Position Description

Dean of the College of Professional and Continuing Studies
Job Department/School Professional and Continuing Studies
FT/PT/Temp Full time
Location Garden City, N.Y.
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Dean

College of Professional and Continuing Studies

Adelphi University invites nominations and applications for the position of dean of its College of Professional and Continuing Studies (CPCS). We seek a proven, inspirational and collaborative leader capable of bringing a bold, creative vision as well as strong organizational and management skills to the position.

Adelphi University, New York, is a highly awarded, nationally ranked, powerfully connected doctoral research university dedicated to transforming students’ lives through small classes with world-class faculty, hands-on learning and innovative ways to support academic and career success. Adelphi offers exceptional liberal arts and sciences programs and professional training, with particular strength in our Core Four—Arts and Humanities, STEM and Social Sciences, the Business and Education Professions, and Health and Wellness. Recognized as a Best College by U.S. News & World Report, Adelphi is Long Island’s oldest private coeducational university, serving more than 7,250 students at its beautiful main campus in Garden City, at learning hubs in Manhattan, the Hudson Valley and Suffolk County, and online. The University offers students 79 undergraduate programs, more than 84 master’s degree and doctoral programs, and 63 certificate programs in the liberal arts, the sciences and professional training. With powerful partnerships throughout the New York area, more than 119,000 graduates across the country, a growing enrollment of students from 43 states and 72 countries, and rising rankings from top publications and organizations, Adelphi is a dynamic community that plays a leadership role on Long Island and in the region.

The College of Professional and Continuing Studies

The College of Professional and Continuing Studies was established in 1973 as the Adult Baccalaureate Learning Experience (ABLE) to help working adults obtain a college degree. Over the years, the program was housed in University College and in the summer of 2017, was renamed the College of Professional and Continuing Studies.

Dean, College of Professional and Continuing Studies—Position Summary and Priorities

Reporting to the provost, the dean of the College of Professional and Continuing Studies (CPCS) will lead the College through a period of continued expansion of its educational programs and administer all aspects of the College’s programs including instructional and support services. The dean of CPCS will oversee development and implementation of online programs in collaboration with the deans and faculty in schools and colleges across the University. The dean will lead the expansion of the College’s programs and chart an aggressive agenda for future educational opportunities to make an Adelphi education accessible to nontraditional students from all backgrounds.

Leadership Priorities

The next dean of the College of Professional and Continuing Studies will have the charge to make a significant and lasting impact on the College’s future. Specific priorities for the next dean of the College of Professional and Continuing Studies include, but are not limited to:

  • Non-Credit and Continuing Education Course/Program Development – Explore new initiatives for nontraditional learners in cooperation with faculty, department chairs, academic deans and administrative officers; including future plans for expansion into certificate programs, interdisciplinary programs and continuing education.
  • Create a Collaborative Vision for the College – The dean will work with faculty, students, staff and other administrators to align the vision for the College with the University’s Momentum 2 Strategic Plan. Given the growth of programs and enrollments, the dean will set a path that augments existing programming and identifies strategic growth opportunities.
  • Expand Corporate and Community Partnerships – Collaborate with the Office of Corporate and Community Partnerships to develop robust alliances with corporations, nonprofit organizations, and community groups that can provide internship opportunities, professional development programs, and funding for educational initiatives. Seek partnerships with industry leaders to align certificate programs with workforce needs, particularly in high-demand fields.
  • Guide the Growth of New Degree Programs – The College of Professional and Continuing Studies is continually looking to grow its innovative offerings in order to serve primarily working professionals and non-traditional students’ interests and community needs. The dean will play a central role in stewarding new and existing programs and successfully integrating new programs into the College. The dean will also support the accreditation and reaccreditation processes for all existing and newly eligible programs.
  • Pursue External Grant Opportunities – Work closely with Adelphi’s Foundation Relations team to identify and secure grant funding to support certificate programs, particularly those designed for underserved populations, including women, veterans, and neurodiverse individuals. Focus on grants for skill development, reskilling, and upskilling in fields such as healthcare, technology, and small business development.
  • Attract and Retain Talented Faculty and Staff – The dean will have significant opportunities to share CPCS’s story to recruit new colleagues from within and outside of the University and retain valued members of the faculty and staff.

Candidate Desired Qualities and Qualifications

To best serve Adelphi University, the ideal candidate will have many of the following professional qualifications and personal characteristics:

  • A record of increasing responsibility in academic and administrative leadership roles in higher education, including demonstrated ability in managing a complex academic organization and effectively interacting with faculty, staff, students and external constituents.
  • Visionary leadership skills with the ability to set challenging and attainable goals and priorities, work with and inspire others to high levels of professional achievement, leverage ideas into action and lead and navigate as the University grows.
  • Strong influence and relationship skills and the ability to command respect and earn the trust of individuals within and outside the University.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to express respect for diverse viewpoints and inspire the various constituencies both inside and outside the academic community.
  • Ability to represent the College and University to all constituents and to become an effective advocate for our students and their success.
  • Demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity, affirmative action/equal opportunity and achievement in increasing campus diversity.

 Experience/Knowledge in the Field

  • At least 10 years experience working at an institution of higher education, at least five of which within a unit focused on professional and continuing studies.
  • Demonstrated experience and knowledge of the design, development and delivery of programs in online (asynchronous) and hybrid formats.
  • Philosophy that fully embraces a professional approach to advanced professional studies as well as continuing education for nontraditional students.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain partnerships and affiliations within the local, regional and national professional communities as they support and relate to CPCS programs.
  • Administrative acumen, including knowledge of financial planning and budgets, strategic planning and implementation, and program marketing.
  • Experience in development, marketing and delivery of quality academic programs.
  • Knowledge in the evaluation of academic programs, the assessment of learning outcomes and the accreditation process.

Collaboration, Management and Organizational Skills

  • Evidence of excellent organizational skills and organizational development skills, including a clear sense of goals, timeliness and transparency.
  • Proven ability to recruit and retain high-quality students and work closely with enrollment management to bring a personalized approach to the student experience from the first point of contact to graduation and beyond.
  • The resolve to confront challenges and make difficult decisions, negotiate conflicts and demonstrate and promote integrity and high ethical standards within the institution.
  • Ability to work in a student-centered environment and interact effectively with a variety of constituents on and off campus.
  • Collaborative skills in teaming with colleagues and working with a unionized, innovative, energetic faculty as well as with unionized staff; ability to work collegially across the institution, build relationships and motivate, mobilize and energize others to work together; ability to galvanize professors/instructors to incorporate creative and varied online pedagogical strategies.
  • Dedication to faculty engagement and shared governance; willingness to engage in thoughtful discussion with faculty to envision and implement College change and evolution.

Information for Candidates

This position is anticipated to begin in the Summer of 2025.

In compliance with New York’s Pay Transparency Act, the annual base salary range for this position is $190,000 - $230,000. Adelphi University considers factors such as departmental budgets, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. An annual base salary higher than the range may be warranted in circumstances where a candidate has demonstrable equivalent prior higher education experience at another University.

Adelphi University provides a comprehensive benefit package for faculty and staff employees. For a list of benefits provided to employees, please click here.

For best consideration, please send all nominations, inquiries, expressions of interest, completed applications, including a cover letter and curriculum vitae, in confidence electronically to the search committee: AdelphiCPCSDean@adelphi.edu.

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Adelphi University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from all candidates, including people of color and those who are, or identify as, members of any marginalized, underserved or underrepresented group. Adelphi is an emerging Hispanic serving institution so bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. Here is our University statement on diversity: https://www.adelphi.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion/about/.