Dean, School of Nursing

Description :

Job Description Summary :

Samuel Merritt University invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Nursing (CON). The Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the College, providing visionary leadership to advance SMU’s mission through excellence in teaching, research, clinical practice, and service.

The Dean oversees all academic programs within the College of Nursing, including undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. The successful candidate will champion innovation in nursing education and scholarship, ensure high standards of academic quality, and foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion among faculty, staff, and students.

The Dean reports to the Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs / Provost and serves as a member of the Academic Council, Supervisors and Managers Committee, and as ex officio on relevant university and college committees and task forces.

Duties and Responsibilities :

Minimum Qualifications

• Earned doctorate in nursing or a related field (PhD, DNP, or equivalent).
• Distinguished record of teaching, scholarship, and service commensurate with appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor.
• Demonstrated success in academic leadership (e.g., Dean, Associate / Assistant Dean, Program Director, or Chair) with evidence of effective management, fiscal oversight, and faculty advocacy.
• Visionary leadership is characterized by collaboration, transparency, and commitment to shared governance.
• Proven ability to foster inclusive excellence, diversity, and equity within an academic or healthcare setting.
• Understanding nursing education, practice, and research within today’s complex healthcare environment.
• Experience in curriculum innovation, accreditation processes, and interprofessional education.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and decision-making skills; ability to engage effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Commitment to SMU’s mission and values, academic freedom, and professional ethics.
• Eligibility for licensure as a Registered Nurse in California.

Preferred Qualifications

Benefits of Working at SMU

Health, Dental, Vision Care

SMU offers a broad range of employee benefits including health, vision, and dental care; sick leave, vacation and holiday leave, 403(b) retirement plan, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, voluntary tax-deferred annuities, educational leaves, sabbatical leaves, tuition reimbursement, tuition remission on SMU courses, disability insurance, and more.

SMU offers HMO, EPO and PPO health insurance plans, Delta Dental coverage, and VSP vision coverage.

Healthcare Flexible Spending Account

A Healthcare Flexible Spending Account (FSA) is a pre-tax benefit account used to pay for eligible medical, dental, and vision care expenses that aren’t covered by your insurance plan or elsewhere. It’s a smart, simple way to save money while keeping you and your family healthy and protected.

Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

A Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA) is a pre-tax benefit account used to pay for dependent care services, such as preschool, summer day camp, before or after school programs, and child or elder daycare. A DCFSA is a smart, simple way to save money while taking care of your loved ones so that you can continue to work.

Life Insurance

As a means of financial protection, basic life insurance is provided for employees. Insurance may be purchased to benefit-eligible employees in order to supplement additional basic life insurance coverage. Employees that purchase supplemental life insurance may also purchase coverage for dependents.

Retirement 403(b)

A retirement plan that includes investment alternative and a matching contribution plan is available to all benefit-eligible employees. The retirement plan rewards special contributions of the long-service employee by providing a measure of financial security during retirement.

You Are Welcome Here

SMU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, familial status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law—including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any resolution process within the University or within the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or other human rights agencies. Nondiscrimination is consistent with the principles and practice of the University and is in compliance with Title VII of The Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Title IX of The Education Amendments of 1972, and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.