DeSales University invites applications for the position of Associate Dean for the School of Nursing. This is a 12-month administrative faculty position reporting directly to the Dean of the College of Healthcare Professions.
The Associate Dean functions as the Chief Nursing Administrator (CNA) in accordance with the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing regulations. The Associate Dean provides leadership for all undergraduate and graduate nursing programs, including pre-licensure, master's, doctoral, and post-graduate certificate in advanced practice nursing programs.
The successful candidate will provide visionary leadership to advance the School of Nursing's mission of preparing highly competent, compassionate, and ethical nursing professionals grounded in the Catholic, Salesian values of DeSales University. The Associate Dean will collaborate closely with faculty, students, healthcare partners, and university leadership to promote academic excellence, innovation, enrollment growth, regulatory compliance, and student success.
Position Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Administration
- Provide strategic vision and leadership for the School of Nursing consistent with the mission and strategic priorities of DeSales University and the College of Healthcare Professions.
- Serve as the primary liaison to the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing and nursing accrediting agencies.
- Lead strategic planning, program development, enrollment growth initiatives, and continuous quality improvement efforts.
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, inclusivity, and academic excellence.
- Represent the School of Nursing within the University and with external healthcare, academic, and professional organizations.
- Collaborate with healthcare partners to expand clinical education opportunities, workforce development initiatives, and academic-practice
Academic Program Leadership
- Provide oversight for all undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.
- Ensure program quality, curricular integrity, and alignment with professional standards and healthcare workforce needs.
- Lead curriculum review, assessment, revision, and program evaluation activities.
- Support the development and implementation of innovative educational models, including simulation, hybrid, online, and competency-based learning approaches.
- Facilitate the development of new academic programs and certificates to meet evolving healthcare demands.
Accreditation and Regulatory Compliance
- Maintain compliance with all Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing regulations.
- Ensure ongoing compliance with Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA-NAEP) accreditation standards.
- Lead accreditation self-studies, annual reports, substantive change submissions, site visits, and quality improvement initiatives.
- Monitor key program outcomes including licensure pass rates, certification examination outcomes, retention, progression, graduation, employment, and student satisfaction metrics.
Faculty Leadership and Development
- Recruit, mentor, develop, evaluate, and retain highly qualified nursing faculty and staff.
- Promote faculty excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, and professional practice.
- Oversee faculty workload assignments, annual evaluations, promotion, tenure, and professional development processes.
- Encourage interprofessional collaboration among programs within the College of Healthcare Professions.
- Support faculty engagement in scholarly activities, grant development, community partnerships, and professional organizations.
Student Success and Enrollment Management
- Collaborate with admissions, enrollment management, marketing, and student affairs to achieve enrollment and retention goals.
- Support initiatives that enhance student engagement, academic success, licensure outcomes, and career readiness.
- Address student concerns and facilitate effective resolution of academic and professional issues.
- Promote a student-centered environment that values professionalism, diversity, belonging, and service.
Clinical Partnerships and Workforce Development
- Develop and strengthen relationships with regional healthcare organizations, clinical agencies, and community partners.
- Collaborate with healthcare systems to expand clinical placements, residency partnerships, workforce initiatives, and continuing education opportunities.
- Support innovative partnerships that advance healthcare education and community health.
Budget and Resource Management
- Develop and manage the School of Nursing operating budget in collaboration with the Dean.
- Monitor personnel, operational, and capital expenditures.
- Identify opportunities for external funding, grants, philanthropic support, and strategic partnerships.
- Ensure efficient allocation of resources to support academic excellence and program growth.
Scholarship and Service
- Maintain an active program of scholarship and professional engagement appropriate to faculty rank.
- Contribute to university governance and strategic initiatives.
- Represent DeSales University through service to professional organizations and the broader healthcare community.
Required Qualifications
- Earned master's degree in nursing from an accredited institution.
- Earned doctoral degree in nursing or related field (PhD, EdD, DNP) by the time of appointment.
- Current, unencumbered Registered Nurse (RN) license or eligibility for licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
- Minimum of five years of progressive leadership experience in nursing education/nursing service.
- Demonstrated success in academic administration, faculty leadership, accreditation, assessment, and regulatory compliance.
- Experience teaching in undergraduate and/or graduate nursing programs.
- Strong understanding of nursing education trends, healthcare workforce needs, and contemporary issues affecting nursing education.
- Excellent communication, organizational, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience serving as a Chief Nursing Administrator, Associate Dean, Dean, Director, Department Chair, or Program Director.
- Experience overseeing multiple nursing programs and educational modalities.
- Experience with CCNE accreditation processes and Pennsylvania Board of Nursing regulations.
- Experience managing budgets, personnel, strategic planning, and enrollment initiatives.
- Record of scholarly achievement and professional leadership.
- Experience supporting doctoral and advanced practice nursing education.
Salary and Benefits
Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. DeSales University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, retirement contributions, tuition remission, and professional development support.
Application Process
Applications will be reviewed and accepted until the position is filled. Please submit a cover letter outlining your interest in and qualification for the position, curriculum vitae, statement of leadership philosophy and vision for the future of nursing education, three professional letters of reference, and photocopies of all transcripts (official transcripts will be required if hired) to:
Leo-Felix M, Jurado, PhD, RN, APN, NE-BC, CNE, ANEF, FAAN
Inaugural Dean & Professor, College of Healthcare Professions
DeSales University
2755 Station Avenue
Center Valley, PA 18034-9568
Electronic submissions should be emailed to Leo.Jurado@desales.edu.
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