Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education

Description

Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Nursing Program

Position summary: The Assistant Dean for the Undergraduate and Prelicensure Nursing Programs provides academic, operational, and strategic leadership for pre-licensure nursing programs. The role ensures high-quality teaching and learning, strong student outcomes (including NCLEX-RN success), compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards, effective faculty support and development, and productive clinical/community partnerships. The Assistant Dean collaborates closely with the University of Rochester's Senior leadership to advance the institution's mission, values, and strategic priorities.

Key responsibilities

Academic leadership and quality

• Lead day-to-day operations of the undergraduate nursing program(s), ensuring academic excellence and student-centered practices.
• Oversee curriculum development, review, mapping, and continuous improvement aligned to program outcomes, Essentials of Baccalaureate Education, and accreditation standards (e.g., CCNE/ACEN), as well as state board of nursing regulations.
• Champion competency-based teaching, simulation, and technology-enhanced learning; ensure optimal use of labs, clinical simulation, and skills resources.
• Assist the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in monitoring and improving student success metrics (retention, progression, graduation, NCLEX-RN first-time pass rates) through data-informed interventions and early alert processes.
• Coordinate program assessment, including student learning outcomes, course evaluations, program review, and action plans.

Faculty leadership and development

• Recruit, onboard, mentor, evaluate, and support full-time and session faculty; promote a culture of excellence, inclusion, and scholarly engagement.
• Assist the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (ADAA) in managing faculty workload, teaching assignments, and clinical/site coverage in alignment with accreditation, contractual, and workload policies.
• Facilitate faculty development in pedagogy, assessment, simulation, DEI, and clinical education; promote interprofessional education and practice partnerships.

Student experience and success

• Address escalated student issues, appeals, and conduct/clinical concerns.
• Ensure clear and current student handbooks, policies, progression standards, and remediation processes.
• Support co-curricular learning, mentoring, tutoring, and NCLEX preparation initiatives.

Clinical education and partnerships

• Develop, sustain, and evaluate clinical affiliations and experiential learning opportunities; ensure compliance with site requirements and student readiness. Attend all Rason Meetings,
• Collaborate with clinical partners to align competencies, preceptor development, and workforce pipelines; expand community health and population health experiences.
• Ensure adequate clinical placements and supervision that meet program and regulatory requirements.

Accreditation, compliance, and risk management

• Maintain continuous readiness for accreditation (CCNE).
• Ensure compliance with FERPA, Title IX, HIPAA, OSHA, and institutional policies.

Operations, budget, and resource management

• Assist the ADAA with budgeting, staffing plans, and resource allocation for courses, labs, and simulation; advocate for facilities, technology, and instructional needs.
• Assist the Program directors in developing efficient course schedules, seat capacity planning, and enrollment management strategies in partnership with the Enrollment Management Office and the Registrar. Attend all undergraduate admission decision meetings.

Strategic leadership and collaboration

• Advance DEI, belonging, and health equity across curriculum, recruitment, and community engagement.
• Assist the ADAA, program leaders, and faculty in strategic planning, new program development, and enrollment growth while maintaining quality.

Administration and communication

• Participate in relevant committees (curriculum, assessment, faculty affairs, simulation, clinical placement).
• Communicate clearly and frequently with faculty, staff, students, and partners; maintain accurate program documentation.
• Manage special projects as assigned by the ADAA.

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