Open Searches

Clayton State University, part of the University System of Georgia, invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. The University seeks an experienced and innovative leader who will champion the students served, implement and oversee strategies to strengthen the College’s academic programming to meet market demands, and work with the President, Provost, and other senior leaders on campuswide initiatives designed to promote student success and increase community engagement.

The College of Arts & Sciences is the University’s largest and most comprehensive academic unit, anchoring the liberal arts and social sciences core while driving innovation across multiple disciplines. Nearly half of all student credit hours at Clayton State are earned in the College, underscoring its central role in delivering both general education and advanced study. The College offers degrees at the associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s levels as well as minors and certificates in varying disciplines such as communication & media studies, criminal justice, education, English, film, history, liberal studies, music, psychology, and sociology.

There is strong optimism around the new Provost, and the next Dean will inherit a talented, collegial, and energized group of faculty and staff ready to move forward—hopeful to be guided by a compassionate, decisive, and community-minded leader who can help the College fulfill its potential and leave a lasting legacy of student-centered excellence. To learn more about Clayton State, the College of Arts & Sciences, as well as the qualifications sought in the next Dean, please review the search profile: www.academicsearch.org/csudean.

Clayton State University is being assisted by Academic Search. Prospective candidates may arrange a confidential discussion with Dr. Margaret Venable by clicking here or with Andrea Cowsert by emailing Andrea.Cowsert@academicsearch.org. Applications and nominations should be submitted electronically to CSUDean@academicsearch.org. Applications must include a cover letter that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the search profile; a curriculum vitae; and a list of at least five professional references with contact information, including telephone and email, and a note indicating the candidate’s working relationship with each. References will not be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate. The position will remain open until filled, but only applications received by January 15, 2026, can be assured full consideration.

USG Core Values

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Institutional Values

Clayton State University will have a positive impact on the State of Georgia and beyond by serving students and the community through broadening access to high-quality education and advancing workforce development. Our statement of core values is Adaptability, Collaboration, Excellence, Integrity, and People-centered. Each Clayton State University community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on Clayton State’s Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct can be found online at https://www.clayton.edu/strategic-plan/mission-vision-values and https://www.clayton.edu/human-resources/current-employees/resources-policies.

Conditions of Employment

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation, including a criminal background check demonstrating eligibility for employment with Clayton State University, as determined by Clayton State University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Candidate must disclose potential, actual, or apparent conflicts of interest in compliance.

Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, statutes, rules, and regulations of this institution and the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Clayton State University is an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity and affirmative action institution. It is the policy of the University to recruit, hire, train, promote, and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnical origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws (including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Sections 503, and 504, AREA, ADA, E.O. 11246, and Rev. Proc. 75-50). Clayton State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution. For questions or more detailed information regarding this policy, please contact the Clayton State University Office of Human Resources at (678) 466-4230. For individuals requiring disability-related accommodations for participation in any event or to obtain print materials in an alternative format, please contact the Disability Resource Center at (678) 466-5445.

Clery Disclosure

This position may be considered a Campus Security Authority, CSA. A Campus Security Authority is a Clery-specific term that encompasses certain departments, groups, and individual employees who have a duty to report crimes they become aware of, as defined by the Clery Act.