Associate Dean/Director of Nursing

NEW MEXICO HIGHLANDS UNIVERSITY•Las Vegas, NM

4h•$90,605 - $140,442•Remote

About The Position

The Associate Dean/Director of Nursing will be the administrative liaison between the college dean and department, ensuring accreditation compliance and best practices of all nursing education programs at New Mexico Highlands University. This role involves providing vision, leadership, and strategic direction to support growth and innovation, with an emphasis on long-term academic development. The Associate Dean will also play a key role in developing and implementing new initiatives to strengthen nursing education and will lead ongoing program evaluation efforts. Additionally, they will help ensure all programs comply with state regulatory requirements and meet national accreditation standards. A strong understanding of the unique challenges and complexities of rural healthcare is essential.

Requirements

Current unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license in New Mexico
Primary residence in New Mexico and ability to travel to Las Vegas campus as needed
One year of practice in a rural environment or Health Care Shortage Area
Doctoral degree; preferably in education, nursing, or nursing administration
Educational experience in teaching, learning principles, curriculum development, accreditation, and administration
Minimum 5 years of related work experience, with 3 years as a nurse educator or program administrator
One year minimum serving as a Chair, Program director or similar position
Demonstrated experience in preparing and managing budgets within a nursing education program to include responsibility for budget planning, allocation of resources, and financial oversight
Strong interpersonal and communication skills
Collaborative work style and effective time management
Command of theory and practice in the field
Meet regulatory requirements for educational degree level and field experience
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Two years of experience with a Learning Management system
Strong organizational and time management skills
Empathetic and patient, with the ability to accommodate student challenges while maintaining educational standards
Ability to align budgets with programmatic needs

Responsibilities

Academic Leadership
Work in collaboration with the Dean advancing the mission and vision of the Department and College.
Collaborate with program coordinators and faculty in assessing student learning outcomes and promoting strategies to enhance retention, progression, and graduation rates
Support faculty in implementing evidence-based teaching practices and integrating technology into instruction
Curriculum Management & Professional Support
Offer guidance to the Department and Dean regarding the development, implementation, and assessment of the nursing curricula in collaboration with the program coordinators
Ensure the alignment of curricula with state and national accreditation standards, best practices, and state board of nursing requirements
Facilitate professional development opportunities, including scholarly activities, continuing education, and leadership training
Student Support
Develop strategies for student success such as retention, graduation rates, and licensure exam pass rates
Resolves and addresses student complaints and grievances on both an informal and/or formal basis in accordance with policies and procedures
Accreditation and Compliance
Assist with the work of the BSN and the graduate program coordinators and additional faculty to ensure the programs adhere to all accreditation and regulatory requirements, including the fulfillment of reporting requirements
Prepares and submits all appropriate forms, data (pass rates, etc), and documents required for approval of faculty and clinical facilities, curriculum changes, and licensure of graduates
Collaboration
Ensure program effectiveness and consistency by engaging various stakeholders (faculty, students, external partners) as needed; serve on committees as needed
Collaborates and establishes partnerships with other NMHU departments to provide enriched and diverse student learning opportunities
Has an active role in advisory boards that support local community initiatives
Financial Management
Helps to monitor and evaluate multiple budgets linked to Nursing Department support
Able to procure and manage multiple grants
Will provide departmental guidance regarding financial forecasting, resource allocation, and comprehensive development of yearly budget modifications
In conjunction with the Dean, will advise on specific and timely spending strategies in alignment with departmental implementation to ensure fiscally responsible use of allocated resources
Strategic Planning
Participate in the development and execution of strategic plans for nursing programs in alignment with the goals of the broader institution
Monitor trends in nursing, nursing education, and research to ensure NMHU nursing programs maintain relevance to meet regional and rural healthcare needs
Community Engagement
Build and maintain relationships with external partners, such as clinical sites and community organizations; establish strategic partnerships