"Alerted.org

Posting Details

Position will be posted for a minimum of one week, after which it is subject to removal without notice.

Advertising Copy Dean/College of Nursing and Health Sciences

The Opportunity

The University of Vermont ( UVM ) invites applications for the next Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences ( CNHS ). The college is seeking a dynamic leader to guide a vibrant and innovative academic community committed to excellence in teaching, research, and clinical practice. This is a pivotal time for CNHS as it continues to deepen its commitment to improving health outcomes, while preparing the next generation of culturally responsive health professionals – practitioners who recognize, respect, and adapt to the diverse values, beliefs, and needs of the individuals and communities they serve.

In addition to demonstrating a strong commitment to student success, building trusting and collaborative partnerships, and fostering mission-aligned research and education initiatives, successful candidates must illustrate: 1) progressive administrative leadership experience in an academic environment, 2) recognition for achievement in research, education, and/or clinical pursuits, 3) experience with interprofessional education and practice, and 4) the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in the College and across the broader UVM ecosystem. As the administrative leader for the College, candidates should have exceptional communication skills, a high degree of professionalism, considerable financial acumen, and a clear understanding of what it takes to help grow market share and advance all academic programs in a competitive higher education environment. This position represents a significant opportunity to help shape the vision for the health professions to achieve the institution’s overall goals and objectives.

UVM , located in Burlington, VT, is a robust Carnegie R1 designated public research university, that offers a challenging academic experience, which translates to student success. UVM has seven undergraduate colleges in addition to the Honors College, the Graduate College, the Larner College of Medicine ( LCOM ), and Professional and Continuing Education. UVM offers a close community of scholars, scientists, and learners.

CNHS offers an expansive and compassionate environment to transform the future of health for people and planet. Additionally, the college instills a philosophy of care that champions equity, collaboration, and humanity, preparing the next generation of health professionals by fostering excellence in health research, education, and practice. The College comprises four Departments: Biomedical and Health Sciences, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Nursing, and Rehabilitation and Movement Science. The College offers undergraduate degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Exercise Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Medical Radiation Sciences, Public Health Sciences, and Nursing; and graduate degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and a PhD in Interprofessional Health Sciences.

CNHS is a dynamic and growing community that fosters interdisciplinary education and research in the service of improving health outcomes and advancing health equity in Vermont and beyond. The College is poised for significant expansion with the recent launch of a Doctor of Occupational Therapy program in the Fall of 2023 and the opening of a state-of-the-art Occupational Therapy laboratory in Fall of 2024. The undergraduate Public Health Sciences and Exercise Science programs have seen significant growth in the past three years, and that growth is expected to continue. CNHS is also launching a new undergraduate minor in Epidemiology, and is currently developing an M.S. in Exercise Science. These initiatives underscore the College’s strategic vision to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, address critical workforce needs, and serve rural and medically underserved populations.

The Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences will have the opportunity to foster and expand interdisciplinary collaboration through engagement with a wide array of University-wide Institutes and Centers. These include, but are not limited to, the Osher Center for Integrative Health, Health Services Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Gund Institute for Environment, Leahy Institute for Rural Partnerships, Vermont EPSCoR, Vermont Biomedical Research Network, Vermont Advanced Computing Center, UVM Cancer Center, Center for Clinical and Translational Science, Vermont Center for Immunology and Infectious Disease, Vermont Center for Behavioral Health, and the Vermont Lung Center. These partnerships offer rich opportunities to advance research, education, and community impact.

The new Dean will lead this vibrant College into its next phase of growth, building on a strong foundation of academic excellence, innovative research, and community engagement. This is a unique opportunity for a collaborative and visionary leader to shape the future of health sciences education and make a meaningful impact on the health of individuals and communities across the region.

UVM invites inquiries, applications, and nominations for the position of CNHS Dean to provide academic and administrative leadership to advance the College’s mission in education, service, scholarship, and research. Reporting to the Provost, the Dean will work collaboratively with other deans across UVM , as well as leadership within the University of Vermont Health Network, to leverage opportunities to support the growth and quality of research, education, and practice throughout the health sciences and health professions.

Candidates must possess a PhD or equivalent and have experience and a record compatible with appointment as a full professor with tenure in one of the CNHS Departments/programs.

College of Nursing and Health Sciences

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences is dedicated to meeting society’s urgent need for well-prepared, interdisciplinary health professionals. With a strong emphasis on team-based approaches and collaborative practice, CNHS graduates are equipped not only to enter the workforce but to lead and elevate the work of interprofessional teams – ultimately improving health outcomes for patients, families, and communities.

