Clark Atlanta University (CAU) invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. The Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer for the School and is responsible for providing leadership and for shaping the vision, teaching, research scholarship, and service missions of the School. Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and serving as a member of the Council of Deans, the Dean is responsible for supervising department and program chairs, enrollment management, budget development and management, strategic planning, personnel appointments, faculty and staff evaluation and development, and promotion and tenure recommendations. The Dean also serves as the University liaison with external bodies on all matters relating to professional standards, accreditation reviews, fundraising, public relations, and marketing of the School.
The School of Arts and Sciences is the largest of CAU’s four schools, offering the baccalaureate degree in 38 majors, 26 master’s degrees, and 6 doctoral degrees across four areas of study: Humanities, Communication Arts, Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and Social Sciences. With a fall 2025 enrollment of 2,448 undergraduate and 190 graduate students, the School will play a central role in achieving the University’s strategic enrollment goal of 5,000 students by 2028. The new Dean will be a champion of the School’s research enterprise, the chief fundraiser and spokesperson for the School, and a collaborative member of the University community who advances interdisciplinary instruction and research. Candidates must possess an earned doctorate and qualifications appropriate for appointment as a full Professor in one of the School’s disciplines, prior experience in the professoriate with a proven record of teaching and scholarship, and at least seven years of progressively responsible administrative experience at the college or university level, with at least five years at the level of Department Chair, Associate Dean, or higher.
Clark Atlanta University is the result of the consolidation of two historically significant institutions: Atlanta University (1865) and Clark College (1869). Through 161 years, it has evolved into a comprehensive R2 Doctoral University with High Research Activity, urban in location, private in funding, coeducational and residential in character, and United Methodist Church-related in affiliation. CAU is the largest institution in the Atlanta University Center Consortium and the largest among the 37 United Negro College Fund institutions, and holds the distinction of being the first institution in America to award graduate degrees to African Americans. In fall 2025, CAU enrolled 4,433 students served by 203 full-time faculty, and in 2025 was recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as an R2 university—one of only 13 HBCUs in the nation to receive this designation. CAU’s main campus is situated on 126 acres approximately 1.5 miles from downtown Atlanta, one of the most dynamic and economically vibrant cities in the nation.
A complete Position Profile with additional information may be found above.
AGB Search is pleased to assist Clark Atlanta University with this leadership search. Review of applications for the Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. To apply for the Dean position, candidates are requested to submit the following in PDF format:
For best consideration, applications should be received by December 15, 2026, to the AGB Search portal system here: Clark Atlanta University Dean of Arts and Sciences
Please direct nominations and expressions of interest or any questions regarding the application process to: CAUDeanAS@agbsearch.com
Jerry Gilbert, Ph.D.
Executive Search Consultant
jerry.gilbert@agbsearch.com
(662) 769-1021
Concetta Stewart, Ph.D.
Principal
concetta.stewart@agbsearch.com
(908) 341-2178
Clark Atlanta University values diversity and is an AA/EEO/ADA Employer.
