Description

The University of Oregon (UO) seeks a visionary, creative, and engaged leader with a deep commitment to excellence in educational innovation, research, and practice to serve as the next Dean of the College of Education. Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President, the Dean serves as the principal academic and administrative officer of the College and an institutional leader in advancing the goals and shaping the culture of the University of Oregon. Applications, inquiries, and nominations are invited.

Founded in 1876, the University of Oregon is the flagship institution of the state. It brings together more than 24,460 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries and offers 302 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs through its nine academic units. The UO is a member of the distinguished Association of American Universities and is designated as a Carnegie Tier 1 research institution. The University currently employs 1,992 teaching and research faculty and 3,600 staff. In the fiscal year 2025, UO had $179 million in grants, contracts, and competitive award expenditures. The University serves as an integral economic driver for the state, with an estimated $3.7 billion annual economic return to Oregon. The University has an operating budget of over $1.4 billion and an endowment of more than $1.4 billion. More than 263,430 Duck alumni live worldwide.

The University of Oregon's College of Education is a nationally recognized leader in educational innovation, research, and practice. Consistently ranked among the top graduate schools of education by U.S. News & World Report - No. 5 among public institutions and No. 15 overall - it is especially renowned for its No. 3-ranked Special Education program. The College is home to a vibrant academic community comprising 563 full-time and part-time faculty and staff. In the 2023-2024 academic year, it enrolled 1,501 students—781 undergraduates and 720 graduate students—who benefit from a dynamic learning environment that bridges rigorous scholarship with real-world application. The College is home to 14 research and outreach units, driving innovation in areas such as school reform, assessment, behavior management, early intervention, and culturally responsive practices. Faculty-led research has led to the development of widely adopted tools like PBISApps and the School-Wide Information System (SWIS), which collectively impact tens of thousands of schools and millions of students nationwide. With over $67 million in sponsored research and project grants in FY2024 alone, the College maintains a robust research culture that translates evidence-based findings into real-world applications. Its commitment to equity, inclusion, and community engagement is reflected in its collaborative partnerships with school districts and agencies, preparing students to become transformative educators, scholars, psychologists, administrators, and human service professionals. The College of Education at UO is a hub for academic excellence and a catalyst for systemic change in education and human development.

The next Dean of the College of Education must be ready to take on a bold and consequential charge. The Dean will lead a college that is central to the University's research enterprise, responsible for one-third of UO's research funding. At this moment of change and disruption in higher education, the Dean will be asked to navigate a shifting and complex federal funding landscape, sustain excellence in its academic programs, advocate for the College, and help steward the university's budget. They will nurture and advance partnerships with local school districts, the Oregon Department of Education, and tribal nations, while expanding the College's reach across the state and beyond. In alignment with the UO's strategic plan, Oregon Rising, the Dean will be expected to elevate the College's role in youth behavioral and mental health, career preparation, and community flourishing, and ensure that its research and teaching continue to translate into real-world impact. With a strong foundation of faculty and staff excellence, deep community engagement, and a culture of inclusion and innovation, the College of Education is poised for its next chapter, and the Dean will be at the helm of shaping it.

The ideal candidate will bring a deep understanding of the complexities of higher education and a proven ability to lead within a research-intensive environment. They must have the capacity to lead and navigate through shifting funding landscapes, advocate within evolving budget models, and sustain excellence in research and high-impact academic programs. The College seeks a leader who values shared governance, transparent decision-making, and inclusive leadership; someone who listens deeply, builds consensus, and makes fair, forward-looking choices. Experience with unionized faculty and collective bargaining would be an advantage; working across and appreciating the unique contributions and needs of diverse and varied programs is essential. The next Dean should be institutionally minded, committed to collaboration across the University, and capable of strengthening partnerships with school districts, tribal nations, and state agencies, and engaging alumni and donors to increase philanthropic support. A track record of securing and managing major research grants, supporting faculty development, and translating research into societal impact is highly valued. The next Dean must see opportunity in challenge, foster community and morale, and be prepared to shape the future of education in Oregon and beyond. The next Dean will have a record of scholarly achievement appropriate for a tenured appointment at the level of full professor in a department within the University of Oregon.

WittKieffer is assisting the University of Oregon in this search. All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. For full consideration, candidate materials should be received by January 15, 2026. Applications should include, as two separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile, available here.

Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to Suzanne Teer, Alejandra Gillette-Teran, and Natalie Song at UOEducationDean@wittkieffer.com.

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