Associate Dean

The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (the School) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK) seeks an accomplished and highly entrepreneurial academic administrator to serve as Associate Dean. The Baker School is now serving nearly 150 students in its second year of operation. The school’s graduate programs are growing rapidly and the undergraduate degree, now in its inaugural year, has proven to be popular among first-year students at UTK. The School has an extraordinary building on campus, a faculty known for expertise in key public policy fields, and a dedicated group of faculty and staff who are committed to building a leading school of public policy and public affairs at the University of Tennessee. The Associate Dean will serve as the School’s chief academic officer, overseeing faculty and programs to set the School up for long-term success. In partnership with the Dean, the Associate Dean will operationalize the School’s strategic initiatives, lead all facets of faculty oversight, including recruitment, retention, and development, as well as curricular enhancements, and serve as the School’s liaison to the broader UTK campus, particularly those programs with cross-listed academic offerings and joint faculty appointments. 

Launched in 2023, the Baker School, the first of its kind at any public university in the state of Tennessee, envisions a state and country with thoughtful leadership, sound policy, and engaged citizens. As the flagship land-grant institution in a state known for skilled political leadership, UTK aims to produce skilled public problem solvers who will serve at the highest levels of local, state, and federal government as well as in public-facing roles in the private and non-profit sectors.

The Associate Dean will join the Baker School at a transformative time and play a pivotal role in shaping academic excellence by leading faculty recruitment, mentoring, and retention while overseeing tenure, promotion, and annual review processes. The Associate Dean will also collaborate closely with the Dean to drive engagement programs for instruction, research, and service, and influence strategic decisions to ensure the School's growth and build its national standing. Within the Baker School, the Associate Dean will establish a robust academic infrastructure and student support systems, refining curricula and academic policies while fostering a vibrant and supportive School community to shape the next generation of public policy leaders. As a vital liaison within UTK, the Associate Dean will advocate for the Baker School, strengthen cross-collegiate relationships, and enhance its reputation, positioning the School for significant growth and success in public policy and public affairs education.

Jeff Kessner is leading this search with Stephen Kalogeras and Jenny Rubin. 

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university. Requests for accommodations of a disability should be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-3560 or eoa@utk.edu or (865)974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation & Resolution 216 Business Incubator Building 2450 EJ. Chapman Drive Knoxville, Tennessee 37996 or (865)974-0717 or investigations@utk.edu.