This search is being assisted by:
Central Michigan
University
Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts
Leadership Profile
1 Central Michigan University seeks applications and nominations for the Dean of the College of
Communication and Fine Arts, effective summer of 2015. The dean is responsible for all operations of the college and provides leadership regarding graduate and undergraduate education both on- and off-campus. The dean reports to the executive vice president/provost; is a member of the Council of Deans, Academic Senate, and Academic Planning Council; and works closely with the other academic college deans, the vice provosts, and the vice president for off-campus programs, as well as other administrative leaders, department chairs, and program coordinators.
The academic units that comprise the college include the Departments of Art and Design,
Communication and Dramatic Arts, and Journalism, as well as the Schools of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts and Music. In addition, the college houses significant interdisciplinary programs in Integrated Public Relations, Musical Theatre, and Media Design, Production, and Technology. The Department of
Communication and Dramatic Arts, the School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, and the School of Music each have three strong graduate programs.
Central Michigan University is a leading public university with a historically strong liberal arts focus. It offers over two hundred academic programs designed to prepare students for productive careers and to be responsible citizens in a global society. CMU, one of the nation’s one hundred largest public
universities, provides a student-centered education that emphasizes personal and intellectual growth in its over twenty thousand on-campus students. It also fosters these values in an additional seven
thousand students enrolled online or at fifty additional North American locations. Along with Central’s over two hundred undergraduate programs, it also offers more than seventy graduate degree programs at the master’s, specialist, and doctoral levels.
From its roots as a teaching college, CMU has striven to meet the needs of Michigan communities and a changing world. CMU has grown to offer nationally acclaimed programs in areas ranging from the health professions and engineering to business and communication. This growth includes establishing the nation’s 137th College of Medicine to address a growing shortage of primary care physicians in Michigan. CMU’s student and faculty researchers help preserve the earth’s resources, discover new ways to treat diseases, and advance innovative ways to improve teaching and learning methods. The
2 university upholds a deep responsibility to the broad, professional campus community — to the faculty and staff who make Central an extraordinary university.
CMU has retained Academic Search, a national executive search firm, to assist in this recruitment. All applications, inquiries, and nominations, which will remain confidential, should be directed to the search firm as indicated at the end of this document.
Central Michigan University Profile
Central opened its doors on September 13, 1892, as the Central Michigan Normal School and Business Institute, with classes in teaching, business, and stenography. In 1895, the Michigan State Board of Education assumed control of the school, and in January 1906, the Normal School surpassed one
thousand graduates. In 1918, the Bachelor of Arts degree was first awarded, followed by the Bachelor of Science in 1927. Central’s first graduate courses were offered in 1938. In 1949–59, Central’s first
master’s degree was accredited by the North Central Association. In 1955, a name change to Central Michigan College reflected the diversification in course offerings beyond education, and, on June 1, 1959, Central became Central Michigan University to represent the growing complexity of the school’s academic programs with pre-professional programs for medicine, law, and science and technology.
Today, CMU offers the first-ranked online
undergraduate programs and the third-ranked graduate education programs for teachers and administrators in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report. Central’s college TV station, which is operated by the College of Communication and Fine Arts, has been recognized as the best Michigan college station for thirteen years in a row by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. Its student newspaper, CM Life, has been among the nation’s best for decades, including winning the coveted Associated Collegiate Press national Pacemaker Award the past two years. CMU’s
journalism program is one of only two accredited programs in Michigan, and its journalism major is the only one of its kind in Michigan with concentrations in advertising, news editorial, photojournalism, and public relations. It also has the first neuroscience program in Michigan, which was named the 2013 Undergraduate Program of the Year by the Society for Neuroscience.
CMU offers undergraduate and graduate programs, including over fourteen doctoral programs, in its eight colleges:
College of Business Administration College of Communication and Fine Arts College of Education and Human Services College of Graduate Studies
The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences
3 College of Science and Technology
College of Medicine
Current Ph.D. programs include educational leadership, history, neuroscience, industrial and organizational psychology, school psychology, applied experimental psychology, clinical psychology, earth and ecosystem science, advanced materials, and mathematics.
CMU faculty and students hunt for sustainable solutions to some of the world’s most pressing issues and often collaborate with scientists from other universities,
government agencies, and industries. They expand the
knowledge and funding for projects ranging from Great Lakes
preservation efforts to the use of adult stem cells to treat
neurological disorders. Expanding university-wide external research and creative endeavors funding, which is targeted to increase from $14 million in 2011 to $25 million by 2018, is currently a major goal for CMU. The university also hosts the Central Michigan University Research Corporation, a nonprofit business incubator and accelerator, located in one of the eleven designated Michigan SmartZones. The Mount Pleasant SmartZone has been designed to attract and stimulate high-tech businesses that require a synergistic relationship with a research-intensive university.
Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Mount Pleasant, Michigan, comprises mainly the Saginaw, Black River, and Swan Creek Ojibwe bands. Many of the 2,767 enrolled members of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe live on the reservation – which was established via treaty on August 2, 1855 – while others live throughout Michigan and the United States.
The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and Central Michigan University have a strong historic and cooperative relationship that complements each entity’s goals and encourages collaborative efforts to improve and enhance the quality of life of citizens of the region. This has fostered educational initiatives, cultural events and speakers, and extensive Native American educational resources for the campus and tribal communities. Leaders from CMU and the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College have an
4 articulation agreement that provides easy transfer for tribal college students who wish to complete their studies toward a baccalaureate degree at CMU.
In April 2002, leaders from CMU and the Tribal Council signed a proclamation pledging their support for joint educational efforts and advancing an appreciation of global indigenous peoples. This led to CMU and the tribe jointly hosting a United Nations-funded international conference on indigenous issues in higher education in fall 2003.
Leadership
Central’s president, Dr. George E. Ross, has twenty-eight years of higher education leadership and management experience. Prior to assuming the CMU presidency on March 1, 2010, he served as president of Alcorn State University, the nation's first public historically black land-grant university. Executive Vice President and Provost Michael A. Gealt has led the academic division since August 1, 2013. Provost Gealt is a microbiologist who previously was dean of the College of Science at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He also is a strong supporter of the arts, with a deep passion for the opera, and is an avid collector of fountain pens.
Location and Campus
Central Michigan University is located in the city of Mount Pleasant, which is a safe, relaxing environment that offers a small-town feel with the activities and attractions of a city twice its size. Located near the Chippewa River, Mount Pleasant has fifteen area parks. It is also a diverse community located near the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Reservation, and it hosts the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways and CMU’s Museum of Cultural and Natural History. Other local attractions include numerous golf courses; the Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort’s fine dining and top-rate concerts;
canoeing, kayaking, and tubing on the Chippewa River; and the Central Michigan Skydivers. CMU’s campus has been recognized as among the top-five safest universities in
Michigan by stateuniversity.com and has been actively expanded in recent decades. The current Music Building opened in 1997, followed by a $50 million expansion of the Park Library in 2002. The campus expanded again with the state-of-the-art Health Professions Building and several residence halls in 2003. CMU’s newest buildings are the technologically advanced and LEED-certified Education and Human Services Building, which opened in 2009, and the CMU Events Center, which was completed in December 2010 and which includes environmentally friendly features.
To see more images of the CMU campus, please visit the university’s photo gallery at http://cmichphotostore.photoshelter.com/archive.
5 COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND FINE ARTS
The College of Communication and Fine Arts plays a central role in CMU’s educational mission and in student and community life.
The College of Communication and Fine Arts houses five separate academic departments and schools – the Department of Art and Design, the School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, the Communication and Dramatic Arts Department, the Department of Journalism, and the School of Music – and three
interdisciplinary programs – Integrative Public Relations; Media Design, Production and Technology; and Music Theatre. The Department of Art and Design (NASAD), the Department of Journalism
(ACEJMC), and the School of Music (NASM) are each accredited. Students in any CCFA program – from undergraduate minors through master’s degree programs – learn in an interactive
environment and gain valuable practical experience and knowledge of the latest
technology and methods in their chosen fields.
In the CCFA, students collaborate with faculty to build skills and experiences in programs with numerous opportunities to provide cultural programming, news, and communication services to the mid-Michigan region. Students perform in concerts or theatrical productions, put on film festivals, exhibit artwork, engage in research, participate in debate and forensics tournaments, and deliver news and
entertainment through CMU’s award-winning student-run newspaper or television and radio stations. CCFA’s University Theatre, Art Gallery, WMHW/FM, MHTV, News Central, or university bands and choirs enrich student and community life at CMU.
Faculty and Enrollment
The College of Communications and Fine Arts has 163 faculty, of whom 99 are tenured or tenure track. The faculty are organized into the following aspects of communication and the arts: Art and Design; Broadcast and Cinematic Arts; Communication and Dramatic Arts; Music; and Journalism. The
Department of Art and Design has 194 majors and 125 minors, the School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts has 260 majors and 40 minors, the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts has 218 majors and 112 minors, the Department of Journalism has 174 majors and 76 minors, and the School of Music has 265 majors and 192 minors. The interdisciplinary program, Integrative Public Relations, has the most majors in the college with 280; Music Theatre, the other interdisciplinary major in CCFA, has 24 majors. The college has a strong graduate program at the Master’s level. The School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts has 56 graduate students, the School of Music has 32 graduate students, and finally the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts has 26 students.
