About UMass Amherst
The flagship of the Commonwealth, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a nationally ranked public land-grant research university that seeks to expand educational access, fuel innovation and creativity, and share and use its knowledge for the common good. Founded in 1863, UMass Amherst sits on nearly 1,450-acres in scenic Western Massachusetts and boasts state-of-the-art facilities for teaching, research, scholarship, and creative activity. The institution advances a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community where everyone feels connected and valued—and thrives, and offers a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees across 10 schools and colleges, and 100 undergraduate majors. We believe every member of our university community can contribute to our ongoing success by striving for the highest level of excellence as we seek breakthrough solutions to mounting environmental, social, economic, and technological challenges in our world.
Position Summary
Full-time, 12-month, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (ADAA). Reporting directly to the Dean, the ADAA is a visionary, creative, enthusiastic nurse leader with demonstrated scholarship and academic leadership experience.
The ADAA will cultivate and enhance the Academic Affairs Leadership Team which is responsible for the coordination of all aspects of the nursing programs in the College of Nursing, and serve as a role model in innovation, collaboration, and consensus-building across diverse groups.
The ADAA serves as the Academic Officer for the College of Nursing. This role lends thoughtful leadership and strategic guidance to program directors, and faculty members throughout the creation, implementation, and evaluation of our Nursing and Wellness curricula ranging from baccalaureate to doctoral degree programs while overseeing the delivery of student education, services, and learning resources and coordinating the activities of academic programs with central campus resources to ensure effective operations compatible with the College of Nursing vision, mission, and strategic plan.
Essential Functions
(10%) Teaching
- Develops and preparation of course syllabi, learning objectives, assignments, providing feedback;
- Selects/guides learning experiences to achieve desired outcomes
- Oversees/guides the evaluation process of students;
- Creates teaching materials as needed;
- Teaches courses within the baccalaureate and graduate programs as needed;
- Collaborates with other faculty in planning, developing, implementing, and evaluating teaching/learning strategies and curricula [244 CMR 6.04(4)(a)]
- Recommends new instructional and educational research techniques obtained at professional conferences, user groups and self-development;
- Provides guidance to faculty and advisement of students;
- Available to students for advising by appointment;
(70%) College of Nursing Administration
- Comprehensive coordination and administration of all academic programs and matters relating to faculty, students, scheduling, curriculum implementation, advising, external agencies for clinical placement, instruction, graduate student appointments, academic standards, student issues, financial considerations relating to the teaching needs of the college.
- Collaborates with the Dean’s Office and college leadership team on course reductions for faculty engaged in funded scholarship, service, and/or administrative appointments. The ADAA, in collaboration with college leadership, is responsible for the overall administration of undergraduate and graduate academic programs, ensuring quality of the degree granting educational programs. The ADAA works in partnership with faculty to create a culture that embraces academic excellence and enhances the quality and distinction of program offerings and the attainment of student success outcomes. The ADAA is responsible for ensuring compliance and maintaining accreditation status of the College of Nursing as well as the preparation of all administrative external reports and surveys bearing on academic programs.
- The ADAA is responsible for creating and maintaining annual position descriptions and/or academic year plan agreements with faculty and program directors in collaboration with the college personnel office. The ADAA manages all RN hire waivers and mentorship plans for the college to ensure full compliance with the Board of Registration in Nursing.
- The ADAA provides leadership in developing and maintaining timely and appropriate teaching schedules, clinical placements, and lab experiences to facilitate success for college of nursing students.
- The ADAA provides direct supervision for up to five staff members,
(10%) Provide service for the Achievement of College Goals
- Participation as an active member of various College and University meetings, College Faculty Assembly and annual retreats as well as participation in the systematic evaluation of the graduate and undergraduate nursing programs (244 CMR 6.04(1)(e)]
- Assisting with and representing the College at orientation, registration and graduation activities for incoming and graduating students
- Initiating recommendations for additional resources and changes according to College needs;
- Participation in the recruitment and selection of full-time faculty of the college through attendance at candidate presentations and interviews;
- Lead the recruitment and hiring recommendations of part-time non-benefitted faculty needed for each semester.
- Participating in prospective nursing student recruitment activities;
- Participating in the development, recommendation, implementation, and evaluation of academic baccalaureate curriculum policies/procedures and issue resolution [244 CMR 6.04(1)(d)]
- Engage in activities that advance the mission and goals of the College and University
(10%) Scholarship
- Engage in an active program of scholarship.
- Performs other related duties as assigned;
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)
The successful candidate will have administrative experience in a nursing school with both undergraduate and graduate programs. The ADAA will provide strategic direction and leadership in realizing the College’s vision, identify areas for future growth, further enhance its academic and research portfolio, support its focus on continued excellence, and enhance the quality of the student experience.
- An earned Doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution, minimum of master’s degree in nursing, and academic record appropriate for appointment to the College as an Associate Professor or above.
- Academic administrative experience commensurate with a senior appointment in a research-intensive university environment.
- Massachusetts RN license is required by time of appointment and must be maintained in good standing [244 CMR 6.04(2)(b)(1)].
- Extensive experience as nursing faculty is required, preferably within the past 2-3 years;
- Ability to maintain nursing license and academic expertise.
- Ability to communicate effectively with undergraduate/graduate students, faculty and staff both orally and in writing.
- The ability to inspire trust, build morale, and instill confidence in the college.
- A record of serving as a highly motivated, approachable leader and team player who possesses a tremendous level of energy, is decisive, and willing to take calculated risks.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and innovate in a large and complex organization.
- A solid understanding of the role of online and distance education, information technology support, and emerging technologies in support of academic program offerings.
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Demonstrated ability to work successfully with the University’s administration and industry leaders to promote and maintain excellence in academic programs.
- Experience with recruitment and retention of qualified and diverse faculty and students.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate academic programs with high-impact practices and experiential learning opportunities in support of student success.
- Demonstrated management of metrics for continuous quality improvement in academic outcomes.
- A demonstrated understanding of issues related to student success, enrollment management, and academic advising.
- A track record of building the global profile of a college or program through the implementation of international and study abroad programs.
- Ability to use an online teaching platform and basic IT applications.
- Good organizational skills.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
Additional Details
- Advanced practice and/or other specialty certifications are desirable;
- National certification as Nurse Educator is preferred;
Work Schedule
May include some nights and weekends; Office accommodation and equipment will be provided.
Salary Information
Salary commensurate with education, experience, and certifications along with an administrative stipend will be provided.
Travel to clinical sites outside of the normal work schedule is reimbursable but commuting travel on regular workdays is not an expense reimbursable by the University.
Special Instructions to Applicant
Upload your resume, along with your completed application. Our team will check references at the final stage of the interview process. Please be prepared to provide contact information for at least three (3) professional references. This position will remain open until filled or the advertised closing date, whichever occurs first. Early submissions are recommended.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, caste, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, political belief or affiliation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related condition(s), veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, natural and protective hairstyle and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.