Director, School of Education

About the job

Description

The University of New England (UNE) is seeking dynamic, visionary candidates to serve as Director of the School of Education (SOE) in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). The School of Education offers undergraduate majors in Art Education, Community Education, Elementary Education with Certification, Middle and Secondary Education with Certification, and Special Education, as well as minors in Education and Special Education. The next Director will partner closely with UNE’s College of Professional Studies (CPS) to further align UNE’s undergraduate and graduate education programs, including developing and expanding accelerated pathways between CAS and CPS. CPS offers a robust portfolio of graduate programs, including a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS), Post-Master’s Certificate, Master of Science in Education, and Doctor of Education.

This is a unique and exciting opportunity for a forward-thinking leader to build on recent successes within the School, College, and University. The Director will play a leading role in developing and implementing innovative curricula, hiring and mentoring faculty and professional staff, expanding the reach and impact of academic programs, driving enrollment, supporting student success, and fostering a warm, positive, and collaborative culture.

The Director will report directly to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and will be a trusted and valued member of the Dean’s leadership team. The Director will supervise five fulltime faculty. The position includes a 12-month administrative appointment along with a 9-month faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. The successful candidate will begin the position no later than July 2027.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled: Candidates should submit a current CV and a letter detailing their interest in this position. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. However, the priority deadline for consideration is November 30, 2026.

Director, School of Education Search Profile ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES CAS is the most comprehensive academic unit at UNE and exemplifies the University’s commitment to transformative education. Located in Biddeford, the College consists of eight schools and two centers: the School of Arts and Humanities; the School of Biological Sciences; the School of Criminology, Society, and Politics; the School of Mathematics and Data Science; the School of Education; the School of Marine and Environmental Programs; the School of Molecular and Physical Sciences; the School of Psychology and Brain Sciences; the Arthur P. Girard Marine Science Center and the Center for Global Humanities.

With more than 33 majors, 35 minors, and two master’s programs spanning the humanities, arts, education, natural sciences, social sciences, and interdisciplinary studies, the College is a destination of choice for students, faculty, and professional staff. Its diverse and balanced curriculum combines a strong arts and sciences foundation with robust applied and experiential learning opportunities, preparing UNE students for professional and personal success. CAS offers a vibrant and supportive environment for faculty passionate about research, teaching, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Faculty engage in scholarship and creative work across a wide range of disciplines, including the physical and life sciences, social sciences, humanities, education, and the arts. They benefit from a collegial atmosphere, peer mentoring, and a commitment to teaching excellence, as well as support from the Office of Research and Innovation, which assists with funding, training, and research infrastructure.

Experiential learning is a hallmark of UNE’s educational model, and undergraduates are encouraged to deepen their classroom learning through research, internships, creative pursuits, and global study opportunities. Across disciplines, students work closely with faculty mentors to create new knowledge and present original work, and interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged across programs. This immersive approach prepares CAS graduates for success in dynamic careers and leading graduate and professional programs.

Mirroring the University as a whole, CAS is a welcoming community with a deep and abiding commitment to learning, personal development, and socioeconomic mobility. We recognize that education is holistic and that students, professional staff, and faculty must develop a sense of belonging and purpose to make the most of their UNE experience. CAS faculty and professional staff are mission-driven and work collaboratively in support of one another and our students. Our innovative teaching methods balance traditional and contemporary pedagogies and incorporate fieldwork, laboratory experiences, independent research, and global learning opportunities. Our graduates are intellectually curious and globally aware leaders and collaborators who have the creativity, ethical grounding, and passion to drive positive change.

About the University of New England With roots dating to 1831, the University has evolved to become the largest independent university in Maine and one of the fastest-growing private universities in the Northeast. UNE has established itself as a leading comprehensive university with particular strengths in the health sciences and marine sciences and a wide range of academic programs offered both onsite and online to just over 11,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. UNE is guided by the core values of student-centeredness, community and belonging, relentless inquiry, interdisciplinary collaboration, learning everywhere, progressive change, and stewardship of our planet.

UNE’s more than 70 undergraduate, graduate, professional, and online degree programs are offered through seven colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, College of Dental Medicine, Westbrook College of Health Professions, College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Professional Studies, and Honors College. UNE is home to Maine’s only medical school, pharmacy school, and physician assistant program and to northern New England’s only dental school. UNE’s robust research agenda garners more NIH funding in biomedical research than any other college or university in Maine. UNE is located on two beautiful campuses in Maine — the coastal Biddeford Campus and suburban Portland Campus for the Health Sciences — and also has a unique study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco. UNE is regionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education.

