"Assistant Dean of Nursing & Health Professions"

The mission of Goodwin University is to educate a diverse student population in a dynamic environment that aligns education, commerce, and community. Our innovative programs of study prepare students for professional careers while promoting lifelong learning and civic responsibility. As a nurturing university community, we challenge students, faculty, staff, and administration to fully realize their highest academic, professional, and personal potential.

Position Description Summary/Purpose:

The School of Nursing and Health Professions seeks a dynamic and collaborative leader for the role of Assistant Dean. This pivotal position provides strategic direction and administrative oversight for our academic programs, ensuring excellence in nursing and health professions education. This role is key in shaping curriculum, assessing program effectiveness, and enhancing student success. The ideal candidate will have a solid background in academic leadership, experience in program development and accreditation, and a commitment to promoting academic excellence and inclusion in healthcare education. This is a unique opportunity for an accomplished academic leader to shape the future of healthcare education and foster the growth of our diverse programs.

Essential Job Functions/Primary Responsibilities:

• Oversight and Evaluation of Academic Programs: Manage and continuously assess nursing and health professions programs to ensure they meet educational quality standards and align with institutional goals.
• Curriculum Development and Assessment: Lead the development of innovative and evidence-based curriculum while ensuring it aligns with accreditation standards. Regularly evaluate program effectiveness through comprehensive assessment methods.
• Faculty Recruitment and Development: Identify, recruit, and hire qualified faculty members. Foster professional development opportunities to enhance faculty performance and promote a culture of excellence in teaching and scholarship.
• Student Recruitment, Retention, and Success Initiatives: Design and implement targeted initiatives aimed at attracting prospective nursing and health professions students, promoting retention strategies, and ensuring student success throughout their academic journey.
• Strategic Planning and Program Expansion: Collaborate with stakeholders to develop long-term strategic plans that promote program growth and diversification, establishing new opportunities for students and aligning with industry needs.
• Budget Management and Resource Allocation: Oversee the budgeting process for nursing and health professions programs, ensuring effective allocation of resources. Monitor expenditures to maintain fiscal responsibility and optimize program sustainability.
• Collaboration with Clinical Partners and Community Stakeholders: Forge and maintain strong partnerships with clinical sites, industry leaders, and community organizations. Facilitate collaborative efforts to enhance the practical learning experiences available to students.
• Compliance with Regulatory Requirements: Ensure that all nursing and health professions programs adhere to regulatory and accreditation standards. Stay abreast of changes in policies and compliance requirements to maintain program accreditation.

Leadership Competencies:

• Team Leadership and Diversity Advocacy: Exhibit a demonstrated ability to lead diverse teams effectively, fostering an inclusive environment that values equity and promotes excellence in performance.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Possess exceptional interpersonal skills that facilitate effective communication with faculty, students, industry partners, and community stakeholders.
• Strategic Planning Skills: Leverage experience in strategic planning and implementation to drive programmatic initiatives and ensure alignment with institutional objectives.
• Problem-Solving and Decision-Making: Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to navigate complex challenges, making informed decisions that benefit the academic community.
• Change Management Proficiency: Exhibit expertise in change management practices to successfully implement transformations within academic programs and respond to evolving educational landscapes.
• Financial Oversight Expertise: Showcase experience in budget and resource management, ensuring the sustainability and effective functioning of nursing and health professions programs.

Knowledge, Ability, and Skill:

• Demonstrated commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion and working in an environment in which all members of the University community are treated with respect and dignity

Qualifications

Minimum Required Qualifications:

• Educational Background: Doctoral degree: Terminal degree that demonstrates highest level of academic achievement and expertise in nursing/healthcare education or practice.
• Accreditation Experience: Knowledge of accreditation standards (like CCNE, ACEN) and experience preparing/maintaining program accreditation
• RN licensure: Active nursing license showing legal authority to practice nursing in the state
• Administrative Experience: Background in managing academic departments, faculty, or programs, including decision-making and policy implementation
• Program Assessment Expertise: Proven experience with program assessment, showcasing firsthand knowledge of accreditation processes and the ability to implement best practices in curriculum evaluation.
• Healthcare Trends Knowledge: A thorough understanding of current healthcare trends and innovations in educational technologies to inform curricular decisions and teaching methods effectively.
• Leadership Experience: A minimum of 3-5 years in administrative or leadership roles within an academic environment, coupled with 5-7 years of practical, hands-on experience in nursing or a related field.
• Teaching Background: Proven track record of classroom/clinical instruction, understanding pedagogy, and student engagement methods. Significant teaching experience, with at least 5-7 years dedicated to instructing nursing and or health professions courses at the higher education level.

Preferred Requirements:

• Valid CT license in nursing or related health profession field
• Curriculum Development: Experience designing, updating, and evaluating academic programs and courses
• Grant Writing: Ability to secure external funding through writing and managing grant proposals
• Additional Certifications: Specialized credentials in areas like education, leadership, or clinical specialties
• Online Education Experience: Knowledge of virtual learning platforms and distance education methods
• Healthcare Partnerships: Connections with hospitals, clinics, or healthcare organizations for student placement and collaboration
• Student Recruitment/Retention: Experience with admissions, student support programs, and strategies to maintain enrollment
• Interprofessional Education: Background in coordinating learning experiences across different healthcare disciplines
• Budget Management: Experience overseeing departmental budgets, resource allocation, and financial planning

Special Requirements:

• Valid Driver License & Insured Vehicle

Physical and Mental Requirements:

(Tables omitted for brevity, indicating mostly sedentary with some physical activities under 1/3 time, close vision required.)

Full-Time Employee Benefits:

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• 401k employer match
• Employee & dependent life insurance
• Great tuition benefits for employee, spouse & dependents
• PTO program
• Flexible work schedules

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between Goodwin University and employee. It is used as a guide for personnel actions and is subject to change by the University as the needs of the University and requirements of the job change.)