Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania invites applications for the position of Dean of the College of Health Sciences. The Dean provides visionary and strategic leadership for the College to foster academic excellence.
Reporting to the university’s Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean is responsible for the overall operations of the college, including coordinating and assessing academic/instructional programs, improving academic excellence in teaching and learning, research and scholarship, service and outreach, budgets, accreditation, recruitment and retention, ensuring excellence in program compliance, faculty evaluation, and resource generation and stewardship. A member of the Academic Affairs Leadership Team, the Dean will play a key role in CU’s academic administration.
About the College of Health Sciences: The College of Health Sciences prepares students for careers in healthcare fields such as Nursing, Physician Assistant, Audiology, Exercise Science, Speech Pathology and Sport & Performance Psychology. Faculty and staff in the College are committed to providing every student a meaningful education with impact and value. Key features of the college include the Breiner School of Nursing, a PA program accredited by ARC-PA, a speech-pathology program accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation, CAAHEP accreditation for the exercise science program, and a 100% online Master of Science degree in Sport & Performance Psychology degree program. Programs of study range from the associate’s through doctoral level, and graduates are employed throughout the region and beyond.
About the Division of Academic Affairs: The current organizational structure of the academic colleges at Commonwealth University includes four colleges within the division of Academic Affairs. Effective July 2026, Academic Affairs will transition to a new six college structure which will include the following:
- College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
- College of Education
- Eileen G. Jones Honors College
- College of Health Sciences
- College of Science and Technology
- Zeigler College of Business
The Dean must be an effective advocate for their college, both within the university and externally. The Dean has ultimate accountability for their college’s sound management of resources (fiscal, facilities, and human resources) across the three campuses – Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield. They are responsible for college planning, including aligning goals across educational and research initiatives, and effectively leading college accreditation and assessment activities. The Dean will also be a key point-of-contact and influencer across our communities, connecting regional businesses, non-profit organizations, and governmental agencies with the intellectual, human, and financial resources of Commonwealth University.
- A strong academic background and credentials, including an earned doctorate or the highest degree in their chosen academic field;
- A successful record of academic leadership combined with executive accomplishments and experience;
- Demonstrated knowledge of student-learning assessment, high-impact practices, and a commitment to continuous improvement of academic programs;
- Intellectual curiosity and a deep commitment to excellence in teaching, research and scholarship;
- Demonstrated experience building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive environment, including an ability to navigate difficult and sometimes controversial issues across a range of constituencies;
- The ability to represent the mission and vision of the College of Health Professions and Commonwealth University to the region and state-wide;
- Demonstrated knowledge of historical and contemporary higher education issues, including but not limited to curricula, accreditation, recruitment, retention, and student learning and development;
- A strong commitment to the principles of shared governance, leading transparent and effective work across faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, community leaders, and other university partners;
- A proven record in fundraising and the cultivation of donors in support of a college and its mission;
- Ability to provide the Provost with informed, evidence-based recommendations for academic leadership and educational programs grounded in relevant research and university policies;
- Ability to work collaboratively and constructively with collective bargaining units in a unionized environment;
- A highly visible, active, engaged, and consistent presence across all Commonwealth University campuses, with a desire to spend time equitably at Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield;
- Knowledgeable regarding compliance with Middle States Commission on Higher Education standards relating to curriculum and assessment of programs;
- Knowledgeable regarding compliance with specialized program accreditation standards for disciplines within the college;
- High integrity, trustworthiness, and judgment, as evidenced through providing sound, consistent, and ethical decisions informed by financial and legal best practices;
- A willingness to challenge the status quo thoughtfully and deliberately;
- Experienced in budgetary decision-making and the financial pressures often facing public universities;
- A background of providing oversight to faculty, including reviews related to tenure, promotion, post-tenure review, and annual reappointments.
- Ability to direct, mentor, support, and supervise the associate dean/faculty associate to the dean and additional staff members within the college.
- And ultimately, a leader who can execute on the Values, Mission, Vision, and Goals of the university to take the College of Health Sciences to the next level of success in support of our students.
