Dean, Health Sciences

Prescott, AZ - USA

Yearly Salary: USD 114961 - 149448

Posted on: 12 hours ago

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Description of Position

ABOUT YAVAPAI COLLEGE

Yavapai College (YC) is a forward-thinking student-centered and innovation-driven community college serving more than 232000 residents across a large diverse district. Since 1966 the College has continually evolved to meet the needs of rural working adult and place-bound learners through accessible high-quality academic and workforce programming. With seven campuses and centersincluding the main Prescott Campus Verde Valley Prescott Valley Chino Valley CTEC and the Sedona CenterYC is known for its agility collaborative culture and ability to move initiatives at the speed of light to meet community and workforce needs. Unique destination programs include Aviation Gunsmithing Mining Northern Arizona Regional (Police) Training Academy and Viticulture & Enology. YCs nursing program is ranked 11th out of 33 nursing schools across Arizona offering AAS and RN-BSN degrees. The College ensures that Yavapai County is a premier place to learn work and live by enriching the community in providing accessible quality workforce transfer lifelong and cultural learning opportunities.

YCs commitment to innovation is reflected in national recognition: the College is among the 200 semifinalists for the prestigious Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Faculty and staff present locally and nationally and YC continues to expand cutting-edge programsfrom health sciences and emergency medical services to fire science physical education integrative health mining and gunsmithing.
YC thrives because it embraces a culture of belonging listening and continuous improvement. The leadership team empowers creativity (we say yes here) encourages collaboration and provides exceptional wraparound support for students including emergency grants a food pantry veterans resources clothing closets and moreensuring student success is inescapable.

The College Council is YCs participatory governance model for interactive communication and information-sharing for all college groups including faculty staff and students. The Council meets regularly to conduct on-going communication and advise the President on important college-wide matters with the focus on the Colleges mission and student success.

ABOUT THE AREA

With 300 days of sunny skies and temperate weather Yavapai County is a favorite destination for residents of Arizona and beyond. Surrounded with natural scenic beauty outdoor activities such as hiking biking and rock climbing are hugely popular. Dozens of miles of groomed trails and picturesque locales like Red Rock State Park Granite Mountain Thumb Butte West Fork Trail and Watson Lake afford stunning views year-round.
Yavapai County is a place where there is still a sense of community with numerous annual community events such as local harvest festivals arts & crafts shows and community holiday parades. The region is rich in history and its past is maintained in various forms by local museums. Unique shopping opportunities exist throughout the county from Prescott Square to the winding streets to Jerome to old town Cottonwood. The Verde Valley Wine Trail is a great way to learn about the burgeoning wine industry in Yavapai County. Local theater is alive and well through community theaters the Elks Opera House and the Yavapai College Performing Arts Center. Annual music events include the Sedona Music Festival Prescott Bluegrass Festival and the Acker Musical Showcase. Signature events such as the Sedona Film Festival and the Worlds Oldest Rodeo showcase the truly unique flavor of Northern Arizona! The area offers something for everyone.

While servicing the entire district the position is based in Prescott which is 90 minutes north of Phoenix and abuts the largest stand of Ponderosa Pines in the nation the Prescott National the heart of Yavapai County this moderately sized mountain community rests approximately a mile above sea level and enjoys a mild four-season climate.

POSITION SUMMARY

YCs Health Sciences Division is robust and rapidly evolving offering accredited programs in Nursing (AAS RN-BSN) Radiology Allied Health EMT and an expanding set of health and wellness programs including at the Sedona Center which is positioned for future growth in integrative health.
The Division is highly collaborative with long-serving leaders talented program directors strong faculty teams and newly launched or expanding programs (e.g. ultrasound). Program quality is strong accreditation cycles are underway and YC has invested meaningfully in faculty support clinical coordination and student services.

This division is known for:

Innovation and responsiveness to workforce needs

High-quality faculty and directors who are deeply dedicated to students

Strong internal collaboration across campuses programs and teams

Exceptional support resources including grants and foundation partnerships

The next Dean will inherit well-functioning programs excellent directors supportive peers and a leadership environment that invests in people rather than draining them.

The Dean of Health Sciences provides visionary leadership operational oversight and people-centered management for YCs nursing and allied health programs. Reporting to the Vice President of Workforce Development and Health Sciences the Dean oversees a large portfolio across multiple campuses with direct responsibility for program excellence accreditation (ACEN/JCERT) and third-party regulating organizations faculty development clinical partnerships and future program growth.
The Dean will also prepare and administer division budgets pursue new financial resources grants and other funding sources in support of departmental and future program growth; guide the recruitment appointment retention and long-term success of faculty sta and students.

This is a unique opportunity to join a high-trust highly collaborative leadership team in one of the most innovative community colleges in the nation. Backed by strong administrative support talented faculty and dedicated program directors the Dean will have both the runway and support to lead a large division through continued growth accreditation cycles and new program development.

