Dean, School of Hospitality
Metropolitan State University of Denver

As a public, urban modified open-access University and Hispanic-Serving Institution in the heart of downtown Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) invites nominations and applications for the Dean of the School of Hospitality. This is an exciting opportunity for an energetic, collaborative, and inclusive leader to champion the School’s unique, experiential hospitality programs in the changing landscape of higher education and the growing vibrancy and diversity of the Denver metropolitan region.

Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean will be a visionary leader who embodies the best of hospitality industry standards and educational excellence. Because of the outstanding facilities and applied nature of the curriculum in the fast-growing fields in the School of Hospitality, the next Dean is expected to model effective leadership of talented people, management of distinct resources, and oversight of academic programs in service of the mission of the University and the School of Hospitality.

The successful candidate will demonstrate knowledge of both the hospitality industry—food and beverage management, events management, tourism, hotel management—and the academic environments and curricula in which hospitality changemakers are educated. Respect for diverse stakeholders and skill in communication and collaboration will be essential.

MSU President Janine Davidson has led an inclusive process efforts to engage faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders in developing the MSU Denver 2030 Strategic Plan and in implementing the initiatives that will “amplify national awareness of its signature educational experience of meeting students where they are, while enhancing its role of providing affordable and transformative undergraduate and graduate education for any student in pursuit of the American dream.”MSU Denver’s School of Hospitality is the largest hospitality program in the region and the only one in the U.S. boasting a LEED Gold® hotel, commercial conference space, a state-of-the-art beverage-testing laboratory, a commercial restaurant, and a commercial brewery—all on campus. The School’s unrivaled value proposition relies upon the strength of industry-based faculty, industry partnerships, and a responsive applied curriculum linking classrooms and careers.

As the School website explains, students in School of Hospitality programs prepare students for hospitality management and operational careers in the heart of Colorado’s second-largest industry. Currently, there are four undergraduate majors (Brewery Operations, Event and Meeting Management, Hospitality Leadership, and Hotel Management; a minor in Beverage Management, and several certificates in areas such as Bar, Tap, and Tasting Room Management; Culinary Arts; and Outdoor Recreation and Tourism. The School of Hospitality, looking to the future, is seeking approval for several programs in Cannabis Studies.The world-class facilities right on campus at include these enviable spaces in the Hospitality Learning Center: the Degree Metropolitan Food + Drink Restaurant, Beverage Analytics QA/QC Laboratory (powered by The Siebel Institute), and the SpringHill Suites Downtown. The Hospitality Learning Center also includes the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Conference Center; 30,000 square feet of academic space; a sensory analysis lab for wine, beer, and spirits classes; a 72-seat commercial restaurant, a wine and beer cellar management lab, high-tech food demonstration theaters, and tourism and events labs.

The annual compensation range for this position is $180,000 - $220,000.

Metropolitan State University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, vision, dental, flexible spending accounts, retirement, life insurance, and a wellness program. Additional benefits include 12 paid holidays, paid time off, multiple forms of leave (such as 6-week Parental Leave, Bereavement Leave), an undergraduate tuition benefit, and discounts.

Academic Search is assisting MSU Denver in this search. For full details about the position—including application requirements and steps in the process—please see the full position profile on the Academic Search website: https://apptrkr.com/4556998. For full consideration by the search committee, applications should be submitted by September 25, 2023. The next dean is expected to begin in January 2024.To learn more about this opportunity and discuss your qualifications and interest, potential applicants are welcome to schedule a conversation with one of the Senior Consultants for this search: Dr. Ginny Horvath ([email protected]) or Dr. Dan DiBiasio ([email protected]).

Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of 58% first-generation students and 54% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.

MSU Denver is committed to creating and fostering a work environment and culture of belonging; we are proud of the work our employee affinity groups contribute to our culture.