Georgetown University Dean, School of Nursing

Georgetown University Dean, School of Nursing

Georgetown University invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Dean of its Georgetown School of Nursing. This role presents a rare opportunity to launch a new school of nursing within a highly ranked Catholic and Jesuit University whose mission is oriented toward student and faculty formation, deep inquiry, and the common good of society. 

Georgetown Nursing, founded in 1903, has a long and proud history of educating students and preparing graduates to provide exceptional, values-based care. Georgetown Nursing has always been committed to positioning its work in healthcare within the broader mission of the University and to serve and meet the needs of the global community in which its graduates work and lead. 

Georgetown Nursing was an early leader at the University in the delivery of online education, launching its online Masters of Science-Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (MS-APRN) degree programs in 2011, and has sustained its prominence in this area. 

The Georgetown Nursing community currently includes a vibrant group of 49 full-time faculty, over 200 adjunct and part-time faculty, and over 900 students across its nursing programs. The Fall 2020 nursing enrollment was 935 students (headcount): 115 in prelicensure programs, 655 in Master’s programs, 37 in post graduate certificate programs and 128 in Doctoral programs. Growth opportunities exist, for example, in November 2020, the University approved a PhD in Nursing program. Also, the Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP) program is one of the highest ranked programs at Georgetown, consistently ranking in the top ten in U.S. News & World Report. 

In 1999, Georgetown Nursing expanded to become the Georgetown School of Nursing & Health Studies incorporating the departments of Global Health, Health Systems Administration, and Human Sciences. In 2017, Georgetown University and MedStar Health finalized new and refreshed long-term agreements that span a 50-year term, and that reaffirms our joint commitment to our partnership with MedStar Health as our Academic Health System partner. These agreements provide for specific and substantive opportunities to expand and deepen our relationship, particularly in areas of research and education. In 2019 the University began a Health and Health Sciences Strategy Initiative, an ongoing collaborative and deliberative process to envision the future of the health sciences at Georgetown. Through that work, the University recognized its ambitions for research and education in nursing and health could be strengthened by the creation of two distinct schools, providing space for growth within the focal point of each school, while fostering interdisciplinary and cross-school collaboration. 

In December 2020, the University announced that the Georgetown School of Nursing and the Georgetown School of Health will be launched by July 2022. The Dean will be the academic leader of the Georgetown School of Nursing, appointed by the President (John J. DeGioia, PhD) and will report to the Executive Vice President for Health Sciences (Edward B. Healton, MD, MPH). 

The key responsibilities of the Dean will include:

• Advancing a comprehensive and ambitious strategy for educational and research excellence. The next Dean of the School of Nursing will advocate for and support rigorous nursing scholarship in the classroom and in clinical practice, promoting academic and research excellence. The Dean will serve as partner and peer to the Dean of Medical Education and the future Dean of the School of Health, and will work with these leaders along with our institutional clinical partner, MedStar Health, Inc., together engaging with the challenging and enriching aspects of interprofessional research, education, and service. 
• Strengthening a culture of equity and a commitment to diversity and inclusion. The immense challenges of addressing health disparities and health equity are a priority for the School of Nursing. The Dean will champion a culture of equity within the school, by modeling behaviors, developing a pipeline of diverse students, advancing diversity in recruitment, hiring and promotion of faculty and staff, making conscious, actionable choices that strengthen a culture of belonging and engagement, and committing to a culture of accountability and respect. Further, the Dean will promote research, teaching and service that will advance health equity while aiming to decrease health disparities for people and communities.
• Building the future of Georgetown School of Nursing. Georgetown has ambitious aspirations for the School of Nursing. The Dean will join Georgetown as the School is taking shape and will have an opportunity to lead in building the future of nursing at Georgetown. Realizing the University’s ambitions for the School of Nursing will require sustained and successful philanthropy. Advancement efforts will be a critical part of the Dean’s responsibilities.

Founded in 1789, Georgetown University is the nation’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit university. Today, Georgetown is a major international, student-centered research university of 17,000 students, embodying its founding principles in the diversity of its students, faculty, and staff; a commitment to justice and the common good including and especially the social justice and public health events impacting its community and the world; intellectual openness; and an international character. 

Nominations and Inquiries
Georgetown University is seeking candidates with a demonstrated history of successful leadership and strategic planning in a complex, academic healthcare organizational setting. In addition to possessing an advanced nursing degree, the candidate will also hold a doctoral degree in nursing or related field. 

Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV or resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes described above.

Diversified Search is assisting Georgetown University in this search. Review of applications has begun and will continue until the position is filled. Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: Lyn Brennan, Managing Director, or Alison Lebonitte, Vice President.

Application materials should be submitted to GeorgetownDeanNursing@divsearch.com