Dean, College of Health & Human Sciences

University of Akron

Dean, College of Health & Human Sciences

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist University of Akron in its search for Dean, College of Health & Human Sciences.

For best consideration, please apply by September 8th. On Campus interviews are expected to be conducted this Fall.

The University of Akron, one of Ohio’s leading public institutions of higher learning, seeks an accomplished leader and seasoned change agent with a demonstrated track record of success to serve as their next Dean for the College of Health and Human Sciences. This is a fantastic opportunity to join an incredibly motivated and adaptive faculty who despite the challenges presented by COVID, on a College-wide basis have: formed numerous pathways with community and university partners; have over 20 approved articulation agreements with community colleges; restructured the student experience related to advising, orientation, recruitment and marketing; and navigated COVID protocols through all clinicals, internships, field placements, classes, seminars, and labs. In addition, below are some examples of each of the School’s impressive list of accomplishments.

This position is ideal for a cutting edge, student-centric leader with a proven history of successful growth initiatives, strong partnership and collaboration skills, and results-focused leadership.

The next Dean will be required to sustain and grow the College of HHS’s excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service; promote a team-oriented leadership approach; establish a vision and strategic direction; drive further development and growth in enrollment, disciplines, and degrees; and cultivate internal and external partnerships. The Dean must embrace and understand how increased diversity of thought and background among students, faculty, administration, and staff works to strengthen academic programs and enrich the University community.

Reporting to the Provost, and working closely with College School Directors, faculty, and senior leadership team, the next Dean serves as the chief academic officer of the College and provides leadership and direction for the development, operation, and evaluation of all programs, teaching, assessment, and multidisciplinary resources.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Dean:

• Facilitates a collective vision and strategic direction
• Supports and stimulates innovative applications of instruction, scholarship, service, and outreach
• Provides leadership in program assessment and accreditation
• Demonstrates creativity in the development and shaping of undergraduate and graduate programs
• Establishes a caring, inclusive, and motivating work and learning environment.
• Enhances enrollment growth through the effective recruitment and retention of students, faculty, and staff
• Develops budget plans
• Allocates resources
• Collaborates with University colleagues and leadership to promote a team-oriented approach to achieving College and University strategic planning goals and implementation
• Advocates for the values of diversity and inclusion

Required Qualifications

• A terminal degree in one of the health or human science professions and a record of achievement sufficient to sustain a credible application for appointment at the rank of Professor.
• A distinguished record of accomplishment in health education, service delivery, and clinically oriented research.
• A demonstrated commitment to interprofessional education and healthcare delivery, innovative approaches to teaching and the use of technology, and the effective translation of research into clinical practice.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to collaborate are required, including the ability to recruit and mentor expert clinical and teaching faculty and researchers.

Preferred Qualifications

• A commitment to and support for interdisciplinary, interprofessional, and community-engaged teaching, scholarship, research, and service
• A strong record of competitive research funding
• Experience managing budgets, including the allocation of resources across units
• Experience with academic planning, enrollment management, and student success
• Commitment to promoting and supporting a diverse administration, faculty, staff, and student population

About the College of Health and Human Sciences

Founded in 2012, the College of Health and Human Sciences cultivates an interprofessional approach to training future health and human science professionals. The College houses seven different schools focusing on a broad range of health and human services, such as physical health, lifestyle development, community safety, and social and psychological wellbeing.

The College improves life for individuals, families, and communities by providing health and wellness through appropriate interventions that are interprofessional, innovative and influential. The College prepares students to advance human well-being and to thrive in a rapidly evolving global environment.

The College will exemplify excellence in health and wellness education, research, service, and leadership.

The College is committed to improving the human condition. To do so the College values diversity in all forms, including but not limited to national origin, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status; and seeks to recruit, retain, and graduate a diverse student population. The College’s focus on diversity demands an environment where respect for others supports meaningful dialogue, with interprofessional issues rooted in academic inquiry, research, and discovery. Our graduates are prepared to address the needs of an evolving health care system and to value inclusion and the opportunity to serve health needs and promote wellness opportunities to an increasingly diverse community.

The College is committed to promoting interprofessional education (IPE) to enhance interprofessional health and human services. Because the healthcare landscape is rapidly evolving and health-related challenges are becoming more complex, College faculty and administration strive to cultivate well-rounded graduates who possess the knowledge and skills useful in working with a wide range of other professionals. In addition, IPE encourages a holistic perspective of health and human development.

The following is a sample of the College and individual School accomplishments achieved by an exceptionally committed and motivated faculty and staff within the College of Health and Human Sciences since COVID:

College

• Formation of numerous pathways with community and university partners
• Over 20 approved Articulation Agreements with Community Colleges
• Restructured advising, new student orientation, recruitment, and marketing efforts
• Updated all college, school, and program websites
• All clinicals, internships, and field placements, classes, seminars, and labs successfully navigated COVID protocols and continued to thrive

School of Allied Health

• Development of a Degree Advancement Program in respiratory therapy.
• Exponential growth of the Healthcare Administration Program in the two years since program launch.