During a tumultuous time for higher education, UNE has bucked the trends, emerging from a global pandemic with robust enrollment numbers, the transformative relocation of its medical college from Biddeford to Portland, and a host of new academic programs and student support initiatives designed to meet the workplace needs of an ever-changing economy. While many other institutions were content to merely keep their doors open during the pandemic, UNE’s dedicated faculty and professional staff were determined to seize every opportunity during a time of much change and realignment for the industry. And, guided by the recently refreshed Our World, Our Future strategic plan, UNE has done just that. As a result, the University’s credit rating was upgraded in 2023 to A2 by Moody’s Investor Services, a designation reaffirmed in 2025. In 2026, Fitch Ratings upgraded UNE’s credit rating to AA-, reflecting “very high” credit quality and a stable outlook, while Forbes awarded the University an A- financial grade, placing it among the top 20% of institutions nationally for financial strength.

UNE emphasizes welcoming, belonging, and meeting the needs of first-generation students while consciously immersing students in an environment that prioritizes viewpoint diversity. Indeed, one of UNE’s distinguishing characteristics is its commitment to fostering a robust marketplace of ideas so that students may develop the respect for opposing viewpoints and intellectual curiosity needed to be productive participants in our increasingly polarized society. The University invites guest speakers to campus whose ideas span various ideological spectra and, through an array of interrelated programs, exposes students to multiple views on important topics, both inside and outside the classroom.

Perennially included on “best colleges” lists by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, Forbes, and others, UNE prides itself on its excellent student outcomes. It has recently been ranked first in Maine for value added by Brookings and first in Maine for job placement by Zippia. Meanwhile, UNE students enjoy an exceptionally low student-loan-default-rate of just 0.6% compared to 2.3% nationally. UNE’s clinical programs also boast exceptional board pass rates, while the aspiring doctors in UNE’s College of Osteopathic Medicine earn a residency choice match rate that is among the best in the country. For more information about these and other accolades, visit www.une.edu/about/ glance.

UNE is a great place to work. The University boasts both a tight-knit community and access to a wide array of degree programs, research opportunities, and cultural events. UNE offers a generous, comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees and their dependents. The package includes varied health and dental plans; a retirement plan that includes up to an 8% match; extensive paid leave, including holidays, vacation, sick, and personal time; and educational benefits for both employees and dependent children. Please visit the Human Resources Benefits site — www.une.edu/hr/benefits — for additional information regarding UNE’s fantastic benefits package.

Responsibilities

The Director will articulate and implement a vision for the School focused on growth, academic excellence, innovation, sound judgment, and a strong commitment to the success of students, faculty, and professional staff. The Director will supervise and mentor faculty and professional staff within the School and lead strategic initiatives related to program development, recruitment, academic advising, retention, and assessment. As the chief academic and administrative officer of the School, the Director will advance the University’s mission and strengthen the School’s impact on education in Maine and beyond. The Director will promote excellence in teaching, learning, scholarship, and service while advocating for the interests of faculty, professional staff, and students.

The School is well positioned for continued growth, and the next Director will play a crucial role in sustaining the vibrancy of existing programs while identifying and evaluating new opportunities. The Director should possess the vision and skills to develop and align courses and programs that complement UNE’s existing strengths, particularly those in the College of Professional Studies, and further develop signature experiences that differentiate SOE from peer institutions. The Director should also be open to thoughtfully integrating AI and other emerging technologies to enhance student success and support faculty and professional staff productivity, innovation, and professional growth.

Qualifications

The next Director must hold a doctorate in Education or a related field and a record of teaching, scholarship, and service sufficient for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor. The ideal candidate will be able to teach courses in middle and secondary education, have had at least five years of successful K-12 teaching, and have prior administrative or leadership experience

Vaccination Statement (PLEASE NOTE)

Employees in clinical settings must meet the State of Maine’s immunization requirements for clinical activity.

Anticipated Pay Range

Compensation ranges from $91,000–$122,000, consisting of a faculty salary of $76,000–$95,000 for an Associate Professor or $85,000–$107,000 for a Professor, plus a $15,000 annual administrative stipend.