The College enrolls approximately 1,100 undergraduate and 254 graduate students across a range of high-demand programs, supported by 90 faculty members (including 24 tenure-track and 66 non-tenure-track faculty) and 31 staff. CNHS faculty are teacher-scholars and clinical experts who bring deep disciplinary knowledge and real-world experience to the classroom, clinic, and research lab.

Demonstrating its growing research impact, CNHS has significantly expanded its externally funded research portfolio, with annual research funding increasing from $500,000 in 2015 to over 3 million this academic year. Faculty conduct innovative research in a range of health-related areas including aging, autism, rehabilitation and physical activity, brain health and cognition, molecular and cellular mechanisms of human disease, speech and hearing sciences, public and global health, and rural health equity.

The College is also proud of its students’ exceptional performance on national certifying examinations, a testament to the rigor of its programs and the strength of its clinical and academic preparation. CNHS graduates are consistently recognized for their readiness to contribute meaningfully to the health workforce from day one. US News and World Reports consistently ranks the Doctorate in Physical Therapy and Masters in Speech Language Pathology in the top 100 programs.

Role of the Dean of CNHS

The Dean of CNHS will be an innovative, service-oriented, highly collaborative leader who will engage students, faculty, and staff in new ways. They will partner with colleagues across the College and UVM to continue developing a bold vision for CNHS . It is expected that the Dean will be an advocate for resources and infrastructure and a visible representative of CNHS on campus, within the community, and at the national level. The Dean will join UVM during an exciting time as it plans for the future. This is an exciting opportunity for a talented and innovative health sciences professional to grow interprofessional education, serve as an integral member of the UVM leadership team, foster partnerships with other colleges, and inspire innovation to propel CNHS to the next level of national and international reputation.

Reporting Relationships

Reports to: Provost

Partners with: Deans of other UVM Colleges

Provost’s Operational Management Team

Direct Reports: Associate Deans

Assistant Deans

Department Chairs

UVM Foundation Major Gifts Officer

Relates to: President’s Cabinet

Deans’ Council

Health System Leadership Team

Foundation Board Members

Alumni

Opportunities and Expectations for Leadership

The following priorities have been identified for the incoming Dean:

Articulate a Vision and Strategy

The Dean will articulate a compelling vision and corresponding strategic plan consistent with the College’s commitment to academic and clinical excellence. It is imperative that the next Dean articulates and disseminates the College’s strengths to attract and retain the highest quality students who will transition into engaged alumni. The College will benefit from highlighting its outstanding academic programs that position graduates for success in the health care workforce. The Dean will evaluate the College’s current organizational structure and resources, making appropriate changes to support its continued growth.

Promote Academic Excellence across All Programs

The Dean will engage faculty in assessing the curriculum and current programs to identify changes to address current demand and emerging needs of a rapidly evolving health care environment. This includes exploring opportunities to expand and enhance interprofessional education and interdisciplinary programs with other UVM colleges or institutions in the region. It is expected that the Dean will lead integration across departments and programs to ensure cohesion and to leverage synergies. The Dean will also identify opportunities to increase student enrollment andthe College’s revenue and funding and identify areas where technology can enhance productivity and can lead to innovative teaching methods.

Recruit and Retain a Distinguished Faculty

CNHS faculty are accomplished in their areas of expertise and continually strive for success at all levels. The Dean will continue developing a faculty of distinction, establishing the highest standards in faculty recruitment, appointment, tenure, and promotion to enhance consistent excellence in teaching, research and clinical practice. This will include identifying recruitment needs to support curriculum changes and program expansion at the junior, mid-level and senior faculty levels, and retaining and recruiting faculty with strong records in education, clinical practice, and research. The Dean will support the ongoing professional development of the faculty, by mentoring junior faculty and emerging academic leaders, and encouraging faculty engagement in curriculum evaluation and program development.

Advance Scholarship and Research

Building upon the College’s current research activity, the new Dean will lead the expansion of research productivity and funding, consistent with an R1 institution. UVM achieved R1 status in 2025, a designation earned by less than 3 percent of U.S. higher education institutions. The Dean will foster a strong, supportive environment of discovery and scholarship among the College’s faculty, which will lead to increased sponsored research funding, and promoting new collaborative research programs. This will include providing mechanisms to support early career investigators and mentoring junior faculty in their research efforts. The Dean will identify opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration with other colleges within the University, as well as with clinical partners and other external organizations, fostering the development of synergistic relationships that will advance UVM’s research enterprise.

