Dean, Dorothy M. Bush College of Education Profile

Basic Requirements

  • Must be a Christian who is a member of a church that holds Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior, and who holds solely the Old Testament and the New Testament as sacred Scriptures.
  • Must be an active member of a local Baptist Church.

Academic Profile

  • Must hold a terminal degree in the field of education or a field closely related to education.
  • Must possess a record of scholarly and/or creative achievement as an educational leader.

Professional Profile

  • Will have demonstrated professional growth and involvement through active participation in professional organizations such as, but not limited to, the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA), the National Association of School Administrators (NASA), and the Texas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (TACTE).
  • Will have kept abreast of current trends in K-12 and higher education through participating in research, scholarly activities, attending conferences, workshops and seminars.
  • Will have demonstrated an active pursuit of collegial relationships through participation in local, regional, and state organizations of the Texas Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (TACTE) and/or similar associations or organizations.
  • Will have demonstrated an active pursuit of professional relationships at the state level through a presence with organizations such as the Texas Education Agency and the State Board of Educator Certification.
  • Will have demonstrated an active pursuit of professional relationships with the leadership of independent school districts, private and charter schools in order to serve them in the development and education of their students, faculty, and administration.

Leadership Profile

  • Will possess an in-depth understanding of and will have demonstrated the successful application of Christ-centered Servant Leadership.
  • Will have demonstrated expertise and discernment in the recruiting, interviewing, and recommendation of faculty for a college of education or a similar organization.
  • Will have demonstrated the knowledge, traits and skills to lead an organization to carry out its mission to the realization of its vision.
  • Will have demonstrated the knowledge, traits, skills and leadership ability to oversee and carry out the specific duties as identified in the Executive Search Profile of the Dean of the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education.
  • Will have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and leadership ability to oversee, develop, support, and implement all processes necessary for various accreditations applicable to the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education such as the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Colleges (SACSCOCC), the National Council for Teacher Quality (NCTQ), Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE), and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP).

Experiential Profile

  • Will possess significant (15 years or more) experience in K-12 education and/or higher education, inclusive of successful teaching, administrative and leadership experiences.
  • Will have demonstrated the handling of responsibilities equivalent to a dean of a college of education with high levels of professionalism.
  • Will have demonstrated high levels of discernment in handling the confidentiality of sensitive information and situations. 
  • Will have acquired a successful pattern of problem solving and conflict resolution. 
  • Will have demonstrated a high level of communication, counseling, organization, and research writing skills.
  • Will have demonstrated transformational leadership in a college of education or similar
    organizational setting.

Personal Profile

  • Will have demonstrated strong Christian character and integrity.
  • Will have demonstrated an ability to develop a climate of trust.
  • Will have demonstrated an ability to unite people around a shared vision.

Personal and Professional Attributes

Personal Attributes

Devoted to Christ. The Dean of the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education should be a devoted follower of the Lord Jesus, whose life is marked by the grace of God, the courage to stand for the truths of the Gospel, and a total commitment to Christ’s Kingdom.

Focus on Prayer. The Dean of the College of Education should have a deep and active prayer life, believing that it is only through prayer and petition to the Lord that wise decisions can be made. DBU’s focus of turning the whole life of the University over to the Lord in prayer should be their daily focus, and whatever issue arises, no matter the size, the Dean should have as their first instinct to turn to the Lord and ask for His intervention.

Committed Baptist. DBU is unashamedly a Baptist institution, with roots that date back to 1898 and a continuing, active involvement in Baptist life within Texas, around the nation, and across the world. The next Dean should be an active member of a local Baptist church.

Promote a Christian Worldview. DBU seeks to develop a Christian worldview in the lives of each of its students, and the incoming Dean should act as a model of that worldview in their own life. They should be able to engage all aspects of their work, home, and social life through a biblical framework, aiming to honor God and further the work of His Kingdom.

Calling to Christian Higher Education. The next Dean of the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education should have a passionate and clear calling to the field of Christian higher education. They need to embrace the potential of the Christian university to not only change the lives of those who come to the University but also change the world for the glory of God. 

Understanding DBU’s Mission. The next Dean of the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education should be familiar with and demonstrate a firm commitment to the University’s mission of being a Christ-centered university that produces servant leaders who can integrate faith and learning through their respective callings.

Professional Attributes

Visionary Leader. The next Dean of the College of Education should possess the ability to prayerfully consider the leading of the Lord for the future of the University and be able to cast the vision for that future, as well as plan and execute the details needed in order to accomplish that vision.

Effective Communicator. The next Dean of the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education should be able to effectively communicate the mission and vision of the University, whether that is in front of a room of donors, with a prospective student, or with a local church. They should also be able to clearly and successfully communicate any necessary directives, policies, or concepts to the DBU faculty and staff.

Understanding of Christian Higher Education. Christian higher education is unlike any other industry. The next Dean of the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education should have an understanding of how to work within the context among a broad constituency, including local, state, and national government; church and denominational leaders; para-church organizations; donors; alumni; faculty; staff; students; and potential students and their families.

Doctorate. The next Dean of the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education should hold a terminal degree in education or a field closely related to education.

Outgoing and Personable. The next Dean of the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education should have the ability to create and sustain meaningful relationships with students, faculty, and staff, as well as with alumni, donors, church leaders, and community partners, that encourage the professional and spiritual development of the individual, as well as the advancement of the institution.

Organized and Focused. The next Dean of the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education should be well organized in their professional and personal life and have the ability to focus on projects and carry them through to completion within the context of a large organization.

Leadership Experience

Executive-Level Experience. The incoming Dean of the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education should have educational administrative experience at a superintendent, associate superintendent, headmaster, or principal level.

Fiscally Responsible. The next Dean of the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education should have a proven background of fiscal responsibility and commitment to help DBU stay debt-free through prudent financial decisions and careful management of the
annual budget.

Clear Decision Maker. The next Dean of the Dorothy M. Bush College of Education must have sober judgment and the ability to assess complex situations and problems, evaluate necessary information, receive input from advisors, and make clear and
decisive decisions.