Dean of the School of Health Sciences

Stephens College, located in Columbia, Missouri, a vibrant college town approximately 120 miles from both Kansas City and St. Louis, is seeking a Dean of the School of Health Sciences. Reporting to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the School. 

Stephens College is embarking on visioning for tomorrow.  Committed to a focus on putting students first, supporting teaching excellence and providing high quality immersive learning experiences, Stephens College is reconsidering all operations including curriculum offerings and delivery systems, course scheduling, micro-credentialing, and professional partnerships.  The Dean of the School of Health Sciences will be someone who can think outside of the boundaries of traditional higher education.  This individual will have demonstrated abilities in designing, developing, launching and supporting new initiatives and programs, while providing effective leadership to, and serving as an advocate for, the School, its faculty, and students.

The School of Health Sciences includes the following programs:

• Biology, including Pre-Med and Pre-Vet Health Science Integrative Human Biology Health Information Administration Nursing Human Development Equestrian Studies Psychology Master of Education in Counseling Master of Physician Assistant Studies

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the School to regional and national recognition and reputation; Provide leadership, direction, advocacy, communication, coordination and assessment of all academic programs within the School of Health Sciences; Facilitate the recruitment, hiring, professional development, retention, and evaluation of an outstanding and diverse faculty and staff in accordance with College policies and procedures; Build enrollment; collaborate with partners; and engage with the wider community. Oversee all School activities, functions, and facilities; Adhere to and execute School policies and procedures in alignment with the College’s

academic and administrative policies and procedures;

• Develop and manage the budget within the School; Maintain, develop, and implement new academic programs, curricula changes, program reviews, and external partnerships consistent with the missions of the School and College Represent the School on the Deans Council, on other internal and external committees as well as at regional and national health-sciences-related professional associations. Lead institutional change by nurturing an environment that embraces academic rigor, innovation and faculty research and scholarship. Collaborate with other campus offices to generate donor support and build brand visibility. Foster diversity and inclusivity.

Essential Functions:

• Hire, supervise, develop, retain, and evaluate the School of Health Science’s faculty and staff.
• Provide leadership and oversight for the School’s strategic planning, budget management, new program development, and program assessment.
• Maintain the academic quality, integrity, and reputation of all programs within the School.
• Collect, analyze and disaggregate data to inform decision making.
• Oversee program review to develop long-range and short-term goals, objectives and priorities, and monitor projects to insure maximum effectiveness, compliance with budget parameters, and completion.
• Conduct all tasks related to program/course approval, course scheduling, faculty workload, advising, degree checks, transcript review, and articulation agreements.
• In collaboration with the Office of Enrollment Management, take a major role in the recruitment, enrollment, retention, and degree completion of students in the School.
• In collaboration with the Marketing Department, manage the branding and marketing of the School and its programs.
• In collaboration with the Office of Advancement, play a major role in fundraising for the School and its associated initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• Hold a PhD or clinical doctorate in a health-sciences related discipline from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Has a distinguished record of excellence in teaching and scholarship.
• Has a record of successful and increasingly responsible academic leadership experience as a dean, department chair or director.
• Has a demonstrated capacity for creative and innovative leadership in curricular and program development.
• Has experience building enrollment and collaborating with partners and the wider community.
• Has the ability to develop new and creative ways to continue to attract, support, and retain high- quality faculty;
• Effectively communicates ideas, plans, and vision, orally and in writing.
• Has documented experience managing budgets.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively lead a diverse team.