Dean of English & Modern Languages, Communication Studies, Social Sciences, and Humanities

Location: Spokane CC Main Campus Spokane

Department: SCC English & Modern Languages, Communication Studies, Social Sciences & Humanities Division

Salary Range: $122,014 - $137,249

Starting salary for this position is: $122,014 (Annually)

The salary range represents the earning potential for this position, through training, evaluations and years spent working in this position with Spokane Colleges.

About Us 

Spokane Community College, part of Spokane Colleges, serves 15,000 students with career technical, liberal arts, and adult education programs in Spokane and surrounding rural communities.

Applications will be accepted until 4:00 p.m. PST on September 29, 2025. The application process will not be available after this time. To ensure consideration make sure your application is completed and submitted as soon as possible. Applications will only be accepted prior to 4:00 p.m. on the closing date.

Preferred start date for this position is January 2, 2026.

About the Dean of English & Modern Languages, Communication Studies, Social Sciences, and Humanities

JOB SUMMARY

Spokane Community College invites applications for a visionary and collaborative Dean of English and Modern Languages, Communication Studies, Social Sciences, and Humanities. Reporting to the Vice President of Instruction (VPI), the Dean will provide strategic leadership and administrative oversight for a dynamic academic division that includes English, Modern Languages, Communication Studies, Social Sciences, and Humanities.

This critical role requires a leader committed to academic excellence, faculty development, and inclusive student success. The Dean will oversee teaching and learning, assessment and program review, resource and budget management, and foster a culture of equity, innovation, and collaboration. Working closely with department chairs, faculty, staff, and campus leaders, the Dean will help shape and sustain high-quality programs that reflect Spokane Community College’s mission.

The ideal candidate will be a proven academic leader who champions access, inclusivity, and opportunity—advancing SCC’s commitment “to provide all students an excellent education that transforms their lives and expands their opportunities.”

This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact at one of Washington’s most student-focused institutions—empowering learners and enriching communities through the liberal arts and social sciences.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership

• Provide visionary leadership for the departments of English and Modern Languages, Communication Studies, Social Sciences and Humanities. *
• Work collaboratively with other administrators. Keep the Vice President of Instruction informed on division needs, opportunities, and innovations. *
• Comply with district policies, procedures and directives, state and federal regulations, orders and statutes and collective bargaining agreements. *
• Lead strategic planning, enrollment management, and program review within the division. *
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of the division’s work. *
• Collaborate with other deans and units to promote interdisciplinary initiatives. *

Operational & Supervisory Leadership

• Support faculty and staff in professional development, student achievement initiatives, assessment, program review, and instructional/program innovations. *
• Coach, direct, mentor, and supervise classified and faculty employees. *
• Adhere to the faculty Master Contract, classified contract, and all district rules and regulations. * 
• Manage change, build strong teams, and resolve conflict. *
• Model professional decorum and mutual respect in all personal interactions. *
• Support and advance the Spokane Colleges strategic plan, and perform other duties as assigned. *
• Provide leadership in recruiting, evaluating, and retaining a diverse body of faculty and staff. *
• Develop, prepare and monitor administrative budgets and expenditures and monitor allocation of resources in consultation with Vice President of Instruction, division chairs, and classified staff. *

Academic/Student Support and Continuous Improvement

• Support the important faculty work of curriculum development and assessment to ensure innovative, rigorous, and relevant instructional offerings. *
• Resolve student, faculty and staff issues as needed in line with the master contract, and collective bargaining agreement. *
• Champion a culture of assessment across divisions and work to enhance assessment literacy in the division. *
• Commitment to student success, supporting improved access and increasing retention. *

Collaboration and Communication

• Build and strengthen partnerships with universities, K-12, and local community organizations to promote student success and continually improve the division’s offerings. *
• Represent the division at college, district, community, state, and national activities, meetings, and conferences. *
• Build and maintain partnerships with local, regional, and national organizations. *

* Indicates this is an essential duty.

COMPETENCIES

• Student Focus
• Manages Conflict
• Strategic Mindset
• Plans & Aligns
• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively
• Organizational Savvy
• Situational Adaptability
• Financial Acumen

Learn more about our competencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Earned master’s degree from an accredited institution in one of the following academic disciplines: English, communication studies, political science, psychology, sociology, history, philosophy, art, music, drama or closely related field.
• At least three years of teaching experience in one of the above listed academic disciplines at an accredited institution of higher education.
• Demonstrated progression of increasing levels of administrative leadership, including department chair experience, and experience in higher education.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to adapt strategies, foster collaboration, and drive institutional goals in an academic setting.
• Commitment to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence.
• Excellent organizational skills, including demonstrated project planning, time management, and priority-setting skills.
• Strong interpersonal and listening skills, with the ability to enhance clarity and collaboration across diverse teams.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Earned doctorate in one of the following academic disciplines: English, communication studies, political science, psychology, sociology, history, philosophy, art, music, drama, or closely related field.
• At least two years of faculty teaching experience in one of the academic disciplines above at a community or technical college.
• Demonstrated understanding of the unique challenges which community and technical college students face.
• Experience working positively in a unionized environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work is performed in an office environment with frequent interruptions and background noise.
• Work is sedentary.
• Occasional to frequent change in position from sitting, standing, and walking.
• Work directly with students/clients.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Contract 12-month position.
• Position is exempt from the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
• Criminal background check is required.

Person hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of U.S. Citizenship or lawful authorization to work in the United States. This is an absolute condition of employment. An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of the district to sponsor an H1-B visa. In addition, the Spokane Colleges maintain a drug-free work environment and prohibits all smoking in the college buildings and state-owned vehicles. Must be able to successfully work in and promote a multicultural work and education environment.  

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position. Once an applicant is chosen for a position, they are required to complete and submit a declaration regarding sexual misconduct and investigation per state law.

Benefits Information

This is a contracted, exempt management position. Medical, dental life and long term disability insurance benefits are provided as currently administered under the Public Employees Benefits Board; TIAA-Cref retirement plan or WA State Retirement Plan. Vacation leave accrues at the rate of 14.67 hours per month (22 days per year) and sick leave accrues at the rate of 8 hours per month, effective upon employment. (For positions that are less than full time, leave accruals will be prorated to the percentage of the position.)

Public Employees Benefits Board

Additional benefits information

Required Application Materials

To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet required competencies and submit a complete application packet, which includes the following:

• A comprehensive CV / Resume emphasizing previous work experience related to the role described in the job description.
  
• A Cover Letter that speaks to your experience and direct involvement in areas of reducing the equity gap, fostering innovation, and leading multiple groups working together to solve problems.
  
• College transcript(s) if applicable - unofficial/copies of transcripts are acceptable; official transcripts are required upon hire.

For questions regarding a job application or the hiring process, or if you require an accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact HR at [email protected].

Equal Opportunity Institution

Spokane Colleges does not discriminate in its programs, activities and employment on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, marital status, pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, parental status or families with children, status as a mother breastfeeding their child, AIDS/HIV or hepatitis C, honorably discharged veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected category. 

Direct all inquiries or grievances regarding access, Title IX, ADA, equal opportunity compliance, and/or grievances to:
Fred Davis | Chief Human Resources Officer
Spokane Colleges
P.O. Box 6000, MS1004
Spokane, WA. 99217-6000
509-434-5040