December 16, 2009

Position Profile

The Opportunity

Brock University and its Faculty of Education seek an accomplished and energetic academic leader to build on the current momentum and success of the Faculty and to lead the Faculty to its next level of achievements.

The Position

As the chief academic and administrative officer of the Faculty, the Dean reports to the Provost and Vice-President, Academic and is responsible for the leadership and the management of the Faculty (including its budget, strategic planning, and external linkages), the administration of its academic programs and its academic development. He or she is an important member of Brock’s senior administrative team and is expected to contribute to the development of the University.

The Dean will provide visionary and strategic leadership in all the Faculty’s many areas of activity.

As part of a proactive attempt to increase diversity in leadership roles, we are encouraging applications for the position of Dean of Education from people with atypical profiles who believe they would be good candidates.  In particular, we are looking for people from the four designated under-represented groups (women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities).    If you belong to one of the designated categories, please consider applying, as we will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.

In the meantime, and following consultations with the Faculty, the Search Committee has identified the following tasks as requiring the attention, energy and leadership of the next Dean:

• Strengthen relationships and partnerships within the community and the professional field.
• Sustain and support a research culture and a commitment to scholarship that includes a diverse range of partnerships and pathways while maintaining the Faculty’s commitment to teaching excellence and service.
• Demonstrate an established capacity to use strategic leadership to enact change.
• Facilitate a space for collective visioning, collegiality and collaboration across departments and centres.
• Appreciate and support a diverse range of scholarship and research.
• Increase the resources available to the Faculty, and ensure their effective and equitable allocation in a manner consistent with the Faculty’s vision.

Faculty of Education

In addition to the Faculty of Education, there are six other Faculties at Brock University including Applied Health Sciences, Business, Humanities, Mathematics and Science, Social Sciences, and Graduate Studies.

The Faculty of Education is characterized by wide-ranging educational programs and a diverse range of scholarship across two departments (Teacher Education, and Graduate and Undergraduate Studies), three centres (Adult Education and Community Outreach, Continuing Teacher Education, and the Tecumseh Centre for Aboriginal Research and Education), and two offices (Concurrent Education Programs and International Initiatives). Programs and courses are offered at the university’s two campuses (St. Catharines and Hamilton) and several sites across Ontario.

There are concurrent and consecutive teacher education programs at the elementary and secondary levels. These programs, along with continuing education courses for teachers and administrators, are accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers. At the graduate level, the Faculty offers M.Ed and Ph.D. programs for educators in various occupational fields. The Ph.D. program is a joint endeavour among three Ontario universities. In addition, the Faculty has the only B.Ed. in Adult Education program in Ontario, a B.Ed. program in Aboriginal Adult Education, and a community-based Aboriginal B.Ed. program in Northern Ontario. The Faculty respects and supports a wide range of scholars and scholarship at local, provincial, national and international levels.

In total, there are 59 full-time faculty members and 53 staff members serving a student body of 1,933, including 1,444 undergraduates (720 FT and 724 PT) and 489 graduate students (140 FT and 349 PT).  For more information about the Faculty of Education visit www.ed.brocku.ca.

The University

Building upon its reputation for student engagement and collaborative academic experience of the first order, Brock University will take its place on the Canadian and international stage as a leader and innovator in research, teaching and learning. In so doing, the University will enhance the economic, social, cultural, and intellectual lives of the communities around us: Niagara, Ontario, Canada and beyond and will thereby demonstrate the vital ways in which universities of the 21^st century can contribute to the betterment of society.

(The Brock Vision)

Located at the centre of Canada’s beautiful Niagara Peninsula in St. Catharines, Ontario, Brock University is the only Canadian university with the distinction of being part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The University offers strong undergraduate, graduate and interdisciplinary degree programs that include co-op and other experiential learning opportunities to a student population of more than 17,000.

Brock University graduates continue to enjoy one of the highest employment rates of all Ontario universities at 96.5%. Brock celebrates the success of its over 67,000 graduates who apply their degrees to careers throughout Canada and around the world.