6 Academic Programs
Undergraduate
Each CCFA department, school and interdisciplinary program offers a major or a minor, many with a variety of concentrations. In addition the Department of Art and Design, the School of Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, the
Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts, and the School of Music offer either majors or minors in education.
The CCFA’s programs have received numerous recognitions and offer many innovations for
undergraduate students. Further information about these offerings can be found on the CCFA website at https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/CCFA/CCFAAcademicPrograms/Pages/default.aspx.
Master’s Programs
CCFA offers master’s degrees in three of its schools and departments: Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, Communication and Dramatic Arts, and Music.
MA in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts MA in Communication
MM in Performance MM in Music Education MM in Composition MM in Conducting
Summer Master’s of Music Degrees
The School of Music at Central Michigan University offers a summer graduate program in music education that stresses both academic rigor and relevancy to the in-service teacher’s day-to-day professional responsibilities. Summer graduate offerings include six-week classes in music theory, history, education, and research, as well as intensive one-and two-week courses and seminars on special topics. Taught by nationally recognized faculty in an advanced music facility, this exceptional summer schedule offers in-service music educators high quality professional development activities on a convenient, flexible schedule.
7 With the 2008 summer session, the School of Music began a graduate cohort program that facilitates completion of a master’s degree in music education or conducting in three summers plus one course
completed either during the academic year or in a fourth summer session. This enables graduate students to complete their degrees in a timely manner while maintaining a full-time professional position. The cohort plan guarantees degree requirements will be available on a regular and efficient rotation. The summer program also accommodates a less
intensive program of study and continuing education course work to maintain professional certification.
Accreditation
The School of Music is fully accredited by NASM, and the next review will occur in 2015–16. The Department of Art and Design is fully accredited by NASAD, and the next review will occur in 2016–17. The Department of Journalism was last accredited by ACEJMC in 2011 and submitted its self-study in September 2014, with the site visit completed in October.
THE ROLE OF THE DEAN
The Dean is responsible for:
Developing and articulating a vision for the fine arts, music, and communication studies
within the College that is consistent with the University’s overall vision and mission;
encouraging support for that vision from within the College; leading strategic planning
efforts; and working with others to implement change.
Serving as an advocate for the departments and programs in the College; developing and
supporting new undergraduate and graduate programs that contribute to the development
of talented professionals and practitioners; and fostering critical thinking and a lifelong
appreciation of art, music, theatre, media, design, and communication.
Providing sound fiscal leadership and being a fiscally responsible steward of University
resources.
Demonstrating a commitment to academic excellence, attracting a diverse and academically
talented student body, and raising standards for student performance.
Advocating for students and the continual expansion and evolution of experiential,
personalized, and cutting-edge learning experiences in the classroom and beyond.
Having an understanding and appreciation of the importance of promoting multi-cultural
and international perspectives in the classroom, in scholarship, and in service, while
advancing diversity and facilitating interdisciplinary collaboration both within the college
and between the College of Communication and Fine Arts and other colleges.
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Providing opportunities for students to study abroad through vehicles such as faculty-led
programs, study abroad scholarships, and global internships.
Managing enrollments by balancing market needs, faculty resources, faculty to student
ratios, and SCH projections.
Encouraging new and innovative programs in the arts and communications studies,
especially in emerging interdisciplinary areas. This includes being supportive of initiatives
regarding new technologies in both the communications and media professions, as well as
an understanding of disciplinary programs.
Promoting and advocating venues that highlight student and faculty initiatives and
programs, especially those that highlight specific careers (e.g., art gallery, broadcasting
program, and theatre).
Working with school directors, department chairs, and faculty to successfully recruit and
retain a diverse faculty that is strongly committed to excellence in teaching, research and/or
creative activity, and service, and to foster their professional development.
Advancing significantly the amount of relevant and prominent research and/or creative
activity and external funding activity, both in terms of applications for funding and
post-award support.
Fostering participation, through personal involvement, with student recruitment, retention,
and graduation initiatives.
Developing and maintaining successful relationships with funding entities to advance
research and/or creative activity and other functions (federal agencies included).
Strengthening and broadening alumni and community relations.
Advancing the college’s successful development/fundraising portfolio.
Cultivating and providing stewardship for corporate and foundation relationships.