Collaborate with Clinical Partners

The Dean will establish a strong partnership with university senior leadership, chief nursing officers, and with the College’s clinical partners, including the Larner College of Medicine, the University of Vermont Medical Center and other hospitals within the University of Vermont Health Network. The next leader will demonstrate entrepreneurship and innovation in determining how the College will address the state’s and region’s health care needs and proactively identify opportunities to expand the College’s program to address the region’s workforce demands. The Dean will seek ways to advance the College’s faculty practice by exploring opportunities with clinical partners and other community organizations to develop additional College managed community-based clinics.

The Appletree Bay Primary Care (https://www.uvm.edu/cnhs/nursing/appletree-bay-primary-care) . Located in Burlington’s north end, Appletree Bay Primary Care is affiliated with UVM’s Department of Nursing. All nurse practitioners serve dual roles as faculty, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in health sciences and practice through hands-on clinical education.

Nationally recognized as a Patient-Centered Medical Home ( PCMH ) by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Appletree Bay delivers high-quality, coordinated, and patient-centered care. It is also an Age-Friendly Health System, committed to evidence-based practices that support the health and safety of older adults and ensure care aligns with individual values. The clinic emphasizes preventive care—including screenings, immunizations, and annual exams—and promotes active patient engagement to improve outcomes.

Governance at Apple Tree Bay is led by the Dean, who also serves as CEO and CFO . Responsibilities include managing contracts, overseeing clinical operations, updating bylaws, recruiting board members, and facilitating biannual board meetings.

The Larner College of Medicine ( LCOM ) (https://www.uvm.edu/larnermed) . Located in adjoining buildings on campus, CNHS and LCOM share a dynamic, collaborative partnership that fosters interdisciplinary education, research, and patient-centered care. LCOM (http://www.med.uvm.edu/) was established in 1822 and is the nation’s 7th oldest medical school. LCOM takes great pride in educating the next generation of physicians and biomedical scientists, training over 35 percent of the physicians practicing in Vermont. It takes equal pride in its scientific stature and has competed successfully for significant extramural research funding of $100 million annually. The Medical Center is the main teaching hospital for CNHS and LCOM students and contains within it a full-service children’s hospital. Much of the clinical and health services research is conducted in collaboration with the Medical Center. The University of Vermont Health Network includes the UVM Medical Center and five other hospitals. Established to create a highly integrated health care system serving the communities of Vermont and northern New York, the network provides clinical education opportunities throughout the region for UVM students.

Clinical Simulation Laboratory ( CSL ) (https://www.uvm.edu/larnermed/simlab) . The Dean also serves on the Governance Board for the UVM Clinical Simulation Laboratory (https://www.uvm.edu/larnermed/simlab) , which is jointly governed and administered by the UVM Medical Center, LCOM , and CNHS . The CSL is a central hub for healthcare education that aims to provide a safe learning environment and a commitment to innovation and collaboration. The CSL mission is to improve health care delivery by using simulation to improve clinical skills and enhance patient safety through innovations in clinical training, educational research, and quality improvement. Through these efforts the CSL strives to achieve systems integration, interprofessional collaboration and value-driven health care. The Governance Board meets quarterly to review utilization data, discuss finances, and receive updates on all educational programing and operations.

Act as the “face and voice” of the College

The Dean is expected to bring prominence to the College by actively participating in local, regional, state and national health care and academic organizations (e.g. local hospitals, health departments, accrediting bodies, professional nursing organizations at the state, national and international levels). The Dean will lead efforts to identify ways in which the College can increase its visibility to prospective students and faculty regionally as well as nationally, which includes enhancing the College’s digital footprint.

The Dean will engage community groups and government agencies to identify ways in which the College can help meet health care workforce needs in Vermont. Furthermore, the Dean will participate in influencing health policy for the state and region in alignment with UVM goals.

The Dean will seek opportunities to increase philanthropic support to provide scholarships and to support research, playing a significant role in fundraising for the College. This will include building new strategic alliances and creating a culture of philanthropy among alumni. The Dean will actively participate in development efforts to increase private support from individuals, foundations, and corporations, working collaboratively with UVM’s development office to explain to donors how the teaching, research and clinical practice conducted by the College’s faculty directly impacts population health.

Candidate Qualifications

Education

+ PhD or equivalent in a health profession, with a preference for a background in one of the disciplines represented in the College.

+ Experience and record compatible with appointment as full professor with tenure at UVM .

