Claflin University
Dean, School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Location: Orangeburg, SC
Reports to Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Situation Overview:
ZRG has been engaged to recruit a Dean, School of Natural Sciences & Mathematics for Claflin University.
About Claflin University:
Founded in 1869, Claflin University is recognized by national publications, such as U.S. News and World Report, Forbes.com and Washington Monthly, as one of America’s best liberal arts colleges. The University proudly serves the state of South Carolina, the nation, and the world. Its beautiful historic campus is home for approximately 1,900 students, from every region of the United States and more than 20 international countries.
Claflin students demonstrate extraordinary achievement, distinctive confidence, and a lifelong desire to transform society through visionary leadership. Its academic programs prepare students to compete and succeed in a global and technological society.
Claflin University is recognized for its rich legacy of STEM graduates. Graduates are highly competitive and are recruited for employment and for graduate and professional schools.
Recent graduates have been employed at Fortune 500 companies, in the Silicon Valley and in Investment Banking.
Many matriculated at research one and Ivy League institutions to pursue graduate studies. Others are graduates of nationally ranked health professions schools in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and public health.
Vision, Mission, & Guiding Principles
Vision Statement
Claflin University will be recognized as a leading 21st Century institution of higher education that develops a diverse and inclusive community of globally engaged visionary leaders.
Mission Statement
Claflin University is a comprehensive institution of higher education affiliated with the United Methodist Church. A historically Black University founded in 1869, Claflin is committed to providing students with access to exemplary educational opportunities in its undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs. Claflin is dedicated to providing a student-centered, liberal arts education grounded in cutting-edge research, experiential learning, state-of-the art technology, community service, and life-long personal and professional fulfillment.
Claflin is a diverse and inclusive community of students, faculty, staff, and administrators who work to cultivate practical wisdom, judgment, knowledge, skills, and character needed for globally engaged citizenship and effective leadership.
Guiding Principles
At the center of everything we do is a system of values informing and guiding all policies and programs. These values, expressed through our decisions and actions, are defined by five over-arching guiding principles:
Commitment to Excellence: We will strive for excellence through creativity, innovation and efficiency that allow for optimization of resources. Commitment to Valuing People: We will value people by providing a safe, wholesome, and healthy environment that fosters mutual respect, diversity, and inclusion.
Commitment to Being Student Centered: We will focus on all aspects of student life including student-centered education by embedding skills and praxis that foster life-long learning and independent problem solving and also translate their needs and expectations into actions that embody exceptional service.
Commitment to Exemplary Educational Programs: We will provide exemplary educational programs and an effective learning community by ensuring that they represent the highest standards of academic excellence and by continuous quality improvement.
Commitment to Fiscal Accountability: We will commit to financial accountability by promoting and fostering a culture of compliance, integrity, and fiscal responsibility throughout the University.
Motto
“As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
Position:
Claflin University seeks a dynamic, transformational, accomplished visionary to lead its School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics to the next level of excellence in teaching, research, and service. The successful candidate will provide enlightened and energetic leadership to an academic unit comprised of a highly trained faculty, in the acclaimed and nationally accredited disciplines of biology, biotechnology, bioinformatics, environmental science, chemistry, biochemistry, computer science, computer engineering, mathematics, and nursing.
The Dean serves as the chief academic officer of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; manages budgets, faculty, and staff; champions student success outcomes; and provides oversight of the curricula. Developing and implementing a strategic plan for the School, consistent with Claflin University’s Strategic Plan, will be an important responsibility of the Dean. Additionally, the Dean will be charged with providing leadership and advocacy for STEM undergraduate and graduate programs to diverse audiences, such as state and federal governments, the business community, and global partners.
Leadership Prospectus:
Claflin University is in search of a new Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics who will serve as an innovative and visionary academic leader of the School. The successful candidate will be an outstanding advocate for the School, with both internal and external stakeholders. The School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics includes a wide array of undergraduate majors, in Biochemistry Bioinformatics, Biology, Biotechnology, Chemistry, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Environmental Science, Management Information Science, Mathematics, Mathematics Education, and RN to BSN in Nursing. Successful college teaching, demonstrated scholarship, and progressively responsible administrative and academic leadership experience is preferred. The successful candidate for Dean must also exhibit the following characteristics:
- Be an exceptional communicator in all forms, incorporating an appropriate emphasis on face-to-face interaction
- Regularly communicate and collaborate with all stakeholders in the School, on important issues and decisions
- Spend considerable time listening and learning about all the School’s academic programs, as well as faculty and staff roles.