School of Counseling

• Achieved the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services certification for the
• Clinic for Individual and Family Counseling
• Created two graduate certificates: counseling children and adolescents as well as couple and family therapy
• Expanded clinical sites for students across Summit and surrounding counties

School of Disaster Science and Emergency Services

• Rewrote the Cyber Forensics Degree collaborating across three colleges
• Launched a fully online Emergency Management Homeland Security program
• Became one of the first five-star open enrollment Police Academies in Ohio.

School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

• Accepted into the 5th Cohort for Future Education Model Graduate program in dietetics
• Nutrition Center – telemedicine consultations with clients including area family medicine weight management program
• CAAHEP Accreditation for Exercise Science Undergraduate degree

School of Nursing

• Launched the DNP Post-BSN program for Nurse Anesthesia. The program was awarded approval from the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA).
• Graduated the first BSN class to graduate from the Wayne Campus. This program now offers all the prerequisites and nursing courses on that campus.
• Offer a course in palliative care where the student not only receives credit but also a certificate in palliative care.

School of Social Work and Family Sciences

• Successfully merged Social Work and Child and Family Development
• Completed a total curricular update of the Child and Family Development degrees
• Awarded a 7.3-million-dollar grant for child welfare training in partnership with U
• Cincinnati and Ohio University

School of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

• Implemented of a Speech-Language Pathology undergraduate to graduate “bridge program” (accelerated degree)
• Developed  a 5-year Speech-Language Pathology master’s degree course sequence in SLP
  Implemented of a post-baccalaureate course sequence to make non-SLPA majors graduate-school ready

About the University of Akron

The University of Akron is one of Ohio’s most influential public urban research universities, conducting extensive research in focused areas of excellence, contributing to the vitality of the local economy, and providing a workforce highly trained in diverse disciplines. UA offers over 16,000 students a wide variety of in-demand associate, bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and professional degree programs with a career-focused emphasis.

VISION

The University of Akron will be a leading public urban research university with an unsurpassed commitment to community engagement with a great American legacy city, Akron.

• We will be an opportunity university for all types of learners.
• We will be known as a willing and constructive partner of business, government, and the non-profit sector.
• We will be an institution of innovation willing to invest in unique approaches that increase opportunity for students and reduce costs.
• We will be a diverse and inclusive university.
• We will sponsor an array of superb academic programs relevant to the future.
• We will make and keep promises to our students, ourselves, and this community.
  https://www.uakron.edu/strategic-plan/

Living in the Area

With a population of nearly 200,000, Akron is perfect for those looking for a city with a small-town feel. With more than 20 distinct neighborhoods, the city offers residents a wide array of benefits including a vibrant downtown, delicious dining, diverse and thriving arts and cultural scene, outdoor activities including the San Run Metro Park with over 41 miles of hiking trails and Towpath Trail with 87 miles of Ohio’s most scenic countryside and numerous small lakes. The city is further supported by public transportation including buses, Amtrak, and the Akron-Canton Airport. Akron enjoys a cost of living 30.5% below the national average.

Akron is only 40 minutes from Cleveland, 30 minutes from Canton and about two hours from both Columbus and Pittsburgh. The city has a strong pro-business climate and is strategically located to promote opportunities. Akron is the corporate home to numerous companies and its largest employer,

Summa Health Systems provides jobs to nearly 11,000 people.

More information is available at: https://www.akronohio.gov/cms/city_of_akron/index.html

To Apply 

For best consideration, please apply by September 8th. On Campus interviews are expected to be conducted this Fall.

To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjyrd22x

Please do not email applications.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vitae. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are treated confidentially:

Inquiries and questions: Please send to uadeanchhs@acesrch.com

Nominations and referrals: Please send to nominations@acesrch.com

Institution’s EEO Statement

The University of Akron, as an equal education and employment institution, is committed to achieving a diverse and inclusive workforce. All qualified individuals in its education programs or activities, including applicants for admissions or employment, will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, military status or status as a veteran. To further this commitment, the University complies with state and federal laws which prohibit discrimination. Questions or concerns about the administration of this commitment can be directed to the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office (uakron.edu/hr/eeoaa).

The University also strives to provide an environment free from the negative impacts of gender-based discrimination and harassment as prohibited by Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. Questions about Title IX can be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator, the Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education or both. For more information on Title IX at the University of Akron, including how to contact the Title IX Coordinator, how to file a complaint under Title IX with the University or the Title IX process at the University of Akron, please visit the University’s Title IX page at uakron.edu/title-ix/at-uakron.

Ohio is State of Residence

It is the expectation of the University of Akron that all work performed as an employee of the University will be performed in Ohio.