Associate Dean for Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs

Associate Dean of Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs

UT School of Public Health, San Antonio (UTSPH SA)

The UT School of Public Health is the newest school at UT Health, San Antonio, a collaboration between The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA), also called UT Health San Antonio, and The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). The new graduate school will provide academic instruction relevant to public health and serve as a focus of research activities directed toward community health, as it maintains and grows relationships with all entities interested in public health. Under the leadership of Dean Vasan Ramachandran, the mission of UT School of Public Health San Antonio (SPH) is to: perform ‘meaningful’ scholarship that discovers, disseminates, and applies evidence-based, equity-driven scalable solutions and policies that can be implemented in a timely manner to advance the health of the planet and its human populations, especially those that belong to historically underserved, marginalized, and/or vulnerable groups; serve public health needs and promote a culture of health and well-being locally and regionally (acting as a steward and serving as an anchor) while thinking nationally and globally, and; educate, develop and train the next generation of diverse public health leaders and professionals in systems thinking, social justice and health equity, and precision public health so that they can face the public health threats and opportunities of today and tomorrow.

Position Summary

The UT School of Public Health at San Antonio invites applications for an Associate Dean of Academic, Faculty, and Student Affairs, a vital member of the SPH Dean’s leadership team. We seek a dynamic and visionary leader with prior experience coordinating or administering academic programs and managing faculty and student affairs. The Associate Dean will report to the SPH Dean, providing strategic leadership and effective administration to advance the academic mission of the school. This position requires a demonstrated commitment to the overall success of the SPH, including faculty, student, and staff success; use of data and research to inform organizational academic and education-related decisions; and steadfast support for and the implementation of SPH’s core values. This Associate Dean position is an Administrative and Professional (A&P) position without fixed terms and serves at the pleasure of the President or his/her designee. First review of applications will be May 1, 2023 and continue until the position is filled.

The Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs, in collaboration with the UTSPH SA Dean, the Associate Deans, and the Department Chairs, will ensure that various academic programs of UTSPH SA meet accreditation benchmarks and sustain strong reputational excellence through mission-driven goals and objectives. The Associate Dean will assist in stewarding the SPH’s evolving strategic plan, meet regularly with campus stakeholders, and work collaboratively and collegially with faculty, staff, students, and administrators. The Associate Dean will also oversee the student experience and student-related matters to ensure a high-quality learning experience for all students and ensure access and success for students from historically underrepresented groups.

Depending on the background of the candidate, the opportunity for appointment as a faculty member at the rank of Associate or full Professor may be possible While this is a twelve-month appointment with no required teaching responsibilities, all SPH faculty are encouraged to teach at least one course per academic year.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities for the position may include, but are not limited to,

Academic Affairs

• Support existing and facilitate the development of new academic programs and appropriate accreditation, in collaboration with Department chairs and Program coordinators.
• Support a strong leadership team of Department Chairs in pursuit of academic excellence in all SPH academic programs and ensure expeditious course scheduling and optimize faculty workloads and resolution of student and administrative concerns.
• Engage in strategic planning in collaboration with Department Chairs and other SPH leadership as appropriate to gather and interpret data to determine ongoing curricular and programmatic needs.
• Assist and advise the UTSPH SA Dean regarding trends in public health education, and changes to the existing curriculum (if warranted) to address emerging public health education priorities and challenges.
• Respond to surveys concerning the School of Public Health’s academic programs including the accreditation report, annual APHA, ASPPH, and/or CEPH surveys, and any additional surveys required by external stakeholders.
• Oversee program evaluation and assessment and decision making (e.g., record keeping of course enrollments, student data, accreditation data) and contribute to the annual SPH budget development process.
• Represent UTSPH SA in internal and external committees at UTHSCSA as required.

Faculty Affairs

• Direct and facilitate the development of all processes for faculty matters including recruitment, appointment, retention, reappointment, evaluation, mentoring, promotion, recognition, awards, compliance, and conflict resolution.
• Design, develop, implement, and evaluate faculty orientation, development, and mentoring programs and initiatives focused on career development and institutional belonging.
• Develop and provide professional development to promote faculty activities related to teaching, research, scholarship, and community service, in partnership with SPH Associate Deans, Department Chairs, and UTHSCSA leadership as applicable.
• Assist in the development and oversight of policies and procedures involving faculty. Oversee the Faculty Handbook and its annual review in collaboration with the SPH Faculty Council.
• Represent SPH in national conversations related to faculty affairs through participation in relevant organizations.

Student Affairs

• Demonstrate commitment to student support and success and along the student experience continuum, especially in supporting diverse student populations.
• Address and resolve student issues and concerns that escalate to the SPH Dean’s Office.
• Monitor student retention and graduation rates and collaborate with relevant colleagues to ensure continuous improvement.
• Directs the SPH’s efforts in student recruitment, including on-campus and external events.
• Oversee graduate student affairs and academic advising including review of requests for exceptions to university policy, dissertation/theses, embargo approvals, graduation paperwork, and clearance, etc.
• Oversee student organizations and appoint faculty advisors for student organizations.
• Represent SPH in national conversations related to student affairs through participation in relevant organizations.

Required Qualifications

Required

• Doctoral degree from a regionally accredited university in a public health (or closely related) discipline to include 12 years of related experience.
• Strong record of scholarly and professional achievement.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaboratively and collegially with faculty, staff, students, and administrators.
• Strong process management skills, analytical abilities, and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to build successful teams and form consensus while advancing projects and strategic priorities in collaboration with others.

Preferred

• Prior engagement in extramurally funded research or academic and community collaborations.
• Commitment to public health with a demonstrated passion for underserved communities as well as underrepresented populations.
• Evidence of sustained engagement in public health and community service. 
• Educational experience with a strong record of scholarly and professional achievement.

The job description is not an exhaustive listing of all responsibilities, but rather a representation of job responsibilities and requirements. To ensure full consideration, please submit:

• A letter of introduction outlining background and qualifications for the position
• Detailed curriculum vitae
• Contact information for three professional references / letters of recommendation
• Unofficial academic transcripts, official transcripts will be required of the final candidate