Dean of Arts and Humanities

Position Summary

Reporting to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Dean of Arts & Humanities provides collaborative, equity-driven leadership that advances Bellevue College's mission to be a catalyst for lifelong transformation and its vision to redefine higher education as a dynamic hub where innovation, purpose, and opportunity converge.

Grounded in the College's mission, values, and outward mindset principles, the Dean leads through collaboration, empathy, and shared accountability to foster creativity, critical inquiry, and community care. As a member of the Academic Affairs leadership team, the Dean ensures that divisional programs exemplify inclusive excellence, integrate high-impact and experiential learning, and advance Bellevue College's national recognition as an Achieving the Dream (ATD) Leader College and Aspen-aligned institution of innovation and student success.

Through visionary planning, faculty development, and strategic partnerships, the Dean strengthens Bellevue College's impact as a center for creativity, equity, and cultural engagement, empowering students to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage meaningfully in their communities.

Pay, Benefits & Work Schedule

Position Salary Range: $118,403/year - $177,605/year

The salary information shown above is a general guideline only. The salary will be determined based on candidate's qualifications and related experience, as well as market and business considerations. Typically, new hire starts no higher than $133,203/year based on Bellevue College Exempt salary schedule.

We offer comprehensive compensation package with salary and benefits as the main components. Generous is offered through Washington State plans that includes multiple medical, dental, life and disability coverage choices for employees and dependents; choices of retirement and deferred compensation plans; paid holidays, sick, and vacation plans; transit program, reduced tuition, employee discounts and memberships, etc.

The employee is scheduled to work 40 hours per workweek. This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which means that you are not eligible for overtime pay.

About The College

Bellevue College is a vibrant, student-centered institution located just 10 miles east of Seattle. Serving one of the most diverse student populations in Washington - we are proud to reflect the global community we serve.

As an employer, Bellevue College is committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and empowered. We believe that our faculty and staff are essential partners in fulfilling our mission, and we prioritize professional growth, collaboration, and innovation in everything we do. Employees at Bellevue College benefit from opportunities to expand their skills, contribute to meaningful work that changes lives, and engage in a community that is deeply committed to inclusion.

We are dedicated to creating an environment where creativity and innovation thrive, and where the contributions of every employee help shape both the success of our students and the vitality of the region. At Bellevue College, you will find a community that supports your goals, values your voice, and celebrates your impact.

For more about Bellevue College's impact, visit .

About the Department

The Arts & Humanities Division offers dynamic programs in visual and performing arts, communication, languages, literature, philosophy, humanities, cultural studies, and the professional-technical field of digital media arts and interior design. These programs empower students to explore creativity, culture, and communication through diverse perspectives while preparing for transfer, professional pathways, and lifelong learning.

Faculty and staff in the division are dedicated to inclusive, student-centered teaching that values diverse voices, experiences, and forms of expression.

Through experiential learning, including creative projects, performances, digital production, internships, and undergraduate research, the division connects classroom learning with professional and community contexts.

The inclusion of professional technical programs expands opportunities for students to develop both creative and technical expertise, bridging artistic vision with applied, industry-relevant skills.

Together, the Arts & Humanities programs advance Bellevue College's mission by cultivating empathy, critical thought, and innovative problem-solving that strengthen communities and inspire transformation.

Essential Functions

Strategic Leadership and Vision

• Lead the development and execution of a divisional mission and vision aligned with the college's mission, vision, strategic plan, and ATD priorities.
• Represent the Arts & Humanities Division in college-wide planning, governance, and institutional decision-making.
• Model an Outward Mindset by leading through collaboration, empathy, and shared accountability, ensuring divisional goals advance institutional success.
• Advance equity, community care, and inclusion as core dimensions of divisional strategy and leadership practice.
• Align divisional efforts with Bellevue College's national recognition as an Achieving the Dream (ATD) Leader College and its Aspen-aligned standards of excellence, demonstrating measurable progress in student success and institutional impact.
• Champion interdisciplinary, creative, and career-connected initiatives that strengthen pathways from classroom to workforce and transfer, including applied learning.
• Collaborate with Institutional Advancement to pursue grants, fundraising, and external partnerships that expand creative opportunities, undergraduate research, and experiential learning.
• Build sustainable relationships with educational, cultural, and community organizations to support program innovation and student engagement.

