Associate Dean, School of Nursing

Job Summary

The Associate Dean, Nursing provides academic leadership, faculty supervision, and operational oversight for Nursing programs to ensure program quality, accreditation compliance, and student success in alignment with institutional priorities. This role directs faculty performance, workload, and program execution while leading accreditation processes, continuous quality improvement, and data-informed decision-making. In support of the Dean, the Associate Dean ensures regulatory compliance, advances strategic initiatives, and sustains strong partnerships to support program effectiveness and workforce alignment.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities

Accreditation & Regulatory Compliance: Lead the coordination of accreditation activities for Nursing (ACEN). Ensure compliance with State Board of Nursing, DHS, and WTCS regulatory expectations. Establish and maintain systems for documentation, reporting, and audit readiness across programs. Lead and coordinate accreditation self-studies, annual reports, substantive change submissions, and site visits, collaborating with the Dean and institutional accreditation staff as required. Collaborate with Program Directors to ensure standards are consistently implemented at the program level. Support the Dean in fulfilling all regulatory and accreditation responsibilities as Educational Administrator.

Academic Program Oversight & Quality Assurance: Provide oversight of curriculum implementation, ensuring integrity, consistency, and alignment across Nursing programs. Ensure alignment between course outcomes, program outcomes, and evaluation methods. Lead program evaluation and continuous quality improvement processes in alignment with college instructional and program health initiatives. Ensure consistency across delivery methods, locations, and instructional practices. Review and provide guidance on program-level decisions made by Program Directors.

Faculty Leadership & Performance Management: Supervise, evaluate, and direct the performance of Nursing faculty in alignment with college and divisional expectations. Assign and manage faculty workload, including teaching assignments and program responsibilities, in collaboration with the Dean. Establish and enforce expectations for instructional quality, student outcomes, and professional performance. Lead faculty evaluation processes, including performance reviews, development planning, and corrective action as needed. Ensure faculty meet credentialing, licensure, and accreditation requirements. Direct Program Directors in coordinating program operations, including scheduling and clinical placements. Promote faculty development aligned with program quality, student success, and accreditation standards.

Strategic Alignment, Resource Planning & Operational Integration: Collaborate with the Dean on budget planning for Nursing Simulation programs by providing data, projections, and program needs. Align program operations with divisional and institutional strategic priorities. Identify operational inefficiencies and lead process improvement initiatives. Support implementation of institutional initiatives, including quality review processes and strategic projects. Contribute to program growth and sustainability through resource planning, contract recommendations, and strategic investment decisions. Analyze program performance, enrollment trends, workforce demand, and outcome data to inform planning, decision-making, and continuous improvement.

Student Appeals, Complaints, and Academic Decisions: Provide Level One Academic Appeal support and education for the Program faculty. Adjudicate and determine outcomes for formal student complaints, grievances, progression disputes, and dismissals, collaborating with the Dean as appropriate. Ensure and uphold due process, documentation integrity, and alignment with college policy in coordination with divisional leadership. Consult with the Dean regarding escalated or high-risk student matters.

College, Community, and External Representation: Provide oversight of program advisory boards to support quality and continuous improvement. Represent and advance the Nursing programs on college leadership teams and institutional committees. Serve as a liaison with internal departments and external partners, including clinical agencies, accrediting bodies, and community stakeholders. Participate and contribute, in coordination with divisional leadership, in state and regional nursing education leadership organizations. Support development of partnerships that enhance program quality, clinical placement capacity, and workforce alignment.

College Area Support: Assists with the onboarding and orientation processes for new full-time, part-time, and other Health Sciences employees, promoting consistency and compliance with College procedures. Contributes actively to institutional, divisional, advisory, program, team, and committee meetings, fostering collaboration and alignment with departmental goals. Represents the College at on- and off-campus Open Houses, assisting with setup and takedown and supporting student recruitment and Student Services initiatives. Cultivates and maintains strategic relationships with business, industry, community, and K-12 partners to advance program collaboration and strengthen community connections.

Health Sciences & Community Services Division Support: Cross-train to provide back-up for the Associate Dean of Allied Health.