"Alerted.org

43348BR

Extended Job Title:

Academic Dean - TTU Costa Rica

Organization:

Texas Tech University

Position Description:

The Office of the Provost of Texas Tech University in the College of Costa Rica at Texas Tech University invites applications for a full-time, 12-month, tenured Professor to begin July 1 st , 2026. While appointed to this position, you will accrue vacation and will be required to report leave monthly following TTU’s Operating Policy 70.01 (https://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP70.01.php) and TTU System Regulation 07.12. (https://www.texastech.edu/offices/cfo/system-regulation-07.12-employee-leave.pdf) Since you will accrue vacation, you will follow a staff holiday schedule, which is available here: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/empbenefits/holidayschedule.php.

Texas Tech University seeks an innovative, dynamic candidate for the position of TTU-Costa Rica Dean.

To advance the university into its next chapter, the dean must invest time and energy in forging and sustaining relationships with the university’s broad and diverse community of stakeholders in Texas, Costa Rica, and beyond. The dean must be sophisticated, sincere, and adept at making connections and representing TTU-CR. In Lubbock, the dean serves as the link between both institutions and must, therefore, get to know and work closely with the provost, the provost’s office, academic deans, program chairs, and others positioned to support TTU-CR’s continued growth and development. Ultimately, the dean is responsible for the success of a diverse and evolving set of academic programs that are embedded in several Texas Tech University colleges and schools.

Locally, the dean will continue the symbiotic relationship with Edulink and the steering committee. Additionally, the dean will serve as the primary external representative and engage with the Costa Rican community, including government officials, business leaders, prospective faculty, students, and their parents. Being accredited by SACSOC, CONESUP and other discipline-specific accreditation bodies like ABET and AACEB, the dean also preserves the standards and relationships that retain and advance TTU-CR’s quality and accreditation. It is important that the dean understands and respects the local and Latin American context and culture and embodies a global mindset and eagerness to immerse themselves in the local culture. With adept cultural humility, the dean must be proactive, tactful, and resourceful in engaging partners and exploring opportunities to connect TTU-CR with opportunities aligned with the University’s educational mission and ambitions. The dean should also broadcast the exciting narrative about TTU-CR, proclaiming the institution’s value propositions to students, the public, including prospective employers of TTU-CR students, and government partners. As TTU-CR continues to gain international recognition and enrollments, the dean may also be called upon to forge pathways throughout the region beyond Costa Rica.

Lead a community of dedicated faculty and professional staff deeply committed to providing the highest quality educational experience for students

The dean will have the opportunity to lead a talented and mission-driven community of faculty and staff who share a deep commitment to student success and academic excellence. It is important that the dean be visible and engaged with the campus community. Given the dean’s responsibilities for overseeing academic affairs, the dean’s leadership and support of faculty are particularly critical. Texas Tech Costa Rica is home to a dedicated and growing faculty. Presently, TTU-CR employs 10 full-time and 35 part-time faculty.

Attracting and retaining world-class faculty to the campus is a critical aspect of the position. The new dean will think about how to recognize and support excellence in teaching, including being called upon to come up with creative solutions related to recruitment, recognition, development, and promotion of faculty. The dean will work to enhance an attractive working environment, which should include competitive recruitment and compensation as well as creating career development and advancement opportunities for faculty. Relatedly, staff play a critical role in supporting students and enriching their collegiate experience. The dean is a key partner in collaborating with staff and fostering excellence and innovation in student support, such as enrollment and advising, programming, tutoring, and career development.

All prospective employees are encouraged to visit Work at Texas Tech (https://www.depts.ttu.edu/hr/workattexastech/) to learn more about becoming a part of our campus community.

Requisition ID:

43348BR

Travel Required:

Up to 25%

Major/Essential Functions:

In line with TTU’s strategic priorities to engage and empower a dynamic student body, enable innovative research and creative activities, and transform lives and communities through outreach and engaged scholarship, applicants should have experience working with dynamic student populations at the undergraduate and/or graduate levels within individual or across the areas of teaching, research/creative activity, and service.

The Dean’s duties will include:

+ Hire, manage, and evaluate campus faculty in collaboration with TTU’s departments aimed at developing excellence in teaching, research, and service.

+ Oversee academic advising and student success staff, promoting student achievement and compliance with all of Texas Tech’s policies and requirements.

+ Administer the degree programs in alignment with the requirements of Texas Tech’s college and department leaders.

+ Work in collaboration with TTU-CR staff to promote strategic growth in enrollment and academic program offerings.

+ Oversee Student Life, promoting alignment with the ethos of Texas Tech’s student-centered programs and experiences.

+ Monitor compliance with all relevant accreditation standards.

+ Work in collaboration with the Campus Executive Director to develop and sustain partnerships with industry, the public sector, and the NGO communities in Costa Rica and the region.

+ Further establish the value proposition of TTU-CR and lead students to gainful employment and/or postgraduate education.

+ Work in collaboration with the Campus Executive Director and the TTU-Costa Rica Steering Committee to develop and monitor strategic and operational planning that will take the campus into the next phase of its development.

+ Effectively manage budgets to sustain a culture of fiscal responsibility and promote the success of the faculty, staff, and students.

Grant Funded?:

No

Pay Basis:

Monthly

Work Location:

Costa Rica

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the required qualifications, individuals with the following preferred qualifications are strongly encouraged to apply:

+ Proficient in both English and Spanish languages.

+ Experience with faculty development, mentoring, and performance evaluation.

+ Experience with the American public higher education system.

+ Experience with cross-departmental or cross-functional collaboration.

+ Record of entrepreneurial leadership supporting organizational growth.

