Job description
Spring Arbor University seeks its next Dean of the School of Nursing, Health, and Sciences. The Dean will provide strategic direction and oversight of academic programs, faculty, accreditation and compliance, student outcomes, operational effectiveness, and external partnerships, while exercising fiscal stewardship of the School’s resources, including budgeting, allocation, and long-term financial planning. In addition to serving as the chief nursing officer, the Dean oversees the science and health programs. Through the School’s mixture of undergraduate and graduate programs, offered online and on campus, over 800 students annually are transformed by its impact. Potential for growth is strong and will be enhanced by the remodeling and expansion of the Whiteman-Gibbs Science Center, which is underway. The Dean reports to the Provost and will have their office on Spring Arbor’s beautiful campus in south central Michigan.
The School and the University are missionally focused and fiscally strong. SAU’s Concept (mission) statement has provided clear guidance to the university community since the 1960s and is hard-wired into the culture. It reads, “Spring Arbor University is a community of learners distinguished by lifelong involvement in the study and application of the liberal arts, total commitment to Jesus Christ as the perspective of learning, and critical participation in the contemporary world.”
The Dean will be able to articulate how the Christian faith and the Biblical worldview provide the foundation for learning for the nursing, health, and science disciplines. The individual will exhibit a life and service consistent with the University Concept and Community Covenant and must be fully supportive of the University’s mission and values as an evangelical Christian institution affiliated with the Free Methodist Church.
EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE
- Earned doctoral degree in nursing or a related discipline is required.
- Master’s degree in nursing or a health-related discipline is required.
- Leadership experience overseeing faculty, academic programs, curriculum, and accreditation and compliance.
- A record of successful teaching in higher education is required, with experience in teaching face-to-face and online strongly preferred.
- Unencumbered Michigan RN license or willing to obtain.
- Strong leadership and strategic planning skills.
- An entrepreneurial spirit and an all-institutional perspective.
- Experience with program development and ongoing improvement.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and complex initiatives.
- Proven sound judgment, attention to detail, and professional integrity.
- Evidence of scholarship, professional service, and engagement in their academic discipline.
Spring Arbor University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is our moral and legal obligation to meet the responsibility of ensuring that all management practices regarding employees are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. It is, therefore, our policy and intention to evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job. All personnel related activities such as compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions and privileges of employment will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including all applicable state of employment protected classes. Spring Arbor University is a Christian religious-affiliated organization; and as such, is not subject to religious discrimination requirements; the University’s hiring practices and EEO discrimination practices are in full compliance with both federal and state law. Federal law creates an exception to the “religion” component of the employment discrimination laws for religious organizations (including educational institutions) and permits them to give employment practice preference to members of their own religious beliefs.
How to apply
The review of candidates will begin April 24 and will continue until the position is filled, with the new Dean in place preferably before Fall 2026. Applications are required and are available Interested individuals should submit a cover letter, statement of faith, vitae, and an application at www.springarbor.edu/jobs. Please contact SAU’s Provost, Dr. Carol Green, for more information ([email protected]) about the position, or SAU’s HR office for general questions.
Experience working in multicultural academic environments is preferred. Individuals from diverse populations are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
