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Human Resources

Dean, Social Work

November 04, 2025
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Dean, Social Work

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FLSA Classification

Exempt

Salary Grade/Level/Family/Range

Salary Range: $100,000 - $115,000

Faculty Rank: Professor or Associate Professor

Reports to

Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs

Job Description 

Summary/objective

The Division of Academic Affairs at Southern University at New Orleans, a public, historically black university, is committed to empowering and promoting the upward mobility of diverse populations of traditional and nontraditional students through quality academic programs, teaching, research, and service to achieve excellence in higher education using various teaching and learning modalities.  Students and faculty are encouraged to help create a thriving academic environment at SUNO.

The Dean of the School of Social Work serves as the College's chief administrative and executive officer and reports directly to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. The Dean will oversee academic programs and maintain external accreditations; provide academic and administrative planning; interpret, administer, and support collective bargaining agreements; implement college and university policies; recruit, develop and evaluate faculty and staff; and maintain positive student relations. Additionally, the Dean will provide innovative, equity-minded, and creative leadership to fulfill the vision of the College to provide students with transformative experiences to improve the human condition through critical thinking and inquiry, collaboration, imagination, empathy, and service.

In accordance with University By-laws, Administrators shall not earn tenure, except in their capacity as members of the faculty.

Essential functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

  1. Work with the Vice Chancellor to continue to develop the School’s infrastructure to include:
    • Assuming leadership in seeing that the programs of the schools and colleges are advanced to the highest levels of excellence.
    • Ensuring the participation of Program Directors, faculty, and students in decisions that affect the University.
    • Encouraging participation of faculty and students in scholarly, professional, and community activities.
    • Representing the School in the formation of University policy and giving leadership to the implementation of University policy that affects the School.
    • Interpreting rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to members of the School; reviewing beforehand with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs problems involving clarification and/or differences of opinions.
    • Providing orientation programs for Faculty for the interpretation and execution of university policies and procedures.
    • Providing leadership for curriculum and instruction by ensuring a continuous program of curriculum evaluation and improvement; ensuring that the program directors requisition books, materials, and equipment needed to implement the instructional program; and scheduling classes and teaching assignments to cover student and degree needs, including day, evening, online, and weekend classes.
    • Providing leadership in faculty affairs by advising in faculty members' selection, evaluation, retention, and dismissal; promoting the professional growth of department chairs; evaluating each Program Director in the School's administrative and teaching effectiveness; and providing orientation to faculty on completion of RTP dossiers.
    • Ensuring each Program Director submits and administers a budget; supervising and evaluating the School's clerical personnel and controlling the college supplies and equipment; presiding at monthly school or college meetings; and, meeting monthly with Program Directors, individually or collectively.
    • Coordinating, collecting and submitting to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs data and information on teaching load and office hours; summer faculty teaching recommendations; monthly faculty meeting minutes; and, all other reports requested by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
    • Providing leadership in student development by ensuring academic advising for all students, and giving advice or assistance to individual students on grievances and other matters whenever requested or deemed essential to the administration of the sound educational practice.
    • Providing leadership in research and planning by encouraging and participating in developing long-range goals and objectives for the School planning programs to achieve these goals and objectives, and making available routine statistical and research data to the Office of Institutional Research.
  1. Spearheads advancement opportunities for the School through grant-writing and research.
  2. Spearheads student recruitment into the School’s programs.
  3. May teach part-time in undergraduate courses which may include evening, weekend and/or on-line courses. The candidate should have teaching experience at the college level.
    • Teaches assigned courses and associated labs; informs students in writing of instructional standards; posts and maintains office hours; participates in the assessment of student learning outcomes.
    • Develops new courses, curriculum, instructional materials, and evaluation tools; assists with the preparation of course proposals, curriculum updates and the construction of degree/certificate programs.
    • Applies and maintains standards of quality operating methods, processes, systems, and procedures; integrates knowledge of industry trends and professional training to continuously improve program and course quality.
  1. Other duties as assigned.

Competencies

  • Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of college students that come from diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic and racial backgrounds.
  • Develop positive rapport with colleagues and other members of the campus community to develop a sense of teamwork.
  • Strong analytical, observational, and problem-solving skills.
  • A good record of attending conferences and academic events.
  • A track record of excellence in research, writing, and interpersonal skills.
  • A demonstrated sense of passion for teaching and engaging with students.
  • The ability to practice patience, understanding, and willingness to help.

Work environment

 Office and classroom setting.

Physical demands

Ability to sit/stand/walk at will; Ability to climb stairs; Ability to communicate verbally and in writing; Ability to use a keyboard; and Ability to lift or carry up to 10 pounds.

Travel required

Up to 25%.

Required education and experience

  • Earned doctoral degree or another terminal degree in a discipline appropriate to the University, meeting accreditation standards.
  • Combination of higher education administration experience (with increasing levels of responsibility, at the level of the department chair or higher), and faculty experience (commensurate with tenure and promotion to the rank of associate professor or professor in any discipline).
  • Previous publication and research, and track record of successful experience and accomplishments.
  • Experience with academic curriculum design, evaluation, and program effectiveness.
  • Previous work with students from diverse populations and cross-functional teams.
  • Experience utilizing database software, technology and various learning management systems is essential.

Preferred education and experience

  • Previous fundraising, friend-raising, and grant writing experience preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience in growing programs and increasing student enrollment are desired.

Working at Southern University at New Orleans

All offers of employment are contingent upon approval from the University’s Chancellor, Southern University System President, and Southern University System Board of Supervisors.  A satisfactory pre-employment background check to include reference checks is also required.

As a member of the Southern University System, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; paid holidays; and tuition waiver for qualified employees. 

Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 

Non-Discrimination Statement

In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal, state, and local laws, Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO) forbids discriminating or harassing conduct that is based on an individual's race, color, religion, sex, ethnicity, national origin or ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, veteran or military status, membership in Uniformed Services, and all other categories protected by applicable state and federal laws.

 

This commitment applies but is not limited to decisions made with respect to hiring and promotion, the administration of educational programs and policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other College-administered programs. Discriminatory acts of any kind are strictly forbidden.

 

American with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement

Southern University of New Orleans (SUNO) complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Office of Human Resources.