SEMINARY OF THE SOUTHWEST invites applications for the position of Academic Dean to begin Fall of 2025.
Seminary of the Southwest seeks an academic dean to oversee all academic and formational offerings, provide support and guidance to the faculty, and serve on the president’s leadership team.
Located in Austin, TX, Southwest is an Episcopal seminary that forms students for vocations of ministry, service, and healing. The seminary offers degrees in divinity, clinical mental health counseling, spiritual direction, and religion. It also houses special programs in Latinx studies and chaplaincy (healthcare, military, and school).
Reporting to the dean and president, the academic dean serves as the seminary’s chief academic officer and a key member of the President’s Cabinet. The dean works collaboratively with fellow deans, faculty, and staff to implement, assess, and enhance academic offerings and overall student formation. They oversee all academic-related programs and departments including assessment, registrar, library, writing center, center for counseling and spirituality, the Latinx studies program, and the Iona Collaborative for local formation.
The academic dean is responsible for:
- Providing strategic leadership in academic program development, assessment, and faculty engagement
- Providing support, counsel, and guidance for faculty members and fostering collegial relationships among the faculty
- Participating in significant executive decisions, including budgeting and finances, enrollment, communications, chapel, campus activities, and community life.
- Contributing to the seminary’s Beloved Community initiatives
- Teaching one course per semester and participating in the team-taught Seminar in Applied Theology
- Preaching and participating regularly in chapel
- Chairing the Academic Affairs Committee and overseeing its sub-committees and task forces
- Developing and implementing academic policies and procedures
- Initiating and coordinating faculty reviews
- Initiating and coordinating student evaluations
- Providing counsel for students with academic concerns
The successful candidate will be a person of lively faith, who has a passion for preparing students for a variety of vocations—including ministry, counseling, chaplaincy, and spiritual direction—and across a diversity of contemporary ecclesial contexts. The position will be tenured at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, commensurate with the qualifications of the applicant.
Qualifications:
- A Ph.D. in a theological field
- At least six years of experience as a faculty member in a higher education setting
- Substantial research and publication history
- Strong teaching, leadership, and organizational skills
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Ability to form and cultivate collegial working relationships
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks
- Excellent relational skills and enjoyment of collaborative work
It is the policy of Seminary of the Southwest to provide equal opportunity in employment; to prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, color, gender, religious affiliation, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, age, national origin, or disability; and to promote the full realization of equal employment opportunity through a positive and continuing program of affirmative action.
Applications should include a cover letter responding to this position description and a CV. Please email applications to Lesley Wilder at [email protected].
Starting Date: Fall 2025
Application Deadline: Open until the position is filled
