University of Oklahoma HSC Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

The University of Oklahoma

Health Sciences Center

Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist The University of Oklahoma (OU) in its search for Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

The Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, enjoying a 73% boom in enrollment growth. Working in partnership with the state and its nursing workforce to better its community, the College is making massive capital investments in their nursing programs and simulation labs, as well as going through a faculty hiring expansion in part due to two federal grants totaling more than $2.7 million. Additionally, OU has been awarded a seven-year, $10.5 million NIH grant.  This is a rare opportunity for a collaborative, energetic leader to have a profound impact at an exceptionally successful and growing R1 School of Nursing that is currently the largest nursing program in Oklahoma. This position will enjoy a supportive and encouraging culture from top administration, in addition to a campus wide commitment to diversity initiatives.

The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs assists the Dean in overseeing the academic mission of the College. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs is administratively responsible for ensuring the highest quality of academic programs; advances innovative pedagogy; and provides leadership in curricula and program development, implementation, evaluation, and accreditation. The Chief Academic Officer of the College of Nursing, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs is a key member of the Dean’s leadership team and will provide strategic insight and assist the Dean in setting institutional goals.

This is a full-time faculty position. The appointment is a 100% tenurable faculty appointment with 80% administrative release.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversees all College of Nursing academic programs (BSN, MSN, and DNP) in collaboration with academic program directors and track coordinators.
• Ensure the overall quality of academic programs:
  • Provide leadership in curriculum development, implementation, evaluation, and program planning in collaboration with each department/program.
  • Provide leadership for academic policy review.
• Foster an environment that promotes growth in academic excellence for faculty:
  • Collaborate with each department and provide leadership for professional development plans.
  • Assist each department in the recruitment of a diverse and academically prepared faculty.
  • Provide leadership to assure plans for retention of faculty for the academic programs.
• Supervise academic program directors who are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of each academic program.
• Support faculty planning for the development of contemporary new degree programs and evolution of existing degree programs.
• Oversee the compliance of the College of Nursing with all regulatory requirements (e.g., Oklahoma Board of Nursing, Oklahoma Board of Regents) as well as lead the College in all accreditation evaluation and site visits.
• Develop and implement a strategic plan to advance the technological sophistication of distance learning offerings, including infrastructure and resources to increase and support faculty proficiency in web-based learning.
• Develop and implement strategic plans to advance the application, integration, and evaluation of simulation pedagogies across curricula.
• Seek resources for or facilitate faculty in seeking resources for special projects related to student education and training (government, foundation, and corporate grants or contracts), including brokering information flow related to educational grant and contract opportunities among faculty.
• Create and facilitate alignment/partnerships with colleges, health systems, and community groups to formulate and implement innovative learning models.
• Support and oversee student achievement initiatives such as the creation and implementation of learning opportunities focused on successful licensure.
• Collaborate with the Associate Dean of Finance to build budgets and monitor and supervise the distribution of funds to advance the work of Academic Affairs and ensure efficient and effective use of resources.
• Motivate, support, and guide the Office of Academic Affairs staff in relation to the needs of Academic Affairs and ensure they understand how their work interfaces with Student Affairs and other college operations.
• Act as consultant and facilitator for the Curriculum Council and faculty groups that are monitoring curriculum and academic standards, Graduate and Undergraduate Admissions, and Academic Standards.   Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with community health partners and internal and external constituencies to advance the College of Nursing academic mission.
• Work collaboratively with the dean and associate deans to develop, implement, and evaluate academic programs as they relate to the master plan for evaluation in the College.
• Support the College mission and vision with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Participate in teaching, scholarly activities, and service commensurate with criteria for faculty rank.   Serve as a member of the Dean’s Executive Team and the Dean’s Advisory Council.
• Full list of duties and responsibilities available upon request

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Licensure:

• Must be eligible for or hold current registered nurse license for the State of Oklahoma.

Education:

• Graduate degree in Nursing.
• Terminal Degree, preferably in Nursing or Health-related field, or an advanced degree in Business or Finance or a related field.

Experience:

• 3 years of higher education teaching.
• 5 years progressive administration experience in higher education.
• Tenure eligible at the rank of Associate or Full professor.

Required Skills:

• Proven ability to provide leadership in a complex environment.
• Demonstrated leadership and effectiveness in building strong working relationships with a collaborative and inclusive leadership style.
• Enjoys interacting with people and can easily connect with faculty and staff in the College and University, across disciplines, and among external entities in the community.
• Evidence of successful collaborations with community partners and faculty teams in an academic setting; effective communication skills; knowledge of nursing academic curricula and programs; plan and conduct effective meetings; and evidence of leadership ability.
• Demonstrated ability to be engaging and persuasive with strong teamwork skills; politically astute, diplomatic, and able to manage by influence.
• Flexible and capable of responding to multiple demands in a timely manner.
• Ability to exercise astute judgment in all matters related to academic affairs.
• Proficient with MS Office applications.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A record of scholarship, extramural funding preferred.