Minimum Expectations & Requirements

Masters Degree in Nursing
Three (3) years experience as a Registered Nurse providing direct patient care
One (1) academic year full-time experience teaching in or administering a nursing education program leading to licensure
Proven experience in evaluating nursing program faculty members and department sta
Experience in nursing program accreditation (ACEN or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education - CCNE) or compatible accreditation
Demonstrated strong communication interpersonal and relationship-building skills
Experience in Health Science program curriculum nursing curriculum development and instructional design

Preferred Skills & Abilities

Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) or an Ed.D with an MSN
Transformational leadership team building sta building and organizational skills.
Ability and desire to be collaborative solutions-oriented leader to help inspire change
An understanding of the role of information technology informatics and other learning modalities in educating the next generation of nurses
An ability to advocate eectively for the nursing profession and education within the college and at the local state and national levels
Professional experience in a community college/higher education work environment
Strong organizational leadership and computer skills

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic & Academic Leadership

Provide vision for the continued growth and evolution of nursing and allied health programs.

Lead program reviews curriculum development scheduling and workforce alignment across all campuses.

Oversee accreditation processes for ACEN CCNE JCERT and HLC standards.

Operational & Administrative Oversight

Manage substantial operational budgets (totaling $479296 across programs) with strong fiscal stewardship.

Oversee facilities resources scheduling equipment purchases and clinical partnership logistics.

Ensure policies processes and program standards meet state and national regulatory requirements.

People Leadership & Culture Building

Supervise and develop a strong stable leadership team including the Directors of Nursing Radiology and Allied Health.

Mentor faculty and staffespecially new nurse educators who require ongoing support.

Build morale reduce burnout and decrease turnover through consistent communication visibility and encouragement.

Student Success & Community Engagement

Champion student access equity completion and strong post-graduate outcomes.

Foster relationships with healthcare systems superintendents industry leaders and community partners.

Serve as an advocate for the division internally and externally.

OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP

Align nursing vision and goals with divisional academic and college priorities to achieve targeted annual outcomes.

Foster teamwork and consensus among faculty and staff to enhance collaboration and productivity.

Create a collaborative environment to achieve program division and college objectives efficiently.

Represent the nursing department effectively to the College accrediting bodies nursing commission and community partners enhancing visibility and compliance.

Set and pursue long-term goals and objectives for nursing programs to ensure continuous improvement and excellence.

Streamline the recruitment selection and advisement of students to attract and support a diverse and talented cohort.

Lead a large complex multi-campus division across Prescott Verde Valley and Sedona requiring consistent presence flexibility and strong cross-site communication.

Preserve and enhance YCs collaborative yes-first culture by modeling kindness trust and fair decision-making.

PROGRAM EXCELLENCE

Develop and maintain curriculum to ensure it remains current and relevant enhancing student learning outcomes.

Ensure faculty maintain up-to-date expertise in their curriculum areas promoting high-quality education delivery.

Collaborate with Program Chairs to create optimized quarterly course schedules that meet student needs efficiently.

Support and stabilize faculty teams amid ongoing turnover retirements and early departures with particular attention to mentoring and advocating for new nurse educators.

Maintain growth while supporting the development of new and expanding programs such as ultrasound and allied health pathways.

Guide the division through major accreditation cyclesADN entering year one of a three-year self-study and BSN navigating its new accreditationrequiring rapid orientation and decisive leadership.

COMMUNICATION COORDINATION AND CARE

Lead and manage the recruitment hiring onboarding mentoring supervision evaluation and discipline of nursing faculty and staff to build a strong and effective team.

Oversee and ensure the thorough evaluation process for nursing tenure maintaining high standards of excellence.

Conduct observations and evaluations of nursing tenure candidates to support their professional development and success.

Evaluate direct reports and participate in the evaluation process of other staff to promote accountability and growth.

Facilitate conflict resolution among team members to maintain a harmonious and productive work environment.

Assist students in resolving academic grievances to ensure a fair and supportive educational experience.

Guide staff and faculty in resolving conflicts to foster a collaborative and respectful workplace.

Collaborate with college resources (e.g. DRC MCS Title IX CARE Team Trio) to effectively implement student support services and enhance student success.

Navigate a team with strong distinct personalitiesincluding long-tenured faculty doctorate-prepared educators former military leaders and highly autonomous directorsto maintain cohesion and shared purpose.

HOW TO APPLY

The Vice President and the search committee invite interest in the Dean of Health Sciences position at Yavapai College. All inquiries nominations referrals and applications are confidential and are to be directed to the search consultant.

Soft Application Deadline: February 6 2026
While the position is open until filled materials received by this date are guaranteed full consideration. All confidential inquiries nominations referrals and applications should be directed to:
Sheila Lehker President Cizek Associates Inc

A complete application includes:

Letter of Interest showing alignment with the Position Profile (not to exceed 5 pages)

Resume (chronological preferred)

References (minimum of six professional references including direct email and telephone)

Essential Functions

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to sit. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Yavapai College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age race color religion sex national origin disability or veteran status.

Description of PositionABOUT YAVAPAI COLLEGEYavapai College (YC) is a forward-thinking student-centered and innovation-driven community college serving more than 232000 residents across a large diverse district. Since 1966 the College has continually evolved to meet the needs of rural working adult ...