Dean

The University of Southern California (USC), one of the world’s leading private research universities, seeks a leader with an exceptional record as a scholar, social work practitioner, and administrative professional to serve as the next Dean of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Founded with an emphasis on teaching moral responsibility to the greater community, USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is home to pioneering programs, cutting-edge interdisciplinary research, and a community that fosters creative solutions to society’s most pressing issues. In the midst of one of the most impactful times in our nation’s recent history, the Dean will have the opportunity to continue the School’s upward trajectory and affirm the value of a social work education in the middle of a multicultural metropolis. In collaboration with a strong and experienced leadership team, faculty, and staff, the Dean will advance a vibrant academic community that is committed to innovation, strengthening the School’s visibility and impact within the university, the community, and across the nation. 

The USC Suzanne-Dworak School of Social Work offers a broad range of programs that address the root causes of human suffering and develop lasting solutions. From clinical practice and advocacy to policy and research, students engage with top scholars who consistently push the boundaries of their respective fields. Building upon the School’s impressive momentum, the Dean will galvanize the community around a shared mission through transparent and inspiring leadership and a renewed optimism for the future. This opportunity represents a platform for an innovative leader deeply rooted in social work values and ethics to build upon a strong foundation and elevate the School’s role in solving intractable social challenges through pioneering education programs, research, and clinical practice. 

Reporting to the Senior Vice President for Health Affairs, the Dean will serve as the chief academic and administrative officer and oversee all aspects of its academic programs, research activities, fundraising, finances, outreach, and other operations. As the champion of the School, the Dean is responsible for maintaining the highest standards of research, teaching, and scholarship and fostering meaningful intersections between curricular and co-curricular activities. The Dean will provide visionary leadership to position the School at the forefront of the field as a leader in social impact. In doing so, the Dean will work closely with students, staff, faculty, university leadership, donors, alumni, additional partners, and key institutional leaders for the University. The Dean must inspire and galvanize the community around a unified vision to harness the collective expertise of the community to do good in the world and lead by example with empathy, respect, and transparency.

The successful candidate will be a social work practitioner, possess a terminal degree, and bring a distinguished record of scholarship and teaching appropriate for a tenured appointment as a full professor within USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. They will also demonstrate a record of leadership and administrative experiences supporting and strengthening intersections of research and teaching. 

Confidential inquiries, nominations, applications, and additional information about the position and qualifications can be found below.  

The budgeted annual salary range that the University of Southern California reasonably expects to pay for the Dean of the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work is $375,000 to $425,000. 

This range takes into account a wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

David Bellshaw is leading this search with Jaime Morgen and Alice Holland.

USC is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100 or by email at uschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.