Dean, College of Rehabiliative Sciences

The mission of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is the development of professional health care practitioners through innovation, individualized, and quality classroom, clinical, and distance education.

GENERAL SUMMARY:

The Dean of the College of Rehabilitative Sciences is responsible for academic leadership and administrative oversight of the physical therapy and occupational therapy programs on all USAHS campuses. Reporting to the Chief Academic Officer, the Dean works closely with program leadership in rehabilitative sciences and administrative staff in student affairs, enrollment, financial planning, accreditation, and other operational areas to ensure the development and delivery of quality programs and the successful management of faculty and student-related matters. The Dean plays a key role in advancing academic quality, enhancing teaching and learning effectiveness, facilitating interdisciplinary coordination, and promoting innovative clinical experiences.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsibilities include:

Strategic Direction and Growth

• Plan Execution: Work closely with program leadership to effectively execute the University strategic plan by allocating resources, hiring and developing faculty, meeting regulatory and accreditation requirements, and recruiting students.
• Initiatives and Metrics: Further academic excellence, successful student outcomes, and national prominence by establishing clear strategic initiatives and performance metrics.  Set direction for academic programs to align with the University and academic strategic plans, meet expansion efforts, and advance operational imperatives.
• Expansion Opportunities: Identify and implement expansion opportunities that advance the University’s vision, mission, and core values, while addressing the increasing demand for healthcare in the U.S.
• Coordinate the development and launch of new programs throughout a network of campuses in collaboration with marketing, recruitment, and operational teams.
• Research: Set the research agenda for rehabilitation that is institutionally appropriate, advances the professions, and provides opportunities for faculty and student engagement.

Interdisciplinary Coordination

• Coordinate with the CAO, College Dean(s), and program leaders to attain productive interdisciplinary collaborations among faculties, curricula, and campuses resulting in dual and interdisciplinary degrees, credentialing, and other innovations by maximizing University’s resources.
• Innovative Technology: Foster academic adoption of new technology and innovative approaches in teaching and learning; ensure the university continues to lead in rehabilitation and produces exceptional, practice-ready professionals.

Academic Excellence, Student Success and Quality Assurance

• Student Success: Monitor student success measures including licensure pass rates, employment, etc. and develop and implement necessary interventions to ensure all outcomes continue to meet and exceed benchmarks including those set by the applicable accrediting and regulatory bodies.
• Culture: Create and sustain a culture of academic excellence, cross-functional collaboration, and regulatory compliance. Enhance faculty engagement and accountability to that drives towards academic excellence and/ student success.
• Accreditation: Work collaboratively with the Vice President for Accreditation and Assessment and program leaders to manage programmatic and institutional accreditation; maintain positive relationships with regional, national, programmatic accrediting bodies; assist with collection and analysis of outcome data and relevant information about performance of degree programs as required by the University or outside agencies; and to assess institutional learning outcomes in all rehabilitative sciences programs.
• Policy: Clarify academic policies and oversee any student complaints or appeals.
• Analytics and Continuous Improvement: With data from annual reports, program reviews, and student learning outcomes, guide program leaders in formulating initiatives for program improvement.  Collaborate with program leaders to review data and implement necessary adjustments to ensure excellence, student success and market relevance.

External Relations & Partnerships

• Reputation: Advance the reputation and visibility of the institution with key constituencies including industry associations, clinical partners, partner schools, professional organizations, regulatory bodies, and alumni.
• Clinical: Strengthen industry partnerships and affiliations to provide students with practical experience, innovative learning, and employment opportunities. 
• Recruitment: In coordination with the enrollment management team, foster relationships with feeder schools and alumni to enhance enrollment.

Financial and Performance Management Responsibility

• Resource Allocation: Obtain, cultivate, and effectively mobilize resources to meet strategic plan and objectives.
• Enrollment Plans: Actively contribute to the achievement of enrollment goals, removing operational barriers to the process and providing academic support for enrollment initiatives. Establish plans to address any enrollment increases and shortfalls and associated unforeseen operating expenditures.
• Accreditation Compliance: Establish consistent operating procedures across the College that efficiently fulfill accreditation requirements.
• Financial Planning: Plan and administer the College of Rehabilitative Sciences annual budget, program contribution margin, and manage financial performance to ensure fiscal stability in a for-profit environment. Oversee and deliver desired financial results, ensuring the College grows revenues and operating surplus according to approved budgets and long-range plans. 
• Faculty Workload: Establish and execute workload and assignment models that effectively allocate faculty resources and leverage capabilities.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

May perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Academic Officer.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Will require 25-30% travel to other campuses in the United States.

POSITION IN ORGANIZATION

Reports to: Chief Academic Officer.

Positions Supervised: Direct reports will include senior academic leadership for the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy

TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL, and PEOPLE SKILLS REQUIRED

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Incumbents will be evaluated, in part, based on performance of each essential function.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Results-oriented with proven experience in college administration, providing oversight of rehabilitative sciences programs. Consistently accountable for performance and meeting objectives.

• Professional and teaching experience in a health field.
• Demonstrated senior-level administrative ability, specifically working in a fast-paced, complex operating environment. Strategic mind-set with flexibility to innovate and test new concepts.
• Extensive people management skills; ability to recruit and build a knowledgeable, professional and collaborative faculty.
• Strong leadership presence and excellent communication skills to mobilize the organization and create a positive culture.
• Strong work ethic and hands-on approach to understanding the organization and issues in order to effectively provide direction, insight and solutions. Ability to engage directly in proactively pursuing opportunities and solving issues.
• Personal and professional values in concert with the University’s mission.
• Operate effectively in a changing, fast-paced environment.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• 7-10 years of progressive academic administrative experience in a higher education environment.
• Earned academic/terminal degree (e.g., PhD, EdD, DHSc, etc.)
• Professional experience in a health sciences field preferred.
• Experience building and expanding programs and departments including developing and launching new educational programs; growth oriented.
• Experience overseeing student learning and faculty teaching in diverse modalities (e.g. campus-based and online).
• Significant knowledge of discipline-specific accreditation requirements, processes and policies.

LICENSURE and/or CERTIFICATION

• Current clinical certification in a discipline-specific specialty, highly preferred.
• Licensed or licensure eligible in the state of employment, and other states as needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed primarily in a standard office environment but may involve exposure to moderate noise levels. Work involves operation of personal computer equipment for six to eight hours daily and includes physical demands associated with a traditional office setting, e.g., walking, standing, communicating, and other physical functions as necessary.