Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs

Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs

USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance

Rank: Associate Professor with Tenure

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance invites applications for the position of Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at the rank of Associate Professor with tenure. This is a full-time, tenured faculty appointment with administrative responsibilities, supporting the school's academic mission, curricular excellence, and student success.

As the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, the successful candidate will serve as a collaborative academic leader and champion for curricular innovation, academic program development and assessment, and lead the school’s academic affairs operations, policies and procedures. Reporting directly to the Dean and working closely with colleagues across Kaufman and the University, the Assistant Dean will help ensure outstanding educational experiences and academic support for students and faculty.

About the Position

The Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs will serve as a member of Kaufman's senior leadership team and serve as a thought partner to the Dean on academic strategy, educational priorities, institutional policies, and emerging opportunities and challenges affecting the school’s academic mission. The position will lead and coordinate the school's academic affairs operations, policies, and procedures, and will attend University Academic Planning Committee meetings while liaising with USC Libraries and other academic units to advance the school's mission.

The Assistant Dean will supervise the Curriculum Coordinator and work collaboratively with the Senior Business Officer, Assistant Dean of Administration and Human Resources, Associate Dean of Student Life and Belonging, Associate Dean of Faculty, and Student Affairs staff. The role requires a collaborative leader who can connect faculty, curriculum, advising, student support, and academic administration across the school.

The appointment term is July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2030

In addition to administrative responsibilities, the individual will retain the privileges and responsibilities of a tenured faculty appointment and contribute to the school's teaching, research, and/or creative mission as appropriate to the appointment.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and nurture a climate of curricular innovation, stewarding new and existing curricula to reflect the school's diversity, center traditions and innovations, and maintain pedagogical integrity. Lead the development, review, assessment, and continuous improvement of academic programs and curricula.
• Develop and promote cross-curricular and cross-disciplinary programs and provide leadership and support for the KSOD Curriculum Committee. Lead academic initiatives and partnerships with other departments, libraries, and academic units across the University.
• Lead strategic planning efforts around curriculum development, curricular assessment and collaborate with other working groups on goal setting and implementation.
• Review and serve as a signatory on student Directed Research Proposals, Dance Internship proposals, Course Substitution Petitions, Grade Change Petitions, and other academic forms and petitions as necessary.
• Partner with Student Affairs, faculty, and academic advisors to identify and support academically at-risk students, review path-to-degree plans, and strengthen student retention and progress toward degree completion. Serve as a thought partner on admissions activities, including recruitment, admissions, conversion/enrollment, undergraduate advising, and student retention.
• Supervise and support the Curriculum Coordinator with course scheduling, departmental clearance, student registration, curriculum maintenance, program and course assessments, required reporting, and catalogue edits. Provide regular coaching, feedback, clear expectations, and performance standards for the Curriculum Coordinator, addressing performance gaps promptly and completing the annual performance evaluation in partnership with Human Resources.
• Develop and refine academic policies, including policies related to attendance, professional leave, academic notice, and commencement participation, in collaboration with the Academic Leadership Team.
• Collaborate with academic leadership colleagues to strategize and resolve complex student issues, as well as identify opportunities to acknowledge the artistic and academic achievements of students.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean.

Qualifications and Areas of Expertise

We seek an accomplished and collaborative academic leader with a distinguished record of scholarly and/or creative excellence commensurate with appointment as a Professor with tenure. Candidates may specialize in any dance form or forms and should demonstrate substantial achievement in one or more of the following areas:

• Performance or choreographic practice
• Scholarly inquiry, historical, or theoretical research
• Dance education or pedagogy
• Dance and digital literacy or technology-integrated practice

The ideal candidate will bring demonstrated leadership in academic affairs, curriculum development, program assessment, or related academic administration; a strong understanding of student academic progress and advising; and the ability to work effectively across faculty, staff, and university partners. The successful candidate will demonstrate vision for academic innovation, commitment to inclusive and rigorous education, and a collaborative approach to advancing Kaufman's academic mission.

About the USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance unites artistic excellence with the academic rigor of a leading research university. Kaufman is home to a dynamic faculty of dance practitioners and scholars who are defining the future of dance through performance, choreography, education, and research. As Kaufman enters its second decade, it is poised to expand its leadership in dance education, deepen its research contributions, strengthen academic programs, and enhance the educational experience of its students and faculty.

Application Process

Applications should include:

• A cover letter outlining interest in the position and relevant academic and administrative experience
• Curriculum vitae
• Samples of scholarly or creative work
• Contact information for three professional references (references will be contacted only at the finalist stage)

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. For full consideration, please submit materials by the priority deadline of December 11, 2026.

Compensation and Additional Information

The budgeted salary range for this position is $120,000-125,000 as well as an annual administrative stipend of $20,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer alignment, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

To support faculty and staff well-being, USC provides benefits-eligible employees with a broad range of benefits and perks to help protect their and their dependents' health, wealth, and future. These benefits are available as part of USC's total rewards package.