Dean of Higher Education

About Fortune School

Fortune School of Education (FSE), established in 1989, provides preparation programs to fill the "pipeline" of educators needed in today's schools. It was the brainchild of Dr. Rex Fortune, who saw an opportunity to bring more diverse teaching candidates into public schools, especially in the shortage areas of science and mathematics instruction.

Training teachers and school administrators is only part of the story. In 2008, Dr. Margaret Fortune joined Fortune School of Education as its President and CEO. Under her leadership, Fortune School of Education has expanded to include a network of tuition-free, college preparatory, and public charter schools. Located in Sacramento and San Bernardino, which boast the second and third highest Black student populations in California, the schools focus on closing the African American achievement gap.

Our Mission

To graduate high achieving students of good character, prepared for college and citizenship in a democratic society.

Our Vision

To prepare teachers for service in public schools with competence and sensitivity that will enable them to develop students to their fullest potential.

Our Approach

At Fortune School, our education philosophy is The Five Pillars--1) High Expectations, 2) Choice and Commitment, 3) More Time, 4) Focus on Results, 5) Citizenship. We follow this philosophy in all our academic programs in service to the wide range of people we serve from preschool to masters.

To learn more about Fortune School, please visit the FSE website.

The Opportunity

Renowned for its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Fortune School of Education seeks a visionary, dynamic, and proven leader to join its Executive cabinet as the Dean of Education. Leading all graduate programs, the successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the graduate school and credential programs including the management and strategic direction of the higher education department, ensuring alignment with Fortune’s mission, values, and organizational priorities. This role requires a leader who is passionate about education and social justice, and who can inspire faculty, staff, and students to achieve excellence.

Reporting to the Chief Academic Officer, the Dean of Education will work with faculty and staff to provide vision, strategic direction, and action to shape the changing landscape of higher education, enhancing the quality and impact of field experiences for students, fostering partnerships with schools, districts, and social justice organizations.

Candidate Profile

Dedicated to the mission and collaborating with other FSE leaders, the Dean of Education will have the opportunity to work within a passionate, results-oriented, professional culture filled with other thought leaders. They will promote a culture of excellence, inclusivity, and continuous improvement among faculty, staff, and students. Managing a team of five, the Dean of Education will be responsible for the academic, programmatic, managerial, and fiscal responsibilities for the graduate programs.

While no one candidate will possess every competency, the ideal candidate will have many of the following attributes:  

Education and Academic Leadership Expertise

The Dean of Education will be an expert in the management of academic programs, curriculum development, faculty recruitment, and evaluation with direct oversight of FSE’s District Intern program, Administrative Services Credential program, and Masters program. With the ability to roll up their sleeves, the Dean will teach graduate coursework as they hire, assign, and train faculty and staff in the School of Education. They will lead Fortune’s efforts to achieve and maintain regional accreditation standards, working closely with the California Commission on Teaching Credentialing (CCTC) and WASC Senior University and College Commission (WSCUC) in a collaborative way that engages students, faculty, and staff across the school of education. The Dean must be knowledgeable in following all state and federal governments to ensure the program remains in compliance with the laws, regulations, the Education Code, and the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE).

Strategic and Collaborative Thought Partner

With the drive to succeed, the Dean of Education will provide visionary leadership and strategic direction for the School of Education while managing the day-to-day administration of FSE’s graduate school programs. With the goal of meeting enrollment targets for credential and graduate school programs, the Dean of Education will face challenges head-on, be adept at identifying problems, able to conduct appropriate analysis, and reach effective solutions to guarantee ongoing program compliance and success. With the ability to pivot in a fast-paced environment, this leader will be someone that staff can call upon to solve problems, providing constructive criticism with a coach-like mentality. 

Budgeting and Resource Management

With dedication to ongoing assessment and evaluation of programs and practices and a focus on continuous improvement and innovation, the Dean of Education will exercise competence in managing budgets and allocating resources effectively. They will develop and maintain the program budget while managing all resources for which they are responsible, including personnel, finances, and programs related to the delivery of higher education services. They will follow the timetables to submit reports and documents to various funding sources, as required. The Dean of Education will bring awareness of emerging educational technologies with the ability to integrate them into teaching, learning, and administrative processes. This leader will also participate in the fundraising committee to support FSE.

Relationship Builder, Communicator, and Ambassador

With a commitment to fostering an inclusive and compassionate learning environment for students and promoting success and well-being, the Dean of Education will be responsive, high-touch, and supportive in their leadership. They will be a clear communicator in both written and verbal formats. With high emotional intelligence, they will establish and maintain consistent and transparent communication with faculty, students, and staff as appropriate, as well as with the broader community. This executive will have a people-first orientation, be passionate about inspiring and mentoring others, encourage the best efforts of each employee, and serve as a model of collaborative leadership. They will represent FSE in the broader educational community, establishing partnerships and advocating for policies that advance social justice in education.

Passion for the Mission

With confidence in their ability to lead, the Dean of Education will have a passion for FSE’s mission “to graduate high achieving students of good character prepared for college and citizenship in a democratic society.” They will be an effective partner with the full spectrum of FSE’s staff including preschool to higher education teachers, principals, families, and other educational constituents in the community, developing and implementing a coordinated and effective approach toward achieving the groundbreaking vision of creating the first HBCU on the West Coast.

Required Education, Experience, and Clearances

• Doctorate in Education or related field.
• Significant leadership experience in higher education administration, preferably in graduate education.
• Experience managing teams and supervising staff.
• Demonstrated success in managing accreditation processes.
• A strong record of curriculum development and innovation in teacher education.
• Commitment to social justice, equity, and diversity in education.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
• Proven ability to build partnerships and work collaboratively with a range of constituents.
• Criminal Justice/Fingerprint Clearance
• TB Clearance

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The salary range for this role is $130,000 - $150,000 with a generous benefits package.

Contact

Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group has been exclusively retained for this engagement, which is being led by Michelle Bonoan and Jennifer Smith. Express interest in this role by filling out our Talent Profile, or email Jennifer directly at [email protected]. All inquiries and discussions will be considered strictly confidential.

Koya Partners is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals living with disabilities. If you are a qualified individual living with a disability and need assistance expressing interest online, please email [email protected]. If you are selected for an interview, you will receive additional information regarding how to request an accommodation for the interview process.

Fortune School is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from people of color, persons with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ+ applicants.

About Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group

Koya Partners, a Diversified Search Group company, is the nation’s premier search firm dedicated to mission-driven leadership. Since its founding in 2004, Koya has had an exclusive focus on mission-driven clients and was founded on the belief that the right leader can transform an organization and have a deep and measurable impact on our world. Koya works with nonprofits & NGOs, responsible businesses, and social enterprises in local communities and around the world.

Diversified Search Group is consistently recognized by Forbes on its top 10 list of “America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms” and is an industry leader in recruiting transformational leaders for a changing world. The firm is deliberately different in its approach, with best-in-class teams who have decades of experience in cultivating inclusive leaders, understanding the dimensions of diversity, and building equitable teams.

Learn more about Koya Partners l Diversified Search Group via the firm's website.