Qualifications:
- An earned doctorate in one of the disciplines in the School, and experiences and accomplishments sufficient to merit appointment to the rank of Professor
- Appropriate academic and administration experiences, including budgeting; faculty recruitment, development and evaluation, and strategic plan development.
- A strong record of success in securing funded competitive external grants.
- Experience in and commitment to collaborating with private donors.
- Demonstrated experience in working collegially and effectively with on-campus, and external audiences.
- A record of developing and implementing strategies leading to successful student outcomes.
- Ability to work effectively with faculty, academic administrators, and members of the University Community.
- Ability to work with students at the undergraduate and graduate levels, molding them into scientists and scholars.
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Senior Management:
Dr. Michelle Mayo
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dr. Michelle L. Mayo serves as the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at Claflin University, bringing more than 25 years of progressive leadership in higher education, including over 15 years of dedicated service within academic affairs. A visionary and student-centered academic leader, Dr. Mayo is committed to fostering academic excellence, innovation, and student success – principles that align with Claflin’s mission as South Carolina’s leading historically Black university.
Before joining Claflin, Dr. Mayo held senior leadership roles at institutions across the higher education spectrum, including California State University – Monterey Bay, North Carolina Central University, Harris-Stowe State University, and Truman State University. Her leadership has spanned academic program development, student success, faculty and staff development, institutional planning, accreditation, and strategic enrollment management. She has successfully led the creation of multiple innovative degree programs, established student success initiatives like summer bridge and first-year experience programs, and secured more than $10 million in external funding for institutional priorities.
As the Chief Academic Officer at Claflin University, Dr. Mayo oversees all academic programs, initiatives and academic policies. She is also responsible for providing leadership over faculty development, student success strategies, and research initiatives, with a strategic vision to elevate curriculum innovation, retention, and graduation outcomes. She is committed to ensuring that the university maintains a rigorous, inclusive, and forward-thinking academic environment. Her commitment to shared governance, data-informed decision-making, and collaborative leadership helps advance Claflin’s strategic goals and academic reputation.
A first-generation college graduate, Dr.?Mayo earned her bachelor’s in political science and a master’s in education from Truman State University. She holds a PhD in Education Policy and Leadership Studies from Indiana University-Bloomington.
Why is this a Compelling Position?
As South Carolina’s oldest historically Black university, Claflin fosters a proud legacy of leadership, service, and purpose – where faculty and staff are not just employees, but essential partners in shaping the future.
Claflin offers a unique opportunity to be part of a mission-driven institution that honors its historic roots while boldly embracing progress. Here, your work contributes to a transformative educational experience – empowering students from diverse backgrounds to become global citizens, ethical leaders, and lifelong learners. This is an exciting time to be at Claflin and lead the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (SNSM). The School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics is committed to providing a research-driven, student-centric education. SNSM has award-winning faculty from around the world who are dedicated to preparing students to have impactful careers in the various STEM Fields. Claflin University has positioned SNSM for strategic growth that aligns with President Warmack’s theme of elevation and transformation. Made possible by a $17 million award from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Claflin University will break ground in Fall 2025 on a $25 million science and technology center that will increase the University’s capacity to conduct research and train students in emerging biosciences, environmental science, and cybersecurity. The vision behind the new center is to create a pioneering teaching and research building that is a highly utilized showcase facility supporting world-class research and setting a benchmark for all HBCUs as an example of industry-supported inclusive innovation.
Additionally, this fall, the University will also begin construction of the only nursing building on an HBCU campus in South Carolina. The new Center for Nursing and Public Health, a 7,500-square-foot facility, will include a new clinical simulation center, instructional spaces, research facilities, and faculty offices. The Center will become the administrative home for faculty-led community outreach and for the operational coordination of Claflin’s nearby SmartHome that will allow healthcare professionals to identify, monitor, and help mitigate health risks of patients.
Claflin is investing a recent $5 million grant from Google in scholarships, curriculum development, and technology infrastructure to support and create opportunities to increase representation of underserved students in STEM.
The university's culture is built on mentorship, collaboration, and mutual respect, with a deep emphasis on professional development and innovation.
