Associate Dean and Associate or Full Professor

The College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at South Dakota State University (SDSU) invites applications for the position of Associate Dean. We seek an innovative and visionary leader to join the Dean’s Office during an exciting time of change and growth in the College. Reporting directly to the Dean, the next Associate Dean will have a strong foundation in change management; sponsored research, scholarship, and creative activity; human resources including talent development and annual evaluations; and administrative policies and procedures. This is a 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible, and tenure-eligible position that is a 100-percent administrative assignment with no expectation for research or teaching located at SDSU’s main campus in Brookings, South Dakota.

The College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences is the largest of SDSU’s seven academic colleges, enrolling nearly 2,000 students in Fall 2026. The College’s 46 undergraduate programs and 15 graduate degrees reside in six transdisciplinary schools: American & Global Studies; Communication & Journalism; Design; English & Interdisciplinary Studies; Performing Arts; and Psychology, Sociology & Rural Studies. The College also is home to SDSU’s two ROTC units (Air Force and Army). Our more than 120 faculty include both tenured/tenure-track faculty and instructors/professors of practice, reflecting SDSU’s land-grant heritage and commitment to translational knowledge. Graduates pursue careers in public service, marketing and communications, teaching, the fine and performing arts, journalism, and other fields as well as graduate study at institutions throughout the United States. The Mike Huether Public Service Academy, housed in the School of American & Global Studies, provides a comprehensive, two-year program combining hands-on practice with academic coursework for any student interested in public leadership.

The successful candidate for Associate Dean will contribute to building the College’s national stature; cultivation of transformative research, scholarship, and creative activity; excellence in teaching and learning; and community engagement.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

This position is posted for internal recruitment. Only permanent, full-time employees within the South Dakota Board of Regents are eligible to apply.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Increasing the College’s output of research, scholarship, and creative activity. Work with faculty research teams, assist with grant development, serve on the University Research Committee, liaise with the Division of Research and Economic Development, and coordinate with Associate Deans of other colleges.
• Develop, support, and enhance faculty success initiatives including onboarding, new faculty orientation, and liaison with other units on campus including Human Resources and the Center for Professional Enrichment and Teaching Excellence;
• Oversee curriculum development and processing for undergraduate and graduate programs; academic programs; and program assessment. Represent the College in curricular delivery and course development-related areas;
• Serve as lead for several programs in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences including the bachelor’s and associate’s degrees in General Studies;
• Represent the College on University-level committees and collaborate with the University’s senior leadership on institutional priorities;
• Supervise the College’s advising and recruitment coordinator; program assistant I; and grants and contracts administrator;
• Collaborate with the College’s advising and recruitment coordinator on student success initiatives including academic advising, orientation, registration processes, and scholarship awards;
• Assist the dean in administering and overseeing the College’s operations including strategic planning, budgeting, resource allocation, implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement; and
• Work directly with school directors and other members of the College’s leadership team to advance the objectives of the college.

BENEFITS

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• A terminal degree in one of the academic disciplines housed within the College’s schools on July 1, 2027, or in a closely related field;
• Hold the faculty academic rank of associate professor or full professor by the date of application;
• Evidence of scholarly, professional, or creative achievement sufficient to qualify for tenure in one of the College’s six schools;
• Experience with academic leadership, such as program coordinator, department head/chair, or school director, etc.;
• Strong team leadership and mentoring skills in the development of research, scholarship, and creative activity;
• Effective written communication skills;
• Effective verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Academic leadership experience with increasing responsibilities and authority at an institution in the South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) system.
• Record of national service within the candidate’s discipline, profession, or community.
• Experience with grants and contracts, finance and compliance, and with communication with funding agency program officers.
• Ability to create a long-term strategic plan and build consensus in support of the plan.

APPLICATION PROCESS

SDState accepts applications through an on-line employment site. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.” This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a 1.) cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, 2.) curriculum vitae, 3.) a statement of your leadership philosophy (3-page maximum, attached as “other”), and a 4.) reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDState Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

Posting Date: 11/05/2026
Closing Date: 12/06/2026
Open Until Filled: No

Advertised Salary: The salary for this position is commensurate with rank and qualifications, minimum of $152,000.

Duration of the Term: 12 months
Appointment Percent: 100
Appointment Type: Regular
Faculty Status: Yes
Scope of Search: Internal

This position is posted for internal recruitment. Only permanent, full-time employees within the South Dakota Board of Regents are eligible to apply.

This position requires: Travel

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128

Contact Information

For questions on the position, contact search committee chair, David Reynolds at Paul.Reynolds@sdstate.edu.

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements: Analyzing, Comprehend

Physical Requirements: Sitting for sustained periods of time

Sensory Requirements: Speaking

Working Environment: Office Environment

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. Where did you hear about this position?
   • LinkedIn
   • SDBOR Employment Site
   • South Dakota Department of Labor
   • Employee Referral
   • Department Announcement / Inside State
   • Handshake
   • Job Board (Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter) - Please specify
   • Industry Conference
   • Search Engine - Please specify
   • Employment Agency - Please specify
   • Newspaper - Please specify
   • HigherEdJobs.com
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) - Please specify
   • Radio - Please specify
   • APLU
   • List Servs - Please specify
   • Alumni
   • Other - Please specify

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Curriculum Vitae
3. Other
4. Reference List