Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programs jobs in Reading, PA

About Alvernia University

Alvernia University was founded in 1958 by the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis. Through its main campus in Reading and locations in Philadelphia and Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the university serves 3,000 students of diverse backgrounds from around the country. 

Alvernia offers a unique blend of rigorous liberal arts core education for developing the mind, strong technical training in many high-demand majors, experiential learning through study abroad and internship experiences, and engagement with the community through our Franciscan-based community service model. We call our model of transformational education the Alvernia Advantage, and we believe this style of education transforms students into ethical leaders with moral courage. 

Alvernia University ranks in the top 100 among 2021 Best Regional Universities in the North by U.S. News & World Report, and we are recognized as a College of Distinction for our commitment to engaged experiential education. 

Job Summary:

Alvernia University invites nominations and applications for the Director of Graduate Nursing Programs/Associate Professor position for the John and Karen Arnold School of Nursing (SON).  Reporting to the Associate Dean of Nursing/Chief Nurse Administrator, the Director of Graduate Nursing will develop and expand the graduate nursing program to meet the needs of the current healthcare climate. The University seeks a forward-thinking and innovative leader who will strategically position the Graduate Nursing Program for ongoing success.  The Director of Graduate Nursing will work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and administration to grow the Graduate Nursing Program to ensure student success, compliance with Federal, State, and accreditation standards and policies, and execute the strategic priorities for the School in alignment with the College and University's Strategic plan.   Additionally, in response to evolving educational needs and technological advancements, the Director will play a pivotal role in transitioning the program to an online delivery format.

The John and Karen Arnold School of Nursing is housed in the state-of-the-art nursing education instructional center at the Post Center at Reading College Towne.  The new 55,000-square-foot space has expanded classrooms and laboratories dedicated to interprofessional training, fundamental skills, health assessment, standardized patient simulations, and a specialized resuscitation quality intervention area. Faculty and lab coordinators' offices, dedicated meeting areas, and conference rooms are also incorporated throughout the space.

Essential Functions:

• Promote Franciscan ideals and adherence to the Mission of the University as demonstrated by the University's Ideal Characteristics. 

  As we are an equal-opportunity employer committed to Franciscan values, all employees share responsibility for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion 

  in performing their roles while demonstrating service orientation, respect for all, intellectual curiosity, solution focus and innovation, and mutual accountability.

• Demonstrates leadership in and management of graduate nursing programs, including initiative or acting to maintain and improve instruction quality.  

• Provides program data, reports, and schedules to the Associate Dean of Nursing.  

• Establishes and monitors academic standards for each of the Graduate nursing programs.  

• Maintains program compliance with PA State Board of Nursing regulations and program accreditation standards.  

• Contributes to the required annual reporting to the PA State Board of Nursing, American Association of Colleges of Nursing, National League for Nursing, 

  and the Dean of the College of Health Sciences. 

• Collaborates with the Associate Dean of Nursing to submit programmatic needs and curriculum changes to the Dean of Health Sciences upon obtaining appropriate 

  faculty input and identifying market needs.  

• Assists the Associate Dean of Nursing in implementing and monitoring the graduate nursing program budgets and identifying resource needs.  

• Assesses the effectiveness of the graduate nursing student admissions process and provides recommendations for improvement. 

• Assists College and/or University officials in resolving faculty and student issues related to the graduate nursing programs.  

• Monitors graduate nursing program retention and placement rates and provides recommendations for improvement as needed.  

• Ensures faculty are oriented and accountable to teaching and learning best practices through regular evaluation/feedback. 

• Implements and monitors a plan for the continuous assessment and program outcomes. 

• Maintains currency of knowledge in nursing education by attending state and national meetings of nursing educators and administrators.  

• Advises the Dean of Health Sciences of issues and concerns that may have College-wide administrative impact.  

• Effectively represents the College of Health Sciences when serving on assigned College committees and attending community functions.  

• In collaboration with the University Grant Specialist, actively pursues grants and outside funding sources for major projects and equipment.  

• Fosters a departmental climate that supports collegiality and professional development of students, faculty, and staff.  

Qualifications/Education:

• Earned doctoral degree in Nursing or related field.  
• A valid and unencumbered RN license. 
• Commitment to the mission statement, core values, and goals of Alvernia University.
• Leadership and administrative experience in nursing education at the pre-licensure and graduate levels.    
• Alignment and commitment to the mission, vision, and Franciscan values of the University and the Nursing program.   
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity and to promoting inclusive excellence.  
• Ability to innovate and deliver creative strategies to promote growth and successfully navigate challenges specific to nursing.   
• Experience in nursing education with a minimum of 3 years teaching at the graduate level.   
• Experience with online pedagogy. 

Physical Requirements:

• Attendance is required to perform the duties of this job. 
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.