Inaugural Dean of the College of Design, Media and the Arts Full Time Job

Kent State University seeks an inspiring, forward-thinking, and entrepreneurial academic leader to serve as the inaugural Dean of the new College of Design, Media and the Arts. This is a rare opportunity to shape the vision, identity, and future of a dynamic college that will unite nationally recognized programs across the arts, design, media, fashion, journalism, and emerging technology.

Effective fall 2027, the College will bring together seven schools and the Kent State University Museum, serving more than 3,000 undergraduate and 250 graduate students. The College includes the Schools of Art, Emerging Media and Technology, Fashion, Media and Journalism, Music, Theatre and Dance, and Visual Communication Design. Created through Kent State’s Transformation 2028 initiative, the College will build on a rich tradition of scholarship, creative practice, research, performance, and professional preparation.

Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Dean will serve as the College’s chief academic and administrative officer, providing strategic leadership across academic, creative, financial, operational, and external affairs. The Dean will champion faculty excellence, student success, research and creative activity, interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, enrollment growth, and community engagement. The successful candidate will strengthen partnerships with alumni, donors, industry, and cultural organizations while advancing philanthropic support and the College’s public impact.

Candidates must possess a doctoral or terminal degree in a relevant discipline, or a record of highly distinguished professional achievement, along with significant academic leadership experience and qualifications for appointment at the senior faculty rank. The ideal candidate will bring strategic vision, financial and fundraising acumen, a commitment to collaboration, and the ability to lead in a complex public research university environment.

Applications should include a CV or résumé and a letter of interest. For fullest consideration, materials should be received by October 30, 2026.

WittKieffer is assisting with this search. Applications, nominations, and inquiries may be directed to KentStateDesignMediaArts@wittkieffer.com.

Statement of Commitment

As required by Ohio Revised Code section 3345.016, Kent State University will: educate students by means of free, open and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth; equip students with the opportunity to develop the intellectual skills they need to reach their own informed conclusions; not require, favor, disfavor or prohibit speech or lawful assembly; create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth and tolerates differences in opinion; and treat all faculty, staff and students as individuals, hold them to equal standards and provide them equality of opportunity with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.