Dean of the Honors College and Director of Undergraduate Research
Please see Special Instructions for more details.
Our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated, or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for Which they may be qualified.
Please Note:
* A criminal background check will be conducted on the candidate finalist prior to the offer of employment.
* If it is determined that no applicants meet the minimum competency, education, and experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants.
* Salary will be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.
* Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. The application must be completed in full detail (including work history) for your qualifications to be considered.
* Failure to complete the application completely may result in you not being considered for the vacant position.
* Your application for the position will not be completed until you receive an online confirmation number at the end of the process of applying for a position.
* If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at
OHR@wssu.edu. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodation in the application and interview process, please call 336-750-2834.
Position Details
Classification Information
| Position Classification Title |
Dean, Honors Program |
| FLSA |
Exempt |
| Position Class |
89849 |
Position Overview
| Join the Ramily! |
Join the Ramily!
Winston-Salem State University (
WSSU) is a distinguished institution that combines academic excellence, community engagement, and a commitment to fostering student success. We are proud to be North Carolina's only university to earn the distinguished designation of Opportunity College by the Carnegie Classifications of Higher Education and the American Council on Education (
ACE).
WSSU is dedicated to preparing students for leadership roles through rigorous programs in health sciences, business, education, and the humanities. Known for its supportive environment, the university fosters a close-knit community that nurtures both professional and academic excellence.
Situated in Winston-Salem, North Carolina-known as the City of Arts and Innovation,
WSSU provides students with opportunities to engage in a dynamic mix of professional, social, and cultural experiences. Winston-Salem is home to thriving arts, healthcare, and technology sectors, offering both students and faculty unique collaboration opportunities and professional development pathways.
With its beautiful campus, strong sense of community, and dedication to fostering personal and professional growth, Winston-Salem State University is an ideal place to teach, work, and learn.
Find information about our current benefits and retirement options, our holiday schedule, and other discounts and perks at the links below:
UNC System Employee Benefits Central
UNC System Retirement Benefits
WSSU Holiday Schedule
WSSU Discounts and Perks |
| Position Summary |
Dean of the Honors College & Director of Undergraduate Research
Winston-Salem State University invites applications for the inaugural Dean of the Honors College and Director of Undergraduate Research. Reporting to the Vice Provost for Student Success, the Dean will serve as the principal academic and administrative leader for the Honors College and provide university-wide leadership for undergraduate research. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to build and shape an emerging Honors College while advancing a culture of academic excellence, research, leadership, innovation, belonging, and student achievement.
The successful candidate will be a collaborative, student-centered, academically credible, and entrepreneurial leader who can translate institutional priorities into sustainable programs and measurable outcomes. The Dean will be expected to build strong faculty and staff partnerships, advocate effectively for high-achieving students, develop innovative programs and external partnerships, and establish the Honors College as a distinctive and nationally recognized component of the University's academic experience.
Responsibilities of the Dean of the Honors College & Director of Undergraduate Research include:
Academic and Strategic Leadership
- Provides vision, executive oversight, and advocacy for the Honors College and Undergraduate Research and represents the unit on appropriate University leadership councils.
- Develops and implements strategic priorities, policies, and measurable goals for enrollment, retention, academic achievement, graduation, research participation, post-graduate outcomes, and continuous improvement.
- Builds the identity and national profile of the Honors College through partnerships, benchmarking, recognition, and innovative programming.
Honors Curriculum, Faculty, and Undergraduate Research
- Collaborates with academic deans, department chairs, faculty, and curriculum bodies to design, assess, and strengthen a rigorous interdisciplinary honors curriculum grounded in inquiry, research, leadership, and experiential learning.
- Partners with Faculty Affairs and academic units to recruit, develop, and recognize faculty who teach, mentor, and conduct research with honors students.
- Leads the University strategy to expand undergraduate research, creative inquiry, scholarly activity, and faculty-mentored experiences across disciplines.
- Creates pathways for students to engage with faculty mentors and disseminate scholarly and creative work through symposia, conferences, publications, and other appropriate venues.
Honors Student Recruitment, Success, and Engagement
- Collaborates with Enrollment Management and academic partners to recruit, admit, retain, and graduate high-achieving students and periodically reviews admissions, continuation, and scholarship standards.
- Provides strategic oversight for honors student engagement, including leadership development, mentoring, service, cultural and academic enrichment, career readiness, and alumni engagement.
- Ensures recognition of honors student achievement through signature experiences including induction, convocations, research showcases, senior recognition, and scholar celebrations.
- Partners with Career Development, Graduate Studies, faculty, and external organizations to expand internships, fellowships, competitive scholarships, graduate/professional school preparation, and career opportunities.