Promoting local, state, regional, national, and international partnerships.
Working productively within the parameters established by the several collective bargaining
agreements with members of the faculty and staff.
Collaborating on the development and application of personnel policies and procedures
within the college, and ensuring compliance with same.
Enabling collaborative and transparent decision-making with the college.
Setting by example the highest standards of personal and professional integrity.
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
The CCFA is a unique mix of social scientists and the performing arts. The programs are characterized as very high quality but also high cost. The department chairs are strong and seasoned individuals who have provided very effective leadership. There is a great deal of pride in the professional aspect of their
9 disciplines, resulting in a more balanced approach rather than a purely theoretical program. The faculty are described as very committed to their students. The overall environment is one that stresses
collegiality, even in a union environment. The most recent faculty contract, ratified in summer 2014, was resolved in the shortest negotiation period ever and spans five years for the first time. The new dean would join a vibrant Council of Deans and an institution that is the fourth largest in Michigan, and much more autonomous than many public universities due to the decentralized governance model in
Michigan. Recent enrollment dips in CCFA, resulting from the 2008 recession, have been overcome and enrollment has stabilized.
Identified challenges include the budgeting system adopted by CMU, which puts responsibility on each college to manage its own revenue and expenses. Because some of the departments within the CCFA are more costly, there is some concern about equity in funding and the ability of the CCFA to compete with other colleges that can run a more efficient operation with the option of larger classes. CMU gets about 17 percent of its budget from the state and is heavily tuition dependent. CMU’s Global Campus, which serves more than seven thousand students in online education and remote locations, has been more easily integrated with other colleges on campus, although the Department of Communication has been active. The effective use of technology, as well as its cost, has been extensively discussed on
campus and particularly within CCFA. There is also ongoing discussion about more collaboration among the departments within the CCFA. CMU’s recent strategic planning process identified five strategic priorities: student success, research and creative activity, quality faculty and staff,
community partnerships, and infrastructure stewardship. As these priorities have been adopted, the new dean will need to lead CCFA in achieving the measurables derived from the planning.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will possess the following required qualifications and many of the
preferred:
Required:
Terminal degree in any of the disciplines offered within the college and academic
achievements appropriate for appointment as a tenured full professor in a unit within the
college.
Demonstrated progressive leadership responsibilities.
Demonstrated experience in budgeting and financial planning.
Evidence of innovative program development.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity.
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Preferred:
Successful record of securing external funding, including both alumni fundraising and
corporate and foundation support.
Demonstrated commitment to, and support for, academic technologies relevant to college
operations.
Demonstrated interest in promoting and fostering of distance and online education
programs.
Experience establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships at the university level.
Evidence of effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Demonstrated commitment to advocacy for the disciplines represented within the college.
An understanding of and commitment to public higher education, its faculty, and its
students.
Previous experience as a school director, department chair, or similar administrative
position.
Experience working in a collective bargaining environment.
Familiarity with Responsibility Centered Management.
HOW TO APPLY
In deference to the sensitivity of the positions presently held by many of those who will be nominated and considered, the search will be conducted in strict confidence until finalists are brought to campus. Nominations may be submitted in confidence to the consultants listed below.
The search is being assisted by Academic Search, Inc. Candidates for the position should submit a cover letter demonstrating how their qualifications meet the leadership agenda and the required and
preferred qualifications, a current c.v., and a list of five references, with contact information provided. References will not be contacted without permission. Screening will continue until a dean is chosen, but only applications received by January 13, 2015, can be assured full consideration. The position is
available July 2015. All materials should be submitted to the following contact: CMUDean@academic-search.com.
Confidential conversations may be arranged by contacting Senior Consultant Jessica Kozloff
(jsk@academic-search.com) or Consultant Christopher Butler (cnb@academic-search.com). To arrange a phone conversation, please contact Dr. Butler at 202-263-7475.
CMU does not discriminate. CMU promotes and values diversity, pluralism, and inclusion in the work place. CMU provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientations, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status, or disability in its hiring, admissions, educational programs, and activities.
For more information about CMU, please visit www.cmich.edu. To learn more about the College of Communication and Fine Arts please visit www.cmich.edu/colleges/ccfa/Pages/default.aspx.
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For more than three decades, Academic Search has offered executive search services exclusively to institutions of higher education. Academic Search was founded on the principle of strengthening higher education leadership through professional search services. We are the only search firm in the nation with a formal relationship to a premier leadership development program. As the subsidiary of the American Academic Leadership Institute (AALI), Academic Search provides substantial financial support to a number of leadership identification, development, and support programs across all sectors of public and
