Dean, College of Nursing

Job Summary

Augusta University invites expressions of interest and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Nursing. Augusta University seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leader who will play a central role in shaping the success, growth, and future of the College. The dean will lead efforts in promoting excellence in student learning, research/scholarship, teaching, and community engagement; attract external resources and fundraise; prioritize enrollment growth; and support the university's leadership role as Georgia's public health care center.

Its 11 colleges, offer over 160 degrees across four campuses and off-site instructional locations throughout Georgia. More than 2000 faculty provide exceptional instruction, mentorship, and education experiences to nearly 13,000 students both inside and beyond the classroom.

Responsibilities

The dean of the College of Nursing will be a visionary and seasoned leader, who will lead strategic growth in academic and research programs, foster interprofessional collaboration across Augusta University colleges, cultivate community partnerships, and serve as a key advocate for addressing Georgia's nursing workforce needs. The dean is the chief administrative and academic officer of the college. They are responsible for the college's teaching, research, and service mission. While overseeing the college's operations, policies, and procedures, the new dean will provide strategic direction, set priorities for resource allocation, and work to generate new funding to support future growth. The dean helps to ensure that Augusta University achieves the key objectives of the university's strategic plan. The dean is the chief advocate for the college, representing the College of Nursing within the university, the broader community, and external and community partners.

In addition, the Dean will be a strong advocate for the College and will bring a clear vision for the future of healthcare and higher education, championing innovation and technology to amplify impact across all mission areas. This leader will be an exceptional communicator and relationship builder, engaging effectively with stakeholders in a complex health sciences and comprehensive university environment, as well as government and healthcare leaders across the state. The Dean will have budgetary authority and will be instrumental in recruiting outstanding faculty, students, and staff. The Dean reports directly to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and serves on the President's Cabinet, Administrative Cabinet, and Deans Council.

The next dean will prioritize:

• Ensuring excellence in the instruction of foundational clinical and professional skills for students, preparing graduates to meet evolving healthcare needs.
• Recruiting, supporting, and retaining exceptional educators and scholars who are committed to excellence in teaching, research, and practice.
• Strengthening partnerships with Augusta University, Wellstar/Medical College of Georgia, and regional healthcare providers, while engaging business and community leaders to expand the College's impact.
• Promoting healthcare advancement across Georgia's communities, including rural and underserved areas, through education, outreach, and collaborative partnerships.

Required Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring a record of distinguished academic leadership, research/scholarship, teaching, service, and/or experience in a hospital or clinical setting. To fulfill accreditation requirements, the Dean must be a registered nurse, with current or eligible RN licensure in Georgia. An earned doctoral degree and academic credentials with a tenure appointment at least at the Associate Professor level are required for this position. A Ph.D. or DNP, relevant academic administrative experience, and a record of scholarly achievement commensurate with an appointment at the rank of Professor at Augusta University is recommended.

In addition to the qualifications outlined above, the ideal candidate will demonstrate many of the following:

• Executive leadership experience, ideally within a college of nursing, academic health center, or complex healthcare or research enterprise.
• A proven record of effective leadership with documented, measurable outcomes in previous administrative roles.
• Financial and budgeting experience, including oversight of complex academic budgets, strategic resource allocation, and long-term financial planning.
• Advocacy and policy experience, including engagement with healthcare policy, workforce development initiatives, and state or national nursing organizations.
• Philanthropic and fundraising experience, including cultivating donors, engaging alumni and community partners, and securing philanthropic support to advance academic priorities.
• National leadership and professional engagement, including leadership roles in national nursing organizations, advisory boards, or policy bodies that advance the nursing profession.
• Experience with accreditation and regulatory processes, including CCNE, ACEN, or other relevant accreditation bodies and state regulatory agencies.
• Demonstrated history of securing external funding, including federal grants, foundation support, contracts, or philanthropic resources that support research and program development.
• An unencumbered nursing license or eligibility for licensure in the state of Georgia.
• Strategic planning experience, including developing and executing long-term strategic initiatives aligned with institutional and healthcare workforce priorities.
• Collaborative, progressive leadership and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage faculty, staff, students, and community partners in shared governance and decision-making.
• Experience building partnerships and fostering community engagement, including collaborations with healthcare systems, academic units, community organizations, and industry partners.
• The dean will work closely with health system leadership and clinical partners to advance academic-practice partnerships that strengthen clinical education, expand research opportunities, and improve health outcomes across Georgia.

Location

Augusta University
Our Health Sciences Campus:
1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912

How To Apply

The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to review materials on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Application materials should include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and a list of five professional references. For best consideration, applicants are encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

Please send materials to:

Buffkin / Baker
Mr. Martin M. Baker, Managing Partner
Ms. Chelsie Whitelock, Associate Partner
augustacondean@buffkinbaker.com