The American University of Sharjah (AUS), one of the premier institutions of higher education in the Middle East, seeks an accomplished academic leader for its College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).
The new Dean is expected to assume office in Summer 2010.
The Dean reports to the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and leads a college of 157 Faculty Members.
The College of Arts and Sciences is the largest academic unit within AUS and offers the Bachelor of Arts in English Language and Literature, International Studies and Mass Communication. The College also offers the Bachelor of Science in Biology, Chemistry, Environmental Sciences and Mathematics. Graduate degrees include the Master of Arts in Translation and Interpreting (Arabic/English) and the Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. The College also provides core General Education courses for all AUS Baccalaureate students, a rapidly developing program in the Visual and Performing Arts and an intensive course of study in English Language Competence.
The College is poised to begin developing graduate research programs in key areas, a process in which the new Dean will play a critical leadership role.
The new Dean will possess an earned doctorate and an outstanding record as a teacher and academic leader. Additionally, the successful candidate will have a strong record of scholarship and research, the more readily to lead the College in its efforts to develop a robust research agenda over the course of the next decade.
The successful candidate will bring to the position a capacity to envision and build new programs across disciplines, a passion for the Liberal Arts and Sciences and the ability to articulate the advantages of liberal learning to others, demonstrated management skills, in regard to budgets and to the recruitment and development of Faculty and Staff, a demonstrated cross-cultural competence and an effective interpersonal style that encourages collaboration.
Founded in 1997 by the Ruler of Sharjah, the American University of Sharjah is a comprehensive, independent, non-profit coeducational university, based on American models of higher education. AUS provides broad access to highly motivated students from all countries, while maintaining academic standards appropriate and consistent with U.S. universities. The University has achieved remarkable growth and academic distinction during its short history.
The campus is a spectacular setting of imposing architecture and beautiful landscaping and is located approximately 30 minutes from Dubai International Airport. Sharjah is known as a city of learning and culture and the United Arab Emirates is a thriving and rapidly changing country of approximately 4 million inhabitants from throughout the world.
There are four academic units in the University. In addition to the College of Arts and Sciences, the University also comprises the College of Engineering, the School of Architecture and Design and the School of Business and Management.
Classes are taught in English and, although most Faculty Members are educated in the West, the atmosphere is international. No single nation accounts for more than 20% of the student body and over 80 nations are represented.
The University enrolls over 5,000 students in 21 undergraduate and 13 graduate degree programs and employs 358 full-time Faculty Members and nearly 500 Staff. The Student-Faculty ratio is approximately 15 to 1.
A fundamental goal in all programs is the integration of liberal learning with focused professional studies. From its founding, excellence in the instructional program has been a hallmark of the University.
AUS is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and all Engineering Programs are fully accredited by ABET. The School of Business and Management is pursuing AACSB accreditation and The School of Architecture and Design is a candidate for accreditation with the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). AUS is also licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the UAE.
Further information about the School and the position may be accessed at:
http://www.aus.edu
or:
http://www.academic-search.com
Nominations and applications (to include letters of interest, curriculum vitae and five references) will be treated in confidence and should be sent, electronically (MS Word), to Dr. Thomas J. Hochstettler, Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and and Chair of the Dean's Search Committee, American University of Sharjah, at:
AUSdean@academic-search.com
The Search Committee will begin to review candidates in late October and continue until an appointment is made.
Confidential inquiries about this search are welcome and may be made to:
Dr. Patricia (Tobie) van der Vorm
Senior Consultant
Academic Search, Inc.
202-263-7473
ptv@academic-search.com 