- Monitors student progress and outcomes and supports proactive strategies that promote persistence, timely degree completion, and post-graduate success.
Cheatham-White Scholars and Scholar Development
- Provides executive oversight of the Cheatham-White Scholars Program and supervises the Director of the Cheatham-White Scholars Program and Honors Student Experiences.
- Ensures high standards for scholar recruitment, selection, academic achievement, leadership, research, service, retention, and graduation while aligning programming with University and Honors College priorities.
- Coordinates Honors College support, for Chancellor's Scholars, Provost's Scholars, honor societies, competitive fellowship candidates, and other designated high-achieving student populations.
Personnel, Operations, and Resources
- Supervises, evaluates, mentors, and supports the Director of the Cheatham-White Scholars Program and Honors Student Experiences, the Coordinator of the Honors College, and other assigned staff, establishing clear goals and performance expectations.
- Provides responsible stewardship of the budget, scholarships, programmatic resources, and externally funded initiatives.
- Oversees College operations, communications, events, student services, assessment, reporting, and data-informed continuous improvement.
Fundraising, External Relations, and Advocacy
- Works with University Advancement, the Office of the Provost, alumni, donors, foundations, and external partners to secure resources supporting scholarships, undergraduate research, student enrichment, and Honors College priorities.
- Supports grant development and cultivates partnerships with graduate and professional schools, corporations, research organizations, alumni, and community partners.
- Serves as an ambassador and advocate for the Honors College and its students internally, regionally, and nationally.
|
Position Information
| Position Number |
211367 |
| Working Position Title |
Dean of the Honors College and Director of Undergraduate Research |
| Building and Room No. |
Hill Hall, Room 222 |
| Appointment Type |
Permanent Full-Time |
| If Time Limited. |
No |
| Appointment Length. |
N/A |
Requirements and Preferences
| Position required to work during periods of adverse weather or other emergencies |
Not Mandatory |
| Normal Work Schedule |
8am-5pm, Monday through Friday
Weekends and evenings as required |
| Department Required Skills |
Required Qualifications
- An earned doctorate or terminal degree in an academic discipline, higher education administration, student affairs, or a closely related field.
- At least five years of progressively responsible higher education leadership experience at the department chair, program director, assistant/associate dean, dean, or comparable level.
- Demonstrated experience with honors education, high-achieving student programs, undergraduate research, interdisciplinary learning, student leadership development, and related high-impact practices.
- Demonstrated experience supervising professional staff and/or faculty and leading collaborative teams.
- Evidence of effective strategic planning, assessment, program development, resource management, and cross-campus collaboration.
- Experience with competitive scholarships or fellowships, fundraising, grants, donor engagement, or external partnerships.
- Knowledge of national honors education practices and demonstrated success using data to improve outcomes for high-achieving students.
- Strong written, oral, interpersonal, organizational, and external-relations skills.
|
| Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education |
Preferred Qualifications
- A distinguished record of scholarship, research, creative activity, and/or publication sufficient to support appointment at the associate or full professor level, where applicable.
- Direct leadership or teaching experience in an honors college or honors program and/or experience leading undergraduate research across disciplines.
|
| Required License or Certification |
|
| Valid US Driver's License |
No |
| Commercial Driver's License Required |
No |
| Physical Required |
No |
| List any other medical/drug tests required |
|
Posting Details
Posting Details
| Internal Posting Only |
No |
| Time Limited Position |
No |
| Appointment Length |
|
| Salary |
Commensurate with education and experience |
| Open Date |
09/24/2026 |
| Close Date |
|
| Open Until Filled |
Yes |
| Special Instructions Summary |
Our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated, or justice-involved. We invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for Which they may be qualified.
Please Note:
* A criminal background check will be conducted on the candidate finalist prior to the offer of employment.
* If it is determined that no applicants meet the minimum competency, education, and experience requirements, then management may consider other applicants.
* Salary will be determined based on competencies, equity, budget, and market considerations.
* Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. The application must be completed in full detail (including work history) for your qualifications to be considered.
* Failure to complete the application completely may result in you not being considered for the vacant position.
* Your application for the position will not be completed until you receive an online confirmation number at the end of the process of applying for a position.
* If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at
OHR@wssu.edu. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodation in the application and interview process, please call 336-750-2834. |
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- *
How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
- Public Job Posting
- Internal Job Posting
- Agency Referral
- Advertisement/Publication
- Personal Referral
- Website
- Other
Required Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Letter of Recommendation 1
- References List
Optional Documents
|
Winston Salem State University
Commensurate with education and experience
Sep 25, 2026