Ohio University

Ohio University (Athens, OH) (https://www.ohio.edu/), an R1 research university and the oldest public university in the state of Ohio, seeks an accomplished and visionary leader to serve as Dean of the Jeffery D. Chaddock + Mark M. Morrow College of Fine Arts (https://www.ohio.edu/fine-arts/). OHIO is a dynamic arts incubator, offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in an immersive and inclusive community where students find their greatest moments and make an impact in and through the arts. The Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts has trained and educated some of the country's finest artists, musicians, actors, technicians and designers, dancers, directors, playwrights, filmmakers, arts administrators, music educators, and scholars. Its students benefit from close relationships with committed and globally recognized faculty (https://www.ohio.edu/fine-arts/faculty-staff-directory).

Ohio University recently embarked on a $99 million comprehensive renewal of the College of Fine Arts facilities. The reimagining of the College will create an Arts + Education Green (https://www.ohio.edu/fine-arts/capital-project) that will consolidate the college's six schools and four professional arts programs into one primary location bustling with creative activity from all disciplines. The new Arts + Education Green will include an entirely new Patton Center for Arts Education that will be home to a new proscenium theater, art gallery and an indoor-outdoor performance venue and capital improvement projects in the surrounding buildings. Construction and renovation projects are set to begin in 2025. Through the incredible generosity of transformational philanthropists, alumnus Jeffery Chaddock and Mark Morrow (https://www.ohio.edu/news/2024/08/ohios-college-fine-arts-be-renamed-following-transformational-gift-commitment-jeffery), and OHIO alumnae Violet Patton (https://www.case.org/awards/distinguished-service-awards/2020/dr-violet-patton), the College of Fine Arts recently received two gifts that will ensure Ohio University can be home to artists, alumni, and the community by providing experiences and educational opportunities that have the power to change lives.

Reporting directly to Dr. Donald J. Leo (https://www.ohio.edu/provost), Executive Vice President and Provost, the dean will be an inspiring leader with an unwavering commitment to the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts ensuring that its needs are represented and prioritized within the robust agenda and strategic priorities of Ohio University. The dean will seed and cultivate an environment in which interdisciplinary collaborations can thrive, allowing the college to contribute to the creative and research agenda throughout the entire institution. The dean will be a facilitator, bridge builder, and remove obstacles to arrive at solutions that maximize efficiency and resources. The dean will take care of and listen to students, faculty, and staff as final steps of the consolidation and renewal of the college are underway. The dean will also be a visible champion and supporter of the fine arts in the Athens and Southeast Ohio region ensuring that Ohio University is not only a place to change students’ lives but also members of the broader community through education, exhibits, and performances.

The next dean will have a strong capacity for cultivating existing and new relationships to advance the college's philanthropic priorities including alumni relations, sponsorship, stewardship, special events, and fundraising. The dean will demonstrate significant intellectual curiosity and possess the ability to effectively represent the work of the students, faculty, and academic programs across all disciplines. The dean will actively listen to the needs of faculty and staff to create and collaboratively execute a strategic vision. In addition to working well in a collaborative decision-making environment, they must be passionately interested in students and their development and demonstrate strong organizational and personnel management skills.

The candidate must possess an earned doctorate or M.F.A. in an arts-related field, or equivalent professional experience along with a record of scholarship/creative activity commensurate with a tenured appointment at the highest rank of professor in one of the schools within the College of Fine Arts.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile.

WittKieffer is assisting Ohio University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by January 7, 2025.

Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal at https://candidateportal.wittkieffer.com/description?jobID=200454. Nominations and inquires can be directed to:

Melissa Fincher and Corin Edwards
OHIOFineArts@wittkieffer.com

Ohio University is committed to promoting and supporting a workplace and educational environment where healthy and respectful conduct is the cultural norm. In support of this commitment, Ohio University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, ethnicity, national ancestry, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, status as a parent or foster parent, military service, or veteran status, mental or physical disability, or genetic information. Ohio University’s Equal Employment and Educational Opportunity Policy (https://www.ohio.edu/policy/40-001) and Sexual Harassment and Other Sexual Misconduct Policy (https://www.ohio.edu/policy/03-004) detail prohibited conduct.

University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance (ECRC) supports this purpose by monitoring the educational environment and workplace to stop, remediate, and prevent discrimination on the basis of protected status. We make policy recommendations, offer training, and provide avenues for resolving grievances based on protected status.

Should any member of the campus community experience discrimination or harassment based on a protected class status, including sexual harassment, other sexual misconduct, or retaliation due to a protected disclosure or activity, they are asked to contact the Director of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance and Title IX Coordinator. Further, reports may also be submitted for violations of the University's policy on freedom of expression.