Wayne State University - Assistant Dean of Teacher Education

Wayne State University seeks a forward-thinking and collaborative leader to serve as its next Assistant Dean for Teacher Education.

Wayne State University, founded in 1868, is a nationally recognized public, urban research University in Detroit, Michigan. Committed to educational opportunity, research and community enrichment, Wayne State serves a critical role in Michigan’s higher education landscape. It holds the highest Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching designations in both research and community engagement. Just as the city of Detroit is undergoing a renaissance, the University itself is in a time of significant transformation, strengthening its ability to serve students from Detroit and around the world. As Michigan’s most diverse public University, Wayne State has long prided itself on being an institution of access and opportunity for students, no matter their background. Now, the U.S. News & World Report 2022 Best Colleges rankings has identified Wayne State as one of the top-performing schools in the nation — and the best in Michigan — at helping economically disadvantaged students succeed and graduate.

The College is seeking an Assistant Dean for the Division of Teacher Education to provide leadership in executing its mission to “prepare effective urban educators and scholars who are reflective, innovative, and committed to diversity.” The College of Education serves approximately 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students across 30 degree programs that are housed within four academic Divisions: Teacher Education; Administrative and Organizational Studies; Theoretical and Behavioral Foundations; and Kinesiology, Health, and Sport Studies. Beyond academics, the College has many active scholars who acquire over $3.75 million annually in external funding to support their research and community engagement activities.  

The Division of Teacher Education is comprised of approximately 40 full-time faculty, directors, administrative staff, and many more adjunct faculty and clinical instructional coaches. The Division of Teacher Education offers Undergraduate, Master’s, Educational Specialist, Graduate Certificate, and Doctoral programs to nearly 800 students. The Division’s Bachelor’s programs provides students with a number of routes to initial teacher certification and additional teaching endorsements at the elementary and secondary levels, as well as K-12 endorsements in the areas of special education, English as a second language, visual arts, and bilingual-bicultural education. Wayne State also offers Doctoral programs for students who intend to seek scholarly positions in colleges and universities, school districts, and other related educational agencies. 

Reporting to the dean of the College of Education, the assistant dean will work with internal and external constituents to advance a compelling vision for the Division of Teacher Education focused on preparing the educators of tomorrow. The assistant dean will lead the recruitment and retention of a diverse and distinguished faculty by encouraging and supporting scholarship and facilitating teaching excellence. They will advance the University’s core commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice by cultivating an environment which prepares professionals who have the commitment and competence to help people acquire the knowledge, skills, and understandings enabling them to participate in and contribute to a complex, changing society.

The assistant dean will possess a Ph.D. or Ed.D. in teacher education or a related discipline, and the reputation of a distinguished scholar with a record of academic accomplishment appropriate to appointment as a tenured full professor at Wayne State University. They will bring leadership experience at the program, department, and school or college level; and experience with teacher education standards, ensuring curriculum is aligned with state and national standards. The assistant dean will be committed to urban education and Wayne State’s mission “to create and advance knowledge, prepare a diverse student body to thrive, and positively impact local and global communities.”

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 Wayne State University in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by February 17, 2023. Application materials should be submitted using the buttons below.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: Lauren Bruce-Stets and Sarah Seavey at WayneStateADTE@wittkieffer.com.

Wayne State University is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high quality education. Our deep rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities preparing students for success in a diverse, global society. WSU encourages applications from women, people of color and other underrepresented people. WSU is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.