Dean and Director of Nursing

Responsible for the administration of the ACEN-accredited undergraduate and graduate nursing programs located in Pueblo, Walsenburg, and online; plans and manages the school budget; participates in academic governance at the school and university levels; creates and maintains an academic environment that fosters excellence in teaching, research, and community service; promotes a diverse and inclusive work and learning environment; provides guidance in both curriculum and faculty development; secures external funding; supervises academic, professional, and administrative personnel; and collaborates with the health care and nursing community and an external advisory council to further the school and university mission. The Dean and Director of Nursing will provide support to Academic Affairs by carrying out duties as may be assigned by the Provost, including performance reviews and preparing recommendations for enhancing scholarship, community outreach, and the teaching-and-learning processes.

Provide leadership to the School of Nursing:

• Lead the school to accomplish school and university goals.
• Develop goals, objectives and performance standards for the SON that provide excellence in education and meet the vision of the school’s future, in collaboration with faculty.
• Develop and coordinate the use of educational facilities and clinical resources.
• Inspire and motivate faculty and students. Communicate the goals of the school and university to staff, students and community and enlist support of all groups.
• Serve as liaison between the Provost and the nursing faculty and staff.
• Serve as liaison between the university, school and the Colorado State Board of Nursing, ensuring and documenting the Nursing Education Program’s compliance with the Nurse and Nurse Aide Practice Act, the Board’s Rules and Regulations, and all other state or federal regulations.
• Foster innovative teaching methods and curriculum development leading to improved student learning.
• Develop and implement processes to encourage and support scholarship and research.
• Support faculty, staff, and students in their responsibilities and professional development - encouraging initiative, innovation, and collegiality.
• Administer university policies and procedures.
• Support fundraising and develop innovative ways to obtain grants.
• Establish and maintain positive professional relationships with external constituencies.
• Manage and promote Nursing programs at the Pueblo campus, Spanish Peaks campus, online and at multiple off-site locations.

• Manage all SON budgetary matters including budget requests, supplies and equipment dollar allocations, expenditures, budget planning, as well as those budget responsibilities associated with grants and contracts within the school.
• Manage and support the Colorado Rural Healthcare Workforce Initiative budget and reporting.
• Manage the school inventory and equipment for all locations.

• Manage faculty workload in accordance with the school and university goals and policies. This responsibility includes ensuring that faculty assignments for student advising, instructional services and administrative assignments, and the scheduling of course offerings, are consistent with the spirit of a student-centered university.
• Ensure the quality of the program including curriculum, program policies, and both faculty and student performance meets all ACEN accreditation requirements and Colorado Board of Nursing policies.
• Develop and implement student recruitment and retention programs.
• Identify and advocate for services needed by students in the Nursing Education Program.
• Oversee the development and execution of school programs.
• Respond to requests for information from Academic Affairs, the university, and the community.
• Develop and execute the school’s program assessment(s). This includes regular assessment of student learning, overall student satisfaction, and executing internal and external programs or instructional changes.
• Maintain current transfer guidelines that reflect the latest course transfer equivalencies. When appropriate, this will include responsibility for providing information required for the institution automated degree-audit system.
• Lead program reviews and accreditation reaffirmation efforts by gathering data, preparing reports, and evaluating data to determine effectiveness of the individual and overall programs.
• Develop and/or update print and electronic promotional materials for academic programs in the school.

• Manage faculty and staff recruitment. With the assistance of program coordinators, interview, hire, train and assign work to staff.
• Supervise faculty and staff members of the school.
• Administer and coordinate all personnel matters relating to faculty and staff evaluations in accordance with relevant policies, including the preparation and oversight of all faculty plans and statements of staff expectations.
• Review evaluations on all faculty from all university coursework offered by the school.
• Recommend tenure, promotion, continuation and/or termination of faculty.
• Determine and develop best practices to attract and train high quality faculty and staff members. Provide support and encouragement for scholarly activities. Encourage staff to apply for grants and submit publications.
• Model appropriate behavior and mentor faculty and professional staff. Facilitate and approve professional development activities for faculty and staff. Identify and support appropriate professional development activities.
• Facilitate faculty and staff development, i.e. personal and professional development, service training, cross-training, and awareness of various campus services.
• Resolve personnel issues in accordance with policy and procedure. Recommend disciplinary action to the Provost when appropriate.

• Doctorate in Nursing or a Master’s degree in Nursing with a Doctorate in a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher education
• Possession of, or eligible for a Colorado R.N. License
• Demonstrated commitment to supporting diversity, inclusion and equity among peers and students
• Documented knowledge and skills related to teaching adults, teaching methodology, curriculum development, and curriculum evaluation
• At least two years of full-time, or equivalent, clinical experience as a registered nurse
• At least three years of progressive teaching experience with at least two years in an accredited (ACEN, NLNAC or AACN) baccalaureate and/or higher degree program(s)
• Experience in an administrative position with demonstrated leadership, organization and resource management skills, and preparation of grant applications

All interested candidates must apply through the online application system using the link below. No other format of application materials will be accepted.

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