Dean, School of Nursing New

About Baker University

Founded in 1858, Baker University is Kansas’s first private institution, rooted in United Methodist values: student learning and academic excellence, critical thinking, inquiry and freedom of expression, integration of learning with faith and values, inclusiveness, and service to the community. The School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), a new online accelerated BSN, and pathways for Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to BSN and MSN. The School serves up to 230 students and 40–50 post-licensure students, supported by approximately 20 full-time faculty and staff 

Position Summary

Baker University seeks an innovative and passionate leader to serve as Dean of the School of Nursing. The Dean provides visionary leadership and operational oversight for all academic, faculty, student, and fiscal functions of the School of Nursing (SON), ensuring alignment with the missions of both Baker University and Stormont Vail Health (SVH). The Dean will foster partnerships within and outside the university, champion academic excellence, and promote a culture of inclusiveness and service

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Administrative Leadership

• Serve as Chief Academic Officer for the School of Nursing, reporting to both the university and health system leadership.
• Lead strategic planning, budgeting, and resource allocation for the SON.
• Collaborate with academic deans, enrollment management, student affairs, alumni, advancement, and SVH leadership.
• Oversee recruitment and marketing in partnership with university and health system teams.
• Facilitate effective communication among all stakeholders.
• Develop, present, implement, monitor, and evaluate SON budgets.
• Coordinate recruitment and marketing services with BU and SVH.
• Facilitate communication regarding the SON with BU, SVH, and all communities of interest.

Academic Leadership & Strategic Planning

• Build an inclusive, transparent environment for faculty and students.
• Lead curriculum assessment, review, and updates in collaboration with faculty.
• Ensure programs are staffed with discipline-specific experts and meet strategic goals.
• Oversee the design, development, evaluation, and revision of curriculum and academic resources.
• Collaborate with BU and SVH to ensure student services (admission, financial aid, registrar, business office, IT) and academic resources are available to support program excellence.
• Communicate progress and key performance indicators to the BU Chief Academic Officer and the SVH SVP & CNO.

Academic Success & Accreditation

• Develop and implement retention strategies tailored to nursing students.
• Maintain programmatic accreditation, including data collection and assessment.
• Complete annual KSBN and CCNE reports; track and trend student/program statistics.

Faculty Support & Governance

• Advocate for faculty needs in teaching, research, and service.
• Mentor, retain, and motivate faculty and staff.
• Evaluate and support academic and technology resources for both on-ground and online teaching.
• Serve as a resource person to the BU CAO and SVH SVP & CNO.
• Participate in shared governance to improve student success, retention, and graduation rates.

Additional Duties

• Foster student and alumni relationships.
• Represent the SON in state, regional, and national nursing initiatives.
• Coordinate development opportunities with BU and the Stormont-Vail Foundation.
• Appreciate and apply Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring in all aspects of care delivery at SVH.
• Other duties as assigned.

Faculty Responsibilities

• Serve as an expert resource for faculty development and scholarly activities.
• Participate in scholarship, service, and professional development to promote the school and personal/professional interests.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Doctorate in nursing (PhD, DNSc, DNP) or related discipline; master’s degree in nursing required.
• Minimum five years’ experience as a nursing faculty member in higher education, with clinical practice and administrative experience.
• Broad experience in administration, scholarship, faculty development, teaching, and program coordination.
• Demonstrated success in securing funding for learning resources is highly desirable.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and leadership skills.
• Active participation in professional and community activities.

Certificates & Licenses

• Current Kansas nursing license or eligibility for Kansas licensure.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervise and evaluate Associate/Assistant Deans, Program Manager, Student Admissions Coordinator, and Administrative Assistant/Office Coordinator.
• Indirectly supervise teaching faculty.
• Determine merit raises and ensure staff competency requirements are met.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Indoor, well-lit, climate-controlled environment.
• Frequent mobility and/or sitting for extended periods.
• Occasional bending, stooping, and lifting up to 30 lbs.
• Manual dexterity for office equipment; eyesight correctable to 20/20.
• Must be available for employment 12 months annually.

How to Apply

Interested candidates must apply through the Stormont Vail Health (SVH) application portal:

Apply Online:  https://stormontvail.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/SVH/job/Topeka-KS/Director---Dean-Baker-University-School-of-Nursing---FT_req20646

Please submit all required materials (cover letter, CV, references, and documentation of Kansas nursing license or eligibility) through the SVH portal.

Do not submit materials via Baker University’s HR portal or email.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
For full consideration, applicants are encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible.