Dean, School of Nursing

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) School of Nursing combines the rich history of Nursing programs at both the University of Texas-Pan American and the University of Texas at Brownsville/Texas Southmost College. These two legacy institutions have produced successful, professional nurses for almost five decades. The School of Nursing supports the mission of UTRGV through programs that educate individuals to meet the healthcare needs of a culturally diverse society. These programs facilitate the development of competent practitioners with critical thinking skills to provide holistic nursing care to individuals, families, groups, and communities. A commitment to fostering research and service that enhance health promotion, maintenance, and restoration is integral to the mission of the School of Nursing.

The School of Nursing at UTRGV is central to a vibrant, interprofessional academic health sciences community alongside the School of Medicine, School of Podiatric Medicine, School of Social Work, and College of Health Professions which includes Physician Assistant and Occupational Therapy programs. Together, these programs offer an interprofessional training environment and are advancing team-based care models to improve health outcomes in the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.

The School of Nursing currently offers six programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, three Master of Science degrees in Nursing (MSN), the Post-Graduate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certificate, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) that launched in the fall of 2022.  The addition of this program in the School of Nursing drives the advancement of clinical and evidence-based research opportunities alongside active practice in interprofessional care.

The growth of the programs in the School of Nursing is evidenced through the success and meritorious accomplishments of the bachelor’s degree programs, which includes RN-BSN and Second-Degree BSN options. The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and MSN graduates have successfully achieved board certification by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) with a first attempt pass rate of 100% for more than 20 years. The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) post-graduate certificate was introduced alongside the inauguration of UTRGV in 2015 and is credited with increasing mental health care nurse providers in the Rio Grande Valley as the program has grown from a single enrollee to over 30 in 2022. Preparation of successful, credentialed mental health providers has not only impacted the RGV but communities across the state of Texas and 17 other states as well. All of the programs in the UTRGV School of Nursing are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Position Overview

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) seeks an innovative, experienced academic leader to serve as the Dean, School of Nursing. This individual must evidence commitment to promoting and fostering excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, professional practice, and service. This is an extraordinary opportunity for a leader with a minimum of five years prior executive academic leadership experience in a college or school of nursing to build and expand the current Nursing programs. Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Provost, the SON Dean will collaborate with other UTRGV schools/colleges to sustain and further develop interdisciplinary and innovative opportunities for teaching and research that will help address the unique health care disparities and priorities for the region.

The SON Dean will play an instrumental role in implementing the vision and programs that will continue UTRGV’s important role in enhancing the health care available to the South Texas underserved and underrepresented populations. This is an exciting time in the history of the SON to build upon its rich tradition and prepare for the future where technology and new methodologies are changing the landscape of health care delivery and nursing education.

The SON Dean will have a deep commitment to students and their success, in addition to a record of accomplishment with building strong and abiding interpersonal relationships.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Nursing or a related field. Credentials that merit appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor in Nursing. Eligibility to obtain RN licensure in Texas. National reputation as an academic leader who can demonstrate a portfolio of achievement in leadership, scholarship, and teaching. At least five (5) years’ experience in a senior leadership position within an academic nursing program with a strong, sustained record of administration and leadership in support of students and faculty excellence in teaching, service, and scholarship. Successful experience managing budgets in an academic institution and forecasting School needs. Demonstrated involvement of scholarship and research through active research, publications, and presentations or history of successful program of funded research including considerable success in grant writing and awards. Experience in developing and growing a successful Doctor of Nursing Practice program with vision and knowledge to also establish a Ph.D. in Nursing. Keen insights into a range of key issues and opportunities in the nursing profession, nursing education, research, and health care delivery, with the ability to position the School to meet the challenges inherent in health care and potential health care reform. Ability to manage an academic organization and work effectively and collaboratively with community leaders, interdisciplinary professionals, and colleagues in a complex university environment. Ability to recruit, retain and develop outstanding faculty. Ability to raise funds from interested donors for endowments, to support scholarships, professorships, chairs and programs. Ability to work well at all levels in a complex and diverse environment, fostering a spirit of collaboration and transparency with faculty, colleagues, and administrators. Ability to foster a team culture, create positive change, inspire innovation, and exude transparency. Proven sustained success in building partnerships and relationships across academic disciplines, administrative units, and with external communities including international populations. Evidence of superior oral and written communication skills with colleagues, faculty, staff and students that represent objectivity, transparency, and strong interpersonal skills. A commitment to foster and enhance racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in the student body and faculty through a demonstrated commitment to a diverse and inclusive environment. Outstanding judgment and the capacity to set and communicate priorities and to lead the School forward through identified expansion of nursing programs to meet current and future needs in the community. Demonstrated leadership creating fundamental and innovative opportunities for nursing faculty in interprofessional educational activities.

Responsibilities

• Authority over a $2.85 million budget, as well as approximately 51 faculty and 9 staff. The position will be instrumental in recruiting, promoting, and retaining outstanding faculty, students and staff to the School. The Dean is expected to recommend to the Executive Vice President and Provost existing programs that should be expanded as well as new programs for consideration and investment. The Dean will be intimately involved in the CCNE accreditation process. The Dean will continuously assess and cultivate an environment of research with affiliated partners and community organizations to facilitate the expansion of research opportunities for the School of Nursing. The Dean has oversight of the campuses located in Edinburg, Harlingen and Brownsville and a future campus in Pharr, Texas. The Dean reports directly to the Executive Vice President and Provost and works collaboratively across disciplines, with other senior leadership at UTRGV, external audiences, including alumni and professional organizations. The Dean serves as one of the state’s leading voices for assessing healthcare needs of its residents and addressing them through the education of nursing professionals.

For more information or to apply, please contact Lexi Burford at lexi.burford@grantcooper.com.