Executive Dean of the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close and nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship, and practice.

At Pacific University, we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove and Hillsboro. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, and acquire and share knowledge.

Position Overview:

The Executive Dean is the chief executive officer of the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (CHRS). As such, the Dean leads and oversees all programs of the College, including faculty, staff, curriculum, clinics, academic and clinical standards and budgets of the College. The Dean leads with equity and inclusion in determining and implementing the academic and clinical programs necessary to maintain the College and its programs at the forefront of their respective professions. The Dean leads College and University activities devoted to fund-raising and alumni relations. In doing so, the Dean must articulate the values and standards of diverse health professions within and outside the University. The Dean participates in the development of major policies that impact the entire University and specifically the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.

The College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Pacific University includes a School of Audiology, A School of Communication Sciences and Disorders, a School of Dental Health Sciences, a School of Occupational Therapy, a School of Pharmacy, a School of Physical Therapy and and Athletic Training, a School of Physician Associate Studies and a School of Healthcare Administration and Leadership.

The Dean represents the CHRS on the Provost's Council and various committees, and works collaboratively with leaders within the College as well as with the other College deans within the institution. The Executive Dean advocates for the CHRS to the rest of the university and to the local community and participates actively in national, regional, and local conversations about the college’s programs.

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Executive Dean:

• Provides visionary, intellectual, and administrative leadership to develop and sustain the College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. This includes developing, implementing, evaluating, strengthening, and promoting curriculum and programming for the College.
• Leads the deans and directors of the college in accreditation, long-range strategic planning, and curricular development, implementation, and enhancement, consistent with the mission and values of the institution.
• Collaborates with University Advancement to develop and implement fund raising and public information programs for the College.
• Encourages and facilitates grant writing within the College.
• In collaboration with the University's alumni relations program, develops and implements programs to maintain effective services for and communications with the College's graduates. 
• Infuses equitable and inclusive practices in their work to establish effective and meaningful working and learning environments.
• Oversees, prepares, and manages the College's budget, and communicates relevant information to the faculty.
• Supervises the selection, assignment, and management of faculty, administrative, and support personnel within the CHRS.
• Generates and implements methods to encourage and maintain excellence in teaching, research, and professional development of faculty within the College.
• Builds and supports an academic community that cohesively works towards fulfilling the mission of the College.
• Fosters an excellent faculty, capable of educating students in all aspects of learning.
• Works with and through the CHRS and university personnel protocols on all personnel policies and considerations, recommending faculty promotion, tenure, termination, and sabbatical and other leaves.
• Maintains and increases faculty and staff cohesion and morale and ensures academic and professional integrity within the College and across the Division of Graduate and Professional Studies.
  Promotes high academic standards for the students of the College. Supervises academic advising and development and application of academic rules and policies.
• Collaborates with Graduate Admissions and the Office of Financial Aid on the development and implementation of student admissions and financial aid policies.
• As the primary spokesperson for the College, develops and maintains close communications between the College and its faculty.
• Acts as primary liaison between the College and the rest of the University, including serving on the Provost’s Council.
• Counsels with the appropriate faculty committees and officers relative to matters of faculty and academic concerns.
• Oversee and support interprofessional work across the division.
• Supervise and support the important work of our Area Health Education Center (AHEC) and Oregon Healthcare Workforce Institute (OHWI) offices.

Key Working Relationships:
The Executive Dean reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Dean works closely with students, staff, faculty, and administrators to develop a collaborative and supportive community within the College and within the Graduate and Professional Division.

• The Executive Dean works closely with the dean of the library and Chief Information Officer to promote the development of the library, academic computing, and technology.
• The Executive Dean works closely with the Vice President for Finance and Administration as well as the Controller and Budget Office in management of the College's budget, staff personnel policies and benefits programs, and physical plant maintenance and construction. 
• The Executive Dean works closely with the Vice President for University Advancement to develop, maintain and implement community relations programs, alumni relations and fund-raising activities, serving as the primary representative of the College for these activities.
• The Executive Dean works closely with Human Resources to ensure equitable compensation and support for faculty and staff across the College, as indicated within the Dean's budgetary authority.
• The Executive Dean works closely with the Offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar and Student Affairs to develop and implement financial aid, admissions and other policies and programs impacting students in the College.
• The Executive Dean assists the University Registrar and Associate Vice-President for Marketing and Communications in preparing the University Catalog and other publications affecting the College.
• The Executive Dean represents the College to its external constituencies within or outside the professions.
• The deans and directors of the College’s programs and schools report to the Executive Dean.

