Job Description

Dean, College of Psychology and Liberal Arts
Florida Institute of Technology
Position Description

About the Position

Florida Institute of Technology, a private research university on the Space Coast, invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts.

The Dean will serve as the chief academic and administrative officer of the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts, which is comprised of three schools: Psychology, Behavior Analysis, and Arts and Communication. Reporting directly to the Provost, the Dean will provide strategic leadership and vision for the College. This role offers an exceptional opportunity to shape liberal arts education within a technological university while advancing innovative programs that prepare students for careers at the intersection of the humanities, psychology, and emerging technologies.

College of Psychology and Liberal Arts

The College of Psychology and Liberal Arts is home to three schools:

We offer undergraduate degrees in psychology, behavior analysis, forensic psychology, humanities and pre-law, multiplatform journalism, and strategic communication, as well as minors across a large number of fields in humanities, psychology, and music. We also offer master's and doctoral degrees in applied behavior analysis, clinical psychology, industrial/organizational psychology, and global strategic communication. The college includes several outstanding research and service institutes including The Scott Center for Autism Treatment, the Institute for Culture, Collaboration and Management, The Center for Organizational Effectiveness, and Community Psychological Services. Our faculty are world- renowned experts in their fields who work closely with students in class, in their research labs, on scholarship projects, and in clinical service provision.

Qualifications

The successful candidate must possess an earned doctorate in a discipline within the College, including but not limited to social sciences, humanities, psychology, behavior analysis, arts, communication, or in a related liberal arts field. The candidate must also possess a distinguished record of teaching, research, and service meriting appointment at the rank of professor within a School in the College.

In addition, the successful candidate will demonstrate the following preferred qualifications:

• Progressive administrative experience in higher education
• Success in strategic planning, program development, and resource management
• Strong commitment to interdisciplinary education and research
• Proven ability to build relationships with external stakeholders and secure funding
• Experience with program development, accreditation processes, and outcomes assessment
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively across the College’s various disciplines and serve as an advocate for its faculty and other members

Responsibilities

Academic Leadership

• Provide strategic vision and leadership for the College of Psychology and Liberal Arts
• Oversee curriculum development, assessment, and continuous improvement initiatives, including online programs and certificate offerings
• Support faculty in achieving excellence in teaching, research, and service
• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration within the college and across the university
• Ensure programs maintain high academic standards and relevant accreditations

Faculty and Staff Management

• Lead recruitment, retention, and development of outstanding faculty and staff
• Conduct annual performance evaluations and support professional development
• Facilitate mentorship programs for junior faculty

Research and Innovation

• Champion research excellence and support faculty in securing external funding
• Develop strategic partnerships with industry, government agencies, and research institutions
• Promote technology transfer and commercialization opportunities
• Oversee research compliance and integrity initiatives

Financial and Administrative Leadership

• Manage college budget and resources effectively
• Collaborate with the Advancement team to develop and implement fundraising strategies for the College
• Manage a portfolio of donors and meeting target fundraising goals for the college
• Oversee facilities planning and capital projects
• Ensure efficient administrative operations

External Relations

• Represent the college to external constituencies including industry partners, alumni, and professional organizations
• Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders
• Support student recruitment and retention efforts
• Engage in professional development and continuing education activities

Florida Institute of Technology

Florida Tech is a private, fully accredited, coeducational, research-intensive, doctoral-granting university and the only independent technological university in the Southeastern United States. With a strong commitment to academic excellence and innovation, Florida Tech provides a high- quality education in science, engineering, technology, business, psychology, liberal arts, aviation, and related disciplines. Florida Tech offers more than 200 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs, as well as Ed.S. and certificate programs. The university is considered an R2 university (High Research Activity) with annual research expenditures of $17.8 million, and the largest sources of funding are DOD, NSF, and NASA.

Representing 80-plus countries, students from outside the United States account for about one- fourth of our student population, and U.S. News & World Report continually ranks Florida Tech one of the best national universities for fostering international student experiences in the U.S. The university prepares students to succeed in the global workforce, pursue advanced degrees, and make meaningful contributions to their communities.

Florida Tech’s campus is located on 130 subtropical acres in Melbourne, Florida – ranked No. 3 place to live near the beach by the U.S. News & World Report. Just eight minutes from the Atlantic Ocean, the campus enjoys an average daily temperature of 72 degrees and offers a unique blend of small-town charm and innovative energy. The surrounding area, known as

Florida’s “Space Coast” is home to a vibrant high-tech industry, dynamic art and surf culture, and is just a short drive from the Kennedy Space Center and Orlando attractions. The campus itself features a wide range of academic, athletic, residential, dining, and multiuse facilities. The Milken Institute ranks the Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville Metropolitan Statistical Area, the No. 10 best-performing tier one large city in the U.S.

Application Process

The Search Advisory Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For best consideration, please submit application materials by Wednesday, November 12, 2025 . All applications and nominations will be handled in confidence.

Applications should include: a comprehensive letter of interest addressing qualifications and vision for the College, curriculum vitae, names and contact information for five professional references.

Please direct all inquiries, nominations, and applications to:

Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal
Scott Gaffney, Executive Recruiting Coordinator
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875
Atlanta, GA 30328
(770) 804-1996 ext. 111
janderson@parkersearch.com || sgaffney@parkersearch.com

Florida Institute of Technology does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics in its activities and programs. In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Florida Tech does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Inquiries concerning the application of the Non- Discrimination and Anti-Harassment policy may be directed to the Equal Opportunity Director and Investigator at 150 West University Blvd, Melbourne, FL 32901, or email kgarrett@fit.edu , or +1 321-674-7153; or to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

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