Assistant Dean for Graduate Nursing Education Programs

University of Rochester: Office of the Provost: University of Rochester Medical Center: School of Nursing and Health Sciences: SON Senior Leadership

Salary Range or Pay Grade

TBD

Description

Assistant Dean for Graduate Nursing Education Programs

Position summary: The Assistant Dean for Graduate Nursing Programs provides academic, operational, and strategic leadership for graduate nursing education (master’s, DNP, and post-licensure certificate programs). The role ensures high-quality, evidence-based graduate teaching and mentoring, strong student outcomes (program completion, certification/board pass rates where applicable), compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards, robust faculty development, and productive clinical and community partnerships that support advanced practice, leadership, and population health. Assistant Dean collaborates closely with the University of Rochester’s senior leadership to advance the institution’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.

Key responsibilities

Academic leadership and quality

• Lead day-to-day operations of graduate nursing programs, ensuring academic excellence, rigorous graduate-level curricula, and student-centered practices.

• Oversee curriculum development, review, mapping, and continuous improvement aligned to program outcomes, AACN Essentials for Master’s/DNP, CCNE accreditation expectations, specialty certification requirements, and state board of nursing regulations.

• Champion competency- and outcomes-based education, clinical practicum design, simulation, scholarly project/clinical immersion experiences, and technology-enhanced learning; ensure optimal use of labs, simulation, and clinical skills resources.

• Monitor and improve student success metrics (admission yield, retention, progression, graduation, program completion, certification/board pass rates where applicable) using data-informed interventions and early alert systems.

• Coordinate program assessment activities, including student learning outcomes, thesis/Scholarly Project/DNP practicum evaluation, course evaluations, program review, and action plans.

Faculty leadership and development

• Recruit, mentor, and support full-time and session faculty and preceptors; promote a culture of scholarly engagement, inclusion, and excellence in graduate-level teaching and clinical supervision.

• Assist the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in managing faculty workload, teaching assignments, and clinical/preceptor coverage consistent with accreditation, contractual, and workload policies.

• Facilitate faculty development in graduate pedagogy, research mentorship, clinical education, simulation, DEI, and interprofessional education.

Student experience and success

• Oversee graduate student advising, progression policies, DNP project guidance, remediation, and appeals; address escalated student issues and academic integrity concerns.

• Support co-curricular opportunities, mentoring, academic support, and preparation for certification or advanced practice role transitions.

Clinical education and partnerships

• Oversee the development and evaluation of clinical affiliations and advanced-practice experiential learning sites; ensure compliance with site requirements and student/practicum readiness.

• Collaborate with clinical partners to align advanced practice competencies, preceptor training, workforce development, and faculty-practice integration.

• Ensure sufficient high-quality practicum placements and supervision for advanced practice specialties and population-health experiences.

Accreditation, compliance, and risk management

• Maintain continuous readiness for accreditation (CCNE) and specialty program reporting.

• Ensure compliance with FERPA, Title IX, HIPAA, OSHA, and institutional policies relevant to graduate education and clinical practice.

Operations, budget, and resource management

• Assist the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs with budgeting, staffing plans, and resource allocation for graduate courses, labs, simulation, and research/practicum needs; advocate for facilities, technology, and instructional resources.

• Collaborate with program directors on course scheduling, seat capacity for cohorts, enrollment management strategies, and partnership with Enrollment Management and the Registrar. Participate in graduate admission review/decision processes.

Strategic leadership and collaboration

• Advance DEI, belonging, and health equity across graduate curriculum, recruitment, faculty hiring, and community engagement.

• Support strategic planning, new program development (including certificates and interprofessional offerings), and enrollment growth while maintaining program quality and regulatory compliance.

Administration and communication

• Serve on relevant committees (graduate curriculum, assessment, faculty affairs, simulation, clinical placement, research oversight).

• Communicate clearly with faculty, staff, students, clinical partners, and University leadership; maintain accurate program documentation and reporting.

• Manage special projects assigned by the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Qualifications

Required qualifications

• Unencumbered New York State RN license (or ability to obtain).

• Doctoral degree in nursing or related field (PhD, DNP, EdD).

• Minimum 3–5 years of progressive leadership experience in graduate nursing education or advanced practice program administration.

• Experience teaching and mentoring at the master’s and/or doctoral level; familiarity with clinical practicum coordination and simulation.

• Demonstrated record of advancing graduate student success and program outcomes; experience with accreditation processes.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with multiple delivery modalities (on-campus, hybrid, online), cohort and accelerated formats, and interprofessional program design.

• Established relationships with clinical partners across specialty areas and experience negotiating affiliation agreements.

• Evidence of scholarly engagement, research mentorship, or professional practice leadership.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Commitment to culturally responsive graduate education and equity in advanced practice preparation.

• Excellent leadership, team-building, and change-management skills.

• Strong communication, conflict resolution, and consensus-building abilities.

• Data literacy with experience using academic analytics and assessment systems for graduate programs.

• Organizational agility and ability to prioritize/manage multiple deadlines in a complex academic environment.

Work conditions

• Full-time, on-site or hybrid as determined by institutional policy; some evening/weekend responsibilities aligned with program needs.

• Occasional local travel to clinical partners, professional meetings, and conferences.

Reporting structure

• Reports to: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

• Direct reports: Session/Adjunct Faculty, and assigned staff (as applicable).

Compensation and benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience; comprehensive benefits per institutional policy.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of diversity and inclusion. The University believes that a diverse workforce and inclusive workplace culture enhances the performance of our organization and our ability to fulfill our important missions. The University is committed to fostering and supporting a workplace culture inclusive of people regardless of their race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, marital status, age, physical abilities, political affiliation, religious beliefs or any other non-merit fact, so that all employees feel included, equal valued and supported.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

EOE, including disability/protected veterans

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Classes). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.