Associate Dean for Graduate Nursing Programs

The Opportunity

The University of Virginia School of Nursing, consistently recognized as one of the top schools in the country, seeks an experienced, mission-driven leader to serve as the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs (ADGP). The School of Nursing exists both as part of the University's academic core and part of UVA Health. Along with other Associate Deans within the School, the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs serves on the senior leadership team reporting directly to the Dean, who conducts an annual review of the Associate Dean's administrative performance. This team collaborates with the Dean to create, implement, and evaluate School of Nursing strategic initiatives and to facilitate the School's teaching, research, practice, and service missions. The position's primary focus is the direction of the School of Nursing's graduate programs, which are comprised of Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), direct-entry Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). As a leader who contributes to a healthy work environment, the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs supports a scholarship intensive environment (in collaboration with the Associate Dean for Nursing Research), promotes faculty development, and advocates for the instructional mission. This position has a 50% administrative role which can be negotiated based on the needs of the school in a given year.

About the School of Nursing

Founded in 1901, the University of Virginia School of Nursing is one of 12 distinct schools within the University; situated on Grounds adjacent to the University Medical Center and School of Medicine, the School of Nursing is also an integral part of UVA Health. This placement at the heart of one of the nation's premier academic medical centers reflects the School's conviction that exceptional nursing education and exceptional clinical practice are inextricably linked. Consistently ranked among the top public nursing schools in the country, the School offers undergraduate and graduate pathways from the BSN through the PhD and is recognized nationally for its commitment to interprofessional collaboration, compassionate evidence-based care, and the preparation of nurses and nurse leaders who improve health across Virginia and beyond.

The School's trajectory is shaped by ambition as much as heritage. Under Dean Marianne Baernholdt, the Pew Charitable Trusts Dean and Dean of Professional Nursing at UVA Health, the School has developed a ten-year strategic plan, Our Extraordinary Future: Inspiring Excellence, Advancing Health , co-created with faculty and staff and aligned with UVA Health's and UVA's own long-range visions. The plan advances four priorities: 1. transforming educational offerings, which the ADGP is helping lead; 2. deepening community and health system partnerships; 3. elevating nursing science from discovery to translation; and 4. cultivating trust and equity across all dimensions of School life. A growing research portfolio, robust scholarship support for students, and a culture that prizes belonging and continuous learning give the School of Nursing both the foundation and the forward momentum to realize those goals.

The Role and Responsibilities

The Associate Dean for Graduate Programs provides strategic and operational leadership for the School of Nursing's graduate academic enterprise, overseeing a diverse portfolio of programs that spans MSN (including the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL) degree), DNP, and as well as post-professional certificates. Working collaboratively with fellow associate deans, department chairs, program and specialty leads, and key university and health system partners, the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs ensures graduate offerings remain academically excellent, professionally relevant, and aligned with the School's long-range vision. The School of Nursing seeks an educator and scholar who can simultaneously steward program quality, cultivate meaningful clinical and academic partnerships, and contribute to the School's strategic direction.

Key responsibilities and priorities include:

Strategic Leadership

• Provide leadership for the direction and development of the School's MSN and DNP programs and initiatives, forecasting future trends in graduate nursing education using market analysis principles to ensure innovative educational strategies are implemented.

• In collaboration with senior leadership, foster partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to optimize programmatic efficiencies.

• Cultivate academic partnerships with clinical sites to advance student learning excellence.

• Analyze environmental data, trends, and licensure, certification, and accreditation advances that impact graduate education and practice, disseminate findings to all in a consistent and actionable manner, and identify performance and opportunity gaps related to the teaching mission; develop system-level plans to address such gaps within the MSN and DNP programs.

• Develop and maintain the School's systematic plan for evaluation of the MSN and DNP programs, with operational oversight, data management processes, reporting structures, and timelines established by the Associate Dean for Academic Operations.

• Support review and dissemination of relevant program data, in collaboration with the ADAO team, to faculty teaching in the MSN and DNP programs.

• Serve as a resource and advisor on academic issues for students, faculty, department chairs, program leads, specialty leads, course clinical coordinators, and other university personnel and stakeholders.