You will find purpose in helping students achieve personal and academic success, while also enjoying a workplace that celebrates diversity, encourages creativity, and fosters a strong sense of belonging. Whether inside the classroom, through research, or within the broader community, working at Claflin means playing a pivotal role in creating meaningful, lasting change.
Location:
Living and working in Orangeburg, South Carolina, offers the opportunity to be part of a vibrant and welcoming community with deep educational and cultural roots. As home to institutions like Claflin University and South Carolina State University, the city fosters an environment of learning, innovation, and civic engagement.
Residents benefit from a lower cost of living, a relaxed pace of life, and access to natural beauty, such as the Edisto River and local parks, while still being within reach of larger cities like Columbia and Charleston. Orangeburg combines the charm of small-town living with meaningful career opportunities, especially in education, healthcare, and public service.
It is a place where personal and professional growth can thrive alongside community connection and quality of life.
Claflin University in the News:
June 30, 2025
Theta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. Establishes the Mary Louise Layton Memorial Scholarship at Claflin University
June 11, 2025
Claflin University Students Complete Machine Learning Capstone with Savannah River Mission Completion
June 11, 2025
Claflin University Celebrates Movie Theater Rebrand as The Nissan of Orangeburg Movie Theater
June 11, 2025
The Reverend Dr. LaKerri R. Mack Named the 2025 Ali Chambers Professor of the Year at Claflin University
May 13, 2025
Former Miss USA Deshauna Barber-Echols Shares Lessons for Success to Claflin's Spring Class of 2025 in Keynote Commencement Message
May 09, 2025
Claflin University Announces 2025 Nissan of Orangeburg Celebrity Soirée and Paws Up Golf Classic
Interview Process:
ZRG provides our global Clients with a rigorous and patented assessment platform grounded in data and analytics. Our interview process includes the following:
1. Initial interviews with ZRG
2. ZRG presentation of candidates to Client for calibration and discussion; Client selects candidates for consideration and initial interviews
3. Candidates complete ZRG’s on-line assessment
4. Finalist candidates advance to second and third round interviews with broader leadership team
5. Formal referencing
6. Offer extended
About ZRG Partners:
ZRG is a global talent advisory firm that is changing the way companies hire and manage talent. ZRG’s data-driven approach to executive and professional search has been changing the way clients think about how to find top talent. The company’s digital Zi platform combines talent intelligence, candidate insights, and process improvement to dramatically deliver executive searches quicker and with proven better results.
Dakota Doman
Managing Director
ddoman@zrgpartners.com
Dakota Doman is a dynamic and visionary executive with more than 15 years of leadership experience spanning higher education administration, executive search, organizational strategy, and governmental affairs. He is a Managing Director in ZRG’s Education Practice, bringing a comprehensive perspective on leadership needs within academic institutions, especially Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Before ZRG, Dakota was the President and Managing Principal of TM2 Executive Search, the only search firm founded to provide executive talent solutions to HBCUs, where his work focused on inclusive leadership recruitment, strategic talent pipelines, and governance transformation, contributing to successful placements in C-suite and senior academic roles across the country.
Under his leadership, TM2 was nationally recognized for reshaping the executive hiring landscape for historically underserved institutions, and Dakota was featured in the February Black History Month edition of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, a national publication spotlighting leader advancing equity and access in higher education.
Prior to leading TM2, Dakota was unanimously appointed by the Texas Southern University (TSU) Board of Regents as the Acting Chief Executive Officer. He joined TSU initially as Chief of Staff and Chief Governmental Affairs Officer, where he spearheaded critical university initiatives including legislative engagement at municipal, state, and federal levels, Title III program development, institutional effectiveness, strategic partnerships, and transformative planning.
Link to complete bio for Dakota Doman.
Jerel Booker
Principal
jbooker@zrgpartners.com
Jerel Booker is a seasoned executive specializing in talent strategy, organizational growth, and executive search, with over two decades of leadership experience across higher education, K–12, and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, he served as Associate Managing Principal and Chief Operating Officer at TM² Executive Search, where he conducted national executive searches and oversaw enterprise operations—aligning people, processes, and performance to drive organizational growth and client impact.
Previously, Jerel held senior executive roles in government, education, and nonprofit leadership, including Assistant Deputy Commissioner at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, where he oversaw internal division operations, staffing, and institutional statutory compliance within core functions. His leadership spans core operational domains including finance, human capital, technology, contracts, marketing, and enterprise risk management.
Link to complete bio for Jerel Booker.
