Program Director for the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition

The University of the Pacific (Pacific), in partnership with the national search firm, Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Program Director (Director) for the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition (MSCN) program. Reporting to the Dean of the School of Health Sciences, the Director is responsible for the academic quality of the program, program organization, administration, fiscal management, ongoing review and assessment, and planning and development. Located on the Sacramento campus, the MSCN program is a Future Graduate Future Education Model Demonstration Program that has been designed specifically to collect data for setting the 2024 National Standards. This is a twelve­month, non­tenure track faculty appointment. Academic rank is commensurate with experience.

Responsibilities:

• Attain and maintain accreditation from the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) which includes, but is not limited to:

• Timely submission of fees, reports, and requests for major program changes;
• Maintenance of the program’s student records, including student advising plans, supervised experiential learning hours, and verification statements;
• Maintenance of complaints about the program received from students or others, including disposition of the complaint and resolution;
• Ongoing review of program’s curriculum to meet the accreditation standards;
• Facilitate processes for continuous program evaluation and student competency assessment;
• Communication and coordination with program faculty, preceptors, administration, and others involved with the program and its students; and
• Timely submission of required documentation supporting the graduates’ eligibility for the Commission on Dietetic Registration credentialing exam.

• Develop policies and procedures for effectively managing all components of the program in accordance with the University’s policies and procedures, including program admissions, retention, and completion, and to ensure fair, equitable, and considerable treatment of prospective and enrolled students;
• Lead student recruitment, advisement, evaluation, and counseling;
• Coordinate student recruitment and admissions processes in collaboration with Graduate Admissions and Enrollment Management;
• Review and evaluate survey data from course and instructor evaluations, graduate exit interviews, alumni surveys, and employer surveys to ensure student outcomes and goals are achieved;
• Oversee and implement the Student Learning Assessment Plan based upon survey;
• Recruit faculty as needed to meet the needs of the program and curriculum;
• Oversee planning, development, and evaluation of all courses and the overall curriculum;
• Use innovative instruction and technology in the development and delivery of the curriculum;
• Engage across professional and disciplinary programs in the development and growth of the curriculum, and coordinate and support inter-professional education between the program and other disciplines at Pacific to ensure meaningful collaborative opportunities in all aspects of the teaching and learning program;
• Supervise MSCN program faculty and staff, monitoring workloads and performance;
• Oversee the budget and manage program resources ethically and responsibly in accordance with University policy;
• Represent the program to the community and healthcare organizations, and at regional and national dietetics educator meetings;
• Serve on state or national professional committees as appropriate;
• Serve on committees and taskforces as requested by the Dean;
• Develop and maintain an advisory board for the program;
• Work with the Dean and the Office of Institutional Advancement and collaborate with the Office of the Provost, development teams, and other departments to enhance corporate, employer, alumni, and other stakeholder relationships, thereby developing additional resource opportunities;
• Teach required courses in the curriculum in areas of expertise;
• Actively work on scholarship activities;
• Assist in other related areas as requested by the Dean.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Credentialed as a registered dietitian nutritionist by the Commission on Dietetic Registration;
• Have earned doctoral degree and three years professional experience post credentialing, OR have earned a master’s degree and five years professional experience post credentialing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Documented leadership as Director of an ACEND accredited program;
• Experience building and leading teams of educators and/or clinicians;
• Doctoral degree (Ph.D., Ed.D., or DSc) in nutrition, education or related health science field.

Skills and Expertise:

• Effective interpersonal skills and sensitivity to academic and personnel issues;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills;
• Proven organizational ability;
• Ability to mentor personnel;
• Demonstrated commitment to promote and enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and proven ability to work successfully with diverse populations.

About the Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition Program and the School of Health Sciences:
Pacific’s MSCN program is competency-based education and embeds supervised clinical practice experiences within the didactic course work. The accelerated 16-month continuous program (four consecutive trimesters) has received candidacy status as a Future Education Model Graduate Program. After successfully completing program requirements and ACEND graduate competencies, students are eligible to take the registration examination for dietitians (RDNs) administered by the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

The School of Health Sciences was built on Pacific’s long-standing reputation for educating health care professionals and features innovative curricula, accelerated programs, extensive experiential learning and clinical training for all students. All programs include interprofessional education experiences designed to prepare students to deliver health care in a team-based model. The Pacific School of Health Sciences prepares practice ready athletic trainers, audiologists, clinical nutritionists, physical therapists, physician assistants, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and social workers to meet the health care demands of our community in the Central Valley and Northern California.

About the University of the Pacific:

Established in 1851, Pacific was California's first chartered institution of higher learning. It is a private Methodist-affiliated university with campuses in Sacramento, San Francisco, and Stockton. The University’s mission is to provide a superior, student-centered learning experience integrating liberal arts and professional education by preparing individuals for lasting achievement and responsible leadership in their careers and communities. Pacific is fully accredited and offers more than 80 undergraduate areas of study (including 12 accelerated programs), more than 30 graduate and professional programs in 11 schools and colleges, and a continuing education program.

About Sacramento:

Hailed as one of the most ethnically diverse and livable cities in America, Sacramento got its start as a supply center for prospectors from around the globe during the 1849 Gold Rush. Since 1854, the city has served as the capital of California, with the sixth-largest economy in the world. Sacramento is a hot spot for urban nightlife with an arts scene that includes exceptional cultural and leisure opportunities. This vibrant metropolitan region boasts a great variety of places to dine, drink, enjoy live music, and shop.

Application Process:

Please submit all applications and nominations electronically to the University’s search consultant:

Danan Tsan

Assistant Vice President

Scott Healy & Associates

danan@scotthealy.com

Complete applications should include the following:

1. Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position; Updated CV; Three professional references with contact information.

Applications received by September 13, 2021 will receive priority consideration. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

University of the Pacific is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity. In compliance with applicable law and its own policy, Pacific is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty and staff and does not discriminate in its hiring of faculty and staff, or in the provision of its employment benefits to its faculty and staff on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sex/gender, marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, or mental or physical disability.