University of Colorado Anschutz
Department: College of Nursing
Job Title: Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs (Administrative Faculty Appointment); IRC-Instructional Faculty Appointment (Open Rank-Associate Professor/Professor)
Job Summary:
The CU College of Nursing is seeking a strong faculty leader to serve as the Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs. The ideal candidate would be qualified to hold a faculty appointment within the IRC-Instructional Series at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor with dedicated release time to serve as the Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs (an administrative faculty appointment). Service and scholarship to the university and the college are expected of all faculty members. Also, faculty rank will depend on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and scholarship.
The Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs is responsible for the overall quality, effectiveness, and execution of the strategic direction of the College of Nursing's graduate programs, including master's, post-graduate certificate, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs. The Assistant Dean provides strategic, academic, and administrative leadership to ensure that graduate curricula, policies, and educational practices reflect academic excellence and meet national, state, accreditation, certification, and regulatory requirements within the framework of the Office of Academic Programs and the College of Nursing Strategic Priorities.
The Assistant Dean reports directly to the Associate Dean of Academic Programs and is responsible for graduate program quality, growth, innovation, supporting accreditation, and long-range academic planning. This position works collaboratively with specialty directors, other academic leaders, faculty, staff, and college leadership to foster innovative educational experiences, support student success, monitor program outcomes, and advance the academic mission of the College. This position's primary work location is the Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, and will also have teaching responsibilities as needed on the Legacy Campus, in Lone Tree, Colorado.
Examples of Work Performed
• Academic Leadership and Strategic Planning
o Provides leadership for master's, post-graduate certificate(s), and DNP programs.
o Monitors and identifies emerging educational, professional, healthcare, and technological trends that may impact graduate nursing education and communicates implications for graduate programs.
o Supports development of innovative curricula responsive to workforce, professional, and student needs.
o Collaborates with faculty to operationalize strategic priorities for graduate education and align program initiatives with those priorities.
o Supports implementation of the College's academic strategic plan by aligning graduate education initiatives and activities with established College priorities.
• Curriculum Oversight and Quality
o Ensures graduate curricula are consistent with accreditation, certification, regulatory, and professional standards.
o Oversees systematic curriculum evaluation and continuous quality improvement.
o Develops and monitors metrics related to curricular effectiveness, student learning outcomes, and program quality.
o Collaborates with the Assistant Dean of Clinical Simulation Science and the Assistant Director of Interprofessional Education to ensure effective integration of simulation, technology-enhanced learning, and interprofessional education across graduate programs.
o Reviews and provides direction on recommendations for curriculum revision and program development.
o Demonstrates expertise in student-centered teaching and learning methodologies, including evidence-based online and technology-enhanced instructional strategies that support student success and learning outcomes.
• Program Development, Growth, Innovation and Evaluation
o Oversees collection and analysis of graduate program outcomes data to inform program improvement.
o Ensures compliance with accreditation, certification, and regulatory requirements.
o Leads graduate program reporting activities and accreditation preparation in collaboration with the Sr. Assistant Dean of Academic Operations.
o Monitors graduate program performance and recommends quality improvement initiatives.
• Program Leadership and Student Succe
o Provides leadership and support to any position that is supervised under this role.
o Collaborates with Specialty Directors, Graduate Program operational staff, and any other relevant academic leaders in the college. Works with the Associate Dean for Academic Programs regarding contract faculty assignments and programmatic resource needs.
o Collaborates with the Associate Dean of Academic Programs, Assistant Deans, Sr. Assistant Dean of Academic Operations and Division Chairs in planning course schedules and faculty workload assignments to support program delivery and resource needs.
o Provides input into annual faculty evaluations of those that teach in the MS, PGC, and DNP program courses.
o Ensures a student-centered educational environment and monitors student satisfaction to identify and address areas for improvement across graduate programs.
o Reviews trends related to retention, progression, completion, certification outcomes, and graduate success to inform program improvement strategies.
o Supports the escalation and resolution of graduate student concerns in collaboration as needed with the Sr. Director of Admissions and Student Affairs.
• Collaboration, Resources, and Engagement
o Participates in grant development and other strategic initiatives supporting graduate education.
o Represents graduate programs within the College and externally to advance program priorities and partnerships, as appropriate.
o Actively participates as a member of state, regional, and national professional organizations by attending meetings, and engaging in service activities.
o Demonstrates effective, collaborative, and civil communication patterns with students, stakeholders, faculty, and staff.
o Engages in other activities and responsibilities as delegated by the Associate Dean of Academic Programs.
o Collaborates with the Associate Dean of Academic Programs regarding budgetary support for MS and DNP programmatic needs.
o Collaborates with the Senior Assistant Dean of Academic Operations to support process improvement and systems integration to streamline graduate program operations and overall student experience.
o Participates in teaching within the College of Nursing, serving as a role model for professional and educational excellence.
This description is a summary only and describes the general level of work being performed; it is not intended to be all-inclusive. The duties of this position may change from time to time and/or based on business needs. We reserve the right to add or delete duties and responsibilities at the discretion of the supervisor and/or hiring authority.
Work Location:
Hybrid - this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 3 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.
How to Apply:
For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):
1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to the listed job qualifications and interest in the position
2. Curriculum vitae / Resume
Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers.
Questions should be directed to: College of Nursing Human Resources at CON.HR@ucdenver.edu
Screening of Applications Begins:
Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified, but preference will be given to complete applications received by November 6th, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.
Anticipated Pay Range:
The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as:
Associate Teaching Professor: $115,000 to $130,000 annually at 1.0 FTE
Teaching Professor: $130,000 to $150,000 annually at 1.0 FTE
The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation, depending on the level.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Total Compensation Calculator
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
Faculty rank is determined at the end of the interview process based on a comprehensive review of candidate qualifications and experience compared to established College of Nursing faculty criteria.
This is an open rank faculty appointment and could be categorized as Associate Teaching Professor, Teaching Professor, Associate Professor (Tenure Eligible), or Professor (Tenure Eligible) based on experience and qualifications as indicated below:
Associate Teaching Professor:
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited nursing school/college.
o Substitution: A direct-entry master's degree in nursing from an accredited institution of higher education.
• A master's degree from an accredited nursing school/college.
• An earned doctorate in nursing (DNP or PhD) from an accredited institution of higher education and in accordance with Board of Nursing requirements.
• A record of demonstrated effectiveness in teaching, collegial collaboration, and commitment to a program of scholarship to qualify for the rank of Associate Teaching Professor in the Instructional Series: Teaching Professor Track.
o Minimum qualifications for appointment at the rank of Associate Teaching Professor include recognition as an expert teacher and sustained commitment to a program of scholarship.
• One year experience as a DNP Project faculty advisor (within or outside of the CU Nursing).
• Experience mentoring doctoral students (i.e., co-authored publications, presentations and/or poster presentations with doctoral student authors).
• Experience in curriculum development.
• Experience in teaching and mentoring students, ideally including students with diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Eligible to obtain an unencumbered RN license in Colorado.
Teaching Professor:
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited nursing school/college.
o Substitution: A direct-entry master's degree in nursing from an accredited institution of higher education.<
