Associate Dean and Director of the Wellstar School of Nursing

The Wellstar College of Health and Human Services (WCHHS) at Kennesaw State University (KSU) is seeking a visionary and collaborative leader to assume the role of Associate Dean and Director of the Wellstar School of Nursing and the Thomas M. and Elizabeth D. Holder Endowed Chair of Nursing with an expected start date of July 1 2026.

KENNESAW STATE UNIVERSITY

For over 60 years Kennesaw State University has been recognized for its entrepreneurial spirit and strong sense of community. As a leader in innovative teaching and learning KSU offers over 190 undergraduate graduate and doctoral degrees and certificates. With 11 colleges Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and one of Georgias largest universities serving over 50000 students.

With high-impact research initiatives and NCAA Division I athletics Kennesaw State University attracts students from across the region and around the world. As a Carnegie-designated R2 doctoral research institution KSU is committed to becoming a world-class academic leader by broadening its academic and research missions and expanding its impact locally regionally and nationally.

Kennesaw State University is more than just a place to learn and workKSUs vibrant culture meaningful career opportunities mission-driven values and comprehensive benefits make KSU an employer of choice. Guided by core institutional valuesrespect integrity collaboration inclusivity and accountabilityand aligned with the University System of Georgias commitment to accountability excellence integrity and respect KSU is a student-centered research-driven institution with a bold vision for the future.

In Fall 2024 the University launched a new strategic plan to guide its next chapter of growth and impact. To learn more visit: KSU Strategic Plan. For general information about the University visit LOCATION

Kennesaw State University is located on two suburban campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta approximately 30 minutes northwest of downtown Atlanta. The metro-Atlanta region is distinguished by its rich historical heritage and continues to grow as a dynamic hub of culture innovation and opportunity. Due to KSUs unique location faculty staff and students benefit from the advantages of both a suburban campus environment and direct access to the professional and cultural resources of a major urban center.

ACADEMIC STRUCTURE

Wellstar College of Health and Human Services was created for the purpose of transforming lives through its commitment and focus on the communitys health physical fitness and human service needs. Comprised of three departments and a school plus the Academy for Inclusive Learning and Social Growth the College empowers students faculty and staff to thrive by fostering resilience building confidence and nurturing a commitment to lifelong learning that addresses the diverse needs of all learners. The Wellstar College of Health and Human Services offers a targeted and applied education as is demonstrated through the success of our graduates in the job market.

The Wellstar School of Nursing (WSON) prioritizes student success respect community engagement innovation and research. The School continues to experience significant growth in enrollment with the goal of supporting the growing need for nurses throughout the state and the country. WSON students come from across Georgia as well as other states and countries and our graduates are employed primarily in the world-class medical facilities of metropolitan Atlanta and throughout the southeast including medically underserved regions and the United States military. WSON students consistently perform well on national licensing exams with a pass rate of 97%.

The Wellstar School of Nursing (WSON) enrolls 1264 students and is supported by 271 faculty members77 full-time and 194 part-timealong with 19 full-time staff. WSON is home to one of the nations largest in-person Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs delivering exceptional hands-on educational experiences that prepare graduates to enter the workforce ready to addition to its robust undergraduate program WSON offers two Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs: the Family Nurse Practitioner program and the Leadership in Nursing program which includes both Education and Administration tracks. WSON also offers post-graduate certificates in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) and Nurse Educator.

The Wellstar School of Nursing (WSON) is engaged in a formal AcademicPractice Partnership with the Wellstar Health System working together to align academic preparation with workforce needs and to address shared challenges impacting the nursing profession. Through this partnership students benefit from coordinated clinical learning experiences faculty engagement opportunities and practice-informed curriculum development. Clinical placements for both BSN and MSN students occur not only within the Wellstar Health System but also with numerous additional clinical partners across all spheres of care. These diverse experiential learning environments provide students with invaluable hands-on learning opportunities that strengthen their clinical judgment professional readiness and transition to practice.

The WSON Learning Resource Center is a busy and dynamic training environment. The center allows for active student engagement in a realistic patient-care setting and utilizes innovative educational practices and state-of-the-art technology to create a realistic hands-on clinical learning environment to enhance skills and clinical reasoning provide the opportunity for research and deliver service to the community.

