The University of Nevada, Reno invites applications and nominations for a dynamic and visionary leader to be the next Dean of the Reynolds School of Journalism.
Job Description
The Dean will lead an effort to advance the teaching and research mission and will provide innovative, effective, dynamic and transformational leadership for the Reynolds School that supports the University’s growing public and land grant missions. The Dean will support the University’s commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and access in all academic and personnel matters. Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Dean will adhere to and foster high standards of ethical conduct, compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, appropriate financial oversight and controls, as well as safety, security, and confidentiality related to the position.
The University of Nevada, Reno seeks a collaborative leader to serve as Dean of the Reynolds School of Journalism to lead an effort in providing entrepreneurial leadership to enhance the Reynolds School’s national and international impact, encouraging and rewarding faculty excellence in research, teaching and service, developing and maintaining strong connections with a broad network of alumni, industry and supporters of the School, and to explore innovative approaches that enhance student educational experiences. The University of Nevada, Reno continues to successfully elevate the excellence of news and brand journalism, media arts and communications.
About the School
The Donald W. Reynolds School of Journalism, a free standing journalism school with a national reputation for innovation, facilitates undergraduate and graduate students turning their passion for storytelling into careers in news, broadcasting and documentary, public relations and advertising, film and media production, Spanish-language media, media studies and visual communication. The Reynolds School balances enduring values of fair and ethical communication with emerging practices and new technologies. Students prepare for the professional world with experiential learning in the Reynolds School’s own production centers and agencies as well as with its media partners and go on to make a difference in their communities and across the world through the stories they tell and the causes they support. The Dean also has oversight and responsibility for the KUNR Public Radio station.
The Reynolds School is one of 110 fully-accredited U.S. journalism and mass communication programs. Its faculty members include endowed chairs in business journalism, media ethics and science communication. The Reynolds School is home to a faculty which helped produce six Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists.
At the undergraduate level it prepares students for multi-platform storytelling, whether in the service of news, information or brand communication. Its growing Master’s program prepares graduate students to be leaders in innovation whether as media producers or researchers. Its programs encourage an inclusive learning environment to support students from all backgrounds and walks of life.
The Reynolds School partners with the College of Engineering in digital media innovation together with the College of Business in entrepreneurship as well as partners with the School of Medicine around health communication. The Reynolds School’s student teams in public relations and advertising continue to win national and regional competitions, its journalism students regularly win annual National Hearst Journalism Awards in a range of categories, and its student filmmakers frequently earn festival showings and awards.
Qualifications
The School is especially interested in attracting candidates with scholarly and/or professional achievement commensurate with appointment as a tenured full professor. Other preferred qualifications include:
- Substantial administrative experience with academic budgeting and financial planning;
- Proven experience in recruiting, developing, retaining, and evaluating faculty and professional staff;
- An established record of working with a diverse staff, faculty and campus population and demonstrated commitment to diversity in areas of hiring and promotions;
- A successful record of developing, implementing, and sustaining innovative policies and programs that foster excellence in teaching, research, and service in higher education;
- Experience relating to external constituencies, such as public agencies, funding agencies, industry, alumni, and donors;
- Demonstrated record of excellent interpersonal and leadership skills including the ability to motivate faculty;
- An understanding of and commitment to shared governance;
- A well-regarded history of personal and professional ethics, character and integrity.
- A track record of successful fundraising with a talent for identifying, cultivating and leveraging industry partnerships and major donors;
- A history of transparent and collaborative leadership practices; and the expertise to guide organizational development and to creatively address issues on the forefront of journalism;
- A record of practical field experience and cultivating relationships and building an audience within the rapidly changing industry;
- Experience with media-related industry and research such as newspapers, broadcast, online/multimedia, digital media, public relations and advertising;
- Strong research background;
- Strong communication skills with a commitment to inclusiveness, transparency, and consensus building;
- Firm, fair, and consistent judgment, combined with an ability to make and communicate tough decisions;
- Brings a vision for graduate education and transition to online graduate education;
- Advocate for the success of faculty at all levels.
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno is a public research university committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Founded in 1874 as Nevada’s original land-grant university, the University serves 21,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 75 countries.
The University is classified by the Carnegie® Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 university: A doctoral university with very high research activity. In 2020, the University was also recognized in the Carnegie® Community Engagement classification. The University is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the “Best Global Universities”, and it ranks in the top tier of the WSJ/Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
Since 2009, the University has invested more than $850 million in advanced labs, facilities, and residence halls. It is home to Nevada’s first medical school — the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine — and delivers on its original land-grant mission with outreach across the state through the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Nevada Small Business Development Center, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, the Desert Research Institute and Wolf Pack Athletics.
The University’s main campus is in Reno, Nevada — a burgeoning global technology hub. Located where the high desert of the Great Basin meets the High Sierra, the University’s beautiful, 290-acre main campus is also a Nevada State Arboretum. In recent years, the University added two additional locations: the Redfield campus in south Reno and the Wayne L. Prim campus at Incline Village–home of the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe.
The University is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education which is comprised of two research universities, one state college, four community colleges and an environmental research institute and is committed to developing strong partnerships with each institution for the benefit of all Nevadans.
Through its commitment to high-impact education, world-improving research and creative activity, and outreach that’s transforming Nevada’s communities and businesses, the University continues its nearly 150-year tradition of benefitting our state, nation and world.
Today, the University delivers on its original land-grant mission of access to education and knowledge by investing in the academics, facilities, support, engagement and vibrant campus life that promote our diverse students’ cognitive growth and academic achievement — all while remaining one of the best values in American higher education.
For more information about the University of Nevada, Reno, please visit www.unr.edu
For information about the strategic plan, please visit: https://www.unr.edu/wolf-pack-rising
Mission
Inspired by its land-grant foundation, the University of Nevada, Reno provides outstanding learning, discovery and engagement programs that serve the economic, social, environmental and cultural needs of the citizens of Nevada, the nation and the world. The University recognizes and embraces the critical importance of diversity in preparing students for global citizenship and is committed to a culture of excellence, inclusion and accessibility.
Values
The University of Nevada, Reno’s vision is to educate and graduate the best-prepared, confident leaders for the state, national and global community; to be a nexus for research and creativity that focuses on vital issues of our time; and to serve as a catalyst for the betterment of our society.
- Excellence in all of our endeavors
- Integrity in all our actions
- Inclusiveness of diverse cultures and identities
- Collaboration between disciplines and programs and with community partners and stakeholders
Total Compensation
The total compensation package includes a competitive salary, moving allowance (if applicable), a generous retirement plan, health insurance options that include dental and vision, life insurance, long-term disability, annual and sick leave, along with many other benefits. Additionally, there is a grant-in-aid educational benefit for employees and dependents. For more information, please visit: UNR Benefits.
Dual Career Assistance Program
The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes the importance of addressing dual-career couples’ professional needs. UNR offers a dual career assistance program to newly hired faculty spouses/partners that provides resources and assists them to identify career opportunities in Northern Nevada. Dual Career Assistance Program
Application Process
The Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, complete CV, and list of five references and a brief statement ([one page maximum]) about how you would contribute toward our mission of creating a culturally inclusive environment in the School), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University of Nevada, Reno. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until final candidates for the appointment are identified. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted prior to August 21, 2023.
Porsha L. Williams, Vice President
Erin Raines, Senior Principal
Parker Executive Search
Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875 Atlanta, GA 30328
770‐804‐1996 ext. 111
pwilliams@parkersearch.com || eraines@parkersearch.com