Dean of Education

Dean of Education
University of Windsor
Windsor, Ontario

The University of Windsor is seeking a new Dean to provide strategic, collaborative, and visionary leadership to its Faculty of Education effective July 1, 2027.  This is a five-year term position with an opportunity for renewal and an academic appointment with tenure.

About the University

This hire aligns with the bold imperatives of the University of Windsor strategic plan, Aspire: Together for Tomorrow, ratified Spring 2023.  The University embraces a people-first philosophy grounded in a culture of academic excellence and deep belonging.  Among key strategic priorities are advancing the journey towards truth and reconciliation; building a just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive university; ensuring a high-quality teaching, learning, and student experience; engaging in impactful research, scholarship, and creative activity; fostering a safe, welcoming, and sustainable campus; and engaging in local and global partnerships.

Our campus is situated on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations: the Ojibwa, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi.  We are making steady progress on the Indigenization of academic programming, an Indigenous Strategic plan, and a cohort hire of Indigenous faculty in 2018-19 marked the beginning of our efforts to ensure Indigenous representation. Our students mirror the extraordinary cultural richness of our region, one of the most diverse in all of Canada. We also have strong global partnerships and commitments, which are reflected in the increasing number of graduate and undergraduate students we attract from across the world. The University is a signatory to the Scarborough Charter and participates in the Federal 50/30 Challenge. 

The University of Windsor is a Canadian public, comprehensive research university enrolling close to 16,000 students, including over 5,700 graduate students, and tenured and tenure-track faculty numbering about 600. It offers more than 280 academic programs and certificates, including 70 master’s and doctoral degrees across its nine faculties: Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering; Graduate Studies; Human Kinetics; Law; Nursing; and Science. It also houses a medical program through the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at Western University.

The University of Windsor (UW) is ideally located at the beginning of Ontario’s 401 highway in booming Windsor, Ontario. It is the only university in a region that features two multi-billion-dollar projects underway and a third in the works, several thriving industries, and a growing population.

In pursuit of the University's commitment to employment equity, members from the designated groups (women, Indigenous/Aboriginal (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) persons, racialized persons/visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and persons of a minority sexual orientation and/or gender identity) are encouraged to apply and to self-identify. We particularly encourage eligible candidates who identify as Indigenous/Aboriginal Peoples or women to apply.

Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process by contacting  accommodations@kbrs.ca. Should you require further information on accommodation, please visit the website of the Office of Human Rights, Conflict Resolution and Mediation (http://www.uwindsor.ca/ohrcrm). 

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. This position is subject to final budgetary approval.

The Role 

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President, Academic, the Dean of Education provides strategic, academic, and operational leadership to the Faculty. In a world shaped by innovation, technological advancement, and social change, the Dean recognizes that preparing future educators requires a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning, while ensuring the effective management of human, financial, and physical resources. The Dean plays a highly engaged leadership role in a non-departmentalized Faculty structure, requiring a hands-on, collaborative approach to governance, faculty relations, and program development. They foster an inclusive and supportive environment where faculty and staff are empowered to excel in teaching, research, scholarship, and service. Their efforts strengthen the student experience, advance the Faculty's mission, and produce adaptable, reflective, and innovative educators, researchers, and leaders who make meaningful contributions to the sector. As a member of the University’s senior academic leadership team, the Dean contributes to institution-wide strategic initiatives, including enrolment growth, research development, advancement, and community engagement. 

The Faculty of Education operates within a dynamic and evolving provincial environment. A key priority for the incoming Dean will be leading the Faculty through significant changes to teacher education in Ontario, including the transition to a 12-month, 3-semester Bachelor of Education program and the associated curriculum, practicum, and operational implications.

