Dean, Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership
The City College of New York (CCNY) seeks an exceptional individual to serve as the Richard J. Henley and Susan L. Davis Dean of the Colin Powell School for Civic and Global Leadership. The endowed Deanship leads CCNY’s division of social sciences, including the College’s core public service, business, psychology, and leadership development programs. Founded in 2013, the Colin Powell School has grown quickly since its launch, and it is now the largest student division of CCNY with 4,000 students, ninety percent of whom are undergraduates. The school develops the intellectual and leadership capacities of students, preparing them to be change makers in our society and for careers across all sectors. Through a range of academic and co-curricular programs, the school succeeds at connecting classroom to careers for students, and we actively develop and integrate experiential opportunities into academic work, including pathways to internships for students. We value close connections with community partners in Harlem and across New York City. The successful candidate should be able to guide and build on our existing portfolio of academic and co-curricular programs.
Reporting to the Provost, the Dean oversees every aspect of the Colin Powell School and has responsibility for enhancing its profile, visibility, and effectiveness. He/she develops long- and short-range plans, and exercises management responsibility for academic program planning, faculty matters, and administration, including staffing, budgets, and facilities. He/she fosters a high-quality environment of academic teaching, research, and intellectual achievement, and creates and strengthens partnerships within and outside the College as a strong advocate. Applicants must possess an earned doctorate or equivalent terminal degree with a record of distinguished scholarship, research, and teaching suitable for appointment as a tenured full professor in one of the school’s departments. They must also have significant administrative experience and evidence of leadership in developing newly fashioned academic programs into ones of recognized achievement and success. Demonstrated ability to lead sophisticated and effective development and fundraising activities highly desirable. The full position profile can be found at this link.
DSG has been exclusively retained for this search, which is being led by Susan VanGilder and Kamilah Allen. Application materials (cover letter and curriculum vitae) should be submitted to the CUNY Job Application Portal. Nominations and inquiries should be submitted as soon as possible to CUNYPowellSchool@dsgco.com This role is open until filled with review of applications to begin December 5, 2026.
CUNY encourages people with disabilities, minorities, veterans and women to apply. At CUNY, Italian Americans are also included among our protected groups. Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against on the basis of any legally protected category, including sexual orientation or gender identity. EEO/AA/Vet/Disability Employer.
The City College of the City University of New York (also known as the City College of New York, or simply City College or CCNY) is a public research university within the City University of New York (CUNY) system in New York City. Founded in 1847, City College was the first free public institution of higher education in the United States.[4] It is the oldest of CUNY's 25 institutions of higher learning[5] and is considered its flagship institution.[6]
The main campus is located in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. City College's 35-acre (14 ha) campus spans Convent Avenue from 130th to 141st Streets.[7] It was initially designed by architects George B. Post and William Stone Post. City College's satellite campus, City College Downtown, in the Cunard Building has been in operation since 1981, offering degree programs for working adults.[8]
Among the precedents set by City College that helped shape the culture of American higher education are the following: what has been said by the college to be the first student government in the nation in 1867;[9] the first national fraternity to accept members without regard to religion, race, color or creed (Delta Sigma Phi, 1899);[10] the first degree-granting evening program (School of Education, 1907); and, with the objective of racially integrating the college dormitories, "the first general strike at a municipal institution of higher learning" led by students (1949).[11] The college has a 48% graduation rate within six years.[12] It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity."[13]