Description

Dean of the College of Graduate Studies - (250000SO)

Job Summary 
Towson University (TU), founded in 1866, was ranked the #1 public university in Maryland by both the Wall Street Journal (2026 and 2025) and Washington Monthly (2025) as well as the #3 best public university in the North by U.S. News & World Report (2026). Located north of Baltimore, TU is the second-largest university in the prestigious University System of Maryland. TU enrolls over 19,000 students, including over 3,000 graduate students, across six academic colleges (business & economics, education, fine arts and communication, health professions, liberal arts, and science & mathematics), has over 900 full-time faculty, and offers 110+ Bachelor’s, 47 Master’s, and 7 Doctoral programs. Our 330-acre centrally located campus is eight miles north of Baltimore and less than an hour’s drive from Washington, D.C. Towson University fosters a climate that is grounded in respect to cultivate the intellectual and personal growth of the entire university community.

Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean of the College of Graduate Studies provides executive and strategic leadership for the College of Graduate Studies at TU. The Dean is responsible for advancing the quality and reach of graduate education across the university, fostering innovation in program development, and enhancing student success at the graduate level. The Dean works collaboratively with academic leaders, faculty, and external partners to align graduate education with the university’s mission and its strategic goal of achieving a Carnegie classification of Doctoral University with High Research Activity (R2) status.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Leadership and Strategic Vision:
• Develop and implement a strategic vision for the College of Graduate Studies aligned with the University Strategic Plan “Leadership for the Public Good” and which supports the university’s research and graduate education goals, particularly as TU advances toward R2 status.
• Provide executive and strategic leadership to maintain and grow a diverse portfolio of high-quality graduate programs.
• Collaborate with TU’s Vice President for Research to enhance the quality and expand opportunities for graduate student research. 
• Represent the College on university-wide, regional and national committees and initiatives to strengthen the visibility and impact of graduate education.
• Cultivate a network of connections comprised of the workforce leaders guiding key aspects of Maryland’s current and likely future economic sectors.
• Lead advancement efforts to secure external funding and philanthropic support.

• Program Development and Assessment:
• Collaborate with deans, chairs, graduate program directors, and external partners to develop innovative graduate and certificate programs responsive to emerging workforce and societal needs.
• Oversee graduate program analysis, assessment, accreditation, and evaluation to ensure continuous improvement. 
• Promote interdisciplinary and cross-college collaboration in graduate education.

• Graduate Student Success:
• Oversee graduate student recruitment, admissions, and retention initiatives to ensure a high-quality experience for graduate students.
• Serve as an advocate for graduate students, supporting their academic progression, professional growth, access to student services, career development and program completion.
• Serve as an ex-officio member of the Graduate Student Association, fostering communication between graduate students, faculty and university leadership.

• Administration and Operations:
• Oversee the College’s marketing, budgeting, and curricular processes to ensure fiscal responsibility and program excellence.
• Lead fiscal planning and resource allocation to support strategic priorities in graduate education.
• Work collaboratively with academic deans and serve as an active member of the Deans’ Council.
• Ensure the College operates in alignment with principles of shared governance and academic integrity.

Qualifications and Skills

• Earned doctoral degree from an accredited institution and a record of teaching and scholarly achievement commensurate with the tenured rank of professor.
• At least five years of academic leadership experience with supervisory responsibilities.
• Demonstrated record of effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Extensive knowledge of graduate education and programs, including experience supervising graduate students.
• Proven ability to foster collaboration across multiple disciplines and a strong commitment to interdisciplinary education and research.
• Demonstrated success in fiscal planning, budgeting, and resource management.
• Commitment to the value of shared governance in graduate education.
• Familiarity with policies and practices related to graduate student funding, assistantships, and research support.

For a complete list of the qualifications and personal characteristics that the ideal candidate will possess, please view the Leadership Profile. 

Salary and Benefits 
Target hiring range is $230,000 - $240,000. This position also includes full University benefits that include 22 days of annual leave, up to 17 holidays, personal and sick days; excellent health, life, and retirement plans; and tuition remission. To learn more about our benefits, please click here. TU also offers a variety of great perks and discounts, which can be found here.
 

For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by January 15, 2026.

Link to Apply: https://towson.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=250000SO