Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs (Administrative Faculty Appointment); IRC-Instructional Faculty Appointment (Open Rank-Associate Professor/Professor)
About The Position
The University of Colorado College of Nursing seeks a strong faculty leader to serve as Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs, with a concurrent open-rank instructional faculty appointment. The faculty appointment may be at the rank of Associate Teaching Professor, Teaching Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor, depending on qualifications and experience, and includes dedicated release time for the administrative appointment. Faculty members are expected to contribute service and scholarship to the university and college. The Assistant Dean is responsible for the quality, effectiveness, and strategic execution of the College of Nursing’s master’s, post-graduate certificate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. The role provides strategic, academic, and administrative leadership to ensure that curricula, policies, and educational practices reflect academic excellence and meet national, state, accreditation, certification, and regulatory requirements, while supporting the Office of Academic Programs and College strategic priorities. Reporting to the Associate Dean of Academic Programs, the Assistant Dean oversees graduate program quality, growth, innovation, accreditation support, and long-range academic planning. The position collaborates with specialty directors, academic leaders, faculty, staff, and college leadership to develop innovative educational experiences, support student success, monitor outcomes, and advance the College’s academic mission. The primary work location is the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado, with teaching responsibilities as needed at the Legacy Campus in Lone Tree, Colorado. The role is eligible for a hybrid schedule with three days per week on campus and attendance for in-person meetings as needed.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited nursing school or college; a direct-entry master’s degree in nursing from an accredited institution may substitute.
- Master’s degree from an accredited nursing school or college.
- Earned doctorate in nursing (DNP or PhD) from an accredited institution, in accordance with Board of Nursing requirements.
- Record of demonstrated teaching effectiveness, collegial collaboration, and commitment to scholarship appropriate to the faculty rank.
- At least one year of experience as a DNP Project faculty advisor, within or outside CU Nursing.
- Experience mentoring doctoral students, such as through co-authored publications, presentations, or posters with doctoral student authors.
- Experience in curriculum development.
- Experience teaching and mentoring students, ideally including students from diverse cultural backgrounds.
- Eligibility to obtain an unencumbered RN license in Colorado.
- Must be willing and able to apply for DEA licensure within 90 days of hire.
- Ability to collaborate with interprofessional colleagues.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build strong working relationships.
- Ability to provide effective leadership to achieve strategic objectives.
- Ability to think critically and solve problems to achieve program objectives.
- Leadership qualities including a participatory style that fosters respect, collegiality, openness to others’ ideas, and constructive feedback.
Nice To Haves
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from an accredited institution.
- Current certification and eligibility for licensure as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, such as Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse-Midwife, Clinical Nurse Specialist, or Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
- Demonstrated leadership in graduate nursing education and academic administration, such as assistant dean, graduate program director, department chair, or comparable academic leadership.
- Experience leading multiple academic programs, degree pathways, and tracks.
- Experience with strategic planning, program development, curriculum oversight, and continuous improvement.
- Experience with enrollment management, student success, resource planning, or program sustainability.
Responsibilities
- Provide leadership for the master’s, post-graduate certificate, and DNP programs.
- Monitor emerging educational, professional, healthcare, and technological trends and communicate their implications for graduate nursing programs.
- Support development of innovative curricula responsive to workforce, professional, and student needs, and align graduate education initiatives with College strategic priorities.
- Ensure graduate curricula meet accreditation, certification, regulatory, and professional standards.
- Oversee systematic curriculum evaluation and continuous quality improvement; develop and monitor measures of curricular effectiveness, student learning outcomes, and program quality.
- Collaborate on integrating simulation, technology-enhanced learning, and interprofessional education across graduate programs.
- Review and provide direction on curriculum revision and program development recommendations.
- Oversee collection and analysis of graduate program outcomes data and recommend quality improvement initiatives.
- Lead graduate program reporting and accreditation preparation in collaboration with the Senior Assistant Dean of Academic Operations.
- Provide leadership and support to positions supervised by this role.
- Collaborate with Specialty Directors, graduate program operations staff, and academic leaders; work with the Associate Dean of Academic Programs on contract faculty assignments and program resource needs.
- Coordinate with academic leadership on course schedules and faculty workload assignments to support program delivery and resource needs.
- Provide input into annual faculty evaluations for those teaching in MS, PGC, and DNP courses.
- Promote a student-centered educational environment, monitor student satisfaction, and review retention, progression, completion, certification, and graduate-success trends.
- Support escalation and resolution of graduate student concerns in collaboration with the Senior Director of Admissions and Student Affairs as needed.
- Participate in grant development and other strategic initiatives supporting graduate education.
- Represent graduate programs within the College and externally to advance program priorities and partnerships.
- Participate in state, regional, and national professional organizations, including meetings and service activities.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively and civilly with students, stakeholders, faculty, and staff.
- Collaborate with the Associate Dean of Academic Programs on budgetary support for MS and DNP program needs.
- Work with the Senior Assistant Dean of Academic Operations on process improvement and systems integration to streamline graduate program operations and the student experience.
- Teach within the College of Nursing and serve as a role model for professional and educational excellence.
- Perform other activities and responsibilities delegated by the Associate Dean of Academic Programs.
Benefits
- Multiple medical plan options.
- Multiple dental plan options.
- Disability, life, and vision insurance.
- Retirement 401(a) plan with an employer contribution of 10% of gross pay.
- Paid time off accruals.
- 22 vacation days per year, with a maximum accrual of 352 hours.
- 15 sick days per year, with unlimited maximum accrual.
- 15 holiday days per year.
- Tuition benefit available across CU campuses.
- Reduced-rate RTD bus and light rail service through the ECO Pass.
- Additional perks and programs through CU Advantage.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Ph.D. or professional degree
