Texas Southern University (Texas Southern) invites nominations, applications, and inquiries for the position of Dean of the College of Education. This is an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished academic leader to shape the future of one of the University’s flagship colleges while advancing educator preparation, research, community engagement, and student success at one of the nation’s premier historically Black universities.
Founded in 1927 and located in the heart of Houston’s historic Third Ward, Texas Southern University is a public, comprehensive doctoral university enrolling more than 9,100 students across ten academic colleges and schools. As a Carnegie Research 2 (R2) institution and one of the nation’s largest Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Texas Southern combines a rich legacy of educational access with a bold vision for academic excellence, research, and community impact. Through its Ascend 2030 strategic plan, the University is investing in academic excellence, research growth, operational effectiveness, and community engagement while preparing graduates to become leaders who shape the future of Texas and beyond.
Established in 1947, the College of Education has prepared generations of teachers, counselors, educational leaders, health professionals, and scholars who have transformed schools and communities throughout Texas. Guided by its mission to prepare competent, caring, committed, and culturally responsive professionals, the College offers a comprehensive portfolio of undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, certification, and professional credential programs through four academic departments: Counseling; Curriculum and Instruction; Educational Administration and Foundations; and Health, Kinesiology, and Sport Studies. The College stands at an exciting moment of opportunity. In 2025, the University announced an ambitious vision for the future of the College that includes strengthening partnerships with the Houston Independent School District and neighboring districts, expanding its influence in education policy, exploring the development of a laboratory school, and establishing a National Education Council comprised of educational leaders from across Texas. These initiatives position the College to become an increasingly influential voice in urban education, educator preparation, and educational leadership throughout the state.
The Dean will oversee a college comprising approximately 848 undergraduate students, 313 master's graduate students, 89 Doctoral students, 30 tenured/tenure-track faculty, 37 adjunct faculty, and an operating budget of approximately $6 million. The College offers a comprehensive portfolio of undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, certification, and professional credential programs that prepare educators, counselors, administrators, and health professionals to serve schools, organizations, and communities throughout Texas.
Reporting directly to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean serves as the College’s Chief Academic and Administrative Officer and provides strategic leadership for all aspects of the College’s academic, administrative, financial, and external affairs. The Dean will champion faculty excellence, support innovative teaching and scholarship, strengthen enrollment and student success, steward accreditation and educator preparation programs, expand community and school district partnerships, and cultivate external resources that advance the College’s mission and long-term sustainability.
The next Dean will join Texas Southern University during a period of institutional momentum and transformation. This is a unique opportunity to lead a college whose mission is deeply aligned with the University’s historic commitment to educational access, social mobility, community engagement, and public service.
The successful candidate will be an accomplished academic leader with a distinguished record of scholarship, teaching, and service that merits appointment as a tenured full professor. The next Dean will possess significant leadership experience in higher education, a demonstrated commitment to shared governance, faculty development, student success, and academic excellence, and the strategic vision to position the College of Education as a destination for innovative educator preparation, impactful research, and meaningful community engagement. Experience leading accreditation and assessment initiatives, securing external funding, building collaborative partnerships, and advancing the educator workforce will distinguish the strongest candidates.
This search is led by Christine J. Pendleton and Bree Liddell of WittKieffer. To receive the fullest consideration, candidate materials should be submitted through the WittKieffer Candidate Portal, or by using the buttons above or below. New Candidate Portal users should select “Register Here” to create an account before proceeding. After logging in, navigate to “Open Positions,” then locate the role by entering the institution’s name and clicking the search wheel. Applicants should submit, as separate documents, a CV or résumé and a letter of interest that addresses the themes outlined in the leadership profile. Candidate materials should be received by September 11, 2026. Nominations and inquiries may be directed to Bree Liddell ([email protected]).
It is the policy of Texas Southern University to provide a work environment that is free from discrimination for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, individuals with disability, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its programs, activities, admissions or employment policies. This policy of equal opportunity is strictly observed in all University employment-related activities such as advertising, recruiting, interviewing, testing, employment training, compensation, promotion, termination, and employment benefits. This policy expressly prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, genetic history, national origin, individuals with disability, age, citizenship status, or protected veteran status. This policy shall be adhered to in accordance with the provisions of all applicable federal, state and local laws, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.