+ Knowledge and experience with curriculum development, assessment, and the accreditation process.

+ Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills as evidenced by a record of effectively engaging varied stakeholders towards a shared purpose and set of accomplishments.

Department:

TTU Costa Rica Admin

Required Attachments:

Cover Letter, Professional/Personal References, Resume / CV

Job Type:

Full Time

Job Group:

Executive Administration

Shift:

Day

Required Qualifications:

+ A doctoral or terminal degree in an academic discipline offered at Texas Tech University.

+ A minimum of 3 years in academic or related industry.

+ Previous or current leadership roles, with experience in areas like strategic planning and program development.

+ Experience with international campuses.

Salary Grade:

800

Does this position work in a research laboratory?:

No

About the Department and/or College:

Housed in a purpose-built campus opened in 2018, Texas Tech University - Costa Rica offers six English-medium bachelor’s degree programs in STEM and management fields. Assisted by a resident Texas Tech Dean and Associate Dean, colleges and departments oversee each degree program, ensuring the delivery of the same curricula, learning outcomes, academic standards, and syllabi delivered on the main campus. The campus also sustains a vibrant student life, providing students with the full benefits of one of the United States’ leading public research universities in a close-knit, student-centered environment. Graduates are prepared to compete globally through accessible academic and co-curricular programs that emphasize innovation, leadership, and cross-cultural engagement. The campus, located in the lifestyle center of Avenida Escazú in proximity to the business and technology hub of the 250 multinational companies in San José.

Texas Tech University - Costa Rica is included within the University’s accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Texas Tech’s local partner is Edulink, a subsidiary of the Promérica Group, a conglomerate with operations across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Texas Tech University - Costa Rica is a mission-driven extension of a major American research university created to bring high-quality, U.S. undergraduate degree programs and applied executive education to the heart of Central America. Launched through a public-partnership between Texas Tech University and Edulink (a Promérica Group company), TTU-CR was announced in 2016 and welcomed its first cohort of students in Fall 2018. From the outset, the campus was conceived as a high-quality, accredited, degree-granting institution that combines Texas Tech’s academic standards with Costa Rica’s vibrant economy and regional talent.

The TTU-CR campus is a 45,000 square foot purpose-built modern academic facility located in Avenida Escazú, one of San José’s premier mixed-use districts. The campus is a state-of-the-art building designed by Fielding International, an award-winning international education design firm. Designed to reflect Texas Tech’s style and Costa Rica’s commitment to sustainability, the campus features high-tech classrooms, engineering and computer science labs, abundant spaces for students to gather, and collaborative learning spaces that support hands-on, interdisciplinary education. Students have access to Texas Tech’s extensive online library system, global learning technologies, and small class sizes that promote close interaction with faculty. TTU-CR offers 6 undergraduate degree programs in business, computer science, and engineering, and hospitality and retail management fields. Executive education programs, developed in collaboration with corporate partners, are also offered in tourism, management, and information technology. All courses are taught in English. TTU-CR also has study abroad and exchange programs for students based in Lubbock.

Edulink serves as the operational partner to Texas Tech University and the legal entity that manages daily operations, facilities, and local accreditation processes for TTU-CR. While Edulink manages the operations of the campus, Texas Tech maintains oversight of all academic and student services, including student body and faculty size, curriculum design and development, faculty rights, selection and appointment, student admissions, student affairs, and the conferring of degrees. It is important to note that regardless of the organizational arrangement or affiliation, all staff, faculty, and students are part of a unified TTU-CR. All members of the community, regardless of role or affiliation, work towards a shared mission, vision, and set of objectives through a collaborative and supportive culture.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Please include the following documents in your application:

+ Curriculum Vitae

+ A 2–3-page cover letter explaining interest in the position and focused on experiences and innovations related to the position’s responsibilities

+ List of at least five references

Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website:

https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/texas-tech-university-costa-rica/campus-dean

Sean Farrell, Partner

Ivan Ceballos, Managing Associate

Drew Chang, Senior Search Coordinator

Isaacson, Miller

Safety Information:

Adherence to robust safety practices and compliance with all applicable health and safety regulations are responsibilities of all TTU employees.

Pay Statement:

Compensation is commensurate upon the qualifications of the individual selected and budgetary guidelines of the hiring department, as well as the institutional pay plan.

EEO Statement:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.

About the University:

Established in 1923, Texas Tech University is a Carnegie R1 (very high research activity) Doctoral/Research-Extensive, Hispanic Serving, and state-assisted institution. Located on a beautiful 1,850-acre campus in Lubbock, a city in West Texas with a growing metropolitan-area population of over 300,000, the university enrolls over 40,000 students with 33,000 undergraduate and 7,000 graduate students. As the primary research institution in the western two-thirds of the state, Texas Tech University is home to 10 colleges, the Schools of Law and Veterinary Medicine, and the Graduate School. The flagship of the Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech is dedicated to student success by preparing learners to be ethical leaders for a diverse and globally competitive workforce. It is committed to enhancing the cultural and economic development of the state, nation, and world.

About Lubbock:Referred to as the “Hub City” because it serves as the educational, cultural, economic, and health care hub of the South Plains region, Lubbock boasts a diverse population and a strong connection to community, history, and land. With a mild climate, highly rated public schools, and a low cost of living, Lubbock is a family-friendly community that is ranked as one of the best places to live in Texas. Lubbock is home to a celebrated and ever-evolving music scene, a vibrant arts community, and is within driving distance of Dallas, Austin, Santa Fe, and other major metropolitan cities. Lubbock’s Convention & Visitors Bureau provides a comprehensive overview of the Lubbock community and its resources, programs, events, and histories.