"Dean College of Health and Science"

Position Purpose

The Dean of the College of Health and Sciences provides visionary leadership to advance the College as a hub of innovation in emerging technology, health, and science. This role requires an agile, collaborative, forward-thinking leader who can align academic programs with workforce demands, integrate cutting-edge technologies including AI and emerging technologies into curriculum, and build strategic partnerships that position Aurora University as a leader in technology-enabled health and science education. The Dean will chart the College’s advancement of a hybrid campus model that responsibly embraces emerging technology and the AI era, meeting the needs of modern learners and future employers. The Dean will strategically manage the academic portfolio to meet market demands while supporting Aurora University's mission to empower students for lasting personal and professional success.

The position profile can be found here.

Core Competencies

• Mission Alignment & Strategic Vision: Champions Aurora University's mission as an inclusive, teaching-centered institution dedicated to the transformative power of learning. Provides strategic direction that integrates liberal arts and professional credentials while embracing science, health, emerging technologies and the AI era. Charts advancement of hybrid campus initiatives that balance online, in-person, and hybrid modalities to serve diverse learners.
• Agility & Innovation: Demonstrates entrepreneurial thinking and calculated risk-taking to develop new revenue streams, innovative programs, and partnerships. Rapidly adapts to changing market demands and educational landscapes.
• Technology Leadership: Serves as a catalyst for integrating emerging technologies (AI, data science, virtual/augmented reality, computational biology) across health, sciences and technology programs, positioning the College at the forefront of technology-enabled education. Champions the hybrid campus model by designing flexible delivery modalities that optimize both physical and virtual learning environments.
• Collaborative Excellence: Works effectively across silos with faculty, staff, students, Admissions, Advancement, Alumni Affairs, and external partners. Represents Aurora University positively with diverse stakeholders including prospective students, employers, healthcare systems, research institutions, and community organizations.
• People and Culture: Lead with empathy, inclusion, and intellectual curiosity—fostering a culture that values collaboration, diversity of thought, and shared success. Mentor faculty and staff to integrate high-impact, student-centered teaching practices and data-informed decision-making. Promote belonging and inclusive excellence ensuring that all students can see themselves as innovators and leaders.
• Integrity & Confidentiality: Handles all information with discretion and maintains the highest ethical standards in every aspect of institutional practice and operation.

Essential Job Functions

Student & Faculty Success

• Lead with empathy, inclusion, and intellectual curiosity—fostering a culture that values collaboration, diversity of thought, and shared success.
• Mentor faculty and staff to integrate high-impact, student-centered teaching practices and data-informed decision-making across all learning modalities.
• Promote belonging and inclusive excellence in health, science and technology.
• Optimize the student experience across online, hybrid, and in-person modalities to attract and retain diverse student populations, improve career outcomes, and align learning competencies with community needs.

Strategic Leadership & Portfolio Management

• Strategic Academic Portfolio Management and Planning: Proactively manages the College's academic portfolio... Maintains accountability through data informed decision making.
• Hybrid Campus Development: Designs and implements a menu of online, in-person, and hybrid course options...
• Technology Integration & Innovation: Responsibly integrates emerging technologies including artificial intelligence...
• Pre-Health: Strengthens pre-health professions pathways...
• Strategic Planning & Vision: Strategically plans the direction...
• Revenue Optimization & Entrepreneurial Development: Identifies and develops new revenue opportunities...

Operations & Resource Management

• Supervision & Personnel Development: Supervises department chairs...
• Budget & Resource Management: Manages overall operations...
• Enrollment & Revenue Goals: Works collaboratively with Admissions...
• Facilities & Infrastructure: Partners with campus planning...

Partnership Development & External Relations

• Industry & Healthcare Partnerships: Cultivates partnerships...
• Grant Development & Fundraising: Collaborates with Advancement...

Essential Job Requirements

Required Education

• PhD or EdD in a health sciences, STEM, or related discipline (Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Data Science, Health Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, Exercise Science, or related field)

Required Experience

• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible academic leadership experience (e.g, department chair, program director, associate dean, or dean)
• Demonstrated success in academic program development, assessment, and strategic planning
• Proven track record of integrating technology into curriculum and/or research programs
• Experience with online or hybrid program development and implementation
• Track record of building industry partnerships and employer relationships

Preferred Experience

• Experience managing academic portfolio decisions
• Experience in an HSI, MSI, or diverse institutional setting
• Experience with pre-health professions advising or professional school partnerships
• Experience leading hybrid campus initiatives or multi-modal program delivery

Skills

Student-Centered Philosophy: Deep commitment to student success... Passion for mentoring students...

Strategic Leadership: Visionary thinking... Data-driven decision-making...

Technology Integration: Demonstrated understanding of emerging technologies... Understanding of best practices in online and hybrid course design...

Communication & Collaboration: Excellent interpersonal skills... Skilled in building consensus...

Management & Operations: Budget preparation... Experience with accreditation...

Partnership Development: Demonstrated success building relationships... Track record of cultivating advisory boards...

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move about campus and between locations (Aurora and Woodstock campuses)
• Ability to work flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and occasional travel for conferences, partnership meetings, or recruitment events
• Ability to work in office, laboratory, and classroom environments

The search for Aurora University’s next Dean for College of Health & Sciences is being assisted by Lyndi Hewitt at Summit Search Solutions, Inc. Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted in confidence to Summit Search Solutions.

The anticipated pay rate for this position is $170,000 - $185,000 per year. This compensation is subject to change at the sole discretion of the university, based on institutional needs.