Dean, School of Technology

Position summary

The Dean provides academic and administrative leadership for the School of Technology, advancing Hallmark University's mission to change individual lives through superior skills, knowledge, and character. The Dean leads faculty, curriculum, student learning, continuous improvement, employer engagement, and responsible use of school resources in an accelerated, career-focused educational environment.

The position oversees four programs: Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence, Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, Bachelor of Science in Information Systems, and Master of Science in Cybersecurity. The Dean translates industry needs and institutional priorities into rigorous instruction, applied learning, relevant certifications, and measurable student success.

Academic and program leadership

• Develop and execute the school's annual academic and operational plan with the Vice President of Academic Affairs. Align priorities, staffing, course schedules, and resource requests with approved institutional goals and program demand.
• Lead regular curriculum review with faculty, instructional design, and industry advisors. Maintain clear program outcomes, course sequencing, prerequisites, current syllabi, and applied assessments across in-person, hybrid, and online delivery.

BS in Artificial Intelligence: Guide a coherent progression through computing, programming, mathematics, data preparation, machine learning, and applied AI. Ensure students evaluate model performance, limitations, privacy, security, bias, and responsible use through practical projects.

BS in Cybersecurity: Maintain applied coverage of secure systems and networks, threat analysis, security operations, incident response, risk management, and ethical practice. Align learning activities with relevant workforce competencies and certification objectives.

BS in Information Systems: Connect systems analysis, databases, enterprise applications, infrastructure, and project management to organizational needs. Emphasize requirements gathering, solution implementation, data-informed decisions, and communication with business stakeholders.

MS in Cybersecurity: Maintain advanced expectations for security architecture, risk and governance, analytical inquiry, and a culminating applied experience. Coordinate with the designated graduate education supervisor and qualified program manager to sustain graduate rigor and faculty qualifications.

Essential responsibilities

Faculty leadership and instructional quality: Recruit, recommend selection of, orient, mentor, and evaluate faculty in coordination with Academic Affairs and Human Resources. Verify qualifications for assigned courses; schedule prepared faculty before each term; manage workloads and instructional continuity; and support current technical and teaching expertise.

• Observe teaching and review courses across delivery formats. Use student learning evidence, course reviews, and feedback to guide faculty development and documented improvement. Support accessible course design, timely feedback, and meaningful instructor engagement.

Student learning and success: Work with faculty, Student Affairs, the Registrar, and Career Services to identify academic barriers, implement early interventions, and improve progression, retention, completion, and career readiness. Address student academic concerns and appeals within university policy and delegated authority.

• Integrate Hallmark's Character Program, professional communication, teamwork, ethical judgment, and accountability into instruction and applied projects. Maintain academic integrity and clear expectations for responsible student and faculty use of AI.

Assessment and accreditation: Lead program learning-outcome assessment and annual program review. Maintain evidence of findings, improvement actions, and subsequent results. Prepare school reports and accreditation materials with Institutional Effectiveness and Compliance, and support approved program changes through university processes.

• Maintain documented arrangements for doctoral supervision of graduate education, qualified management of the MS in Cybersecurity, and course-specific faculty credentialing. The Dean fulfills these additional roles only when individually qualified and formally designated.

Industry relationships and applied learning: Lead Program Advisory Committee activities with appropriate representation for each program and degree level. Document employer feedback, recommendations, decisions, and follow-through. Maintain productive relationships with technology employers and academic partners.

• Partner with Career Services and employers to develop internships, applied projects, employer presentations, mentoring, and hiring opportunities. Support Hallmark Consulting Group projects where appropriate, with defined learning outcomes, faculty supervision, and client expectations.
• Oversee relevant certification pathways, preparation, exam access, and results. Use certification evidence alongside broader learning assessments to improve instruction and graduate readiness.

Operations and stewardship: Prepare and manage the approved school budget. Plan faculty capacity, instructional labs, software, cloud and AI computing resources, and equipment replacement. Coordinate with university IT on secure, reliable learning environments, appropriate access, and protection of student and project data.

• Collaborate with Admissions and Marketing on accurate program information and prospective-student engagement. Evaluate proposed program enhancements against employer demand, learning quality, staffing capacity, and financial sustainability.
• Provide term-based performance updates and an annual report of accomplishments, priorities, and corrective actions. Participate in university committees, relevant professional activities, and other duties consistent with the position.

Required qualifications

• An earned master's degree in a related field, such as information technology, cybersecurity, information systems, computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, or a closely related discipline, from an appropriately accredited institution or recognized international equivalent.
• At least four years of related practical professional experience in one or more technology disciplines represented by the school, with evidence of current technical knowledge and applied problem-solving.
• At least three years of progressive leadership experience with responsibility for people, programs, projects, or budgets. Relevant roles may include department chair, program director, dean, technology manager, or comparable leadership positions. Leadership and professional experience may overlap.
• Demonstrated higher education teaching, curriculum development, or academic program leadership experience, including assessment of student learning and improvement of instruction.
• Experience supervising or developing faculty or professional staff, managing competing priorities, and working effectively with students, colleagues, and external partners.
• Ability to lead across AI, cybersecurity, and information systems while drawing on faculty expertise; interpret performance data; manage resources; and communicate technical and academic matters clearly.
• Commitment to Hallmark University's mission, purpose, character development, academic integrity, student success, and respectful treatment of others.

Preferred qualifications

• An earned PhD or other doctorate in a related technology discipline, or in education or leadership with substantial relevant technical graduate preparation and professional experience.
• Experience leading undergraduate and graduate technology programs, supporting accreditation and institutional effectiveness, and managing accelerated, hybrid, or online instruction.
• Evidence of improving student learning, retention, completion, certification attainment, or employment outcomes through documented academic initiatives.
• Current industry certification appropriate to the candidate's expertise, such as CISSP, CISM, or a relevant cloud, networking, data, or AI credential; experience developing employer partnerships and applied learning opportunities.

Teaching and graduate leadership assignments

Any teaching assignment requires separate review and documented approval of qualifications for the specific course and degree level under university policy and applicable accreditation requirements. Appointment as Dean does not automatically authorize graduate teaching or designation as the institution's graduate education supervisor. Teaching assignments are established by the Vice President of Academic Affairs in light of school leadership responsibilities.

Schedule and performance expectations

Maintain an accessible campus presence and availability for students and faculty across delivery formats. Occasional evening and Saturday responsibilities and local employer or university events are required as scheduled. Performance is evaluated against agreed goals for learning quality, student success, faculty effectiveness, employer engagement, operational readiness, and budget stewardship, with shared responsibilities recognized.