Job description

Salary: $175,000.00 – $190,000.00 Annually

Job Type: Administrative (Faculty Status)

Location: Whitworth University Campus

Department: Health Science

Closing:

Whitworth University is a residential campus shaped by learning, curiosity, and community life. This role is based on campus and requires consistent, in-person engagement.

Position Summary

Whitworth University seeks a visionary, collaborative, and mission-driven leader to serve as Dean of the School of Health Sciences. Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President, the dean provides strategic, academic, and operational leadership for a growing portfolio of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. This leader will guide the next phase of the school’s growth, including launching new nursing and social work programs, advancing academic excellence, strengthening healthcare partnerships, and fostering student success while advancing Whitworth’s Christian mission.

Learn More About This Leadership Opportunity

The School of Health Sciences is entering an exciting period of growth and innovation. Candidates are strongly encouraged to review the full Search Profile for detailed information about Whitworth University, the School of Health Sciences, strategic priorities, leadership opportunities, and desired qualifications.

View the Dean of the School of Health Sciences Search Profile

Core Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the School of Health Sciences and contribute to university-wide planning and initiatives.
• Lead the successful implementation of new nursing and social work programs while sustaining excellence across established health professions programs.
• Ensure academic quality, accreditation compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Recruit, develop, and support outstanding faculty, academic leaders, and staff.
• Foster enrollment growth, student success, and innovative academic pathways.
• Build partnerships with healthcare systems, community organizations, alumni, employers, and donors.
• Promote a culture grounded in Christian faith, academic excellence, collaboration, and service.

Qualifications and Core Competencies

• An earned doctorate or other terminal degree in health sciences, a health profession, behavioral health, or a closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Successful prior service as a dean or associate dean with substantial academic, personnel, budget, and strategic responsibilities.
• Senior leadership experience with accredited health professions programs, including specialized accreditation, state approval or authorization, assessment, and ongoing compliance; working knowledge of nursing, OTD, and DPT education and their distinct requirements.
• A record of developing or materially expanding academic programs, including planning, approval, launch, evaluation, and responsible resource allocation.
• Demonstrated commitment to students and evidence of effective leadership and development of faculty and staff.
• A personal commitment to Christian faith and the ability to articulate how faith informs vocation and leadership within Whitworth’s ecumenical community.
• Experience building substantive healthcare and community partnerships; strong communication skills and sound financial and organizational judgment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct dean level oversight of nursing, OTD, and DPT, including experience with CCNE, ACOTE, CAPTE, and state nursing board processes.
• Experience securing initial accreditation or sustaining specialized accreditation through significant program growth.
• Demonstrated success in clinical partnership development, interprofessional education, graduate and doctoral education, fundraising, and external engagement.
• Academic and professional accomplishments supporting appointment at a senior faculty rank under Whitworth’s policies.

Other Details

Whitworth University is a Christian liberal arts university. Our shared mission is to provide our diverse students with an education of mind and heart, equipping them to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity. We seek candidates who are willing to engage with the university’s mission and integrate their Christian faith into their work.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, faith statement, and contact information for at least three professional references. A background check and sexual misconduct check will be required of the successful candidate.

Review of applications will begin on November 16, 2026 and continue until the position is filled.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain valid work authorization throughout the duration of employment, including those on OPT. Whitworth University does not offer visa sponsorship for this position.

You are on this webpage because a position at Whitworth sparked your curiosity. If you find yourself questioning hitting the apply button because you might not meet 100% of the qualifications, we think you should do it! When you click apply and submit an application, your application is reviewed by a committee of real, living, and breathing human beings who want to understand your background, experience and skills to find ways you relate to the key competencies needed for success in the position.

Looking for resources to help with writing a faith statement? Check out our faith statement resource page for more information.

Whitworth complies with all federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws that are applicable to religious nonprofit institutions and does not engage in unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, sex, or disability. With our Christ-centered commitment to building a diverse and inclusive community, the university encourages applications from populations underrepresented at Whitworth including members of racial/ethnic communities, women, and persons with disabilities.

How to apply

Online applications are stored on a secure site. Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the information submitted.

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

To apply, please visit