• Support regional, Commonwealth of Virginia, and specialty accreditation approvals for MSN and DNP graduate programs by contributing accurate program-specific information for accreditation processes, documentation management, timelines, submission workflows, and operational implementation coordinated by the Associate Dean for Academic Operations.

Faculty and Academic Administration

• Supervise department chairs, program leads, specialty leads, and other academic administrative roles within the MSN and DNP programs.

• Consult with department chairs regarding faculty performance in academic affairs.

• Advance graduate program planning and implementation by providing program-specific leadership and by engaging faculty and program leaders.

• Develop and implement graduate program-specific policies and procedures in collaboration with faculty and program leaders, ensuring they are consistent with school-wide academic operations policies, procedures, and processes coordinated through the Associate Dean for Academic Operations.

• Provide leadership for MSN and DNP curriculum and student academic oversight, including curriculum quality, student progression, academic standards, program-specific student concerns, and licensure and certification pass rates, in collaboration with faculty, program leaders, and the Associate Dean for Academic Operations to ensure alignment with school-wide academic policies and operational processes.

• Support the successful operation of MSN and DNP program committees within the School.

Advisory and Senior Leadership Collaboration

• Advise the Dean and collaborate with the senior leadership team on relevant academic issues, contributing strategic insights to advance the School's initiatives.

• Collaborate with the Dean and senior leadership team to identify and inform future hiring needs.

• Promote the School's interests on UVA Health, University, and Commonwealth academic committees and at relevant events.

Resource and Fiscal Stewardship

• Collaborate with the Associate Dean for Nursing Research and the senior leadership team to explore funding opportunities that support the academic mission.

• Collaborate with the Senior Associate Dean for Administration on fiscal issues related to academic programs; may serve as primary signatory authority for education, training, and service grants.

Scholarship and Service

• Contribute to the School of Nursing's teaching mission.

• Demonstrate scholarly and research productivity on an annual basis.

• Serve as an ex-officio member on School committees, as defined in the bylaws.

Ideal Experience and Characteristics

The successful candidate for Associate Dean for Graduate Programs will be an accomplished leader, administrator, and nurse educator. The following required qualifications must be met:

• Possess a doctorate degree (DNP or Ph.D.) in nursing or a related field with a graduate degree in nursing.

• Demonstrate eligibility for and maintenance of unrestricted licensure in the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Registered Nurse (RN) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) is required.

• Eligibility for the rank of associate professor or full professor on the general or tenure track.

The ideal candidate will additionally demonstrate exceptional interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills, a collaborative and transparent leadership style, and the ability to foster a positive, high-performing culture aligned with the School of Nursing's mission of improving lives through nursing . The role also requires integrity, sound judgment, and a deep commitment to equity, collaboration, and accountability.

Strong candidates will also bring the following preferred skills and attributes:

• A record of academic administrative leadership in a graduate nursing or health sciences setting, with demonstrated success in program development, evaluation, and continuous improvement.

• Deep familiarity with graduate nursing education across multiple program types, including clinical masters and doctorate programs, and an understanding of the distinct needs of each.

• Experience navigating accreditation processes and regulatory requirements at the professional, regional, and Commonwealth (state) levels.

• A track record of building productive partnerships with clinical sites, health systems, and academic stakeholders to advance student learning and programmatic growth.

• The ability to analyze enrollment trends, workforce demands, and licensure and certification outcomes and translate findings into strategic, actionable plans.

• Experience mentoring faculty across career stages, with a genuine commitment to faculty development and a healthy academic work environment.

• A scholarly profile that supports meaningful contribution to national conversations on graduate nursing education and workforce development.

To Apply or Nominate

UVA Executive Search Group (ESG) is assisting in the recruitment of the Associate Dean for Graduate Programs. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be directed to Adam Seid, Senior Search Consultant, at View email address on click.appcast.io . The search will be carried out with full confidentiality and will remain open until filled. Apply online at . Complete the application, and upload the following required materials:

• CV/Resume

• Cover letter outlining your interest in the position and relevant experience in academic administration and teaching.

For full consideration, submit materials by September 1, 2026.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment ( .

The University of Virginia offers confidential Dual Career Services to partners of incoming faculty candidates. To learn more, please visit dualcareer.virginia.edu