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[macgirl]

I am an associate professor at a mid-size university in the southwest.  I am interviewing for an Associate Dean's position of Research and Graduate Studies.     I have had success with grants and publications.  I also currently serve the faculty as the Graduate liaison and in the faculty council.  I feel I have good faculty support for this position.  My competition is a full professor who does no t have grant experience, nor faculty support. 

Any advice on how to prepare for the presentation?  There will not be an interview, only a presentation.

Thanks,
Mac Girl

[minor_t]

I am assuming from your post that you and your rival are both employed at the university that is searching for an associate dean, no?  That means that everyone knows both of you which could be either good or bad.

Forget about faculty support - what does the graduate dean want?  Faculty support is fine but it doesn't amount to much if the graduate dean does not see you as a good associate.  Do you get along with him or her?  How can you help the graduate dean meet her/his objectives?  How much do you know about where the university wants to go and how the grad school can contribute - and how you can contribute? 

A wise provost told me that he always wants to know what his boss' boss wants so that he can help his boss.  So what does the provost require of the graduate dean?  Have goals been set for increased external funding or publications or expanding the graduate programs?  What can you do to support those goals.   

Are you sure you won't be interviewed by anyone?  Not even the graduate dean?  How will you learn/negotiate the details of the position?

[pangoban]

The advice about thinking about what your possible boss (the dean) needs and wants is really on target.  A big part of the job in almost any university will be making her job easier.  In a good relationship, the support will be mutual.
Re: the presentation, I would suggest doing some of the following, tailored of course to your university's situation:
-an analysis of the current state of Grad Studies at your school
-areas of potential growth or enhanced recruitment and a few ideas for tapping into them
-a tactful mention of areas currently recruiting that have quality issues and may need extra support (if you don't have any, lucky you).  Don't do this if your presentation is open to the faculty at large.
-a discussion of the challenges your grad students face and how their support could be enhanced
-a discussion of regional graduate student trends and how your university can strengthen its competitive position
-if you are an internal candidate, as I assume you are, it is essential that you don't act like one.  Be a little more formal than usual, and present yourself as you would to a panel of complete strangers.  If anyone challenges you on this, explain that it is a question of respect for the process.  I've seen more internal candidates than I can count completely squander their chance at a new job or promotion by complacently assuming that they don't need to blow their own horn because everyone knows all about them anyway.  Either they don't, or they've forgotten, or they need to be told again anyway.  Be moderately modest but not ashamed of your own achievements and opinions.

In any of these, you can tactfully mention your own experiences and background to underline the fact that you have experience that the competition does not.