Dean, College of Science

Department: College of Science

Classification: Administrative Faculty

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: On-Site Required

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

Financial Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

George Mason University (George Mason), Virginia’s largest public research institution, invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Science. Ranked among the top 25 most innovative national universities by U.S. News and World Report, George Mason is located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area, with unsurpassed geographical access to federal agencies such as NSF, NIH, and FDA, international organizations, and major corporations across a myriad of industries.

Created a decade ago when the College of Science (COS) moved from the College of Arts and Sciences, the COS houses eight departments and one school:  Atmospheric, Oceanic and Earth Sciences; Biology; Chemistry and Biochemistry; Computational and Data Sciences; Environmental Science and Policy; Geography and Geoinformation Science; Mathematical Sciences; Physics and Astronomy; and the School of Systems Biology. Other programs in the College include Biomedical Sciences, Forensic Science, Neuroscience, and the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation.  In the decade since the formation of COS, the College has grown significantly in enrollment, academic programs, and research expenditures. In this context, the COS seeks an entrepreneurial, visionary Dean to propel the College forward and to advance its (inter)national reputation.

Nearly 3,400 undergraduates and more than 1,000 graduate students were enrolled in Fall 2024. They are taught by 146 tenure-line faculty and 88 instructional faculty plus a robust cadre of adjunct faculty; in addition, 64 research faculty and staff contribute to the College’s vibrant research activities. The College is supported by approximately 100 dedicated staff members.

The College of Science has grown its research enterprise and, as a research powerhouse in one of the most influential regions of the United States, has ambitions to be on the cutting edge of science. George Mason’s College of Science will be the home of the $19.5M Landolt NASA Space Mission that will put an artificial “star” in orbit around the Earth. Principal investigators in the College have won awards from a diverse range of funding agencies, including a $13.6M Naval Research Laboratory award (Physics & Astronomy), a $3.2M Defense Threat Reduction Agency award (Biology), a $3M Federal Highway Administration award (Center for Collision Safety & Analysis), and a $2.8M VA Dept of Education Lab School award (Mathematical Sciences).

Further increases in externally funded research are expected over the next several years. New government and corporate collaborations are emerging in the biomedical area, growing data science initiatives, expanding focus on environmental issues and transportation safety, conservation efforts at the recently opened Potomac Science Center facilities in nearby Belmont Bay, a strong academic and research presence in remote sensing and geospatial sciences, and broadened sustainability, climate, and water security programs. Entrepreneurial and economic development options will increase with new discoveries, additional patents, and the continued success of current spin-off companies.

Academic programs and pioneering research initiatives are housed at the Fairfax campus, the Science and Technology (SciTech) Campus, the Potomac Science Center, the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation (a partnership between George Mason and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute), and other specialty locations throughout the region. This broad regional presence, combined with strategic national and international connections, reinforces the College’s mission to provide world-class scientific leadership in a wide variety of areas important to modern society.

About the Position:

Reporting to James Antony, the Provost and Executive Vice President, the Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the College of Science and as an essential member of the University’s leadership team. The Dean provides visionary leadership to elevate the College of Science’s academic and research excellence and to advance its (inter)national reputation. In full alignment with the strategic direction of the University, the Dean’s primary responsibility is to provide innovative leadership to the College (faculty, administrators, staff, and students) in all aspects of operation, including academic affairs, research, administration and planning, student recruitment and career placement, enrollment management and financial aid, financial management, and institutional advancement. The Dean oversees an operating budget of $61 million and 21 direct reports.

Responsibilities:

• Provides vision and leadership to strengthen existing programs, elevate the College's profile nationally and globally, and promote its achievements and research;
• Develops a multi-campus strategy that coordinates academic and research programs across campuses, addresses infrastructure needs, and ensures smooth student transition to the new SciTech campus;
• Maintains the College’s financial stability by advocating for and developing a clear budget model and deftly managing financial constraints;
• Develops a student-focused agenda that centers student success, research, and mentorship; cultivates a supportive and inclusive culture that supports the academic and personal well-being of students;
• Strengthens the research infrastructure and leverages resources to further enable and promote productivity;
• Recruits and retains excellent faculty and enhances their opportunities for career development;
• Fosters internal and external collaboration and deepens engagement by seeking cross-college initiatives, engaging alumni, and fostering industry partnerships;
• Maintains high-quality teaching standards; and
• Engages in fundraising and resource generation for key initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• A recognized leader in their field with academic credentials, including a Ph.D. or other relevant degree, and a record of scholarship sufficient for appointment as a tenured full professor;
• The inclination to seek and analyze (quantitative and qualitative) data from a variety of sources to support decisions and to align others with the College’s overall strategy;
• Ability to set and articulate vision and strategy to a wide range of constituents and to engage them in its implementation;
• Values governance and consensus building;
• The ability to attract and recruit top talent, motivate the team, delegate effectively, celebrate diversity within the team, and manage performance; widely viewed as a strong developer of others;
• Aptitude and genuine interest in fundraising, building partnerships, and stakeholder engagement;
• Accessible and engaged; provide consistent, transparent communication, with strong listening skills and open dialogue;
• An experienced leader with strong management skills and financial acumen;
• A genuine commitment to the teaching and research missions of the University;
• Commitment to access, equity, and inclusion; ability to address and support a diverse faculty, staff, and student body with cultural competence and high emotional intelligence;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Naturally connects and builds strong collaborative relationships with others, demonstrating an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively; and 
• An ability to inspire trust and followership in others and to foster an environment that promotes ideation and innovation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant experience working in a public, four-year institution;
• Some direct experience working with an international branch campus; and
• Understanding of international education and work with branch campuses; ability to engage effectively with external constituents.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Dean, College of Science at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include CV and letter of interest. The letter of interest should reflect how a candidate's qualifications and experience match those described in this leadership profile.  

George Mason University has retained Russell Reynolds to support this recruitment. Joi Hayes-Scott and Jett Pihakis, Russell Reynolds Associates are leading the search. Inquiries, applications, and nominations should be sent to GMU.COS@russellreynolds.com. The search process will unfold with the greatest possible attention to candidate confidentiality. 

Posting Open Date: November 4, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  December 2, 2024

Open Until Filled:  Yes