Academic and Faculty Oversight

• Oversee curriculum development, program review, and instructional quality to ensure academic excellence and alignment with transfer and workforce pathways.
• Supervise and support faculty, program chairs, and staff in hiring, mentoring, evaluation, tenure, and promotion processes.
• Ensure faculty development and evaluation processes reflect equity-minded and student-centered practice.
• Provide leadership for program development and oversight, including transfer and professional-technical programs.
• Promote inclusive pedagogy, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-based teaching aligned with ATD and Aspen principles of learning excellence.
• Integrate high-impact teaching and learning practices, including undergraduate research, community-engaged learning, and creative performance, across arts, humanities, and digital programs.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation, state, and institutional standards related to academic quality.

Holistic Student Success and Institutional Transformation

• Develop and implement strategies to improve student access, retention, progression, and completion.
• Lead initiatives to remove systemic barriers and close success gaps in arts, humanities, and professional-technical programs, consistent with ATD Leader College commitments.
• Foster inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive learning environments that promote belonging, well-being, and creative confidence.
• Expand experiential and research-based learning opportunities, such as performances, exhibitions, internships, service learning, and digital production, that enhance engagement and readiness for transfer or employment.
• Collaborate with student affairs and campus services to coordinate holistic supports that address academic and non-academic barriers.
• Respond to student concerns and academic grievances in a timely, equitable, and student-centered manner.

Resource and Budget Management

• Manage divisional budgets, staffing, scheduling, and instructional resources in alignment with strategic goals and enrollment targets.
• Lead resource planning with transparency, equity, and shared accountability, consistent with Outward Mindset leadership.
• Ensure compliance with college financial policies, collective bargaining agreements, and regulatory standards.
• Participate in enrollment and financial planning to maximize instructional efficiency and support growth in high-demand programs.
• Ensure divisional resources support ATD and Aspen-aligned outcomes in equity, student success, and operational excellence.
• Oversee facilities, technology, and equipment to ensure accessibility, safety, and effective instructional delivery.
• Secure and manage grants, fundraising, and partnership-based resources that enhance innovation, experiential learning, and workforce development.
• Advocate for divisional needs using data-informed analysis of programs, outcomes, and emerging trends.

Other Duties

• Serve on college committees, task forces, and governance groups as assigned.
• Represent the division at internal and external events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master's degree from an accredited institution. A combination of relevant education and professional experience may substitute for the degree on a year-for-year basis.
• A minimum of two years full-time (or equivalent) teaching experience in higher education.
• A minimum of three years of experience managing complex organizational units with competing needs.
• Demonstrated success providing strategic and operational leadership within academic divisions that include transfer and professional-technical programs.
• Experience leading or supporting the development, accreditation, or oversight of applied baccalaureate or workforce-oriented programs in the creative or communication fields.
• Proven ability to lead through fostering collaboration, empathy, and shared accountability across diverse teams.
• Documented commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and student success, consistent with Bellevue College's designation as an Achieving the Dream (ATD) Leader College and Aspen-aligned institution.
• Experience cultivating partnerships with cultural organizations, educational institutions, or community partners to expand experiential learning, creative production, or workforce pathways.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to build consensus and lead through collaboration.
• Demonstrated experience with budget management, resource planning, and operational oversight in an academic setting.
• Demonstrated understanding of trends in arts, humanities, and digital media education, including creative industry alignment, emerging instructional practices, and technology integration.

Preferred Qualifications

• Graduate degree or equivalent experience in an Arts or Humanities discipline.
• Doctorate in a related field.
• More than two years of full-time teaching experience in higher education, preferably in a community or open-access college.
• Record of leadership in advancing student success through evidence-based, equity-focused, and culturally responsive strategies consistent with Achieving the Dream (ATD) and Aspen principles of institutional excellence.
• Demonstrated success leading interdisciplinary initiatives that integrate arts, humanities, and digital media to meet emerging educational, creative, and workforce needs.
• Experience developing or expanding bachelor's or applied baccalaureate (BAS) programs in arts, communication, or digital media fields.
• Completion of Outward Mindset training or familiarity with the Outward Mindset approach.
• Proven ability to secure and manage external resources including grants, philanthropic partnerships, or fundraising efforts that support creative innovation, community engagement, and student success.
• Experience advancing experiential and research-based learning opportunities such as performances, exhibitions, internships, digital production, or community-engaged scholarship.
• Strong record of collaboration with community, industry, and educational partners to co-design creative and culturally relevant pathways that connect learning with real-world impact.
• Experience working with ctcLink (PeopleSoft) or similar enterprise systems used in higher education.
• Experience with program accreditation, curriculum development, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Experience overseeing bachelor's degree programs or developing innovative programs in response to community and workforce needs.