Key areas of oversight and responsibility are: 

• Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigenization and Decolonization (EDIID) – Champions equity, diversity, inclusion, Indigenization and Decolonization principles while fostering a culture of academic excellence and student-centred learning. Contributes as a senior academic leader and advocate across the broader university community.
• Strategic Leadership and Vision – Provides leadership aligned with the University's and Faculty’s strategic priorities, guiding policy development, establishing faculty-wide direction, and securing the resources necessary to support exceptional student learning experiences, faculty recruitment, and academic program excellence.
• Administrative and Fiscal Management – Provides effective operational and financial leadership for the Faculty of Education, ensuring responsible stewardship of resources and supporting high-quality teaching, research, and scholarly, creative, and professional activities.
• Scholarship and Innovation – Advances a culture of scholarship, research, and innovation, with a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization and Decolonization in both academic and institutional initiatives.
• Networking and Representation – Cultivates strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders and serves as an ambassador for the University and the Faculty through active participation in committees, associations, partnerships, and provincial, national, and international collaborations.

The Faculty 

The Faculty of Education is a vital contributor to the University and a recognized leader in teacher education across Ontario, and the Faculty is now well-positioned for continued growth and impact. A foundational commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Indigenization and Decolonization underpins all aspects of our Faculty’s strategic plan. Together, these priorities will guide intentional action, strengthen our collective capacity, and position the Faculty of Education to lead with purpose and impact in advancing equitable, high-quality education locally and globally. The Faculty offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including teacher education, graduate studies (MEd, PhD), and continuing teacher education, in addition to maintaining extensive partnerships with school boards and community organizations.

The Ideal Candidate 

As the ideal candidate, you are an accomplished and respected academic leader with a demonstrated commitment to educator preparation, student success, and community impact. You bring a demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Indigenization and Decolonization. You bring a track record of scholarly achievement, effective administration, and collaborative leadership. You are a steady and thoughtful leader who can guide the Faculty through complexity and change, balancing decisiveness with consultation. You are transparent, approachable, and highly relational, with a demonstrated ability to build trust across diverse partners and constituents. Energized by challenges, you are motivated to lead in a dynamic environment, with the capacity to manage competing priorities while maintaining a focus on long-term strategic goals.  

Qualifications and Experience 
While the Search Committee recognizes that no one candidate is likely to meet all qualifications in equal measure, those listed below are desirable and will be used to compare candidates. 

• A PhD in Education or a related field. 
• Academic credentials suitable for appointment at the rank of Full Professor, or eligibility for such an appointment. 
• Significant experience in academic leadership (e.g., Associate Dean, Dean, or equivalent).  
• Demonstrated understanding of teacher education, including program design, practicum requirements, and accreditation processes. 
• Experience managing human and financial resources in a complex, unionized environment. 
• Strong financial and operational acumen, with experience in planning and resource management.  
• Experience advancing research, including supporting grant development and faculty scholarship.  
• A demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and Indigenization in both academic and administrative contexts. 

Attributes 

• Collaborative, transparent, and consultative leadership style. 
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences. 
• Sound judgment, integrity, and resilience in a complex and evolving environment. 
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with operational effectiveness in a hands-on leadership role.  
• An authentic commitment to community engagement and relationship-building within and beyond the University. 

  
Application Requirements

• a comprehensive curriculum vitae
• a covering letter stating your interest in the role, how you match the required criteria, and relevant successes, including a statement confirming eligibility to work in Canada; and
• a statement of commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Indigenization and Decolonization and how this has informed your leadership and academic program development. 

The short-listed candidates may be invited to provide further information in support of their applications. To ensure full consideration, please submit your application to KBRS by September 15, 2026.

All applications will receive a response and will be thoroughly reviewed by the committee. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank all applicants for their interest in this position. Applications may be considered after the deadline date; however, acceptance of late submissions is at the discretion of the appointments committee.  

Vacancy Type: Currently vacant
KBRS does not use artificial intelligence to screen candidate applications.

Any questions may be sent to:
Abbey MacLeod, Senior Executive Recruiter, KBRS
Kyle Steele, Principal, KBRS
Dr. Jennie Massey, Managing Partner, KBRS