Claflin University
Dean of the School of Education
Orangeburg, SC
Reports to Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Situation Overview:
ZRG has been engaged to recruit a Dean of the School of Education 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, a premier historically Black university and a leader in liberal arts and STEM education, seeks an innovative, visionary, and collaborative academic leader to serve as the next Dean of the School of Education. As the chief academic officer of the School Education, this innovative leader will be responsible for strategic planning, program development and accreditation, faculty recruitment and development, student success, community engagement, and budget management. The ideal candidate will be deeply committed to Claflin’s mission of preparing socially conscious, globally engaged, and academically excellent graduates.
Leadership Prospectus:
Academic Leadership and Administration
- Provide strategic leadership in advancing the vision, mission, and goals of the School of Education.
- Lead academic program development, assessment, and accreditation processes (e.g., CAEP, state licensure).
- Support curriculum innovation aligned with industry needs and emerging educational practices.
- Promote technology integration and innovative pedagogical approaches.
- Ensure academic excellence through faculty development, recruitment, retention, and evaluation.
Student Success and Enrollment
- Promote student recruitment, retention, advisement, and graduation in undergraduate and graduate programs.
- Cultivate partnerships with K-12 schools, school districts, and other stakeholders for clinical placements and career pathways.
- Foster a culture of inclusion, mentorship, and academic support for diverse student populations.
Budget and Resource Management
- Oversee fiscal planning, resource allocation, and budget management for the School.
- Pursue external funding opportunities, including grants and philanthropic support, to enhance academic programs.
- Advocate for the School within the university and in the broader community.
Community Engagement and External Partnerships
- Build and sustain collaborative relationships with educational, governmental, and nonprofit organizations.
- Represent the School in local, regional, and national forums to elevate its visibility and influence.
- Support alumni engagement and advancement activities related to the School of Education.
Qualifications:
- An earned doctorate in education or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.
- A record of academic achievement sufficient to merit appointment at the rank of associate or full professor.
- A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible academic leadership and administrative experience.
- Demonstrated experience with educator preparation, accreditation and licensure processes.
- Commitment to excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively across academic and administrative units.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with diverse, underrepresented student populations.
- Success in developing partnerships with K-12 schools and community organizations.
- Knowledge of online education and innovative instructional delivery methods.
- Demonstrated success in fundraising, grant writing, or securing external funding.
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.
It is an exciting time to lead the School of Education because you will lead a school dedicated to inspiring and preparing the next generation of culturally responsive educators and leaders who are committed to equity, access, and community engagement.
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:
Jun 11, 2025
Claflin University Students Complete Machine Learning Capstone with Savannah River Mission Completion
Jun 11, 2025
Claflin University Celebrates Movie Theater Rebrand as The Nissan of Orangeburg Movie Theater
Jun 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
May 07, 2025
Reverend Larry D. McCutcheon to be the featured speaker for Claflin University's Spring 2025 Baccalaureate Service
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.
