Academic Dean

Job Description

Conception Seminary College
Position for Academic Dean/Chief Academic Officer of the Seminary
Start date: June 1, 2026

Conception Seminary College, a Roman Catholic Seminary in the Benedictine tradition, located in Northwest Missouri, seeks an experienced academic administrator to serve as its next Academic Dean. The Academic Dean will join the Seminary community, building an environment that supports excellence across academic departments and dimensions of seminary formation for the next generations of students.

We are seeking an applicant to serve as a visible leader on campus, holding the roles as administrator and professor. The Academic Dean must be a seasoned administrator with experience in the following areas: (i) resilient leadership and (ii) successful collaboration with faculty and staff pursuant to the legacy and mission of an institution of higher education. Our next Dean will utilize this experience to build upon our legacy while providing vision and leadership in fostering academic distinction and innovation in the Seminary's mission of forming men for the Roman Catholic priesthood through undergraduate studies in liberal arts with a major in philosophy.

We are committed to developing a solid vision for the future where students, faculty, and staff are involved in an integrated program of education guided by our Benedictine values and strategic plan. The Dean would work alongside a Benedictine monastic community that has been committed to the Catholic intellectual tradition for well over one hundred years.
The applicant must be a practicing Catholic, faithful to the teachings of the Church and her Magisterium, conversant with the Catholic intellectual tradition, and committed to a Catholic liberal arts education.
Responsibilities, including but not limited to:
• Supervises the teaching faculty in implementing, strengthening, and advancing the academic programs and activities of the Seminary College;
• Supervises the implementation of the College's stated policies regarding curricula, courses, methods of instruction, examinations, and grading practices;
• Serves as the chief academic officer as well as the accreditation liaison officer (ALO) with the Higher Learning Commission;
• Chairs the Academic Affairs Committee;
• Administers assessment tests and oversees assessment of student learning outcomes across the curriculum;
• Serves on the Board of Deans, the President's Council, and the Admissions Committee;
• Supervises the work of the department/division chairpersons.
Minimum Qualifications
• Master's degree in a discipline represented in the Seminary College;
• A record of successful administrative and teaching leadership in a college setting;
• Experience with and understanding of the scholarly, teaching, and service responsibilities of a faculty member of a Catholic undergraduate program;
• A basic familiarity with accreditation standards and the process of accreditation for higher learning;
• Because of the specific mission of the College Seminary, the candidate must be a practicing Catholic.

Preferred Qualifications
• Doctorate degree in a discipline represented in the Seminary College;
• Effective communicator, with the ability to bring individuals and groups with diverse perspectives to consensus and common action;
• Innovative leader and strategic thinker;
• Familiarity with the Program of Priestly Formation.

Procedure for Candidacy

All applications and inquiries are invited. To ensure full consideration, please provide:

• Letter of interest detailing the candidate's qualifications for the expectations specified
• Current resume/CV of educational and employment history
• Contact information of at least three references

Full applications must be submitted online to Dr. Lawrence J. Welch, the Chair of the Search Committee, at lwelch@conception.edu. He may also be reached at 660-944-2914 for further inquiry. The initial review of applications will begin on February 9, 2026. The first round of interviews will be conducted via video conference. Please visit our website www.conception.edu.

About the Employer

The Mission of Conception Seminary College is the preparation of candidates for the ordained ministry in the Roman Catholic Church through spiritual, intellectual, human, and pastoral formation in the Benedictine tradition.