UNC Chapel Hill, School of Nursing - Associate Dean of Simulation and Experiential Learning

Academic Career & Executive Search•Chapel Hill, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing in its search for Associate Dean for Simulation and Experiential Learning and Professor (Open Rank – Academic or Clinical Track). For full consideration, please apply by May 4, 2026. This is a rare and prestigious opportunity to lead one of the nation’s most established simulation enterprises in nursing education at a moment of extraordinary institutional momentum. Amid sustained enrollment growth and strategic investment in nursing workforce development, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing (Carolina Nursing) is elevating simulation and experiential learning as a central pillar of its academic mission. Carolina Nursing’s Education Innovation Simulation Learning Environment (EISLE) is not simply a supporting unit; it is a flagship program that has helped define Carolina Nursing’s national reputation and shape best practices in immersive, evidence-based nursing education for decades. The Associate Dean for Simulation and Experiential Learning and Professor will build on this strong foundational legacy while bringing innovation and vision to help shape the future of simulation-based experiential learning for academic nursing and clinical education. With nearly $2.9 million in new UNC System funding dedicated to nursing expansion, including significant investment in simulation personnel, infrastructure, and advanced technologies, the Associate Dean will steward one of the most visible and well-supported simulation portfolios in the country. Set to open in spring of 2027, the new Nursing Education Building will feature three dedicated floors of purpose-built simulation space, signaling deep institutional commitment and long-term strategic alignment. This level of backing reflects not only confidence in the program’s trajectory, but an expectation that Carolina Nursing will lead the national standard, guided by Dean Valerie Howard’s longstanding commitment and investment in simulation and experiential learning. A leader in evidence-based simulation education and former president of the International Nursing Association of Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL), Dr. Howard helped advance the first national standards for simulation best practices and brings a deep understanding of what is required to build and sustain a high-performing simulation program. The role arrives at a pivotal moment of growth and opportunity. Expanded staff, increasing engagement with clinical and academic partners, and high-impact initiatives such as the Tar Heel Academic Practice Partnership and Carolina Nursing’s virtual reality simulation program position EISLE for broader interprofessional collaboration and statewide impact. The Associate Dean will bring cohesion, strategic clarity, and bold innovation to an already distinguished enterprise, strengthening organization alignment, reinforcing its identity, and amplifying national visibility and influence in simulation-based nursing education. Designed as a 50% faculty and 50% administrative appointment, this role is ideally suited for a nationally respected senior faculty leader who brings both scholarly credibility and strategic leadership to advancing simulation and experiential learning. The administrative appointment reports to the Dean with the faculty support from the Division Chair. The Associate Dean will join Carolina Nursing’s senior leadership team and help shape the future of simulation-based nursing education at one of the nation’s leading public research universities. This position is fully on-site. View the full Leadership Profile to learn more about this opportunity, Carolina Nursing, UNC Chapel Hill and the community.

Requirements

Doctoral degree (PhD, DNP, EdD, or equivalent) in nursing, education, or a related field.
Experience and qualifications commensurate with a faculty appointment at the rank of Full or Associate Professor on either the tenure-earning or clinical track.
Active, unencumbered RN license or eligibility for licensure in North Carolina.
Minimum of five (5) years of experience in simulation-based education or experiential learning, including leadership of programs, teams, or initiatives within an academic or healthcare setting.
Expertise in simulation pedagogy, debriefing methodologies, and experiential learning strategies.
Demonstrated success in curriculum development, faculty mentorship, and interprofessional collaboration.
Experience in program evaluation, accreditation processes, and research related to simulation and experiential learning.
Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

Certification in simulation education (e.g., CHSE, CHSOS, or equivalent).
Experience with emerging simulation technologies, including virtual and augmented reality.
Grant-writing and external funding experience.
National recognition in the field of simulation and experiential learning.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership: Lead initiatives to integrate cutting-edge simulation methodologies into the curriculum.
Partnership Development: Strengthen partnerships with clinical and community partners to enhance experiential learning opportunities.
Quality Assurance: Ensure high-quality, evidence-based experiential learning that prepares students for real-world nursing practice.
Program Oversight: Oversee, enhance, and expand simulation-based education and experiential learning opportunities for nursing students across undergraduate and graduate programs.

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