UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State has launched a national search for a new dean of the Schreyer Honors College.
Peggy A. Johnson, dean of the college and professor of civil and environmental engineering in the College of Engineering, will retire from the University on Aug. 15.
Reporting directly to the executive vice president and provost of the University, the dean of the Schreyer Honors College is responsible for planning, budgeting, student recruitment and retention, fundraising, and the quality of teaching and learning experienced by students in the college and the Presidential Leadership Academy. The dean is a member of the University’s Academic Leadership Council and the University Park Council of Academic Deans.
The Schreyer Honors College seeks a candidate who can lead effectively and manage a college that is a multidisciplinary, multi-campus center of undergraduate academic excellence.
The dean must have the ability to articulate and implement a vision for honors education; prior experience in academic leadership with supervision of personnel and the responsibility for strategic management of programs and resources; a clear and demonstrated understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion that aligns with the University’s mission of public service; an ability to inspire the Schreyer Honors College community to expand their knowledge and understanding in a global perspective; a commitment to innovative approaches to enrich student lives in and out of the classroom; strong consensus building and interpersonal skills; an ability to work effectively with diverse constituencies within the University community and with external stakeholders, including donors and alumni; an earned terminal degree; an outstanding record of teaching and research; and credentials appropriate for a tenured appointment at the rank of professor.
The full position profile is available to download in PDF format via this link.
Penn State founded the Schreyer Honors College in 1997 with a gift of $30 million from benefactors William A. and Joan L. Schreyer, which transformed the highly successful University Scholars Program into a prominent honors college. In 2006, the Schreyer family made an additional gift of $25 million, and today more than 15,000 alumni have graduated from the college.
Drawing upon select faculty from across the University who offer small classes and seminars, the Schreyer Honors College provides students with extensive opportunities for undergraduate research, study abroad, professional internships, alumni mentoring, and a national forum for innovation and best practices in learning methods. Each year, the college receives more than 4,000 applications for 300 first-year student slots, and there is an additional admission option for continuing Penn State students. Overall, nearly 2,000 students are enrolled in the Schreyer Honors College, representing 3% of Penn State’s undergraduate population. The Schreyer Honors College employs 29 full-time staff members, with a 2020-21 operating budget of approximately $2 million.
More information about the Schreyer Honors College is available here.
The University, through the Office of the Provost, has retained Storbeck Search, a national executive search consulting firm, to assist in this search. The review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Nominations, inquiries and application material, including a letter of interest addressing qualifications, curriculum vitae, and the names of five professional references, should be forwarded in confidence to Steve Leo, partner, and Vicki Henderson, senior associate, of Storbeck/Pimentel at PennStateDeanHonors@storbecksearch.com or call 610-572-4296.