Job description
Dean, College of Health Sciences
Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) in its search for Dean, College of Health Sciences.
For full consideration, please apply by January 12, 2026.
The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB), a proud Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and member of the University of Texas System, is in a period of significant growth and expansion, creating a unique chance to join as the next Dean of the College of Health Sciences. Enrollment is up as UTPB continues to drive social mobility for a diverse student body. With robust community partnerships, including collaborations with Texas Tech Medical School, three major hospitals, the soon-to-be-built Behavioral Health Center, and the Permian Strategic Partnership (which has already invested over $24 million in UTPB’s healthcare programs) the next Dean will have the rare opportunity to shape the College’s future to meet critical workforce needs, advance research, and expand the University’s national profile.
Guided by President Sandra Woodley’s bold Ten-Year Strategic Plan, Falcon Future 2030, UTPB is making transformative capital investments that highlight its deep commitment to student success and community impact:
- A $47 million renovation of the Mesa Building, UTPB’s central student hub, modernizes infrastructure and enhances the student experience.
- More than $101 million in capital funded projects across campus.
- Partnership in the Beacon Project, a $123 million initiative expanding healthcare services, research, and workforce development across the Permian Basin.
The College of Health Sciences is one of the most strategically important colleges at UTPB today. As the University broadens its role as the region’s academic hub for healthcare and workforce development, the College is central to achieving the ambitious goals outlined by President Woodley and strongly supported by the Provost and senior leadership. The next Dean will step into a role with exceptional institutional backing and visibility, tasked with advancing key initiatives that will shape the College’s future and enhance the health and vitality of the entire Permian Basin.
Home to the School of Nursing, Departments of Social Work, Human Performance, Psychology, Biology, and Community & Family Health, as well as centers like the Center for Interprofessional and Experiential Learning and the Midland Health Simulation & Learning Resource Center, the College plays a leading role in regional healthcare workforce development. As a member of the Provost’s leadership team, the Dean will collaborate with University leaders, faculty, and staff to create policies and set academic goals that drive growth and distinction. Looking ahead, UTPB is engaged in strategic planning to develop a comprehensive health sciences plan for the next decade. This includes potential new programs and a new Health Sciences Complex, which will be part of an exciting community development at the Midland campus. This initiative aims to expand hospital and academic medical facilities, establish a trauma center, and build new behavioral health facilities, positioning UTPB as a primary provider of the region’s future healthcare workforce.
This position reports to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
The Dean provides strategic leadership and management of all aspects of the College of Health Sciences, fostering excellence in teaching, research, and service. Responsibilities include:
- Collaborating with faculty and University leadership to create curricula relevant to regional and state needs
- Ensuring College initiatives align with UTPB’s strategic plan
- Leading student recruitment, retention, and graduation initiatives
- Promoting innovation and effectiveness in teaching, scholarship, and research
- Mentoring faculty to meet professional goals and UTPB expectations
- Overseeing program accreditations (including upcoming initial accreditation for the MSW)
- Managing budgets and fiscal policies
- Supporting faculty/staff professional development
- Engaging with external advisory boards, industry, and healthcare partners to expand impact
- Advancing interdisciplinary programs and collaborations in STEM and health sciences
- Building pipelines into healthcare professions through school and community outreach
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
The ideal candidate:
- Demonstrates a leadership style that facilitates investment and growth in the College, University, and greater community
- Demonstrates candor, authenticity, and passion
- Nurtures the success of colleagues and students
- Possesses an energetic, well-grounded, success-oriented personality with a sense of humor
- Is self-motivated and shows initiative and self-discipline, with confidence and charisma to lead, encourage, and empower
- Is creative, innovative, marketing-minded, with an entrepreneurial spirit
- Is a visionary and effective change agent
- Builds consensus and is a team leader who seeks collective wisdom and input
- Is flexible and able to facilitate multiple competing priorities and divergent viewpoints
- Empowers others to excel
- Possesses leadership and courage to make tough decisions
- Possesses a strong moral compass with unquestionable integrity and high professional standards
- Sells a point in a non-polarizing manner
- Possesses effective social skills
- Is politically astute, yet not political
- Possesses excellent written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to communicate with new and current faculty, academic leaders, students, and collaborative partners
- Possesses the ability to communicate complex or technical information clearly to a range of audiences
- Is comfortable and effective engaging in public speaking
- Has a high level of cultural humility, shows a respect for all faculty, staff, and student population
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Terminal degree in Health, Behavioral, Biomedical Sciences, a related applied science, or equivalent field from a regionally accredited institution
