Dean, AUIB's College of Education - IQ Talent Marketplace

The American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB) seeks an exceptional individual to become the founding and inaugural Dean of its new College of Education. As an American-style university, the dean will be an innovative thinker, culturally responsive leader, who will work with multiple constituencies and communities to refine and articulate the vision for the development and growth of AUIB’s College of Education. With the integration of cutting-edge education practices and a pioneering model school, AUIB’s College of Education will serve as the leader in the field of teacher preparation and training in Iraq and throughout the region.

The founding Dean will have the opportunity to collaborate with Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College of education and human development , working in partnership with AUIB to develop higher education for academic excellence and build a stronger teacher workforce in the region. Supported by a two-year U.S. State Department grant, Peabody College will support AUIB’s efforts to design and launch this college of education focused on teacher training and development, with plans to seek Iraqi Ministry approval for the College by fall of 2023. Peabody College is consistently ranked amongst the top colleges of education in the United States and has a long history of excellence in research, teaching and development with a focus on learning and development; the preparation of teachers and leaders; service to families, schools, and communities; and external engagement with professionals, leaders, and policymakers.

Role of the Dean

The inaugural dean of AUIB’s College of Education will undertake critical leadership tasks:

Vision and leadership: Developing and executing a comprehensive, proactive, and culturally response strategic plan for AUIB’s College of Education that aligns with the broader vision, mission, and objectives of the University’s strategic plan.

Commitment to continuous improvement: Improving student outcomes—including teacher licensure, job placement, and other quantitative and qualitative measures—and maintaining and enhancing the college’s student-centered environment.

Proven impact in promoting equity, an inclusive culture, and social justice: Advancing the AUIB’s commitment to the recruitment, advancement, and retention of a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff, including but not limited to, historically marginalized populations with a focus on female students.

Recruitment and retention of faculty: Building faculty prominence by creating an environment that attracts, retains, and develops a diverse array of dedicated and excellent instructors and scholars.

Collaboration and Connection: Nurturing and expanding interdisciplinary relationships between AUIB and other universities programs; maintaining and enhancing AUIB’s strong sense of community and collaboration, and innovation among its principal constituents, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, other colleges, and university administrators that promote and support a collegial environment, open communication, and shared governance; work closely with partnering schools to provide opportunities for students in the College to engage in practicum, student teaching and applied experiences.

Operational excellence and execution: Managing accreditation and strengthening affiliations with appropriate professional and academic organizations development, evaluation, assessment, and accreditation of academic programs.

Capacity to develop essential resources: Garnering additional private and public resources that will enable the College of Education to make continued advances in its programs and facilities, as well as the caliber of its faculty and students, including grants, contracts, and fundraising. Anticipating the needs of the external educational community to cultivate stronger relationships and forge collaborative partnerships in a city (and country) that is experiencing growth, transformation, and demand for educational opportunities.

The dean reports directly to the Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Qualifications And Qualities

The ideal candidate will have the following professional qualifications and personal qualities:

• Earned PhD or EdD in Education from an accredited institution.
• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication in English.
• Varied and rich cross-cultural learning and leadership experiences.
• A record of outstanding achievement in higher education and scholarship.
• University teaching experience complemented by an appropriate scholarly record at the rank of associate professor or higher.
• Demonstrated management experience with increasing levels of responsibility, in a higher education setting in Education or related fields.
• Supervision and management of budgets and expenditures.
• Strategic planning, faculty support and hiring, academic program development, fiscal and academic planning, resource management, program development and problem solving in higher education
• Enthusiasm and engagement in cross cultural learning
• Innovation and joy in one’s work
• A moral compass that values honesty, integrity, and trust
• Curiosity when observing, listening, learning, and clarifying among constituencies

Procedure for Candidacy

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited.

Applications should include, as separate documents, a complete CV or resume, a detailed letter of interest addressing the themes in this profile, and a scholarly writing sample. Finalists will be asked to provide names and contact information of five professional references.

Application review has begun and will continue until an appointment is made. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by December 30, 2022.

Application materials should be submitted to: [email protected]

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: [email protected]