra education combines an intimate learning environment with all the resources of a large university, including state-of-the-art facilities for academics and student life. The campus, a recognized arboretum and Tree Campus USA School, is a leafy oasis just a quick train ride away from New York City and all its cultural, recreational, and professional opportunities. With 22 academic centers and institutes, a business incubator, a museum, a cultural center, legal clinics, the Saltzman Community Services Center, and the award-winning WRHU college station, Hofstra offers its students, community, and surrounding residents many opportunities for scholarship, resources, and engagement. Hofstra is also the only university to host three consecutive presidential debates (2008, 2012, and 2016).

 

Moving into Fall 2025, the University maintains a strong financial position after years of stable financial management, increased ratings from Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s, and above benchmark growth in the endowment, which currently sits at nearly $900 million.

 

The full Position Specification can be found at https://bit.ly/HofstraEducation.

 

Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Interested candidates should submit confidentially, in electronic form (Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF files preferred), a curriculum vitae and letter of interest to:

Jett Pihakis, Ph.D.

Consultant to the Search Committee

Russell Reynolds Associates

[email protected]

 

Please submit materials by July 21^st for priority consideration.

 

Expected hiring range: $240-270K per year

 

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Hofstra’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

 

Hofstra University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering diversity in its faculty, administrative staff and student body, and encourages applications from the entire spectrum of a diverse community.