Dean, School of Media & Design

Dean, School of Media & Design

UIW Mission


Position Summary
The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), a comprehensive Catholic University located in San Antonio, Texas, invites inquiries, applications, and nominations in its search for an innovative academic leader to serve as the institution's next Academic Dean of the School of Media and Design (SMD). The new Dean is expected to assume office on June 1, 2025.

Inspired to develop high-quality graduates committed to serving the common good, the faculty and staff are partners in the pursuit of excellence in educating graduates who will be sought out by employers, collaborators, and clients for their compassion, positive spirit, and innovation.

Reporting directly to the Provost, the Dean will be the chief academic administrator of the School of Media and Design through academic and administrative leadership, the champion for student, faculty, and staff success and inclusive excellence, and the principal advocate for the School of Media and Design and its programs. The ideal candidate will demonstrate leadership and passion in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and global engagement, and possess an eagerness to embrace the healing ministry of UIW Catholic service mission with a deep understanding of addressing social inequities and justice through education.

The Dean will contribute to strategic operations and resource decisions that promote the welfare and success of the entire UIW system. As the chief academic administrator of the School, the Dean will be responsible for the long-term strategic planning and ethical management of the school's academic, human, fiscal, and physical resources. The Dean will promote academic excellence and innovation, scholarly activity and research, service, and faculty/staff professional growth and development. The Dean will provide effective leadership in implementing the vision, mission, and strategic plan of the School and the University of the Incarnate Word.

The Dean of the School of Media and Design provides academic and administrative leadership for a multi-discipline school with a total enrollment of approximately 600. The five program areas offer undergraduate degree programs in 3D Animation and Game Design, Communication Arts, Fashion Management, Graphic Design, and Interior Design. Graduate degrees are offered in Communication Arts and in 3D Animation and Game Design.

The SMD Dean collaborates with twenty-five full-time and thirty part-time faculty and is supported by an assistant dean and four full-time staff members.

UIW offers over ninety undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations and over twenty graduate and doctoral programs. UIW is a Hispanic-serving institution. Over 55% of UIW students are of Hispanic/Latino heritage.

The preferred candidate will have a strong record of scholarly activity, an understanding of changing patterns in higher education, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that informs academic excellence.

Essential Functions


Job Duties


Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Work productively and collaboratively with the academic leadership team and participate in institutional strategic planning, goal setting, and resource allocation.
• Possess effective communication, organization, interpersonal, problem-solving, and academic counseling skills.
• Work collaboratively and effectively with and build consensus among faculty, students, staff, and administrators in a dynamic and expanding diverse campus community environment;
• Provide leadership in recruiting, retaining, and developing diverse, high-quality faculty, students, and staff.
• Possess a strong record of scholarly activity and the pursuit of inquiry.
• Work independently and effectively coordinate work with colleagues and peers.
• Possess the ability to self-reflect, seek, and incorporate feedback from students, faculty, staff, peers, and administrators, demonstrating continuous growth as a leader.
• Possess proficiency in multitasking and meeting deadlines.
• Possess the ability to maximize opportunities and resources with a record that includes creative initiatives.
• Manage and operate with sensitivity toward a diverse faculty and student population.
• Have significant experience serving traditionally underserved and vulnerable populations.
• Have experience with professional accreditation processes related to the School of Media and Design programming.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse communities and cultures.
• Employee shall adhere to all applicable rules and regulations of the University, the Conference, and the NCAA.

Required Education
Earned terminal academic degree (i.e., PhD, EdD, MFA or equivalent) in a field of study offered by the School of Media and Design.

Required Work Experience

• Distinguished faculty career with achievement of the rank of full professor.
• Five (5) years of demonstrated university administrative and collaborative leadership experience at the departmental level or higher (chair, program director, or coordinator) to include:
• Five (5) years of experience managing and administering academic budgets.
• Five (5) years ofexperience with accreditation and institutional effectiveness.
• Five (5) years of experience supporting shared governance.
• Five (5) years of experience with emerging pedagogy and technical innovation in higher education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) or more years of experience as assistant or associate dean.
• Demonstrated experience supporting first-generation students within a minority-serving institution.
• Demonstrated experience working with alumni, community outreach, and potential donors
• Interprofessional administrative experience, preferably within a department /school with multiple programs.

Required Certifications, Licenses or Registrations
If the candidate is eligible by degree for a professional license or registration, the candidate should maintain an active license or registration.

Work Hours
Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm with extended hours as needed, especially during peak periods, to meet university goals.

Physical Demands

• Ability to actively engage in events for extended periods of time.
• Ability to regularly move about campus and event venues to actively engage faculty, staff, and potential/current students, as well as attend meetings on and off campus.

Posting Number: CA072PO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Category: Contract Administrator
Desired Start Date: 06/01/2025
Position End Date (if temporary):
Reports To: Provost
Salary: Commensurate with Experience
Open Date: 12/19/2024
Close Date: 1/19/2025
Open Until Filled: No

Special Instructions to Applicant


To apply, visit https://jobs.uiw.edu/postings/27801

UIW is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment, without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, national origin, age, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, veteran status, pregnancy, and religion (except in limited circumstances when religious preference is both permitted by law and deemed appropriate as a matter of University policy).jeid-90a99b35bee29044af26eb0dfc79585a