Vice Dean for Academic Affairs
Cizik School of Nursing
Position Summary:
The Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston seeks a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as Vice Dean for Academic Affairs. In close partnership with the Dean, this role is instrumental in advancing a culture of scholarship and excellence across both educational and clinical programs.
The Vice Dean provides strategic leadership and oversight for the planning, implementation, and continuous evaluation of innovative academic and clinical programs. Collaborating with multidisciplinary clinical partners and stakeholders across the broader healthcare community, this leader promotes excellence in education, clinical practice, and institutional development.
This role plays a critical part in shaping the future of nursing education by fostering an environment grounded in evidence-based practice, academic rigor, and meaningful collaboration. The Vice Dean is also expected to serve as an engaged faculty member, fulfilling teaching, scholarship, and service expectations commensurate with rank and tenure.
The school provides a full continuum of programs, including BSN, MSN, DNP, PhD, and post-graduate offerings. Graduate students can pursue specialized tracks such as Nursing Leadership, Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), Nurse Anesthesia (CRNA), Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP), and the nation's first Emergency Medical Services Nurse Practitioner (EMSNP) subspecialty. Pipeline initiative includes the Pre-Nursing Pathway, summer healthcare certification programs, and SHPEP-supporting early access and student development.
Research Excellence
Cizik is nationally recognized for its research impact, ranking #1 in Texas and #8 in the nation in NIH-funded nursing research (Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, 2025). Faculty lead innovative work in areas such as stroke, dementia caregiving, HIV prevention, symptom science, pain management, and health disparities.
The school is also home to the Cizik Nursing Research Institute (CNRI), which provides advanced infrastructure, mentorship, and cutting-edge facilities, including the Smart Apartment for aging-in-place research and the Biobehavioral Health Laboratory.
Campus & Learning Environment
Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston is housed in a state-of-the-art, 194,000-square-foot facility designed to support nursing education, research, and student engagement. Located adjacent to Grant Fay Park within the Texas Medical Center, the eight-story building offers modern classrooms, research laboratories, a 200-seat auditorium, collaborative student spaces, and administrative offices.
Designed with a focus on sustainability and wellness, the LEED® Gold-certified facility incorporates natural light, enhanced indoor air quality, and environmentally responsible features such as energy-efficient systems, recycled materials, and rainwater harvesting.
The campus is further enhanced by the Simulation and Clinical Performance Laboratory (Sim Lab), a 27,000-square-foot, advanced training environment. Equipped with high-fidelity manikins, virtual reality technology, and flexible simulation spaces, the Sim Lab prepares more than 2,000 students annually to manage complex clinical scenarios across diverse care settings, from home health to intensive care. A centralized control system lets faculty guide real-time learning and evaluation in an immersive environment.
The successful candidate will be on a tenure track position at the Associate or Full Professor level. Candidates must be eligible for RN licensure in Texas and hold a doctoral degree (PhD in Nursing or a related field such as DrPH), with a demonstrated commitment to education, faculty development, research, and clinical practice.
For confidential inquiries or to nominate a colleague, please contact the Office of Executive Recruitment at [redacted] or [redacted].
Position Accountabilities:
• Provide visionary leadership in meeting the academic and clinical goals of the School of Nursing through strategic planning and monitoring outcomes consistent with academic mission and scholarship.
• Monitor cost and effectiveness of academic programs at the School of Nursing.
• Serve in the role of dean of students for administration of applicable policies.
• Oversee operations of Student Affairs Office as an effective and efficient student service liaison.
• Collaborate with department chairs and educational program leaders in monitoring teaching assignments and faculty workload.
• Serve as a liaison with educational, clinical and community units within and beyond the University.
• Submit timely reports essential for accreditation, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and outcomes reporting.
• Approve training and project grants related to academic programs.
• Promote the visibility of the School of Nursing within an interdisciplinary model to the University and beyond.
• Maintain process for without salary faculty appointments in coordination with department chairs.
• Review performance, counsel, recommend salary, and human resources issues for direct reports.
• Serve as an advisor to the Dean on academic, clinical, community and international issues.
• Represent the Dean in his/her absence.
• Represent the Dean and School of Nursing as needed at local, state, and national organizations, events, and meetings.
• 504 Coordinator for CSON.
Minimum Experience
Current RN licensure in Texas (or eligibility for licensure) and a doctoral degree in Nursing or a related field (e.g., PhD, DrPH)
Minimum Education
Five years experience as a collegiate administrator preferred
