Dean Search

Dean of the School of Nursing: The Role

Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Dean of the School of Nursing is responsible for enhancing the School’s profile, visibility, and effectiveness. With the input of and support from faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders, the Dean sets the strategic direction for the School, with the responsibility for advancing the mission and operations through thoughtful personnel decisions, general administration and management, prudent budgeting and resource management, academic program support, and fundraising. This individual also fosters high- quality academic teaching, research, and practice. The Dean will promote excellence in education, including the development of collaborative academic programs, in addition to creating opportunities for more robust research.

Representing the School in all its interactions, the Dean creates and strengthens partnerships within and outside of the University and acts as a strong advocate for nursing. The Dean of the School of Nursing will be expected to interact with all levels of faculty and staff in the School of Nursing, the University, and the community at large. Additionally, the Dean will interact with multiple levels of individuals, organizations and systems, regionally, nationally and internationally, including significant interaction with accrediting agencies.

Key Priorities of the next Dean of the School of Nursing will be to:

• Provide visionary leadership and strategic planning that strengthens existing programs and continues to advance the School’s regional, national, and international footprint and stature;
• Recruit and retain excellent faculty, enhance their career development, and empower them to achieve excellence in research, teaching, and service;
• Serve as an advocate for nursing while shaping UT’s academic, research, and clinical approach to health and wellness;
• Advance and support the School’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts and initiatives to eliminate bias and inequity in communities and healthcare systems;
• Build and sustain a diverse faculty, staff, and student body that fosters a supportive, inclusive climate and culture;
• Support the expansion of the research mission and enhance productivity by providing resources, mentorship, and opportunities for innovation and collaboration;
• Lead fundraising and resource development for the School;
• Enhance experiential learning and clinical opportunities by drawing on the support of the School’s internal and external relationships; and
• Advance interprofessional education and collaborative healthcare practices.

The next Dean of the School of Nursing will have multiple responsibilities in these core areas:

• Strategic Vision – Provide leadership in determining the vision and overall direction of the School in undergraduate and graduate nursing education, research, and clinical care. The Dean will hold a vision that continues the legacy of the School, supports its goals, and helps faculty to become nationally recognized experts in their field.
   
• Academic Leadership – Evolve the curriculum around the new demands and innovations facing nursing including the new standards, changing technologies and legislative changes in the administration of national boards. The Dean will contribute to overall performance metrics and improve national rankings relevant to nursing education and research. The Dean will stimulate, guide, and support the development of high-quality academic programs and pedagogies and implement initiatives to improve the Baccalaureate, Master’s, and Doctoral programs.
   
• Scholarship and Research – Develop an outstanding multi-disciplinary research program for the School that is supported by external funding. The Dean will provide guidance and support, and assure that adequate research facilities and core staff are available to support the growth of research programs. In addition to supporting faculty, the Dean will increase the exposure of students to research excellence and ensure sustained, high-quality mentoring with the goal of expanding the number of graduates who choose careers in academic nursing.
   
• Administrative Leadership – Provide administrative leadership for the School in all aspects of fiscal and personnel management for both staff and faculty. In addition, the Dean provides leadership in all aspects of faculty recruitment, retention, and promotion and tenure. Establish and maintain clearly articulated policies and processes that guide faculty in their teaching, research, and service missions. The Dean is responsible for maintaining a leadership team capable of supporting and implementing the School’s vision and strategies. Ensure that the collective goals of School faculty, staff, and students are aligned with the mission, vision, and priorities of the School and University.
   
• Enhancement of Faculty Profile – Proactively supports the professional development of the faculty of the School, which includes the professional and leadership development of its members. The Dean will play a pivotal role in recruiting and retaining the faculty of the School of Nursing as well as share responsibility for the hiring, management, and development of other professional and support staff.
   
• Collaboration and Strategic Partnerships – Enhance administrative, academic and research relationships with other University entities, including contributing to the leadership team, actively promoting inter-professional education, and facilitating interprofessional research. Leverage community-based approaches to identify partnerships and increase participation in health equity initiatives. The Dean will leverage and enhance relationships through effective communication with internal and external constituencies, including staff, local and regional nursing organizations/associations, members of senior leadership, and academic communities.
   
• Development Activities – Enhancing the external relations and public profile of the School in collaboration with other University programs, generating financial support and meaningful opportunities for the School. The Dean will personally engage in fundraising and participate in the ongoing “What Starts Here” campaign.

Candidate Profile

In terms of the performance and personal competencies preferred for the position, the search committee seeks the following experience, abilities, and professional and personal attributes:

Setting Strategy

• An ability to co-create and articulate an inspiring vision by engaging and gathering input from School stakeholders.
• Capacity to lead and implement strategic planning, including the ability to build consensus and work collaboratively.
• A broad understanding of nursing-related opportunities in educational, professional, governmental, corporate and non-profit organizations.
• An entrepreneurial approach to developing innovative ideas that will stretch the School and push the boundaries within nursing and its approach to health and wellness.
• An ability to analyze data from a variety of sources to support decisions and to align others with the School's overall strategy.

Executing for Results

• Expert knowledge about the contemporary issues and trends involved with nursing practice, education and research.
• Demonstrated success in leading an academic clinical and research enterprise and a broad appreciation for the spectrum of basic, translational, applied, patient-oriented, and community-driven investigation.
• Demonstrated experience in recruiting, mentoring, and advancing a diverse faculty.
• Research experience and a history of extramural funding as well as knowledge and understanding of grant development and grant management.
• Strong financial acumen and fiscal management.
• Demonstrated fundraising experience or the personality traits and aptitude to suggest the potential to succeed.
• Possess a high degree of integrity and forethought in decision making, as well as the ability to act in a transparent and consistent manner.

Leading Teams

• The ability to recruit and retain top talent, motivate School stakeholders around a shared vision for the School and profession, delegate effectively, manage performance, and celebrate and cultivate diversity within the team; widely viewed as a strong developer of others.
• A record of developing and leading collaborative and interdisciplinary teams.
• Leadership experience at a nursing school, academic health center, or health system.

Building Relationships and Influencing People

• An ability to inspire trust and followership in others through compelling influence, empathy, powerful charisma, passion in his/her/their beliefs, and active drive.
• Naturally connects and builds strong relationships with others, demonstrating strong emotional intelligence, an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively, and resolve conflict.
• Documented capability and commitment to championing nursing research, education, and service within a larger organizational context.
• A national reputation as an outstanding educator, investigator, and/or clinician in nursing demonstrated by service in current leadership roles.
• A strengths-focused perspective to developing faculty, staff, students, and promoting the nursing profession; someone who encourages others to reach for lofty goals and visions and can leverage successes and failures to promote development and growth.
• Driven by a strong sense of integrity and motivated to uphold the nursing profession’s code of ethics.

Academic Qualifications

• Possess an earned doctorate in nursing or a related field is required, as well as eligibility for nursing licensure in the state of Texas.
• Possess professional accomplishments and qualifications consistent with appointment as a tenured full professor.