American University

American University Washington, D.C. American University (AU) seeks a visionary, strategic, global, and energetic leader to serve as Dean of the School of International Service (SIS), commencing no later than July 1, 2022. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead one of the world's top schools of international affairs, located in the heart of the nation’s capital, and uniquely focused on international service. SIS's global prominence, multidisciplinary breadth, and commitments to grappling with the world’s greatest challenges--including global health, climate change, political insecurity, economic crises, inequity, racism, and migration--are anchored in the high quality of its academic programs, the wide-ranging scholarly and policy contributions of its faculty, and its preparation of global leaders for careers in an increasingly diverse field.

American University is a private doctoral university chartered by Congress in 1893. Today, AU enrolls about 14,000 students from every U.S. state and more than 120 countries and is home to more than 900 full-time faculty and 700 adjunct faculty. AU offers a rich array of graduate and undergraduate programs through seven colleges and schools. Since its founding in 1957, AU's School of International Service has answered President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s call to prepare students of international affairs to “wage peace.” SIS is not just a school of foreign service, international relations, or even international affairs, but a school of international service. It supplies the world with leaders ready to serve. SIS produces transformational research and prepares graduates for global service in government, nonprofits, and business. SIS students learn from more than 115 full-time faculty – drawn from disciplines including Political Science, Economics, Sociology, Anthropology, Geography, and History — whose expertise includes international development, global health, communication, energy, peacebuilding, state building, diplomatic practice, foreign policy, security, gender, migration, violence, and the environment. Students and faculty alike benefit from an active international network of more than 25,000 alumni. SIS has a reputation for supporting interdisciplinary approaches to global problems, and is known for its innovative approaches to research, theory, and pedagogy in international affairs. Students graduate prepared to combine knowledge and practice and to serve the global community as emerging leaders. More information can be found at https://www.american.edu/sis/.

As the chief executive of SIS, the dean reports to AU’s provost and is responsible for all activities within the school, as well as working across the institution to support and implement the university's bold strategic plan, Changemakers for a Changing World. The dean must be someone who can tell SIS's unique story to multiple audiences and constituencies. The dean provides strategic, intellectual, and creative leadership to faculty, staff, and students, and is responsible for fundraising, public positioning, budget planning, financial management, internal administration, and program development efforts.

The ideal candidate will be a collaborative leader with a background in international affairs or global leadership, a distinguished record of academic achievement, outstanding professional accomplishment related to international affairs, a global perspective, and cultural humility. Normally, the successful candidate will have an earned doctorate or its equivalent and the scholarly achievements necessary to satisfy the requirements of a tenured professor in SIS. Applications from exceptional candidates without an earned doctorate or equivalent, but with substantial professional experience relevant to SIS’s mission and needs, are also welcomed. Nominations and applications (letter of interest and full curriculum vitae) should be submitted to the WittKieffer consultants assisting American University with this search by accessing the WittKieffer Candidate Portal here (https://candidateportal.wittkieffer.com/description?jobID=22952). Additional inquiries may be directed to AUSISdeansearch@wittkieffer.com, and the complete leadership profile may be found at www.wittkieffer.com.

To ensure full consideration, applications should be submitted before February 7, 2022. Applications received after this date may be considered at the discretion of the Search Committee.

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information, or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.