Associate Dean, Academic Affairs and Professor

The University of Maryland School of Public Health is driven by a passion to break down the barriers that keep individuals, families, communities and populations from attaining optimum health and wellness. The School is committed to finding new and better ways to promote health, prevent disease and prolong active, high-quality lives. There are so many issues that impact health — including discrimination, violence, poverty, obesity, climate change, substance abuse, and aging. The School of Public Health, located at one of the nation’s leading public research universities, offers an unusual breadth of expertise to explore these issues through public health disciplines, and lenses as varied as engineering, arts and humanities, business and public policy. Built on a foundation of disciplines that originated over 150 years ago with the formation of the University of Maryland, the School of Public Health was founded in 2007 and is accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. It is the only accredited school of public health at a public university in the Washington, DC/Maryland/Virginia region, offering an affordable education with outstanding professional development opportunities. The School’s vision is “to be a leader in the discovery, application and dissemination of public health knowledge in the State of Maryland, the nation and the world.” The successful candidate will contribute to fulfilling this vision.

The School of Public Health is seeking a highly qualified and experienced academic leader to serve as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The successful candidate will play a vital role in providing leadership, strategic direction, and oversight of academic programs within the School of Public Health. This position offers an excellent opportunity to shape and advance the educational mission of the institution and contribute to the overall success of the school. This is a 50% leadership position; the successful candidate will also hold a tenured or equivalent professional track appointment with research, teaching, practice, and/or service responsibilities within one of the academic units within the school for the remaining 50% effort.

Responsibilities:

1. Academic Leadership:

• Provide visionary leadership for academic affairs within the School of Public Health.
• Collaborate with the Dean, Chairs, Graduate Program Directors, and other key stakeholders to develop and implement academic goals, policies, and strategic plans.
• Foster a culture of academic excellence and innovation, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and student-centered learning.
• Lead efforts to enhance and maintain accreditation standards, ensuring compliance with Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) requirements.

2. Curriculum Development and Assessment:

• Oversee the development, implementation, and evaluation of the school's academic programs, ensuring alignment with current higher education trends, emerging research, and public health needs.
• Promote a learner-centered approach to curriculum design, incorporating diverse teaching methodologies and technologies.
• Lead the assessment and continuous improvement of academic programs, using data-informed decision-making and best practices.

3. Student Affairs:

• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure an exceptional student experience, from recruitment to graduation.
• Provide guidance and support for student advising, mentoring, and career development opportunities.
• Foster an environment conducive to student success, well-being, and cultural competency.
• Support the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education and the undergraduate student services staff.
• Support the Office of Graduate Student Services faculty and staff. 

4. Supervision:

Direct reports include the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education, who supervises a large staff focused on undergraduate student services; the Director of Graduate Student Services, who oversees a small team focused on graduate student services; the Directors of the Public Health Science undergraduate major (the fourth largest major on campus); and two faculty who support core/required courses across the school that support accreditation requirements.   

Qualifications:

• Terminal degree in a relevant field of public health or a related discipline.
• Extensive academic leadership experience, preferably in a university setting.
• Demonstrated expertise in curriculum development, assessment, and accreditation processes.
• Strong commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in academic programs and the broader community.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills.
• Track record of scholarly achievement, including research, publications, and external funding.
• Understanding of public health practice and its implications for academic programs.

This position offers a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on the School of Public Health, shaping the future of public health education and student success.

For full consideration, applicants should submit: 1) a current curriculum vitae; 2) a single letter of intent that a) describes their interest in the position, b) describes their experiences in curriculum development, teaching and mentoring and future plans in these areas, c) includes a research statement describing their previous experience and future research goals, and d) includes a statement that details their commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in their scholarship, teaching and mentoring activities; and 3) contact information for three references (letters will be requested at a later date).

Best consideration date:  November 30, 2023