The Dean provides operational and academic leadership, overseeing all programs, faculty, budgets, and strategic vision for the School of Nursing and Health Sciences (SONHS), ensuring quality education, regulatory and accreditation compliance, student success, and community partnerships to meet current and evolving healthcare needs. By pursuing opportunities and anticipating opportunities yet to come, the Dean helps advance the SONHS and the broader University.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Implement the University’s mission as a Catholic Institution founded by the Sisters of Mercy.
• Advance governing Board-approved strategic priorities and participate in strategic planning implementation teams, including exploration of efficient and effective academic structures within SONHS.
• Prioritize academic programs to better serve students and enhance academic standing and financial sustainability.
• Collaborate with Enrollment, Advancement, and Alumni Services to support the continued success and growth of nursing programs.
• Build and maintain partnerships with community and nursing leaders to advance program growth, ensure access to clinical placements, and create employment pathways for graduates.
• Institutionalize strong academic policies and processes related to program review, curricular effectiveness and efficiency, assessment of student learning outcomes, and internal reallocation of resources.
• Assess University operations for efficiency and effectiveness in serving students.
• Hire, develop, and retain highly capable faculty and staff who are results-driven in mission integration, program development, recruitment, retention, advising, mentoring, completion, and alumni success.
• Implement effective faculty and staff development and evaluation processes, including substantive post-tenure review.
• Oversee academic programs and ensure the maintenance of institutional and specialized accreditation.
• Serve as Chief Nurse Officer in relation to regulatory and accreditation standards and requirements.
• Exercise leadership within SONHS, the Faculty Senate, and University committees in collaboration with faculty colleagues.
• Implement University policies, procedures, directives, and Service Excellence Philosophy and Standards.
• Develop effective partnerships and communication with the Provost and President to accomplish strategic priorities.
• Model and uphold the highest professional standards, fostering a respectful, diverse work and learning environment consistent with the University’s Core Values.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Provost and President.

This position offers a moving allowance of up to $2,000 to defray moving expenses.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in nursing and a terminal degree in nursing or a related field from an accredited institution of higher learning.
• Registered Nurse or eligible for licensure in the State of Illinois.
• Minimum of five (5) years of nursing practice experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in academic education.
• Experience in academic and/or healthcare administration preferred.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for serving a diverse student and client population.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and people-management skills.
• Ability to draft reports and correspondence and speak effectively to diverse constituencies.
• Ability to manage confidential and sensitive matters with judgment, tact, and diplomacy.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and prioritize responsibilities.
• Ability to facilitate teamwork in an environment addressing a broad range of academic and operational issues.
• Proficiency in advanced functions of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.

The position of Dean, School of Nursing and Health Sciences involves a combination of sedentary office work and active engagement across campus and external locations. The role requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, and use hands and fingers for standard office functions such as computer use and document handling. Occasional lifting of materials up to approximately 25 pounds may be required. The position involves frequent interaction with faculty, staff, students, and external partners, and may require extended periods of concentration, decision-making, and communication. Travel to meetings, conferences, and clinical or community partner sites occurs on an occasional basis. The work environment is primarily an office and academic setting with standard safety conditions.