Associate Dean, Academic Affairs - Egan School of Nursing & Health Studies

Fairfield University is a co-educational, comprehensive Jesuit university with a 200-acre campus located along the scenic shoreline community of Fairfield, CT. The University is comprised of approximately 3,500 undergraduate and 1,200 graduate students pursuing degrees within 5 schools: The College of Arts and Sciences, The Charles F. Dolan School of Business, The School of Engineering, The Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, and School of Education and Human Development. As an expression of our Jesuit, Catholic mission and identity, Fairfield embraces a liberal humanistic approach to education, encouraging critical thinking, cultivating free and open inquiry, and fostering ethical and religious values.

TITLE: Associate Dean, Academic Affairs

DIVISION: Academic

DEPARTMENT: Egan School

PRIMARY WORK LOCATION: Fairfield, CT campus, Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies

UNUSUAL WORK CONDITIONS: May be required to attend off-hour meetings and events, and travel to the Austin campus, as necessary.

EMPLOYEE TYPE: Exempt, Supervisor

BASIC FUNCTION: Serves as the chief academic officer of the Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies and reports directly to the Dean. The Associate Dean provides strategic leadership and oversight for all academic programs and faculty affairs across the School, working in close collaboration with the Chairs of Undergraduate Nursing, Graduate Nursing, and Health Studies, and the Associate Dean for Student Success.

EDUCATION: Doctorate in Nursing, Public Heath, or related health discipline; eligible for appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor

EXPERIENCE: Significant experience in academic leadership (e.g., Chair, Program Director, Associate Dean, Assistant Dean). Experience with accreditation and regulatory processes. Demonstrated record of scholarship and professional engagement.

REPORTS TO: Dean, Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

I. Academic Program Leadership

• Provide strategic leadership for the planning, revision, and development of academic programs across all departments.
• Work with Department Chairs to ensure curricula align with accreditation standards, licensure requirements, workforce trends, and institutional mission.
• Oversee academic program review, assessment, and continuous quality improvement processes.
• Ensure systematic evaluation of student learning outcomes across programs.
• Guide development of new programs and certificates responsive to emerging health professions and market demand.
• Coordinate academic schedule planning with Department Chairs, including course offerings, enrollment projections, faculty workload, and instructional staffing within budget parameters.
• Oversee semester review of syllabi to ensure consistency with academic standards and School policies.
• Address academic concerns raised by faculty or students related to curricular integrity or instructional delivery.

II. Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance

• Lead preparation of annual and periodic reports for accrediting agencies and regulatory bodies (e.g., state boards, and discipline-specific accreditors).
• Oversee program assessment data collection and outcomes reporting.
• Support Department Chairs and Program Directors in use of assessment data for program improvement and accreditation readiness.
• Ensure compliance with state and national credentialing and licensure requirements.
• Oversee verification of program completion and eligibility for licensure and certification examinations.

III. Faculty Development and Evaluation

• Provide leadership for faculty development across tenure track, non-tenure track, and visiting faculty.
• Collaborate with Department Chairs on mentoring programs for early career and adjunct faculty.
• Guide faculty through promotion and tenure processes, including review of dossiers and standards.
• Coordinate the annual faculty review process with the Dean and Department Chairs.
• Support teaching excellence through the review of teaching evaluations; peer observation processes; and collaboration with the Center for Academic Excellence for Egan-specific faculty development needs.
• Work with Chairs and the Dean on faculty workload planning, sabbaticals, and recruitment priorities.
• Promote interdisciplinary scholarship and collaboration across departments.

IV. Academic Governance and Leadership

• Serve as a key member of the School’s leadership team.
• Participate in School and University governance bodies, including curriculum and policy committees.
• Coordinate regular meetings with Department Chairs, including agenda development and follow-up.
• Regularly collaborate with the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
• Partner on resource allocation decisions across programs, ensuring balance of quality, growth, and fiscal responsibility.
• Address special academic initiatives and strategic projects as assigned by the Dean.

V. Strategic Academic Planning

• Lead long-range academic planning in alignment with School strategic priorities.
• Support recruitment efforts for academic programs.
• Evaluate market data and workforce trends to inform curricular evolution and program expansion.
• Guide integration of new health professions programs into departmental structures.
• Ensure academic infrastructure supports multi-campus and hybrid or fully distance accessible program delivery, where applicable.
• Coordinate academic content for web and print materials in collaboration with marketing staff and Department Chairs.

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate.