Dean (education) facts for kids

A dean is a very important leader in a school or university. They have a lot of authority over a specific part of the school, like a certain subject area, or over a special project. Think of them as a manager for a big team of teachers and students.

What is a Dean?

A dean is a senior leader in a college or university. They are in charge of a specific academic area. For example, there might be a Dean of Science, a Dean of Arts, or a Dean of Students. Their job is to make sure everything runs smoothly in their area.

Where Did the Word "Dean" Come From?

The word "dean" comes from the Latin word decanus. This word meant a leader of "ten." Long ago, in the Middle Ages, some monasteries were very large. They had hundreds of monks living there. To help manage everyone, the monks were put into groups of ten. Each group had a senior monk called a decanus as its leader.

Later, the word was used for leaders in groups of priests. When universities started to grow out of these old monastery schools, the title of dean was used for officials who had different management jobs.

Deans in Universities Today

Today, deans play a key role in universities. They oversee academic programs and departments. They also help students and faculty members. A dean might be responsible for hiring new professors. They also help create new courses. They work to make sure students get a great education.

For example, a Dean of Engineering would be in charge of all the engineering departments. They would make decisions about what courses are taught. They would also help students who are studying engineering.