Description
The University of Kansas welcomes applications and nominations for an entrepreneurial, collaborative, and values-driven leader to serve as the next Dean of the School of Education and Human Sciences.
Founded in 1865, the University of Kansas (KU) is the state's flagship public research institution and a proud member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU). With five campuses across Kansas, including the main campus in Lawrence, KU serves more than 31,000 students and offers more than 400 degree and certificate programs. The University is nationally recognized for its excellence in teaching, research, and service, consistently ranking among the top public universities in the country. KU's mission is to educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that change the world. Guided by its strategic plan and core values of Integrity, Respect, Innovation, Stewardship, and Excellence (IRISE), KU fosters a vibrant academic community committed to advancing knowledge, building vibrant communities, and serving the public good.
The University of Kansas School of Education and Human Sciences (SOEHS) is a nationally ranked academic unit that educates future teachers, administrators, counselors, psychologists, and health and sport professionals. The Dean will provide leadership to approximately 125 faculty and staff who support 2,200 full-time undergraduate and 900 full-time graduate students. With programs offered on the Lawrence and Edwards campuses, as well as hybrid and fully online, the SOEHS serves Kansas, the nation, and the world through its commitment to excellence in education, discovery, and service. The School is consistently recognized for its leadership in special education, curriculum and teaching, and human development. Guided by its 2024 strategic plan, SOEHS advances mission-based priorities in student success, research and discovery, and healthy, vibrant communities—aligning closely with the University's broader strategic vision.
The School is consistently ranked among the top education programs in the country, earning the No. 8 spot among public universities and No. 15 overall in U.S. News & World Report's 2025–26 "Best Graduate Schools." Its graduate program in special education is ranked No. 1 among public universities and No. 2 overall, while the curriculum & instruction program ranks No. 18 among public institutions. SOEHS also offers top-tier online programs, including a No. 2 ranking for its online master's in special education and No. 10 for its online Ed.D. in educational administration.
The next Dean of SOEHS will join a lively academic community deeply committed to academic excellence and student success. This is a pivotal moment for SOEHS, with opportunities to build on its nationally recognized programs and collaborative culture. The Dean will be expected to articulate an inclusive vision that honors the School's legacy while advancing innovation across teaching, research, and service. By fostering transparency, shared governance, and trust, the Dean will unite faculty, staff, and students around a shared mission of preparing ethical and thoughtful leaders in education and the human sciences and guiding the School into its next era of excellence.
Candidates for the Dean position must possess a distinguished record of academic leadership and scholarship that qualifies them for appointment as a tenured full professor in one of the departments of SOEHS. They should demonstrate progressive leadership experience in higher education administration, including oversight of academic programs, faculty development, budgeting, and strategic planning. A robust research background, understanding of grant funding, and a track record of supporting research excellence and student success are essential. The ideal candidate will have a proven commitment to transparency, along with the ability to foster interdisciplinary collaboration across departments in the SOEHS and with external partners. Strong communication skills and fundraising experience are strongly preferred.
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 profile, found here. WittKieffer is assisting the University of Kansas in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by January 30, 2026. Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to the WittKieffer consultants supporting this search: Alejandra Gillette-Teran and Cathryn Davis at KU-SOEHS@wittkieffer.com.
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