Leadership role
Dean / Associate Dean
The academic leader of a college, school or division within a university, or a deputy to that leader.
Reporting and scope
A Dean reports to the Provost / Academic VP; an Associate Dean reports to the Dean. Authority covers the faculty, programs and budget of the school or division.
Core responsibilities
- Leads academic programs and faculty hiring
- Manages the school's budget and fundraising with advancement staff
- Oversees faculty tenure and promotion reviews
- Supports program accreditation
- Handles student academic issues
- Represents the school to alumni and donors
How it differs
The Provost / Academic VP leads all academics across the institution. Professor / Faculty teaches and researches, while the Academic Director directs a program in a school or organization.
By organization size
In small colleges deans may teach and manage few staff. In large universities they lead large schools with their own fundraising and budgets.
Filings from the last five years mapped to this role commonly report titles such as: Dean; Dean of Students; Academic Dean; Dean of Faculty; Dean of Academics; Associate Dean