ArtCenter College of Design seeks a visionary, strategic, and collaborative leader to serve in the role of Dean, Industrial Design.
Founded in 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a global art and design education leader. With an enrollment of approximately 2,385 students (59% female and 41% male, representing more than 50 countries), the College has a student/faculty ratio of 8 to 1. ArtCenter offers 11 undergraduate and 10 graduate degrees through its divisions of Media & Technology, Visual Art and Communication, and Industrial Design. Through the Division of Interdisciplinary Studies, it offers minors for undergraduate students in Business, Creative Writing, Material Science, Research, and Social Innovation. Fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), ArtCenter is renowned for its ties to industry and social impact initiatives; the College is the first design school to receive the United Nations Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status.
Reporting to the Provost, the Dean is responsible for division leadership, strategic direction, fundraising, and partnerships and is broadly responsible for ensuring educational excellence and the ongoing successful curricula and operations of the Division. The incumbent will provide strategic direction to multiple academic departments and oversee a portfolio of offerings at all levels in alignment with the Provost’s academic and College’s strategic plans. This position will oversee onboarding for all faculty and staff, budget, facilities, and other resources and serve on the Provost’s cabinet. The Dean of Industrial Design will oversee the academic departments of Transportation, Industrial Design, and Spatial Experience Design, representing signature programs for the College.
This is an exciting moment in time to join ArtCenter with the appointment of President Karen Hofmann in 2022, a strategic agenda grounded in advancing a “community of access, affordability and inclusion,” a recent strategic reorganization, resulting in a new cohort of Deans. The charge is to build upon the rich legacy of the division of Industrial Design and shape a forward-looking vision for the future with a modern curriculum and pedagogy enabling student success in their paths toward established and emerging careers, through both degree and non-degree programming. The executive leadership desires a collaborative colleague and partner in collectively leading ArtCenter’s transformative evolution as it approaches its centennial in 2030.
The position is an exceptional opportunity for a leader comfortable with change, with the ability to execute and build consensus, embracing the challenge to innovate given the headwinds facing higher education. Collaborative leadership, empathy, compassion, and a commitment to inclusivity and belonging, are desired. In addition, the successful candidate will demonstrate strong familiarity with the evolving national art and design landscape, workforce needs, and emerging technologies. The Dean will ideally have experience in successfully leading organizational change within an academic environment, that is complex both culturally and financially. They should be innovative leaders with the highest integrity, capable of inspiring and energizing the community and fostering a culture of collaboration, excellence, and accountability. ArtCenter is looking for an individual who possesses a solid understanding of higher education practices, governance, and business models.
The successful candidate will possess sophisticated financial and operational acumen and a record of recognition and accomplishments as a design practitioner, thought leader, or educator within one of the division’s fields. In addition, the new leader will possess at least five years of experience in a senior management role in a professional or academic environment, inclusive of at least two years as a department chair. A bachelor’s degree from a division-related field from an accredited college or university is required. An advanced degree, experience in a higher education environment, knowledge of WASC accreditation and prior experience working with unionized faculty are preferred.
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 profile.
WittKieffer is assisting ArtCenter in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by February 28, 2025.
Application materials, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to: