Dean, College of Health and Human Sciences

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences serves as the chief academic and administrative leader of the college, reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President. The Dean provides strategic leadership for the college’s academic, research, outreach, personnel, and financial operations while advancing its mission to improve human health and well-being through education, research, and community engagement. This position represents and advocates for the college within the university and externally, fostering partnerships, resource development, and interdisciplinary collaboration to support the college’s continued excellence and growth.

Full Consideration Date:

Friday, 11/27/2026, 11:59pm (MT).

Description of Work Unit:

For more than 125 years, CHHS has focused on people and on making life better. Informed by its vision, mission, and values and guided by its Strategic Plan 2023-2027, the College’s 600+ employees, 6,000+ students, and 56,000+ alumni engage in impactful academic programs, research, outreach, and partnerships that improve health and well-being across the human experience.

CSU’s Strategic Roadmap 2035: A National Model for the Modern Land-Grant University highlights how our current University priorities align with the CSU System’s Strategic Priorities, the University’s current strategic plan, and the Academic Master Plan, CSU's Land-Grant Mission, and Principles of Community. The Roadmap operationalizes how we will strive to become a National Model for the Modern Land-Grant University.

Essential Job Duties:

• Provide strategic, academic, and administrative leadership for the College of Health and Human Sciences, advancing excellence in education, research, outreach, and student success in alignment with university and college priorities.
• Lead the development and implementation of the college’s vision, strategic plan, and resource priorities to support innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and long-term growth.
• Oversee the college’s personnel, fiscal, and operational management, ensuring effective stewardship of human, financial, and physical resources.
• Advocate for the college within the university and with external stakeholders, promoting its academic programs, research enterprise, and contributions to human health and well-being.
• Cultivate and maintain partnerships with alumni, donors, industry, community organizations, and governmental entities to strengthen engagement, fundraising, and external support for the college.
• Recruit, develop, and support faculty, staff, and academic leaders while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing organizational culture.
• Represent the college as its chief spokesperson, communicating priorities, accomplishments, and opportunities to internal and external audiences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Conditions of Employment:

• The successful candidate must be legally authorized to work in the United States by the proposed start date.
• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires).

Supervision:

• Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs
• Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs
• Director of Operations
• Human Resources Manager
• Director, School of Education
• Heads for eight departments/schools
• Director of Communications
• Executive Assistant to the Dean

Minimum Qualifications:

• A terminal doctoral degree (e.g. Ph.D., Ed.D., M.D., etc.) in a discipline relevant to the college.  

• A record of success in academia commensurate with appointment that meets the qualification of a tenured full professor at Colorado State University in a discipline relevant to the college. 

• Strong academic administrative experience, supported by experience in personnel and fiscal management at the level of the dean, department head, program director, or equivalent. 

• Demonstrated commitment to academic excellence and leadership in education, research, and scholarly activities. 

• Proven ability to effectively lead through a collaborative and accessible leadership style, with strong interpersonal and effective communication skills to work collegially with staff, faculty, and stakeholders within and beyond the university.  

• Demonstrated ability to provide nimble, forward-thinking leadership that anticipates change and shapes strategic and innovative responses to emerging challenges and opportunities.  

• A commitment to high standards and professional integrity.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven track record in fundraising and securing extramural funding.
• Demonstrated success in implementation of strategic initiatives across organizational levels, with a collaborative change management style that preserves culture while driving inclusive transformation.
• Personal qualities that will facilitate open and collaborative relationships with University stakeholders, leadership, peers, and external constituencies, with a strategic vision aligned to diverse mission areas of the college.
• Excellent organizational, planning, supervisory, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, with the leadership capacity to navigate challenges and advance long-term goals.
• Familiarity with accreditation requirements for academic programs within the college.

Additional Information:

• For full consideration, applications should include 1) a letter expressing their interest, experience, and vision for the position, specifically providing evidence of required and preferred qualifications listed above, 2) a current Curriculum Vitae, and 3) statement of leadership philosophy.
• Search Contact: Sue VandeWoude; [email protected]

Salary Range

$325,000 -$400,000

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Cover Letter, Resume/CV, Statement of Teaching/Research Philosophy

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.