Job Description

Opportunities and Challenges
Moving forward, the School of the Arts faces a range of opportunities and challenges that grow out of its size, impact, and centrality to the University’s identity and mission as a liberal arts university with professional programs. Those opportunities and challenges are as follows:
▪ Leadership Opportunity: Working synergistically with university leadership as Dr. Taylor initiates a
new strategic plan for Samford, the new Dean will lead the school in the development of a new longterm strategic plan designed to chart future success; this effort includes focusing on degree programs
that meet the demands of society, the workplace and anticipate future trends in arts education;
▪ Diversity: Samford University has traditionally faced challenges in recruiting minority students,
faculty, and staff, despite ongoing efforts to create an inclusive, welcoming environment; most
recently Samford has made very intentional and significant advancements towards diversity including
the development of the Task Force on Racial Justice; the new Dean will need to prioritize recruitment
of a diverse student and faculty population by emphasizing Samford’s Christian mission, and its
dedication to diversity through the implementation of its Diversity Action Plan;
▪ Growth: The School of the Arts has seen steady growth over the last number of years, including
through the Coronavirus pandemic; this growth in some areas presents opportunities and challenges
as space to carry out the work of the school continues to evolve; recent success in renovating
teaching and performance spaces will bring new growth opportunities, while also visual arts and
design continues a rapid growth trajectory presenting new opportunities for space utilization; new
degrees in architecture, game design, and commercial music add to the strength and growth potential
of the School of the Arts;
▪ Fundraising: Samford has a powerful network of dedicated supporters; participating in outreach will
be a priority for the new Dean who will have the opportunity to participate in university campaigns
and, through strategic fundraising efforts, position the school to sustain and increase annual and other
giving levels; the University has a talented Advancement Team, and the School of the Arts a dedicated
Advancement Officer in place to partner with the dean on maintaining relationships and identifying

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