- Demonstrated record of progressive academic, administrative, or professional leadership with significant accomplishments, including credentials qualifying for faculty appointment at the rank of Associate or Full Professor or equivalent executive-level leadership experience in professional institutions
- Success in attracting, recruiting, retaining, and evaluating faculty and staff consistent with the highest standards of scholarship
- Experience in building successful, productive administration-faculty relationships and shared decision-making
- Success in leading programs to accreditation and maintaining the accreditation standards relevant to the Dean of Health Sciences, for example, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), or Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and others
- Experience in developing/restructuring interdisciplinary research and academic programs
- Solid track record in meeting the Institution’s mission concerning enrollment, graduation, and research
- Demonstrated success in developing partnerships with community/industry
- Success building and executing a strategic and fiscally sound unit budget
- Eligible for discipline-specific licensure in the State of Texas
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Candidates with at least (5) five years of administrative experience overseeing complex operations
- Documented industry experience and/or leadership roles, skill set in business development
- Experience working with industry/government partners
About The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB)
Founded in 1973, UTPB is part of the University of Texas System and serves as the only public university in the Permian Basin. Designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), UTPB is committed to expanding access to higher education and driving social mobility for a diverse student body.
Enrollment has continued to grow, with more than 7,000 students and over 40,000 alumni worldwide. Students can choose from more than 35 undergraduate and 18 graduate programs across five academic colleges. With small class sizes, personalized instruction, and a commitment to excellence in teaching and research, UTPB offers students the resources of a UT System institution while maintaining the close-knit feel of a regional university.
UTPB has made significant capital investments in its future, including over $101 million in state-supported projects, a $47 million Mesa Building renovation, and partnerships like the Beacon Project (a $123 million healthcare initiative). The University’s vision is guided by Falcon Future 2030, President Sandra Woodley’s strategic plan to advance student success, expand research, and deepen community engagement over the next decade.
About the College
The College of Health Sciences at The University of Texas Permian Basin is positioned at the heart of UTPB’s mission to serve the region’s rapidly growing healthcare needs. The College is home to the School of Nursing, Departments of Social Work, Human Performance, Psychology, Biology, and Community & Family Health, along with the Center for Interprofessional and Experiential Learning and the Midland Health Simulation & Learning Resource Center. Through these academic programs and centers, the College prepares students for impactful careers in healthcare, human performance, and related STEM fields while advancing innovative research and interprofessional collaboration. The College plays a leading role in workforce development, accreditation readiness, and regional health initiatives.
Living in the Area
Located in the heart of the Permian Basin, UTPB has campuses in both Odessa and Midland, two thriving West Texas cities that serve as the economic and cultural hub of the region. Known globally as one of the most productive oil and natural gas fields in the world, the Permian Basin is also home to a growing healthcare, education, and technology sector, making it one of the fastest-developing regions in the United States.
The community offers a high quality of life, with affordable housing, excellent schools, and a warm climate averaging 266 days of sunshine annually. The area is rich in cultural and recreational opportunities, including the Midland-Odessa Symphony & Chorale, the Ellen Noël Art Museum, and nearby outdoor destinations such as Big Bend National Park and the Davis Mountains.
The University is deeply connected to its region through partnerships with the Permian Strategic Partnership, local hospitals, K–12 school systems, and industry leaders. These collaborations drive economic development, expand healthcare access, and create a direct pipeline of opportunities for UTPB graduates. The region is easily accessible for travel, with the Midland International Air & Space Port (MAF) conveniently located between Odessa and Midland. The airport offers daily nonstop flights to major hubs including Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Denver, and Phoenix, all just a short drive from campus.
Institutional Information
The University of Texas System Administration is a federal contractor committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all qualified applicants and employees in all terms and conditions of employment. U. T. System will provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state laws.
For information on accommodations for individuals with disabilities, please contact the Office of Talent and Innovation at [email protected].
How to apply
For full consideration, please apply by January 12, 2026.
To be viewed by the search firm, you must apply directly at: https://acesrch.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a21esjyg7gdr
Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.
Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.
Inquiries and questions: Please send to [email protected].
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to [email protected].