Experience

Keen insights into the range of key issues and opportunities in health professions, health profession education, research, health policy, health care delivery and population health, with the ability to position the College to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing, increasingly global landscape.

+ A vision for the continued growth of the College, including growth of quality online and face-to-face programs, clinical activities, and research with an understanding of the breadth of liberal arts;

+ Minimum of ten years’ experience in academic health professions and higher education administration, with a broad understanding of and experience working with all of the disciplines in CNHS ;

+ Ability to work well at all levels within a complex academic medical center, fostering a spirit of collaboration with faculty, colleagues and administrators;

+ Demonstrated understanding of the importance of interprofessional education and interdisciplinary collaboration;

+ Experience with accreditation bodies in the health sciences;

+ Experience in the leadership and financial management of a complex and large organization with multiple stakeholders and a commitment to building the infrastructure that supports the training and development of staff;

+ A commitment to transparency in administration and governance;

+ Ability and experience to be nimble with a wide lens for future opportunities;

+ Strong experience in research, including a history of scholarship and sponsored research, and a desire to expand the research portfolio of the College;

+ Experience in the oversight, growth and marketing of educational programs including online programs;

+ Experience building and sustaining the clinical partnerships necessary for the work of the College;

+ Experience in fundraising and alumni relations; and

+ Commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and creating partnerships across the University and with multiple external stakeholders including government, community organizations and the business sector.

Personal Characteristics

The Dean must demonstrate strong leadership, exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, and possess the ability to define a vision for the College. It is imperative that the Dean develops support for common goals and builds relationships with the senior leadership of UVM as well as with community partners to facilitate interdisciplinary cooperation. The Dean of CNHS must be a role model for students and faculty.

+ A passionate and committed leader who will champion, support and enhance Inclusive Excellence across all College activities for student, staff and faculty from recruitment to retention;

+ A transformational and strategic leader who can:

+ establish an inspiring vision for CNHS’ future and who is committed to growing, supporting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff body

+ foster and support the collective impact of the diverse disciplines represented across the College

+ A diplomat who demonstrates a collaborative approach to working closely with:

+ UVM’s leadership and faculty

+ CNHS faculty and leadership administration of regional healthcare organizations

+ community-based organizations

+ other outside organizations and individuals

+ A persuasive communicator who is an empathetic, human-centered, respectful listener and who can create an atmosphere that fosters innovation within the context of CNHS’ plan;

+ Skilled negotiator who is able to work collaboratively yet decisively while focusing on what is optimal for CNHS and UVM ;

+ A confident manager with business skills who knows how to achieve challenging performance goals in complex, evolving environments, and manage complicated budgets while aligning strategic priorities;

+ An innovator who can take necessary risks and effectively steward the continued growth of CNHS within the context of the larger institution while recognizing and building on existing strengths;

+ A mentor with strong coaching skills to nurture the development of CNHS’s faculty into accomplished clinicians, researchers, and educators;

+ A strong advocate for CNHS’s programs, research, faculty, staff, and students, with a commitment to community; and

+ A service-driven, community focused individual who enjoys networking with community leaders and healthcare providers to identify opportunities to enhance community health.

Procedure for Candidacy

Inquiries, nominations, and applications are invited. Applications should be submitted through the University’s online recruitment site: https://www.uvmjobs.com. Nominations and inquiries should be sent to [email protected] and [email protected]. Candidates should provide:

1. a letter of application addressing the central themes described in this leadership profile, including advancing the College’s mission in education, service, scholarship, and research.

2. a professional CV

3. the names and contact information for three references. References will only be contacted with prior notice to the candidate.

4. a separate statement on how, as Dean, you would advance Our Common Ground Values (https://www.uvm.edu/president/our-common-ground) at UVM , and among the populations we serve.

Review of applications will begin on September 15, 2025, and will continue until an offer is made. Applications received by September 14, 2025, will receive priority consideration. Employment is subject to a successful background check.

Compensation is competitive and will be commensurate with both experience and achievement, and include a highly competitive array of benefits.

UVM is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other category legally protected by federal or state law.

Job Location Burlington, Vermont

Job Open Date 05/22/2025

Job Close Date

Category

Position Information

Posting Number F3377PO

Department CNHS Dean's Office/56000

Advertising/Posting Title Dean

FLSA Exempt

Position Number 006751

Employee FTE 1.0

Employee Term (months) 12

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

+ Curriculum Vitae

+ Cover Letter/Letter of Application

+ Other Document (1)

Optional Documents