LEADERSHIP AGENDA

The Associate Dean and Director of the Wellstar School of Nursing reports to the Dean of the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services who serves as WSONs chief administrative officer and leads all operational functions of the School. The Associate Dean and Director is responsible for setting the vision for the School in alignment with the University/College vision faculty hiring and development enrollment and retention CCNE accreditation student success fiscal management and external engagements. The Associate Dean and Director directly oversee a highly collaborative and supportive team.

The next Associate Dean and Director of the Wellstar School of Nursing will establish a vision of continued growth and success and will be expected to perform the following functions:

• Direct all aspects of the Wellstar School of Nursing.
• Ensure a highly engaging and rewarding student experience and implement strategies to facilitate student success.
• Articulate a compelling vision and align the Schools strategic plan with institutional plans and priorities.
• Administer and oversee all financial operations of the School to ensure that funding priorities and budgets align with near and long-term strategic objectives in conjunction with university administrators and faculty leadership at the School.
• Represent and advocate for WSON in internal relations with administration and with other colleges and units within Kennesaw State University.
• Represent WSON and Kennesaw State University in external relations with alums donors the community clinical partners state and national organizations and other relevant professional bodies.
• Develop and implement entrepreneurial and innovative initiatives to foster collaboration curriculum and programs with external and community-based partners and enhance the reputation of WSON as a producer of qualified and caring nurses in the regional community and beyond.
• Provide leadership in fundraising revenue generation external grant acquisitions and resource allocation to support the Schools aspirations and priorities.
• Foster a supportive academic environment through the active recruitment retention and mentorship of faculty staff and students while advancing career development opportunities for graduates.
• Provide strategic oversight of faculty hiring retention and academic program growth.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with CCNE accreditation standards and support successful reaccreditation efforts.
• Strengthen existing research and scholarship and emphasize interdisciplinary collaborations to promote excellence in education and scholarship.
• Develop and implement strategies to create innovative and market-driven academic programs aimed at increasing on-campus and online undergraduate graduate and doctoral student enrollment.
• Create and advocate for nursing policies at the local state and federal levels.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• An earned doctoral degree or the foreign equivalent in Nursing or a closely related field with an academic background and appropriate credentials to be a tenured full professor in the Wellstar School of Nursing
• Eligibility for a Georgia Nursing License
• A minimum of three years of teaching experience in a nursing education program
• Experience in higher education administration and leadership including personnel budgeting procurement management

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated transformational and visionary leadership with experience leading through growth and transition
• Ability to foster effective relationships within and beyond the School and university based on excellent interpersonal communication and transparency
• Excellent skills in initiative teamwork problem-solving independent judgment organization communication (verbal and written) time management and project management
• Experience in clinical practice
• Evidence of facilitating student success initiatives
• Established record of research or scholarship with external funding
• Experience with fiscal management and budgeting in a complex environment
• Experience with curricular innovation and accreditation
• Demonstrated experience in fostering faculty and staff recruitment and development

PROCEDURES FOR NOMINATION AND APPLICATION

Kennesaw State University has retained Buffkin/Baker a national executive search firm to assist the Wellstar School of Nursing Search Committee in its identification and review of candidates.

Confidential inquiries nominations and applications are invited. While applications will be accepted until the position is filled interested parties are encouraged to transmit their materials by March 1 2026 for full consideration. Applications should include a CV a letter of application and contact information for five references.

Inquiries nominations and application materials should be sent electronically via email to the Universitys search consultants:

Ann Yates Partner

Dinah DeWitt Associate

For more information about Kennesaw State University please visit: the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services: the Wellstar School of Nursing:

State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living work and study. To that end and in accordance with federal and state law Board of Regents policy and University policy the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race color sex (including sexual harassment pregnancy and medical conditions related to pregnancy) sexual orientation gender identity gender expression ethnicity or national origin religion age genetic information disability or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus in connection with a University program or activity or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information on this policy or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy students employees applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building Suite 225 ().

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity Excellence Accountability and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at Experience:

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