Dean of the College of Business & Aviation

Position Summary: Fairmont State University, a public comprehensive university in vibrant North-Central West Virginia, invites inquiries, applications, and nominations for Dean of the College of Business and Aviation (COBA). The new Dean is expected to take office in July 2027.Founded as a normal school in 1865–67, Fairmont State became a State Teachers College in 1931, Fairmont State College in 1944, and Fairmont State University in 2004. Its motto is “Scholarship, Opportunity, Achievement, and Responsibility.” The University is a comprehensive, student-centered, state-supported institution offering 56 certificates and degrees at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels. On a hilltop campus in Fairmont, West Virginia, Fairmont State combines the opportunities of a large public university with the personal attention of a smaller private institution. Fairmont State’s 120-acre campus includes more than 20 buildings. Recent decades have brought a new student union, parking garage, and residence hall, along with major infrastructure improvements to campus accessibility. The University also operates the Robert C. Byrd National Aerospace Education Center in Bridgeport, West Virginia. The university enrolls about 3,300 students in its undergraduate and graduate programs. Reporting to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean is the chief academic and administrative officer of the College and an intellectual leader for both the College and the University, fostering excellence in teaching, research, and service. The role carries full responsibility for the academic leadership, strategic planning, and budgetary and administrative management of the College’s educational, academic support, and ancillary programs. The Dean also leads every dimension of the College’s external engagement—development, fundraising, alumni relations, partnerships with outside organizations, and the College’s reputation across the state and region. Success calls for the strategic vision to identify and pursue new opportunities and the intellectual strength to guide the College’s growth within the framework of shared academic governance and the University’s mission. The position is a full-time, 12-month administrative appointment with tenure-track faculty rank eligibility in year three. The anticipated salary is $150,000 – $175,000.Leadership Priorities LEAD THE COLLEGE IN STRATEGIC PLANNING AND ACCOUNTABILITYProvide academic leadership and strategic planning for the College’s educational, academic support, and ancillary programs. Guide the faculty in developing a college strategic plan aligned with the Academic Implementation Plan and the University’s Strategic Vision 2025-2035. With the COBA leadership team and faculty, establish a sustainable process for reporting progress toward strategic objectives and key performance indicators. ADMINISTER THE COLLEGE’S ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONSAdminister the College’s academic programs: supervise administrative and support staff, oversee the three department chairs, manage resources, conduct department and institution-wide assessments, promote faculty development, and support student advising, recruitment, and retention. Provide day-to-day budgetary and administrative management that allows faculty to teach well and students to progress. STRENGTHEN ASSESSMENT AND ACCREDITATION READINESSWith the College’s Director of Assessment and the University’s Assurance of Learning Director, evaluate and strengthen assessment practices, student learning outcomes, and reporting processes. Use data-informed decision making and rigorous program evaluation to ensure curricula and operations continue to meet the standards of institutional, state, regional, and specialized accrediting bodies, including ACBSP.GROW ENROLLMENT AND ADVANCE STUDENT SUCCESSLead enrollment management initiatives—student recruitment, admission, progression, retention, and completion—in collaboration with other University divisions. Build an environment that prioritizes student learning, career readiness and engagement, and expand opportunities for contextualized learning, internships, and work-based experiences. AMPLIFY THE STUDENT VOICEReestablish a student advisory council that gives students meaningful input on the College’s priorities, curricula, cocurricular programming, and overall experience.

EXPAND CERTIFICATIONS: AND MICROCREDENTIALSExtend industry-recognized certifications and microcredentials for faculty and students well beyond their current use, tightening the connection between the classroom and the careers students are preparing to enter. DEEPEN PARTNERSHIPS WITH BUSINESS, INDUSTRY, AND GOVERNMENTBuild on established relationships with partners such as Leidos, Trilogy, The Rodeheaver Group, Baker Tilly, MVA Health Centers and the FBI to expand internships and work-based learning, promote entrepreneurship, strengthen program advisory board participation, and cultivate new partners across the I-79 High Tech Corridor, the region’s aviation sector, and the healthcare and financial services employers who hire COBA graduates. Sustain the business and industry linkages that make contextualized learning possible in every discipline in the College. ADVANCE EXTERNAL ENGAGEMENT AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENTLead the College’s development, fundraising, alumni relations, and grant-seeking. Pursue external grants and private funding for new projects and ongoing initiatives, support faculty in securing external funding for research and scholarly activity, and raise the College’s visibility and reputation across West Virginia and the broader region. STEWARD RESOURCES WITH CLEAR PRIORITIESReview budget priorities and goals so that resources support teaching, learning, and student engagement are sustained. Manage the College’s budget and administrative operations transparently, with a clear rationale for decisions. RECRUIT, DEVELOP, AND RETAIN OUTSTANDING FACULTY AND STAFFRecruit, mentor, evaluate, and retain professionally and academically qualified faculty and staff to support teaching, professional development, advising, service, and scholarship. Foster a culture of collaboration among faculty and department chairs, invest in faculty development, and advocate for new approaches to teaching and learning, particularly those enabled by current and emerging technologies. LEAD COLLABORATIVELY ACROSS THE UNIVERSITYLead collaboratively through consultative decision making, information sharing, and consensus building with COBA stakeholders, fellow Deans, the Office of the Provost, and senior University leadership, and participate actively in university administrative groups and committees. Minimum Required Education An earned doctorate and professional background in a relevant discipline within the College. Required Licenses and/or Certifications

NAMinimum Required Qualifications: Candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching excellence and service consistent with the mission of the College and the University, evidence of creative and effective teaching in accredited institutions of higher education, and experience in online course development and distance education.

Experience: Progressively responsible academic leadership experience, preferably at the level of department chair or higher. Academic Record: A distinguished record of teaching, scholarship, and service that merits a tenured appointment at the rank of associate or full professor. Accreditation: Demonstrated experience with collegiate business school accreditation processes (ACBSP, AACSB).

Required Quals Summary: Candidates should demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching excellence and service consistent with the mission of the College and the University, evidence of creative and effective teaching in accredited institutions of higher education, and experience in online course development and distance education.

Experience: Progressively responsible academic leadership experience, preferably at the level of department chair or higher. Academic Record: A distinguished record of teaching, scholarship, and service that merits a tenured appointment at the rank of associate or full professor. Accreditation: Demonstrated experience with collegiate business school accreditation processes (ACBSP, AACSB).

Preferred Qualifications: Demonstrated success in inspiring others toward shared goals with integrity and fairness. Familiarity with current higher education policy and trends, particularly regional and specialized accreditation standards. Experience managing complex budgets and supervising personnel. Skill in strategic planning and resource management. Record of fostering a culture of opportunity that values diverse views and perspectives and enables students, faculty, and staff to succeed. Experience with faculty appointments, fundraising, grantsmanship, and community outreach. Posting Detail Information Requisition Number 2026052FPNumber of Vacancies 1 Anticipated Hire Date July 2027 Position End Date (if temporary)Job Open Date 09/30/2026 Job Close Date Open Until Filled Yes

Advertising Summary: Quicklink for Postinghttps://www.fairmontstatejobs.com/postings/12000Fairmont State University does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression/association, national origin, age, height, weight, religion, creed, genetic information, disability, or veteran’s status, as identified and defined by law in employment, admissions, and educational programs and activities. Minorities/Women/Veterans/those with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Fairmont State University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because such employee or applicant has inquired about, discussed, or disclosed the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.