Associate Dean - Academic

The Dean’s Office, in the College of Arts at the University of Guelph invites applications for the Associate Dean (Academic) from tenured University of Guelph applicants only, for a tenured position at the Associate or Full Professor level.

The position will be for a period of five years from September 1, 2026, with the possibility of renewal after that time.

The primary role of the Associate Dean (Academic) (ADA) is to provide leadership and strategic direction for undergraduate programs in the College of Arts and to lead curriculum innovation. Specifically, you will have responsibility for: the BA Program shared with the Associate Dean (Academic) in the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences (CSAHS); oversight and governance of the BAS Program and the Bachelor of Creative Arts, Health and Wellness; the College's Interdisciplinary programs; and liaison and coordination for programs at Guelph-Humber sponsored by the College.

The ADA will work collaboratively with department chairs and program coordinators to:

• Lead curriculum development, assessment, and program review processes
• Oversee course scheduling, program development, and development of the College teaching plan in accordance with college strategic priorities, college budget commitments, and the goal of financial sustainability
• Support student success initiatives and retention strategies across undergraduate programs
• Manage academic resources and contribute to budget planning for the College's undergraduate programs
• Provide leadership in IEDI (Inclusion, Equity, Diversity, and Indigenization) as it pertains to undergraduate students and programs
• Recruit undergraduate students nationally and internationally
• Develop partnerships with other universities, both nationally and internationally
• Support academic integrity standards, including deciding cases of academic misconduct
• Supervise or co-supervise staff and portfolio managers as applicable (currently Manager of Experiential Development, Manager of Recruitment and Marketing, and Admin to the ADA)
• Be a visible presence of COA leadership at faculty, student, community, and industry events.

The ADA will represent the College of Arts at the University level, act as dean's representative, ensure functions are being represented for COA in the following:

• Member of Council of Associate Deans Academic
• Co-chair BA, BAS and BCAHW Curriculum Committees
• Co-chair BA, BAS and BCAHW Academic Review Committees
• Member of Experiential Learning Advisory Committee (ELAC), Senate, Co-operative Program Coordinating Committee (CPCC)

Additional responsibilities include taking a lead role in matters related to liaison and student recruitment, assisting the Dean in the monitoring of teaching assignments, representing the college on committees and task forces related to curriculum, assisting with the management of the Bachelor of Arts Academic Advising Office, handling undergraduate academic awards, working to integrate co-op, experiential learning, and work integrated learning into our curriculum, and acting as Dean on occasion, along with other duties as required.

The University of Guelph resides on the traditional lands and territory of the Anishinaabeg, Haudenosaunee and Huron Wendat. These lands are now home to a rich diversity of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people. We offer our respect and gratitude to our Indigenous neighbours and affirm our responsibility to realize our commitments to reconciliation through ongoing action. We are guided in this work by Bi-Naagward | It Comes into View, the Indigenous Initiatives Strategy.

The University of Guelph is the third largest employer in Guelph, a city of over 140,000 people, located about an hour drive west of Toronto, Ontario. University of Guelph is a top-ranked comprehensive university in Canada with an enrolment of more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students across more than 40 academic units. The University is known for its commitment to student learning, innovative research, and collaboration with world-class partners. It is a unique place, with transformative research and teaching and a distinctive campus culture. People who learn and work here are shaped and inspired by a shared purpose: To Improve Life. Reflecting that shared purpose in every experience connected to our university positions us to create positive change, here and around the world. Our University community shares a profound sense of social responsibility, a drive for international development, and an obligation to address global issues.

Application Process

Assessment of applications will begin on January 16, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Interested applicants should submit the following materials (preferably as a single PDF file): (1) a cover letter; (2) a curriculum vitae. Applications should be addressed to the attention of:

Lisa O’Dwyer

Administrative Officer

Dean’s Office, College of Arts

University of Guelph

Guelph, ON N1G 2W1