Dean, School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Dean, School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Location

Providence College

Job Type

Full-time Staff

Job Number

PC00270

Division

Academic Affairs

Department

School of Nursing and Health Sciences

Opening Date

09/01/2026

FLSA

Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NU

• Description
• Benefits

Conducted under the auspices of the Dominican Friars, Providence College is a Catholic, Dominican, liberal arts institution of higher education and a community committed to academic excellence in pursuit of the truth, growth in virtue, and service of God and neighbor. We seek candidates who can affirm and contribute to our mission.

Providence College is also an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a Beloved Community- an environment that reflects the rich diversity of the human family and is marked by justice, charity and the promotion of the common good and flourishing of all. We invite applications from qualified individuals who possess the experience, knowledge and commitment to develop the diverse learning environment envisioned as part of the Beloved Community. Women and minority candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The College's Non-Discrimination policy can be found Notice of Non-Discrimination (PDF document)

Overview

Providence College (PC) seeks a strategic, innovative, and collaborative leader to serve as dean of its School of Nursing and Health Sciences (SNHS). The next dean will advance a bold vision for the schools future, elevating its academic standing, strengthening its impact, and guiding continued growth across its programs. The dean will play a critical leadership role in supporting the schools pursuit of excellence in teaching, scholarship, clinical education, and community engagement.

The SNHS consists of two academic departments: the Department of Nursing and the Department of Health Sciences. The school offers three bachelor of science degrees-health policy and management, health sciences, and nursing-and a minor in Spanish for the health professions. A dynamic and growing community, the SNHS enrolls nearly 800 undergraduate students across nursing and the health sciences.

The school is home to 35 full-time tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty and continues to execute a hiring plan aligned with enrollment growth and strategic priorities. Dedicated staff support health professions advising, clinical and internship management, simulation lab technology, and school operations. Established in 2022, the baccalaureate nursing program is pursuing initial accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, with a review scheduled for 2026.

PC is a community for those who seek truth, celebrate the relationship between faith and reason, and pursue both within a welcoming and inclusive environment. The college has grown in recent years to nearly 5,000 students taught by approximately 400 faculty members across four schools: Arts and Sciences; Business; Education and Social Work; and Nursing and Health Sciences.

Rooted in the Catholic and Dominican tradition, PC is committed to academic excellence anchored in the liberal arts. The college promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, engaged learning, undergraduate research, and the pursuit of truth through reasoned inquiry and the pedagogy of disputed questions. The college prepares students to lead meaningful personal and professional lives in an increasingly global society and strives to foster a community where all are welcomed, respected, and supported.

Duties and Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, the dean is the SNHS' chief academic and administrative officer. In addition, as a senior academic leader at the college, the dean actively stewards the vibrant academic life of PC. The deans responsibilities include the following:

• Academic leadership and innovation: Lead the planning, development, and oversight of academic programs and related services, maintaining the highest standards of excellence and alignment with strategic goals.

• Faculty affairs and development: Support faculty excellence and success. Recommend the allocation of new or replacement faculty positions. Negotiate faculty appointments and coordinate tenure and promotion reviews.

• Mission integration and support: Ensure the school's programs and services support and advance PC's Catholic, Dominican mission.

• Enrollment management: Support student recruitment strategies and the achievement of enrollment goals.

• Student engagement and success: Ensure a holistic array of advising, career, faculty-mentored research, and other services to enhance the student experience and support student success.

• Staff development: Oversee growth and development of programs to allow for the enrichment and professional development of faculty and staff.

• Fiscal stewardship: Manage a transparent and fiscally prudent budgeting process for the school, including the allocation of resources, in coordination with the provost and Office of Finance and Business.

• Accreditation, academic compliance, and institutional effectiveness: Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and achievement of the school's goals and student learning objectives.

• Inclusive Excellence: Actively foster an environment where people of all backgrounds, cultures, identities, and perspectives can flourish.

• Advancement and alumni relations: Partner with the Office of Institutional Advancement, alumni, donors, and others to encourage engagement and philanthropic support for the SNHS and the college.

• Grow Faculty Research Opportunities: Support faculty research through effective fundraising and grant proposal development

Opportunities and Priorities

The next dean will have the opportunity to shape a young and rapidly growing school at a pivotal moment in its development. Key priorities include:

• Successfully securing initial nursing accreditation and establishing a culture of continuous assessment and improvement.
• Recruiting, supporting, and retaining outstanding faculty and academic leaders, including filling the vacant associate dean positions.
• Enhancing the schools reputation and visibility within nursing and health sciences education, including the development of graduate programs.
• Expanding strategic partnerships with healthcare systems, industry leaders, and community organizations.
• Advancing research, scholarship, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Realizing the schools vision for technology-enabled and human-centered healthcare education.
• Strengthening philanthropic support and external engagement to accelerate strategic priorities.
• Supporting enrollment growth while maintaining excellence in teaching, advising, and student outcomes.

For the full position profile, please review the Dean, School of Nursing and Health Sciences Position Profile by clicking here.

Education and Experience

A successful candidate is a strategic, ethical, and collaborative leader with the experience and interpersonal skills to engage effectively with faculty, staff, students, senior administrators, alumni, the Dominican community, healthcare partners, and other external stakeholders. The candidate will demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence, faculty development, student success, and innovation in nursing and health sciences education.

Required Characteristics

• Leadership: Experience leading complex academic units, strategic planning experience, and budget management
• Academic Credentials: Ph.D. or terminal degree in a related field, record of scholarship, and qualifications for tenure
• Personal Attributes: Collaborative, relationship builder, mission-driven, and innovative

Supplemental Information

Procedure for Candidacy

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a CV and letter of interest addressing the themes in the position profile.

Application materials should be submitted using Providence College's online candidate portal and selecting the "Apply" green button located on the top-right hand corner of the job posting. Candidates will be considered until an appointment is made. For priority consideration, applicant materials should be submitted by October 9, 2026.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to Thomas W. Smith, Provost at Provost@providence.edu.

NOTICE OF E-VERIFY PARTICIPATION

Providence College participates in E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired to work in the United States. Before submitting this application, please review the following documents:

• E-Verify Notice of Participation
• Right to Work

By continuing with this application, you acknowledge that you have been informed of our participation in E-Verify and have had the opportunity to review these notices.

Providence College offers a comprehensive range of valuable benefits to eligible employees, which are designed to:

• Promote the health and well-being of you and your family
• Provide financial security while you are working
• Build financial resources for retirement
• Help you balance personal and work responsibilities
• Provide educational opportunities for you and your family

These benefits include but are not limited to health, dental, 403b retirement plan, flexible benefits plan, tuition benefits, employee assistance plan, college paid basic life insurance and long-term disability insurance, and paid time off. To learn more, please visit our Employee Benefits website by clicking the following link: https://human-resources.providence.edu/benefits/

Employer Providence College (RI)

Address 1 Cunningham Square

Providence, Rhode Island, 02918-0001

Phone (401) 865-2341

Website www.providence.edu