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Pepperdine | Seaver College

Administrative Employment Opportunities

Seaver College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences

  Divisional Dean, Natural Science

Seaver College seeks applications for the position of Divisional Dean, Natural Science. The divisional dean leads and manages the Seaver College Natural Science Division to ensure that all academic and co-curricular programs are delivered, reviewed, and assessed successfully. The dean serves as the supervisor of divisional faculty and is involved in all faculty hiring and review processes, including step advancement, promotion, five-year, and annual reviews for all full-time faculty. The dean also hires, supervises, and evaluates all divisional staff and adjunct faculty. Student recruitment, administering of student scholarships, and fundraising are among the additional responsibilities of the dean. The dean serves as a member of the Seaver Academic Council, Seaver College Cabinet, and divisional committees. He or she also may serve on other institutional or college committees as appropriate.

Seaver College seeks candidates for the position of divisional dean who hold a full-time faculty appointment within the college, evidence of significant scholarly activity, and are recognized as outstanding educators. A successful candidate for divisional dean should possess the following qualifications, professional skills, and characteristics.

  • A passion for students and for student learning and development.
  • A dedication to understanding and supporting all divisional faculty, staff, and programs.
  • A commitment to advancing belonging, diversity, equity, and inclusion within the division and among faculty, staff, and students.
  • The ability to successfully mentor faculty in scholarship, undergraduate research, and grant writing.
  • Effective leadership and management of research programs, including undergraduate research.
  • An abiding fidelity to the liberal arts.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills to productively engage colleagues in difficult discussions while affirming constructive professional relationships.
  • Exceptional communication skills to engage internal and external audiences, advocate for divisional support, and articulate the needs of the college and university.
  • The ability to direct governance processes that ensure equity and comply with institutional policy.
  • An attunement to the needs of the students and expectations of the faculty.
  • An understanding of the roles and needs of divisional staff.
  • A strong moral and ethical reputation consistent with the Christian mission of the college.
  • Demonstrated abilities to plan strategically and build community.
  • Experience managing a budget and implementing sound financial management practices is preferred.

Beginning on August 1, 2025, the divisional dean will serve an initial term of four years and teach one course (four units) each academic semester (two courses or eight units in the academic year). The dean will receive a stipend in recognition of his or her service.

The committee encourages applications from all full-time faculty; preference will be given to tenured faculty who hold the rank of associate professor or higher. The committee especially encourages applications from candidates who, through their leadership, managerial skill, teaching, research, service, and personal example, contribute positively to the diversity and excellence of the division. 

Application Instructions
Applicants are required to submit the following documents as part of the online application process. To submit an application, please click https://apply.interfolio.com/166346.

Nominations or inquiries may be sent to Lee Kats at Lee.Kats@pepperdine.edu. Applications will be accepted until Thursday, May 8th, 2025. A background check is required as a condition of employment.

The application review process will be conducted by a committee composed of Lee Kats (chairperson), Kendra Killpatrick, Loan Kim, Florybeth La Valle, and Christopher Plumberg.

 

Pepperdine University is an equal opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal or state law. Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, staff, and members of the Board of Regents represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine reserves the right to seek, hire, and promote persons who support the goals and mission of the institution, including the right to prefer co-religionists who are active members in a Church of Christ congregation.