Leadership Opportunity

Kennesaw State University (KSU) is seeking a visionary, collaborative, and strategic leader to serve as the next Dean of its Robert S. Geer Family College of the Arts (GCA). This is an exciting opportunity for a distinguished artist/scholar and accomplished academic leader. The Dean will guide the College forward at a time of tremendous opportunities and growth. Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Dean serves as the chief academic officer for the College and is responsible for setting the strategic, operational, and financial directions for the College, while providing leadership for its approximately 1,920 undergraduate and graduate students, 246 faculty (92 full-time,154 part-time), and 52 full-time and part-time staff. In collaboration with College leadership, faculty, the Academic Deans Council, and the Provost, the Dean will be responsible for executing a strategy to ensure academic excellence, student success and engagement, commitment to research and creative activities, connections to the wider community, and its national reputation continues to flourish. The Dean is expected to take office on July 1, 2025.

Kennesaw State University

For more than 60 years, Kennesaw State University has been known for its entrepreneurial spirit and sense of community. A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State is located just north of Atlanta and combines a suburban setting on two metro-Atlanta campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta. As one of Georgia’s largest universities, Kennesaw State offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, including a growing number of doctoral programs to over 46,000 students. Our high-impact research, and Division I athletics also draw students from throughout the region and across the globe. A member of the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2) committed to becoming a world-class academic institution positioned to broaden its academic and research missions and expand its scope on a local, regional, and national level.   

Our vibrant culture, career opportunities, mission and values and rich benefits make us an employer of choice. As part of the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State exemplifies the power and promise of a student-centered, research-driven university. Our institutional values are respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and accountability. In addition, Kennesaw State supports the University of Georgia’s core values of accountability, excellence, integrity, and respect. For more information, visit Kennesaw State University.

The institution launched a new strategic plan in fall 2024. For more information on the strategic plan, please visit our Strategic Plan website.

The Location

KSU is on suburban campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta, located 30 minutes northwest of Atlanta's city center. The metro-Atlanta area has a rich history that is still reflected in the growing metropolitan area. Today, the city is a vibrant center of cultural activity, boasting great foods, sports, concerts, museums, and cultural events. Offering aspects of both an urban and suburban location, Kennesaw is minutes away from the Atlanta Braves’ Truist Park, State Farm Arena, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta offers many creative and cultural opportunities including the High Museum of Art, Atlanta History Museum, Michael C. Carlos Museum, Museum of Design Atlanta, among others.

Geer College of the Arts

KSU's Geer College of the Arts is a vibrant collaboration of the School of Art and Design, the Department of Dance, the Dr. Bobbie Bailey School of Music, and the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies. Its highly accomplished faculty and professional staff prepare students for success in a complex global society through transformational artistry and scholarly engagement. State-of-the-art studios, theaters, galleries, and instructional spaces provide students with world-class venues in which to learn, grow, and discover. The students excel as artists by conducting research alongside faculty, studying abroad, engaging in community-based practices, and benefiting from rich partnerships with professional arts organizations. For these reasons and more, GCA's graduates flourish as artists, scholars, entrepreneurs, and engaged citizens.

The next Dean will lead first-class faculty, dedicated staff, and an intellectually curious student body. The Dean will articulate and execute a vision for the future of the Geer College of the Arts. The Dean will also bolster its financial standing through development, programmatic growth, and strategic partnerships – both internal and external to the university. Building on past success, the Dean will be poised to position the College at the forefront of the region’s rich arts community. 

continue reading

Procedures for Nomination and Application

Kennesaw State University has retained R. William Funk & Associates, a national executive search firm, to assist the Dean of the Robert S. Geer Family College of the Arts Search Committee in its identification and review of candidates. Willie Funk, Managing Vice President, willie.funk@rwilliam.funk.com

Inquiries, referrals, and applications (a detailed cover letter accompanied by a current curriculum vitae) will be held in strict confidence and should be sent electronically to: 

KSU Dean Geer College of the Arts Search

R. William Funk & Associates

2911 Turtle Creek Boulevard - Suite 300

Dallas, Texas 75219

Krisha Creal, Chief of Staff

krisha.creal@rwilliamfunk.com


For more information about Kennesaw State University, please visit Kennesaw State University website.

For the Robert S. Geer Family College of the Arts, please visit Robert S. Geer Family College of the Arts website.

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work, and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information on this policy or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, eeo@kennesaw.edu. 

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well 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.

Search Committee Members

Finalist Candidates and Campus Forums Schedule

Kennesaw State University is pleased to announce the finalist candidates for the position of dean of the Robert S. Geer Family College of the Arts. The candidates will meet with various constituents through virtual and in-person interviews. A campus forum for each candidate will be held virtually through MS Teams with a presentation followed by a Q&A session. Please click on the candidates name to view their curriculum vitate (CV). The campus forum schedule with meeting links is listed below.

  • Dr. Andrew Glendening - Director School of Music and Professor of Music, Northern Illinois University
  • Dr. Kelly Lester - Associate Provost for Faculty Success and Professor of Dance, University of Southern Mississippi
  • Prof. Arthur Liou - Herman B. Wells Professor of Digital Art, Eskenzai School of Art, Architecture + Design, Indiana University-Bloomington
  • Prof. Ben Stark - Assistant Dean for Infrastructure and Faculty Support and Professor of Theatre, Kansas State University

Candidate Feedback Survey

You are asked to provide feedback on each candidate that will be sent directly to the Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs.  Responses can be provided anonymously through the survey link on the website. The survey will remain open through Monday, February 3, 2025, at 8:00 a.m.

Feedback Survey