Department Overview

The Associate Dean for Graduate Programs reports to the Sr. Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and has administrative responsibility for the master's degree programs and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree tracks including, Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) specialty, post-masters, and Health Systems and Organizational Leadership (SHOL) program. The Associate Dean for Graduate Programs collaborates with the SON Sr. Associate Dean for Practice in support of graduate faculty who practice. The Associate Dean for Graduate Programs is responsible for working with graduate program leaders to ensure program delivery support, faculty recruitment and retention, and building and supporting collaboration and integration across specialty tracks. The Associate Dean demonstrates strong support for diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and health equity through commitment to increasing the diversity of undergraduate faculty and supporting faculty development in trauma-informed systems principles and inclusive learning.

Function/Duties of Position

Graduate Program Administration

• Develops a portfolio of graduate academic programs that meet the needs of citizens within and beyond Oregon.
• Supports development and implementation of curricula in alignment with the 2021 AACN Essentials and progression toward competency-based education.
• Collaborates with faculty to shape and develop curricula based on stakeholder needs and emerging trends and issues and supports new models for course and clinical delivery.
• Collaborates with the SON leadership to develop comprehensive systems that facilitate the academic mission and ensures integration of academic systems across programs and the state.
• Seeks grant and philanthropic funding to advance quality academic programs and student opportunities.
• Establishes and maintains academic policies, procedures, and standards to assure alignment with trauma-informed principles and with regulatory and accreditation criteria.
• Supervise professional and support staff that fulfill roles inherent in the day-to -day operations of the graduate clinical programs.

Program Evaluation and Performance Improvement

• Collaborates in setting performance standards and aligns the academic mission with school strategic and operational goals.
• Ensures that appropriate accreditation standards and OSBN regulations are met across programs.
• Oversees the implementation of an evaluation plan based on continuous improvement and knowledge of national and state academic standards and mandates.

Human and Fiscal Resource Management

• Ensures implementation of standards, policies, and procedures for faculty hiring, workload, and evaluation.
• Supports faculty development to optimize and develop the strength and success of our members.
• Collaborates with the Sr. Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and graduate academic leaders to assess cost effectiveness and establish student enrollment targets.

Administrative Oversight and Functions

• Participates in budgeting and forecasting activities.
• Supports alignment of strategic, operational, and budget plans
• Represents the school on relevant committees, councils, and boards

Required Qualifications

• Eligible for licensure as a registered and/or advanced practice nurse in the State of Oregon
• Earned doctorate in nursing or related field with five years of progressive experience in higher education with an emphasis on graduate education. Preference will be given to those with experience with APRN education. Eligible for rank at the Associate or Professor level.
• Experience in leading faculty and staff through curricular change; knowledge of graduate/APRN curricula in nursing
• Experience in adhering to and meeting accreditation standards and state board regulations
• Experience in process improvement, assessing metrics, and evaluating program outcomes
• Able to inspire change and create a learning community within an academic health science center environment, rural and frontier communities, and across the care continuum
• Knowledge of and ability to generate revenue and manage budgets with varying degrees of complexity
• Ability to balance academic decorum with approachability and accessibility for faculty, student, academic, and community stakeholders
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Experience with or willingness to learn trauma-informed principles and being trauma-informed competent.

All are welcome