Dean, College of Nursing and Health Sciences

Valdosta State University, one of Georgia’s four comprehensive state universities, seeks an accomplished, energetic, and visionary leader to serve as the next Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Reporting directly to the Provost, the dean will oversee two schools offering thriving undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The successful candidate is expected to start no later than July 1, 2020, with a preferred starting date of January 1, 2020.

Complete information is provided in the Search Profile at https://myersmcrae.com/skins/userfiles/files/Valdosta-Dean.pdf.

The Opportunity

This position is an excellent opportunity for an academic leader to lead strong, growing nursing and health sciences programs at a thriving university. The Dean will report to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Robert T. Smith, Ph.D., who has more than three decades of academic leadership experience.

Located in the award-winning city of Valdosta, one of Georgia’s largest cities, the University is only 15 minutes from the Georgia-Florida state line. Due to the city’s midway location between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, beautiful Florida beaches east and west are easy drives, making weekend trips to the shores possible.

With an enrollment of approximately 11,300 undergraduate and graduate students, VSU offers innovative learning environments, engaged interactions, hands-on research, state-of-the-art facilities, and small class sizes. Providing rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich students’ learning experiences, the faculty is committed to successfully engaging students and serving as mentors as well as educators. At VSU, competition is cheered, collaboration counts, and connections are lifelong.

The University offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degrees, including five doctorates. VSU has eight academic units: the College of the Arts; Langdale College of Business Administration; James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education and Human Services; College of Humanities and Social Sciences; College of Nursing and Health Sciences; College of Science and Mathematics; Graduate School; and Honors College.

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences (CONHS) serves more than 1,100 students and provides undergraduate and graduate programs. Under the guidance of talented, practicing faculty, students learn to nurse, rehabilitate, condition, treat, and educate. The 30 full-time and 8 part-time instructional faculty members are actively involved in research, service, scholarship, and professional development.

The Bachelor of Science degree is granted in Exercise Physiology, Athletic Training, Health Sciences, and Nursing. The Nursing program includes the BSN for Basic Licensure and the Accelerated BSN for holders of bachelor’s degrees in other fields. It also offers a pathway for registered nurses to earn either a BSN or MSN degree.

Graduate programs include the Master of Science in Exercise Physiology and the Master of Science in Nursing with concentrations in Family Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner. The College is seeking state approval to offer a Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

An Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene is offered in collaboration with Wiregrass Technical College. A minor in Nutritional Science is offered fully online.

The College is housed in the University’s $32-million Health Sciences and Business Administration Building. The recently constructed 150,000-square-foot facility allows students and faculty to engage in cross-disciplinary discussions and student-faculty research in addition to expanding interaction with health professionals at South Georgia Medical Center and other health agencies.

The Nursing programs are accredited by CCNE. The Athletic Training program is accredited by CAATE. The Exercise Physiology program is accredited by CAAHEP. The Dental Hygiene program is accredited by CODA.

The Dean Position

The University seeks an academic leader who possesses the communication, administrative, and leadership skills to maintain a supportive and student-centered learning and working environment. The Dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences, in collaboration with the associate deans, faculty, staff, students, and leadership across the University, is responsible for the following:

• Providing leadership and vision for the CONHS.
• Promoting a rigorous, research-based curriculum that incorporates innovative teaching practices.
• Working collaboratively across the University and community to implement and nurture distinctive programs in a variety of areas within nursing and the health sciences.
• Collaborating with the faculty and associate deans on program development, recruitment, and retention initiatives.
• Collaborating with other deans and the Office of the Provost to advance the University’s academic priorities and new Strategic Plan.
• Recruiting outstanding faculty who are actively engaged teachers, practitioners, and scholars, using theory, research, and collaboration to enhance their work in a global, diverse, and technological society.
• Ensuring that the College prepares well-qualified professionals in nursing and the health sciences.
• Collaboratively developing, refining, and implementing appropriate policies within the college.
• Ensuring that the College’s strategic objectives are met through robust assessment practices.
• Fostering a culture of reflective, evidence-based practice and inquiry within a diverse community of students, faculty, and staff.
• Maintaining accreditations with regional and national organizations.
• Providing leadership in the evaluation and professional development of faculty, and staff.
• Developing the College’s budget and providing oversight for effective resource management.
• Assisting with fundraising and alumni activities.
• Ensuring that all programs in the College are properly administered and managed.
• Fostering a culture of transparent, clear, and consistent communication with faculty and staff in the College, as well as with University and community partners.

