Position Summary
The Associate Dean of Nursing at St. Thomas University is an on-campus leadership position based at the Miami Gardens, FL campus; this is not a remote or online role, and the incumbent is expected to maintain a consistent physical presence on campus. The Associate Dean serves as an essential member of the College of Nursing’s leadership team. As the operational academic leader of the College, the Associate Dean partners with the Dean to translate strategic priorities into coordinated action aligning people, processes, and resources to support high-quality program delivery. The incumbent supports curricular innovation, accreditation efforts, faculty mentorship, and student success, ensuring students are thoroughly prepared for professional success within the nursing field.
Location: St. Thomas University – Miami Gardens, FL (On-Campus; Not a Remote or Online Position)
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Leadership: Collaborate with the Dean and academic leadership to articulate, refine, and implement the vision, mission, and strategic goals of the College of Nursing. Ensure that all programs including BSN, RN–BSN, ABSN, MSN, DNP, and certificate offerings reflect the highest standards of academic quality and integrity.
- Curriculum Oversight: Collaborate with the Dean, Program Directors, and the curriculum leadership team to support the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of curriculum. Ensure alignment with accreditation standards (CCNE, SACSCOC, and state Board of Nursing) and national frameworks, including competency-based education (CBE) and the AACN Essentials. The Associate Dean facilitates implementation and coordination of curriculum processes but does not independently determine program-level curricular decisions.
- Faculty Development: Provide supervision, mentorship, and professional growth opportunities for faculty. Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and comprehensive evaluation of faculty performance, fostering an inclusive and supportive academic environment.
- Clinical and Experiential Education: Lead the coordination of clinical placements and the advancement of simulation-based learning, cultivating strong partnerships with healthcare organizations to enrich students’ experiential learning opportunities.
- Student Success Initiatives: Monitor student performance indicators, including retention, graduation rates, and NCLEX/Certification pass rates. Design and implement targeted interventions to enhance student achievement and support academic progression.
- Accreditation and Quality Assurance: Direct ongoing efforts to maintain accreditation, ensuring continuous compliance with all relevant regulatory bodies, and preparing thorough documentation and reports as required. The Associate Dean supports accreditation activities; however, primary accountability for accreditation oversight remains with the Dean.
- Academic Operations: Oversee academic scheduling, faculty workload distribution, and resource allocation to ensure optimal program delivery and operational efficiency.
- Community and Stakeholder Engagement: Represent the College at institutional and external events, and cultivate effective relationships with alumni, clinical partners, and the broader nursing community.
- Teach up to 3-4 undergraduate/graduate nursing courses annually.
Operational Leadership & Implementation
- Lead the coordination and execution of academic operations across all nursing programs.
- Oversee implementation of institutional and college-level initiatives.
- Ensure alignment between curriculum, faculty processes, and operational systems.
- Monitor execution of academic policies, procedures, and timelines.
- Coordinate cross-functional initiatives involving faculty, Program Directors, and administrative staff.
Collaboration with Program Leadership
- Support Program Directors in the execution of program operations and academic initiatives.
- Facilitate communication and coordination across programs.
- Convene regular Program Director meetings to ensure alignment and operational effectiveness.
- Maintain a collaborative, service-oriented leadership approach that supports (but does not replace) Program Directors authority.
Faculty Operations & Support
- Oversee faculty onboarding, orientation, and ongoing support.
- Coordinate faculty development initiatives aligned with curriculum and instructional needs.
- Assist in the faculty evaluation process, including drafting annual evaluations for review by the Dean.
- Support adjunct faculty processes in collaboration with the Director of Online Nursing Operations.
Coordination with Director of Online Nursing Operations
- Collaborate closely with the Director of Online Nursing Operations to ensure effective delivery of online programs.
- Support alignment between faculty onboarding, course delivery, and academic expectations.
- Coordinate operational processes related to adjunct faculty, course readiness, and scheduling.
- Ensure consistency and quality across online course offerings in partnership with program leadership.
Project & Initiative Leadership
- Lead and/or support implementation teams for strategic academic initiatives.
- Work collaboratively with faculty subject matter experts in areas such as competency-based education, curriculum design, and assessment.
- Ensure initiatives are implemented using a collaborative, team-based model that promotes shared expertise and faculty engagement.
Qualifications
- Earned doctoral degree in Nursing or a closely related discipline (DNP, PhD, or equivalent) required.
- Current unencumbered Registered Nurse license in the State of Florida, or eligibility for licensure.
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) certification or licensure preferred.
- Substantial experience in academic leadership, program development, and faculty oversight within an accredited nursing program.
- Comprehensive knowledge of accreditation standards and regulatory requirements (CCNE, CNEA, SACSCOC, state Board of Nursing).
- Demonstrated commitment to fostering student achievement and supporting a diverse learning environment.
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
Compensation & Benefits
- Salary range: commensurate with experience, qualifications, and aligns with regional standards.
- Full benefits including health, dental, vision, disability insurance, retirement plan, paid holidays, and flexible time off.
Application Process
Candidates should submit:
- Cover letter addressing leadership, curriculum, and student success experience.
- Current CV.
- Contact information for three professional references.
- Official transcripts (for final candidates; foreign degrees require credential evaluation).
- Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.
About St. Thomas University – College of Nursing
Located in Miami Gardens, STU’s College of Nursing offers a comprehensive range of nursing programs (BSN, RN–BSN, MSN, DNP, and specialty certificates) with a strong emphasis on community health, clinical excellence, and experiential learning. The College is accredited by CCNE and affiliated with local healthcare systems to support robust clinical and simulation-based training environments.
Working at STU means contributing to a culturally diverse, inclusive educational environment that prepares nursing professionals to serve Florida’s communities with excellence.
Skills Required
- Earned doctoral degree in Nursing or a closely related discipline, such as DNP or PhD
- Current unencumbered Registered Nurse license in Florida or eligibility for licensure
- Advanced Practice Registered Nurse certification or licensure
- Substantial experience in academic leadership, program development, and faculty oversight within an accredited nursing program
- Comprehensive knowledge of CCNE, CNEA, SACSCOC, and state Board of Nursing accreditation and regulatory requirements
- Demonstrated commitment to student achievement and supporting a diverse learning environment
- Exceptional leadership, communication, and organizational skills
What We Do
St. Thomas University is a private, nonprofit Catholic institution based in Miami Gardens, Florida. It is committed to fostering academic and professional success for its students, preparing them to become ethical leaders in a global community. The university offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs and has been recognized for its focus on social mobility and student access.
