Dean, Honors College

Dean, Honors College

Hiring Department : Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

Location : Chicago, IL USA

Requisition ID : 1038609

Posting Close Date: January 30, 2026.

Salary: The previously determined salary range for this position is $200,000 to $275,000. Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints.

This is an INTERNAL SEARCH

About the University of Illinois Chicago

UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.

This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) seeks an exceptional leader and scholar to serve as the next Dean of the Honors College.

The UIC Honors College, founded in 1982, provides opportunities for academic challenge and enrichment to more than 1,800 undergraduates at UIC. With over 750 affiliated Faculty Fellows and 15 full-time staff, the UIC Honors College provides its students with an interdisciplinary academic experience, including honors-specific coursework, research, and service learning, culminating in an inquiry-based Honors capstone. Recognized as a national leader in accessible honors education which, uniquely, admits both transfer and continuing students in addition to first-year students, the UIC Honors College boasts strong student retention and graduation rates for all students.


The student demographics of the Honors College closely mirror those of the highly diverse UIC undergraduate student body, and the college has achieved equity in student outcomes across demographic lines, with a graduation rate of 92% and a first-year retention rate of 97%. To ensure access to students regardless of socioeconomic status, the college awards over $1.8 million in scholarships and other financial support such as research grants, student engagement seed funds, and Dean’s Emergency grants. Engagement and service are signature components of the Honors College student experience, with 15% of students documenting engagement in a service or leadership activity and 20% documenting engagement in undergraduate research.


Estimated to be at least 80%-time, the position reports to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, is a member of the UIC Dean’s Council, and the appointment of the Dean of the Honors College is critical to its continuing growth as a national leader in honors education. The Dean will be responsible for articulating and realizing a vision for the future of the college as well as overseeing both the Honors College operating and fellowship budgets, in addition to identifying new sources of revenue and private and federal funding for these areas. Additional responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serving as academic and fiscal leader of the Honors College in all areas, including curriculum, budget, staff development, student activities, and the Honors experience.
• Developing a strategic plan to attract, mentor, and retain high-achieving students.
• Working closely with the other deans and the Provost to develop interdisciplinary undergraduate curriculum designed to maintain excellence; sustain and enhance student access; and increase the retention and graduation of undergraduate students.
• Overseeing Honors College scholarship and research awards.
• Working with the other deans and senior administrators to align the college’s activities and goals with the greater interests of UIC.
• Representing UIC and the Honors College in national organizations such as HERU (Honors Education at Research Universities).

Candidates for Dean must:

• Have a Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree
• Possess an outstanding record of scholarly and educational achievement and the commensurate appointment as a tenured full professor at UIC
• Possess administrative experience and be able to build strong relationships with faculty and staff across campus
• Be dedicated to undergraduate student success, undergraduate student mentoring, and UIC's mission

The ideal candidate will:

• Value collegiality, transparency, and shared governance, and will be capable of articulating a vision for the college within a public urban research university.
• Model quality undergraduate mentoring and instill in faculty and staff its importance.
• Have experience managing a complex organization, wisely deploying resources, and effectively engaging in fundraising.
• Bring experience and/or engagement with the Honors College, or honors education at another institution.

Applications must include a CV, a letter of interest addressed to the search committee chair, Dr. David Eddington, Dean of the Graduate College and Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and the names and contact information for three references.

Inquiries can be directed to Tyler Nielsen: (312) 413-3456 | [email protected]

The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.

The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.