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Dean of the School of the Arts and Special Assistant to the Provost for the School of the Arts in Qatar

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the School of the Arts (VCUarts), who will also serve as Special Assistant to the Provost for VCUarts Qatar.

Consistently ranked tied for #2 overall and as the #1 public fine arts graduate program in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, VCUarts is a dynamic powerhouse of creative inquiry, scholarship, performance, and design. VCUarts also ranks first among U.S. public research universities in visual and performing arts research expenditures, according to the National Science Foundation's 2024 Higher Education Research and Development Survey. Situated within a major R1 urban research university, VCUarts encompasses 13 departments and programs across fine arts, design, performing arts, art history, art education, and art foundation, serving over 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students in Richmond, VA, and Doha, Qatar.

In 2028, VCU will mark three significant milestones: the 100th anniversary of the School of the Arts, the 30th anniversary of VCUarts Qatar, and the 10th anniversary of the Institute for Contemporary Art (ICA). Together, these anniversaries offer the incoming dean a unique opportunity to celebrate the school's history and achievements, engage its communities, and look toward its future.

The university seeks a visionary, transformative, and strategic leader to propel VCUarts from its current position of national prominence to become the #1 arts school in the nation. The next Dean will capitalize on VCU’s unique position as a premier public R1 institution to build the definitive "21st-Century Art School"— one that synthesizes rigorous studio practice, interdisciplinary research, global impact, and sustainable faculty support.

Timeline

  • Mid-November: Position posted
  • Late Fall 2026: Recruitment of qualified candidates
  • Early Spring 2027: Round one interviews with the search committee and selection of semi-finalists
  • Spring 2027: Second round (virtual interviews) and third round (on-campus/in-person interviews) finalist interviews
  • Start Date: Summer 2027

 If you require accommodations for attending the virtual or on-campus interviews, please email us at execsearch@vcu.edu by December 15.

Search Committee

Following a review of nominations from the School of the Arts community, the Provost has appointed the following search committee members to lead this national search. The committee comprises dedicated faculty and staff representatives who bring a broad range of perspectives and expertise to this critical process.

Co-Chairs

  • Kelli Feldman, Dean of the School of Education
  • Lori Cwalina, Senior Associate Vice President for Colleges, Schools, and Units, Office of Development and Alumni Relations

Search Committee Members

  • Justin Alexander, Associate Professor of Music, School of the Arts
  • Cherif Amor, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, VCUarts Qatar 
  • Kendall Buster, Professor, Fine Arts - Sculpture and Extended Media, School of the Arts
  • Jeannine Diego, Assistant Professor, Fashion Design and Merchandising, School of the Arts, Affiliate Faculty, Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies 
  • Ryan Ellington, Director of Human Resources, School of the Arts
  • Debbie Farris, Director of Communications and Marketing, School of the Arts
  • Christiana Lafazani, Associate Dean of Faculty Affairs and Research, School of the Arts
  • Matt Omasta, Professor and Chair, Department of Theatre and Dance, School of the Arts
  • Ernesto Rodriquez Cruz, Associate Professor, Communication Arts, School of the Arts
  • Kelly Teeling, Executive Director of Recruitment & Admissions, School of the Arts
  • David Toney, Associate Professor, Performance & Playwriting, Department of Theatre, School of the Arts

Applications, Nominations and Expressions of Interest

Isaacson, Miller is pleased to support Virginia Commonwealth University in its search for a Dean and a Special Assistant to the Provost for the School of the Arts in Qatar. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Applications (including CV and cover letter), inquiries, and nominations should be submitted in confidence to Ben Tobin, Keith Mason, Arianna Williams, and Alaine Small via the Isaacson, Miller website.

Other questions/comments: execsearch@vcu.edu

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or disability. Women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.