Dean, College of Architecture and Planning
University of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO - United States
The University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) is searching for a collaborative, visionary, financially astute leader who embodies our values of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion to take on the Dean of the College of Architecture and Planning (CAP) role. We seek a leader capable of cultivating a culture that fosters collaboration, sparks creativity, and encourages interdisciplinary breakthroughs. If you are deeply committed to elevating academic standards, championing student achievement, and instigating positive transformations within a diverse and inclusive setting, we encourage you to apply and become an integral part of CU Denver’s journey.
CAP offers Colorado’s only accredited graduate degrees in architecture, landscape architecture, and urban planning and the only Bachelor of Science in Architecture. Additionally, CAP provides opportunities for interdisciplinary studies through a PhD program and master’s degrees in urban design and historic preservation. With 33 full-time and 138 part-time faculty, CAP educates and mentors around 750 students annually, comprising undergraduate and graduate cohorts. CAP’s student demographics include approximately 50% first-generation undergraduates – about 61% of undergraduate students and 22% of graduate students self-identify as students of color.
Situated in downtown Denver, CAP enjoys a strategic position bridging the Auraria Campus and a vibrant professional community. It offers students rich experiences through internships, mentorships, and real-world projects benefiting the local community and the state of Colorado.
Part of the University of Colorado System, CU Denver boasts a diverse student body of over 14,500 students, including nearly 10,000 undergraduates and 4,500 graduate students, supported by a faculty of over 1,100 across seven schools and colleges. With 117 degree programs available both on-campus and online, CU Denver has garnered recognition as Colorado’s most diverse research university, with notable achievements such as Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) status in 2021 and designation as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI) in 2023.
Reporting directly to the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs, the incoming dean will play a pivotal role during CU Denver’s transformative phase toward becoming a premier public urban research university by 2030. The strategic focus encompasses diversity, equity, and inclusion as key drivers of impact and innovation.
The ideal candidate will possess:
- A terminal graduate degree in one of the college’s disciplines, with a distinguished record in teaching, research, and service, qualifying for a full professor rank.
- A record of progressive academic or administrative leadership, including demonstrated knowledge of the academic structure and operations of a comprehensive research university.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, emphasizing transparency, shared decision-making, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
- Proven success in fostering shared governance and financial management, including fundraising and resource allocation.
- Experience fostering and sustaining external relations, including cultivating opportunities for students in the professional practice community.
WittKieffer is assisting the University of Colorado Denver in this search. All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by January 6, 2025. Nominations, inquiries, and application materials can be directed to: Jessica Herrington and Cathryn Davis at [email protected].
Compensation and Benefit Information
- Compensation range: $240,000 to $260,000
- Benefits: The University of Colorado offers a full benefits package. Information on university benefits programs, including eligibility, is available at cu.edu/employee-services.