Dean of the Graduate College Search

Internal Search

The UIC Dean of the Graduate College Search Committee invites nominations, applications and inquiries as it seeks an experienced leader with a deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, access and academic excellence, to serve as the next dean of the UIC Graduate College.

The UIC Graduate College is dedicated to bringing together superb students with outstanding research faculty in a diverse and stimulating urban environment. The college's graduate programs prepare scholars to take on the challenges of the future. UIC graduates are innovative thought leaders in a wide variety of careers spanning academia, private industry, non-profit organizations, and government.

The Dean of the Graduate College is the chief academic and administrative officer responsible for overseeing graduate education at UIC.  A position that is estimated to be at least 80%-time, the dean reports to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and serves as a member of the Deans’ Council and the Provost’s Leadership Team. The dean oversees the College’s operating and fellowship budget and is responsible for identifying new sources of revenue and private and federal funding for these areas.

The Dean’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serving as academic and fiscal leader of the Graduate College in all areas, including curriculum, budget, staff development, student activities, and the graduate academic experience.
• Developing a strategic plan to attract, mentor, and retain students.
• Ensuring the diversity of the graduate student body.
• Working closely with the other deans and the Provost to develop graduate academic programs designed to maintain excellence; sustain and enhance student diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and access; and increase the retention and graduation of graduate students.
• Overseeing Graduate College fellowship and research awards and providing UIC leadership with advice on issues related to graduate assistantships.
• Advising the Provost on university Promotion and Tenure review.
• Providing leadership in the development of interdisciplinary study and curricular enhancements, and works cooperatively with the Vice Provost for Academic Programs and Effectiveness on the periodic review of academic programs and the assessment of learning outcomes for graduates.
• Collaborating with the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and the Center for the Advancement of Teaching Excellence to improve teaching and learning for students and to support the professional development of graduate students as teaching assistants.
• Serving as the Institutional Leader of the UIC Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL) that is part of a national consortium dedicated to “the development of a national faculty committed to implementing and advancing effective teaching practices for diverse learners as part of successful and varied professional careers.”

The Dean of the UIC Graduate College must be a Full Professor holding tenure. Successful candidates should be accomplished scholars with significant administrative experience and a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. Candidates should further have a demonstrated ability to work across a range of disciplines and intricate programs; experience and interest in issues related to graduate education, including program development, effective mentorship, and international students; strong interpersonal skills and experience in building collaborative teams; and experience in and willingness to engage in external fundraising.

For full consideration, applications and required materials must be submitted by November 27, 2023. Applications must include a CV, a letter of interest, addressed to the Chair of the Search Committee, Lisa A. Freeman, Dean and Professor, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the names and contact information for three references. Applications along with required materials should be submitted through the electronic application. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Faizan Abid, fabid2@uic.edu.

The University of Illinois Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the University’s Board of Trustees and are made contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of any criminal background checks and other pre-employment assessments that may be required for the position being offered. Additional information regarding such pre-employment checks and assessments may be provided as applicable during the hiring process.

As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility.

The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.