Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS)

University of Vermont•Burlington, VT

66d•$229,000 - $249,000

About The Position

The University of Vermont (UVM) invites applications for the next Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CNHS). The college is seeking a dynamic leader to guide a vibrant and innovative academic community committed to excellence in teaching, research, and clinical practice. This is a pivotal time for CNHS as it continues to deepen its commitment to improving health outcomes, while preparing the next generation of culturally responsive health professionals - practitioners who recognize, respect, and adapt to the diverse values, beliefs, and needs of the individuals and communities they serve. In addition to demonstrating a strong commitment to student success, building trusting and collaborative partnerships, and fostering mission-aligned research and education initiatives, successful candidates must illustrate: 1) progressive administrative leadership experience in an academic environment, 2) recognition for achievement in research, education, and/or clinical pursuits, 3) experience with interprofessional education and practice, and 4) the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in the College and across the broader UVM ecosystem. As the administrative leader for the College, candidates should have exceptional communication skills, a high degree of professionalism, considerable financial acumen, and a clear understanding of what it takes to help grow market share and advance all academic programs in a competitive higher education environment. This position represents a significant opportunity to help shape the vision for the health professions to achieve the institution's overall goals and objectives. UVM, located in Burlington, VT, is a robust Carnegie R1 designated public research university, that offers a challenging academic experience, which translates to student success. UVM has seven undergraduate colleges in addition to the Honors College, the Graduate College, the Larner College of Medicine (LCOM), and Professional and Continuing Education. UVM offers a close community of scholars, scientists, and learners. CNHS offers an expansive and compassionate environment to transform the future of health for people and planet. Additionally, the college instills a philosophy of care that champions equity, collaboration, and humanity, preparing the next generation of health professionals by fostering excellence in health research, education, and practice. The College comprises four Departments: Biomedical and Health Sciences, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Nursing, and Rehabilitation and Movement Science. The College offers undergraduate degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Exercise Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Radiation Sciences, Public Health Sciences, and Nursing; and graduate degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and a PhD in Interprofessional Health Sciences. CNHS is a dynamic and growing community that fosters interdisciplinary education and research in the service of improving health outcomes and advancing health equity in Vermont and beyond. The College is poised for significant expansion with the recent launch of a Doctor of Occupational Therapy program in the Fall of 2023 and the opening of a state-of-the-art Occupational Therapy laboratory in Fall of 2024. The undergraduate Public Health Sciences and Exercise Science programs have seen significant growth in the past three years, and that growth is expected to continue. CNHS is also launching a new undergraduate minor in Epidemiology, and is currently developing an M.S. in Exercise Science. These initiatives underscore the College's strategic vision to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, address critical workforce needs, and serve rural and medically underserved populations. The Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences will have the opportunity to foster and expand interdisciplinary collaboration through engagement with a wide array of University-wide Institutes and Centers. These include, but are not limited to, the Osher Center for Integrative Health, Health Services Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Gund Institute for Environment, Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships, Vermont EPSCoR, Vermont Biomedical Research Network, Vermont Advanced Computing Center, UVM Cancer Center, Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Vermont Center for Immunology and Infectious Disease, Vermont Center for Behavioral Health, and the Vermont Lung Center. These partnerships offer rich opportunities to advance research, education, and community impact. The new Dean will lead this vibrant College into its next phase of growth, building on a strong foundation of academic excellence, innovative research, and community engagement. This is a unique opportunity for a collaborative and visionary leader to shape the future of health sciences education and make a meaningful impact on the health of individuals and communities across the region. UVM invites inquiries, applications, and nominations for the position of CNHS Dean to provide academic and administrative leadership to advance the College's mission in education, service, scholarship, and research. Reporting to the Provost, the Dean will work collaboratively with other deans across UVM, as well as leadership within the University of Vermont Health Network, to leverage opportunities to support the growth and quality of research, education, and practice throughout the health sciences and health professions. Candidates must possess a PhD or equivalent and have experience and a record compatible with appointment as a full professor with tenure in one of the CNHS Departments/programs.

Requirements

PhD or equivalent in a health profession, with a preference for a background in one of the disciplines represented in the College.
Experience and record compatible with appointment as full professor with tenure at UVM.
Keen insights into the range of key issues and opportunities in health professions, health profession education, research, health policy, health care delivery and population health, with the ability to position the College to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing, increasingly global landscape.
A vision for the continued growth of the College, including growth of quality online and face-to-face programs, clinical activities, and research with an understanding of the breadth of liberal arts;
Minimum of ten years' experience in academic health professions and higher education administration, with a broad understanding of and experience working with all of the disciplines in CNHS;
Ability to work well at all levels within a complex academic medical center, fostering a spirit of collaboration with faculty, colleagues and administrators;
Demonstrated understanding of the importance of interprofessional education and interdisciplinary collaboration;
Experience with accreditation bodies in the health sciences;
Experience in the leadership and financial management of a complex and large organization with multiple stakeholders and a commitment to building the infrastructure that supports the training and development of staff;
A commitment to transparency in administration and governance;
Ability and experience to be nimble with a wide lens for future opportunities;
Strong experience in research, including a history of scholarship and sponsored research, and a desire to expand the research portfolio of the College;
Experience in the oversight, growth and marketing of educational programs including online programs;
Experience building and sustaining the clinical partnerships necessary for the work of the College;
Experience in fundraising and alumni relations;
Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and creating partnerships across the University and with multiple external stakeholders including government, community organizations and the business sector.
The Dean must demonstrate strong leadership, exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, and possess the ability to define a vision for the College.
It is imperative that the Dean develops support for common goals and builds relationships with the senior leadership of UVM as well as with community partners to facilitate interdisciplinary cooperation.
The Dean of CNHS must be a role model for students and faculty.
A passionate and committed leader who will champion, support and enhance collaboration across all College activities for student, staff and faculty from recruitment to retention;
A transformational and strategic leader who can: establish an inspiring vision for CNHS' future and who is committed to growing, supporting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff body foster and support the collective impact of the diverse disciplines represented across the College
A diplomat who demonstrates a collaborative approach to working closely with: UVM's leadership and faculty CNHS faculty and leadership administration of regional healthcare organizations community-based organizations other outside organizations and individuals
A persuasive communicator who is an empathetic, human-centered, respectful listener and who can create an atmosphere that fosters innovation within the context of CNHS' plan;
Skilled negotiator who is able to work collaboratively yet decisively while focusing on what is optimal for CNHS and UVM;
A confident manager with business skills who knows how to achieve challenging performance goals in complex, evolving environments, and manage complicated budgets while aligning strategic priorities;
An innovator who can take necessary risks and effectively steward the continued growth of CNHS within the context of the larger institution while recognizing and building on existing strengths;
A mentor with strong coaching skills to nurture the development of CNHS's faculty into accomplished clinicians, researchers, and educators;
A strong advocate for CNHS's programs, research, faculty, staff, and students, with a commitment to community;
A service-driven, community focused individual who enjoys networking with community leaders and healthcare providers to identify opportunities to enhance community health.