Qualifications

Candidates must hold a doctorate from a regionally accredited institution in a discipline represented within the College and have a record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service commensurate with appointment at the rank of full professor with tenure. A strong record of progressively responsible and relevant university leadership experience and a minimum of three years of experience at the department head level or above are required.

Preferred candidates will have:

• Significant and successful experience with grant writing and extramural funding
• Record of successful outreach to the community
• Experience as a college dean

Other requirements include:

• An awareness of current trends in higher education and a commitment to innovation in teaching and learning
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Significant and successful experience in faculty evaluation and professional development and in managing enrollment and complex budgets
• Significant experience with nationally accredited professional programs with significant clinical components
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion
• Commitment to shared governance and a consultative leadership style

Valdosta State University

Valdosta State was founded in 1906 by a group of local legislators and concerned civic leaders. In 1993, the College became Valdosta State University, the second regional university in the University System of Georgia.

The University offers the extensive academic, cultural, and social opportunities of a major university; yet, the small classes and close personal attention found at smaller institutions. Students are attracted to the close-knit community where learning occurs in a supportive, student-centered environment.

VSU has more than 400 full-time faculty, and 80 percent of faculty members have the terminal degree in their field of study. The average class size is 22 students, so faculty-student engagement is active. Approximately 14 percent of students attend fully online.

While VSU is a university of choice within Georgia, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, three U.S. territories, and more than 60 countries are represented in the student body.

VSU embraces the concept that the measurement of a student’s success in the University goes beyond the classroom and offers a wide array of opportunities to become involved. Students can choose from more than 200 active student organizations, Greek fraternities and sororities, faith-based ministry groups, a variety of intramural teams, and many service and academic clubs.

The VSU campus is divided into two areas: main campus and north campus. The beautiful 85-acre main campus houses much of the academic and administrative departments and is recognized for the Spanish Mission architectural theme of many of its buildings. Other units of the University are located in satellite facilities adjacent to the campus and nearby. The campuses and principal satellite buildings are connected by the University bus service, which operates regularly throughout each class day.

For additional information on VSU, visit the web site at www.valdosta.edu.

The City of Valdosta

The award-winning City of Valdosta is the economic engine of South Georgia and North Florida. The city is home to progressive ideas, a proactive government, low taxes, multiple market niches, temperate weather, and a high quality of life.

The City is fortunate to have a diverse mix of business and industry that contributes to the overall make up of its workforce and serves to grow the local economy. Among its largest employers are Moody Air Force Base and the South Georgia Medical Center.

Since 1984, Valdosta has repeatedly received National Main Street Certifications and awards from the Georgia Downtown Association. Home to more than 120 restaurants, shops, government agencies, and churches, Valdosta Main Street is alive with active residents and businesses of the city.

Valdosta has garnered other recognitions, including a City of Excellence, City of Ethics, Tree City, 8th Best Place to Locate a Restaurant in the Nation, 3rd Best Metropolitan Area for Industrial Recruitment/Expansion, 5th Best Location for Logistics in the Nation, one of 11 Great Southern Places to Retire, and Georgia’s Best Adventure Town.

Jacksonville, Gainesville, and Tallahassee, Florida, are less than two hours away by car, with Orlando, Tampa, and Daytona Beach approximately three hours.

Application and Nomination Process

Confidential inquiries are welcomed, and nominations are invited.

To apply, submit: a) Letter of interest, b) Curriculum vitae, and c) At least five current references with full contact information including phone and e-mail address (References will not be contacted without applicant’s consent.)

Submit application (preferably as a PDF) to VSU-Dean@myersmcrae.com by October 14, 2019, for best consideration. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Submit nominations to VSU-Dean-Nominate@myersmcrae.com with complete contact information, including e-mail address, for the individual being nominated.

Emily Parker Myers, CEO, and Jennifer Barfield, Senior Vice President, of Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting, are assisting Valdosta State University with this search.

Valdosta State University is an Equal Opportunity educational institution and has a strong institutional commitment to diversity. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people, including, but not limited to minorities and individuals with disabilities. Valdosta State University has a non-discrimination policy that includes sex, race, color, sexual orientation, religion, age, marital status, national origin, disability, and veteran status.