About the Institution

The mission of the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, as a comprehensive academic health center, is to educate students, residents, and other trainees in professional and graduate programs to become Oklahoma’s future team of healthcare leaders, clinicians, researchers, and educators; to advance distinctive basic, translational, clinical, and population research; to innovate and commercialize discoveries; and to deliver exceptional patient care across the full breadth of adult, women’s, and children’s specialties.

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is the State of Oklahoma's major health professions educational institution, training physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, public health specialists, and a wide range of allied health personnel.

With a budget of over $900 million, OUHSC employs more than 1,200 full-time faculty and nearly 4,000 staff. More than 3,500 students are enrolled in more than seventy health professions, undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the Center's colleges.

The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center is one of only a few comprehensive health centers in the nation with seven health professional Colleges.

The College of Medicine is the centerpiece of a 300-acre campus of the Oklahoma Health Center, which also includes the Colleges of Allied Health, Dentistry, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Graduate College.

Health Sciences Center faculty and students use the clinical, laboratory, and teaching facilities of the OU Medical System (which includes OU Medical Center, the Children's Hospital, and OU Medical Center-Edmond), the Oklahoma City Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the Dean A. McGee Eye Institute, other affiliated hospitals in Oklahoma City, the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, three major hospital systems in Tulsa, the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Muskogee, and clinics in various locations in Oklahoma.

Research grants and contracts and sponsored program activities at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center totaled more than $190 million in FY 2020.

About the Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing

In August of 2023, the Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center has been awarded more than $2.7 million in two federal grants from Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Both grants are designed to help improve Oklahoma’s critical nursing shortage.  Additionally, to study the causes of increased death and disease, and to ultimately reduce their prevalence, the College has been awarded a seven-year, $10.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. Central to the grant is that researchers will work in partnership with Indigenous communities and organizations to examine maternal health inequities and maternal well-being, using an approach that recognizes Indigenous culture as a health-giving factor.  This project will establish a Maternal Health Research Center of Excellence in Oklahoma.  “This center will strengthen vital community connections and pave the way for evidence-based advancements and training to positively impact Indigenous maternal health equity. This funding also acknowledges the advancing expertise of the OU Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing in the field of health equity research,” said OU College of Nursing Dean and Professor Julie Hoff, Ph.D., MPH.

In the September 2023 University of Oklahoma Board of Regents meetings, the board approved the next steps to renovate the nursing student facilities and classrooms and academic classrooms.  This approval is related to the enhancements at the Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing, which has significantly increased enrollment to meet the workforce demands. OU is home to the largest nursing program in Oklahoma with sites in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Lawton, Duncan, and Norman.  For the last two fall semesters, the College has admitted all qualified applicants to its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, resulting in a 73% increase in enrollment, compared to fall 2020.  In his remarks at the meeting, OU President Joseph Harroz Jr. emphasized how this nursing growth strategy is yielding life-changing outcomes for people across Oklahoma. “At OU, we recognize our pivotal role in fortifying the future of our great state, and nursing is one area we have channeled our excellence to make a profound impact on Oklahoma’s critical workforce needs,” Harroz said.

Living in the Area

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma is a city full of history, culture, and entertainment. Oklahoma City, the capital and largest city in the state, has a population of 675,000 and is a major center for the oil industry and related manufacturing. Residents can spend the day exploring sites like the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum or take in some incredible works of art at the Oklahoma City Museum of Art. For outdoor enthusiasts, residents can discover some fun outdoor activities and attractions such as Lake Hefner or book a tour to dive into the city's rich cowboy heritage. For those looking for more adventure, head out to the Black Mesa Nature Preserve or enjoy some off-roading around Little Sahara State Park. From its fascinating history to its plethora of attractions, Oklahoma City is sure to keep you entertained.

Oklahoma City is a city filled with some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. That’s why Oklahoma City is known as The Big Friendly. But their hearts don’t stop at their smiles, either. OKC has the fifth-highest volunteer rate among the 51 largest cities in the country and the second-highest volunteer hours per resident, according to a report by Volunteering in America. And compared to the rest of the country, Oklahoma City's cost of living is 15.6% lower than the U.S. average.

To Apply 

To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjyel8qq

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vitae. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to OUHSCADAA@acesrch.com

Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominees’ name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

The University of Oklahoma, in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, disability, political beliefs, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to: admissions, employment, financial aid, housing, services in educational programs or activities, or health care services that the University operates or provides.

Diversity Statement

The University of Oklahoma is committed to achieving an equitable, diverse, and inclusive university community by recognizing each person's unique contributions, background, and perspectives. The University of Oklahoma strives to cultivate a sense of belonging and emotional support for all, recognizing that fostering an inclusive environment for all is vital in the pursuit of academic and inclusive excellence in all aspects of our institutional mission.