Qualifications

• The Executive Dean must hold a terminal academic degree within their chosen profession, or equivalent, and a record of academic accomplishment commensurate with senior academic rank, broad based clinical understanding and management success which will allow them to work as a mentor for faculty and students alike. A terminal degree in one of the disciplines within CHRS, preferred.
• 5-10 years experience (professional or educational) in a health sciences field.
• 7-10 years of progressive academic administrative experience in a higher education environment.
• Significant knowledge of discipline-specific accreditation requirements processes and policies.
• Experience translating institutional strategy into operational execution, with responsibility for performance outcomes.
• The Executive Dean should have demonstrated leadership experience in developing, implementing, and facilitating strategic planning, curricular innovation, and high-quality educational operations.
• The Executive Dean should be able to work closely with the constituencies of the profession to promote the College and its activities bringing experience in alumni relations and fund-raising.
• The Executive Dean should be able to evaluate and promote positive change, and have strong skills in consensual management.
• The Executive Dean should set, through their action, the highest standards for honesty and integrity, ethics and values, scholarship and clinical practice.
• Experience with university-based health care clinics and related healthcare compliance issues, preferred. 

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

WittKieffer is assisting Pacific University in this search, which will remain open until an appointment is made. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer’s candidate portal. 

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to: Mercedes Chacón Vance, Greg Duyck, and Charlotte Harris PacificCHRS@wittkieffer.com

Only qualified applicants will be contacted for an interview. During the selection process, we will strive to provide timely notifications. The selection process may vary from recruitment to recruitment but typically includes multiple interviews and may take several weeks depending on the position. All qualified applicants will be notified once the selection process has closed.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and continue to work without employer visa sponsorship, now or in the future.

At Pacific University, we are dedicated to offering experiences that are authentic, holistic, equity-minded, and responsive. Our communal success rests on the recognition that complex problems and effective solutions are best approached by teams with a variety of diverse perspectives. and life experiences. As we continue to develop our equity practices, we actively promote access to opportunities and equitable pay for all employees.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs where they are unsure if they can perform every function in the job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may come from a variety of backgrounds and lived experiences. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about how your background and skill set may qualify you for the role.

We, who make up Pacific University, aspire to become a community of purpose where everyone is enabled to be wholly and comfortably who they are; accountable for inclusive behaviors and practices; built on trust, civility, care, openness, and honest conversations often around critical subjects. We know that these values are critical to prepare for a global world with complex problems, through an asset-based mindset so that everyone is afforded an opportunity to succeed. We believe in fostering a workplace where every employee is respected, their contributions are valued, and they are provided opportunities to succeed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 
We offer a comprehensive benefits package for qualifying employees. Current benefits include:
●    Generous paid time off (for vacation, holidays—including winter break—and sick leave)
●    Medical coverage with alternative care options (with in-network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction)
●    Comprehensive dental and vision plans
●    Generous retirement contribution after one year of service with no match required
●    Free mental health appointments
●    Tuition remission for employees and their dependent child(ren) who meet eligibility requirements
●    On-campus benefits, including free access to our sports facility and library
●    Discounts on campus food, bookstore purchases, clinic services.

ACCOMMODATIONS & INCLUSION
We welcome and encourage applications from neurodivergent individuals and people with disabilities. If you need any accommodations or support at any stage of the application or interview process such as receiving interview questions in advance, alternative assessment formats, or extra time please let us know by emailing Catheryn Coupland ccoupland@pacificu.edu We are committed to providing an accessible process that allows you to demonstrate your strengths.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT 
Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all applicable laws, including those concerning employment and workplace policies. We are committed to fostering a non-discriminatory and inclusive work environment. We are proud to encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from historically underrepresented groups.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY 
Pacific University makes all employment decisions without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. Applicable laws include, but are not limited to, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116 or via email at provost@pacificu.edu.