Dean of the College of Health Sciences
Sam Houston State University invites inquiries, nominations, and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Health Sciences. The university seeks an innovative and future-oriented academic leader who will advance the mission and values of the college. SHSU is a Hispanic-Serving Institution providing excellence through education, scholarship, and service to a highly diverse student body. SHSU’s motto, “The measure of a Life is its Service,” resonates among the university’s over 21,000 students, eight colleges, and well beyond its historical roots through research, creative endeavors, service learning, volunteering, and more. The new dean is expected to assume office in Summer 2025.
Founded in 1879, Sam Houston State University is one of seven institutions in the Texas State University System and the third oldest university in Texas. Located on a 316-acre main campus in Huntsville, Texas, with nearby campuses in The Woodlands and Conroe that offer baccalaureate and graduate degrees, SHSU serves a diverse student body of over 21,000 through traditional face-to-face and online courses. SHSU is 70 miles north of downtown Houston and 170 miles south of Dallas, ideally situated between the 4th and 9th largest cities in the country and two of the 10 fastest-growing cities in the U.S. SHSU also strives to meet the needs of contemporary students, both traditionally and online. SHSU offers 95 bachelor’s degree programs, more than 60 master’s degree programs, nine doctoral programs, one professional doctorate (DO), and over 50 fully online degrees. SHSU is classified as a Carnegie doctoral university with high research activity (R2). It is also a Community Engaged University and a proud AASCU institution, demonstrating a commitment to education for the public good. In the summer of 2022, the university officially became designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution.
The College of Health Sciences aspires to educate health science professionals and collaborates with community and global partners to provide accessible student-centered education in the health professions for a diverse population of traditional and non-traditional students. The college offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees spanning four academic departments: Kinesiology, Human Sciences, Public Health, and Nursing. Undergraduate degrees within the college range from Athletic Training, Health Care Administration, and Nursing to Fashion Merchandising and Interior Design. At the graduate level, the college offers master’s degrees in Public Health, Kinesiology, Athletic Training, Dietetics, Health Care Quality and Safety, and Sport Management. Last spring, ground was broken on a new Health Professions Building in Conroe, Texas. The Health Professions Building, strategically positioned adjacent to the SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, embodies the university’s dedication to fostering student success, advancing healthcare access, and enhancing community well-being. Two new academic programs, Physician Assistant and Physical Therapy, in addition to two existing programs, Master of Science in Athletic Training and Master of Science in Dietetics, will be housed in the new Health Professions building.
The dean of the college provides expertise and leadership in the development and operations of the College of Health Sciences and in support of the university’s overall mission. The dean reports to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and oversees the chairs, faculty, and staff of the College of Health Sciences. The dean is responsible for participating in and implementing strategic planning, and coordinating, directing, and ensuring good outcomes of the academic programs of the college, including promoting student success best practices. The dean will manage the college budget, oversee facilities and resources, and select the department chairs as necessary.
The successful candidate must possess a doctorate in one of the disciplines represented in the college; teaching and scholarly endeavors appropriate to the rank of full professor and tenure in one of the academic units:Kinesiology, Human Sciences, Public Health, and Nursing; and a record of substantive, sustained, and progressive administrative experience at the department chair level or equivalent. The dean must demonstrate a record of effective communication, participation in shared faculty governance, and collaborative work with internal and external counterparts. The ideal candidate will also possess demonstrated professional activity and accomplishments that reflect a commitment to being a visionary, an empathetic advocate, a trailblazer, and a scholar-educator.
More information about Sam Houston State University and the dean search, including full responsibilities and qualifications, is available at: https://www.academicsearch.org/open-searches-public/entry/19843/?search=19843
How to Apply
The position is open until filled, but applications received by Tuesday, November 5, will be given full consideration. Applications should include: 1) a detailed letter of interest; 2) a current curriculum vitae (CV); and 3) a list of five professional references with contact information. References will not be contacted without explicit permission from the candidate. Inquiries, nominations, and applications may be sent in confidence to: SHSUDeanCOHS@academicsearch.org
Sam Houston State University is being assisted by Academic Search. Confidential discussions may be arranged by contacting Ann Hasselmo (ann.hasselmo@academicsearch.org) or Chris Butler (chris.butler@academicsearch.org).
Sam Houston State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity or expression.
jeid-b8e02e562dd6af469b8fa557588aae12
