Working/Functional Title

Associate Dean for DEI & Faculty Affairs

Position Summary

The Associate Dean for Equity, Justice and Faculty Affairs is a member of the Dean's leadership team and works closely in an advising capacity with the Dean, as well as the other Assistant and Associate Deans on Equity and Inclusion issues with a particular focus in Faculty and Academic Staff Affairs to embed them within the context of the values, principles, goals, and objectives of the College of Arts & Letters. The position is full-time (75% administration/25% research/creative activities), 12-month appointment, at the rank of Associate or Full Professor with tenure.

The position is responsible for promoting the values-enacted strategic development and implementation of the overarching diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing agenda and related Transformative Justice and Charting Pathways of Intellectual Leadership initiatives for the College. This includes fostering an inclusive workplace and overall culture of care that recognizes, values, and sustains an equitable and inclusive environment and sense of wellbeing and belonging for all faculty, students, and staff in the College community. In particular, the Associate Dean will take the lead in assessing, identifying, developing, and implementing key initiatives in faculty and academic staff affairs that are informed by a Transformative Justice approach and align with the MSU Strategic Plan 2030, the MSU DEI Plan, and the College of Arts & Letters Strategic Plan. Associated responsibilities include consulting and/or partnering with the Faculty Excellence Advocate (FEA), the Institutional Diversity: Excellence in Action (IDEA) Coordinator, the other Associate and Assistant Deans, and the Chairs and Directors to ensure that the college takes a coordinated and comprehensive approach to creating and nurturing a more equitable and inclusive culture across the mission. The position will collaborate with other Assistant and Associate Deans on identifying and addressing gaps in faculty and academic staff affairs, especially in areas of faculty recruitment and retention.

The position prepares background materials for personnel matters for the Dean. In cooperation with the College's other associate and assistant deans, the position provides faculty development opportunities that lead to measurable improvement and empower faculty members to chart pathways to intellectual leadership in their fields. Further responsibilities include enhancing evaluation procedures and developing training opportunities for faculty and academic staff.

Overview of Responsibilities

Assist Dean in all personnel matters as related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Advise Dean and provide chairperson support on personnel matters pertaining to faculty grievances and discipline, including Title IX related cases.

Oversee all aspects of the search and hiring process for both tenure-stream and non-tenure stream, including Implicit Bias and Equity Search Practices trainings for college searches. The position will work closely with the Human Resources Team Lead and the Human Resources Team. Manage faculty and academic staff hiring approvals and outside work for pay.

Oversee the summer hiring process together with HR and Finance Team leads.

Meet with the HR Team Lead and HR Team regularly to optimize the values-enacted performance of academic human resources in the College.

Work with chairs and directors on recruitment and retention of faculty and academic staff (e.g., best practices in annual review and promotion and tenure).

Oversee the preparation and offering of professional development opportunities in the College in collaboration with the other Associate and Assistant Deans that lead to measurable improvement in teaching and learning and faculty and student recruitment and retention (e.g., coo