Career Center

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

The Rowan University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) is seeking a focused and collaborative administrative leader for the position of Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. The selected candidate will be expected to have an active role in leading the School’s veterinary medical education program and to serve as an advisor to the Dean on all matters related to the DVM degree program and affiliated pathway programs to the DVM degree.  The Associate Dean will provide strategic insight and assist the Dean in setting institutional goals. The selected candidate will play a critical role in facilitating the School’s accreditation process.

The Associate Dean is administratively responsible for ensuring the highest quality of academic programming and for promoting a culture of academic excellence while fostering an environment that endorses student achievement and provides leadership for curricular and program development, implementation, evaluation, and accreditation. The selected candidate is responsible for the recruitment, advancement, and retention of a diverse and talented faculty workforce including tenured and non-tenured positions represented within the discipline of veterinary medicine and animal healthcare and to support the academic initiatives of the School of Veterinary Medicine.

The Associate Dean works closely with the Dean, associate deans, institute directors, department heads, vice presidents, vice provosts, legal counsel, and human resources on a range of faculty affairs issues, including promotion and tenure, work-life balance policies, annual evaluations and merit, and compliance with the Faculty Handbook and other university requirements.

Essential Role and Position Responsibilities:

• Facilitate tenure and promotion decisions
• Create mechanisms and programs for faculty diversity and development in partnership with the department chairs and other related committees/groups regarding recruitment, retention and career development of faculty
• Respond to a variety of institutional requests and annual reports for the School related to efforts in faculty development, recruitment and diversity, and sustainability
• Ensure career development and mentoring opportunities exist, particularly for probationary tenure-track faculty, explore and implement appropriate models with department chairs
• Coordinate faculty recommendations for new hires, merit programs and other recognition and reward programs to ensure equity and parity across scientific and clinical disciplines
• Review offer letters to ensure appropriate start-up packages and the development of common templates for faculty position descriptions in hiring, standards for effort assignment in probationary track faculty
• Coordinate faculty leaves (including sabbatical leave approvals, parental leaves, etc.) including retirement planning in coordination with the department chairs
• Participate in SVM Advisory Council meetings and other special events as appropriate or required to represent the School to other external audiences such as corporate sponsors, stakeholders and government leaders
• Work in close partnership with the other Associate Deans, Department Chairs, and Directors to implement process improvements, planning and program decisions
• Leads annual Academic Probation/Dismissals Committee
• Serves as contact person for all search committee policies and processes.
• Support faculty planning for the development of new degree programs and academic initiatives
• Oversee the compliance of the School with all regulatory requirements as well as lead the School in all accreditation evaluation and site visits
• Lead and guide administrative team (especially department heads and directors) on implementation of faculty driven curricular decisions
• Create and facilitate alignment/partnerships with colleges, veterinary healthcare systems and community groups to formulate and implement innovative learning models
• Act as facilitator for the curriculum committee and faculty work groups that are monitoring curriculum and academic standards, and admissions and academic standards
• Create and implement a faculty development program for excellence in teaching and the application of information technologies for learning
• Serves as the Dean’s proxy to represent the SVM on academic matters, upon request.

Qualifications for the position include (12 month position):

• DVM required with a preference for an MS or PhD in a related field
• Experience in higher education administration, academic program management, and faculty affairs
• An established record of excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service appropriate to the rank of Full Professor with tenure
• Ability to mentor junior faculty, and collaborate with mid-career and senior faculty
• Experience with promotion and tenure and faculty career progression
• Evidence of interdisciplinary, collaborative leadership and partnerships with external agencies
• Outstanding leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Experience with strategic planning and an understanding of faculty needs with a view toward enhancing pedagogy, growth and clinical collaboration
• Experience in policy development and implementation
• Demonstrated experience and commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice.
• An understanding of the intersection of teaching, research, outreach, and patient care
• Proven commitment to and knowledge of shared governance
• Ability to lead teams, communicate with multiple and diverse audiences and individuals, and complete tasks in a complex organizational environment
• Ability to inspire others to high levels of performance and foster collaboration and trust