The University’s commitment to the individual student and to the highest standards of teaching and research excellence are reflected in the growing numbers applying for a Brock experience.

To meet an increasing demand for a Brock education, the University is involved in an extensive construction process.  Total capital expenditures on recently completed projects and projects currently underway total more than $150 million dollars, and there are several additional projects in the planning stage.  The University also operates a campus in Hamilton, Ontario that is used primarily for teacher education.

Brock is a vigorous research, cultural and recreational centre, and its superior facilities serve as a valuable resource to the community. Brock’s annual economic impact on the Niagara region is well in excess of $265 million.

Opened in 1964, Brock was named for Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, who lost his life at Queenston Heights in the War of 1812. His last words are said to be, “Surgite! Push on!” – which have become the University’s motto. With a recently appointed President and many young faculty members, Brock is a vibrant setting poised for renewal.

The Vision that provides the heading for this section drives the University’s current Academic Plan, Brock 2014|knowledge, engagement, transformation.  The Plan commits the University, in looking forward to its 50^th anniversary in 2014, to focus on five key directions:

• Develop an institutional culture rooted in pervasive research and creative activity

• Preserve and enhance the quality of undergraduate programs, emphasizing the education of students for leadership, social responsibility and innovation

• Expand graduate and professional programs reflecting the University’s research strengths and capacity for innovation, particularly in response to areas of emerging need

• Encourage interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary approaches to research and teaching

• Engage with the community to enhance the economic, social, cultural and intellectual lives of the citizens of Niagara and beyond.

More information about Brock 2014 and the University is available at www.brocku.ca.

Candidate Qualifications

The Search Committee has identified the following background and qualifications as those it will be seeking in candidates for the position of Dean:

Background

• Outstanding academic record that makes the individual eligible for appointment at the rank of Professor;
• A record of achievement in academic and educational leadership; and
• Ability to obtain financial resources inside and outside a university setting.

Knowledge, Skills and Personal Characteristics

• Ability to work with faculty and staff in implementing a vision, and with the senior administration in building strong working relationships;
• Good understanding of the value and the practice of research and a strong commitment to supporting the diverse research of faculty and students;
• Understanding of the principles of program accreditation, and a commitment to those principles;
• An administrative style that is collaborative and consultative;
• Demonstrated skills in negotiation, mediation and decision-making;
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to listen; and
• A creative orientation to leadership

The Location

St. Catharines is in the heart of Niagara, a peninsula of rich heritage, vibrant culture and extraordinary natural beauty. An abundance of meticulously groomed parks, gardens and trails delight the eye and nourish the spirit, and have earned St. Catharine’s the nickname “The Garden City.” As a famous wine producing region, Niagara is also home to lush vineyards and orchards.

The city includes a historic, picturesque Harborfront village with lighthouses on the pier, and shops and restaurants along the restored waterfront. The downtown mercantile district presents unique boutiques and eclectic shops and a variety of culinary establishments. St. Catharines is the entertainment capital of Niagara, with professional theatre, fine art and contemporary art galleries, Canadian performing artists, Jazz, contemporary bands, as well as major festivals and events year round.

Home to 135,000 residents, St. Catharines is in close proximity to Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake, and provides easy access to destinations like Toronto or New York State.  More information about the city and surrounding region is available at www.stcatharines.ca/index.asp and www.regional.niagara.on.ca.

The Appointment

Consideration of candidates will begin in early January, 2010, with an appointment being made effective July 1, 2010. Please respond or nominate candidates in confidence to the address below.

Brock University is actively committed to diversity and to the principles of Employment Equity and invites applications from all qualified candidates. Women, Aboriginal peoples, members of visible minorities, and people with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

All inquiries regarding this position will be treated in strict confidence and should be directed to Dr. Murray Knuttila, Provost and Vice-President Academic, Brock University, 500 Glenridge Avenue, St Catharines, ON, L2S 3A1 or mknuttila@brocku.ca

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