"Dean, Rosenberg School of Optometry"

The University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) invites nominations, applications, and expressions of interest for a forward-thinking, mission-driven academic leader to serve as the next Dean of the Rosenberg School of Optometry (RSO). Founded in 2008, RSO stands as the first faith-based optometry school in the United States, uniquely integrating rigorous scientific inquiry with the University's Catholic ethos of compassionate service. The School provides a comprehensive Doctor of Optometry curriculum alongside undergraduate and graduate programs in Vision Science, complemented by a diverse range of accredited residency opportunities. Through early and sustained clinical immersion - facilitated by the UIW Eye Institute, Bowden Eye Care & Health Center, and a growing constellation of partner sites - students are equipped to emerge as clinically proficient, culturally competent, and service-oriented professionals. Annually, students contribute over $1.8 million in uncompensated vision care, with 36% of the student body representing historically underrepresented groups in the field of optometry.

Reporting directly to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, the Dean serves as the chief academic officer of RSO, an advocate for student, faculty, and staff success, and the primary representative of the School within UIW and the broader profession. The Dean is responsible for formulating strategic vision, safeguarding accreditation standards, managing resources, and overseeing patient-care operations and residency training. Critical priorities for the role include defining, promoting, and enhancing RSO's distinctive identity within an increasingly competitive landscape, maintaining recent enrollment growth, fostering an inclusive and welcoming community, cultivating and retaining high-caliber faculty and staff, expanding strategic partnerships and external funding, and judiciously integrating emerging technologies into both teaching methodologies and clinical practices. The ideal candidate will possess an earned Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) degree from an ACOE-accredited program, demonstrate research experience commensurate with tenure eligibility, and have substantial experience in academic leadership, accreditation processes, budgetary management, and community engagement.

As the largest Catholic university in Texas, UIW serves a diverse student population of approximately 10,000 individuals globally. The University is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, with 54% of its students identifying as Hispanic/Latino. More than 20% of UIW students are military affiliated, and UIW has earned the #1 spot in the "Best for Vets" college rankings by Military Times for the past two consecutive years. UIW offers over 100 undergraduate majors, minors, and concentrations, in addition to more than 25 graduate and doctoral programs, including Ph.D. degrees in education and vision science, as well as doctoral programs in pharmacy, optometry, nursing practice, physical therapy, osteopathic medicine, and business administration.

A detailed leadership profile is available at wittkieffer.com. All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile. WittKieffer is assisting University of the Incarnate Word in this search. For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by September 8, 2025. Applications, nominations, and inquiries can be directed to: Luis Bertot, Ryan Crawford, and Jessica Cummings at UIW-RSODean@wittkieffer.com.