Brock University, Dean, Faculty of Humanities
Dec 24, 2009 → Sep 10, 2010
Brock University, Dean, Faculty of Humanities
Position Profile
The Opportunity
Brock University and its Faculty of Humanities 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, academic 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 from all people 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 identify yourself as a member of the designated categories, please consider applying, as we will continue to accept applications until the position is filled.
Following consultations with the Faculty, the Search Committee has identified the following tasks as requiring the attention, energy and leadership of the next Dean:
• Sustain and support a research culture and a commitment to scholarship and creative activity while maintaining the Faculty’s dedication to teaching excellence and service.
• Use strategic leadership and manage a diverse range of programs while maintaining momentum, energy and vision.
• Support and enhance graduate studies in the Faculty including doctoral programs.
• Facilitate collegiality and collaboration across departments and centres.
• Develop and support interdisciplinary and intercultural programs consistent with the notion of humanities as a collective endeavour.
• Approach management and resource allocation in a transparent and consultative manner.
• Increase the resources available to the Faculty, and ensure their effective and equitable allocation in a manner consistent with the Faculty’s vision.
• Strengthen relationships and partnerships with multiple communities.
Faculty of Humanities
In addition to the Faculty of Humanities, there are six other Faculties at Brock University including Applied Health Sciences, Business, Education, Mathematics and Science, Social Sciences, and Graduate Studies.
The Faculty of Humanities has a wide range of programs across nine departments (Applied Linguistics; Classics; Dramatic Arts; English Language and Literature; History; Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures; Music; Philosophy; Visual Arts) and six centres (Canadian Studies; Intercultural Studies; Liberal Arts; Studies in Arts and Culture; Medieval and Renaissance Studies; Digital Humanities). The departments and centres offer undergraduate and M.A. programs, both disciplinary and cross-disciplinary. A Ph.D. in the Humanities is being developed. Dramatic Arts, Visual Arts, English, French, and History also participate in the concurrent BA/BEd program.
The departments of Dramatic Arts, Music, and Visual Arts and the Centre for Studies in Arts and Culture are constituent parts of the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. The School is affiliated with several cultural organizations in the Niagara region, including the Centre for Arts at Brock University, the Niagara Symphony Orchestra, Rodman Hall Arts Centre, Niagara Artists’ Company and Theatre Beyond Words.
There are a number of inter-faculty programs housed in the Faculty of Humanities (e.g. Medieval and Renaissance Studies, Interactive Arts and Sciences, and Studies in Arts and Culture). The Faculty also contributes to undergraduate and graduate programs housed in other faculties. These programs include Women's Studies, Labour Studies, Popular Culture, and Social Justice and Equity Studies.
The Faculty has a vibrant research culture supported by the Humanities Research Institute, which provides modest funding for research and colloquia, organizes biannual symposia, and serves as the publisher of the Brock Review, a peer-edited Humanities journal.
In total, there are 123 faculty members in the nine departments and six centres, supported by 35 staff members. They serve a student body of 3,003, consisting of 2,899 undergraduates (2,599 full-time and 300 part-time) and 104 graduate students (87 full-time and 17 part-time). For more information about the Faculty of Humanities.
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 21st 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 50th 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 Brock.
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 leadership, the allocation of resources and the management of budgets.
• Ability to obtain financial resources inside and outside a university setting.
Knowledge, Skills and Personal Characteristics
• Ability to work with faculty, staff and other senior administrators in implementing a vision and building strong collegial relationships;
• Appreciation of the value and practice of research and creative activity as well as a strong commitment to support its undertaking by faculty and students; Appreciation of the value and diverse practices of teaching;
• An administrative style that is collaborative, consultative and transparent;
• Demonstrated skills in negotiation, mediation and decision-making; and
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to listen.
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. Catharines’ 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 St. Catherines and Regional.
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 Knuttila