For best consideration, complete applications should be received before October 21, 2024.

Complete information is available on the Search Profile.

Mississippi College (MC), a private Christian University based in Clinton, Mississippi, invites applications for an outstanding nurse educator to provide strategic, visionary leadership as a Professor of Nursing and the Dean of the School of Nursing. Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President, the Dean serves as the academic and administrative leader for the School of Nursing and works collaboratively with administration, faculty, staff, students, and the healthcare community to advance nursing education. This position will be located on the main campus with a preferred start date of Spring or Fall of 2025.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Mississippi College seeks a new Dean of the School of Nursing to serve as a visionary leader for the future of nursing education as well as a passionate champion of the School’s talented faculty, staff, and students. The Dean will be a collaborative, creative, and strategic leader who is energized by the opportunity to develop new programs and modes of delivery that will serve the needs of the University, the profession, and society as a whole. In addition to being an imaginative, collegial leader with a strong commitment to maintaining and enhancing the School’s inclusive and supportive culture, the Dean will also bring an innovative and energetic approach to academic leadership and a passion for addressing the challenges facing the nursing profession.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide vision and leadership for the academic programs of the School of Nursing.
• Support the development of faculty and staff to create and maintain a collegial culture of mutual respect.
• Promote the collaborative development of the philosophy, objectives, and curriculum of the School.
• Analyze the effectiveness of teaching and learning, as well as course and program scheduling to promote student success.
• Lead faculty in program review, development, and systematic evaluation of the Nursing programs
• Provide leadership and guidance in student education and development through supervision of the curriculum, teaching, and the advising process.
• Promote, arrange, and maintain effective communications and contractual agreements between the university and the academic community, cooperating community agencies, accreditation agencies, governmental entities, the medical community, and clinical partners.
• Recruit, recommend, supervise, and evaluate faculty and staff.
• Advocate for nursing faculty and students.
• Communicate the needs and progress of the School to University administration.
• Actively participate as a member of university, professional, and community organizations.
• Represent the School of Nursing on Administrative, Academic, and Admissions Councils.
• Serve as an ambassador for the School of Nursing, and represent the School and University in the local and professional communities.
• Promote collegiality and collaboration within the School, the University, and with outside agencies.
• Model fiscal responsibility by maintaining and overseeing the School budget.
• Engage in and encourage faculty to participate in research and publication activities.
• Provide an atmosphere conducive to faculty and student involvement in the growth of the program.
• Remain knowledgeable of current standards and best practices in nursing education.
• Prepare reports for accreditation agencies, regional and national educational agencies, and university officials.
• Explores ideas for expanding and developing academic programs.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctoral degree in nursing (PhD or DNP); or a graduate degree in nursing and a doctoral degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• An unencumbered current license to practice in Mississippi or hold a multistate license from another NLC state.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a registered nursing education program including teaching, curriculum development, and program evaluation.
• At least two years of leadership, management, and/or administrative experience in the discipline of nursing.
• A minimum of two years of clinical experience.
• Ability to satisfy a criminal history background check required by the Board of Nursing.
• Professional accomplishments and scholarly productivity that support a faculty appointment with an academic rank at the tenured, full professor level.
• Enthusiasm for the Christian mission and vision of the University and the Christian caring component of the School of Nursing’s mission.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Commitment to the liberal arts mission of the University, ethics, fairness, and diversity.
• Broad knowledge of program assessment, evaluation, and accreditation processes.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in management of fiscal resources, strategic planning, and program development.
• Experience in building and sustaining external relationships with clinical and community partners
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with curriculum development and assessment including online course delivery, engaged learning, simulation, and use of instructional technology.
• Experience with Masters, Doctorate Programs or innovative new practice programs that impact the field of nursing and healthcare.
• Experience with innovative ways to generate resources.
• Knowledge of scholarly publications, trends in higher education and nursing, and effective professional development.

Mississippi College is committed to excellence and innovation in teaching and learning. The university seeks to employ and retain faculty who are dedicated to teaching/learning and advising students, who support and engage in scholarship and creative activities that advance knowledge, and who seek to continue their own professional development. The university also seeks to employ and retain staff and administrators who are equally dedicated to supporting these efforts. Furthermore, the university selects employees who reflect Christian values and a commitment to service. Mississippi College is an equal opportunity employer in accordance with Title VII and applicable exemptions.

COLLEGE LEADERSHIP

President:
Dr. Blake Thompson just completed his sixth year as president of Mississippi College during which time the private institution has experienced renewed enrollment growth, announced an academic scholarship program unmatched in the state, introduced innovative programs of study and enhanced the historic campus.

Under Thompson’s leadership, Mississippi College started the Speed Scholarship in 2022 to honor longtime benefactor Leland Speed – which provides full tuition for admitted high school or transfer students who are residents of Mississippi. The Speed Scholarship led to a record class of over 1,000 new students in Fall 2023, and applications for 2024 are up 60 percent from two years ago, which goes against the national trend of decreasing enrollment.

Nationally, Thompson was appointed to serve a seven-year term on the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Presidents Council, the division’s highest governing body. He has also served as President of the Mississippi Association of Independent Colleges and Universities for the past four years and is beginning a one-year term as President of the Mississippi Association of Colleges (MAC) - the annual meeting of all of the state’s two- and four-year higher education institutions, which he convenes in July of 2024.

Provost and Executive Vice President:
Dr. Michael J. Highfield is beginning his second year as Provost and Executive Vice President, Dean of the Graduate School, and Professor of Finance at Mississippi College. Dr. Highfield joined Mississippi College in 2023 after serving on the faculty at Louisiana Tech University (2002-2005) and Mississippi State University (2005-2023). He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst® (CFA) designation from the CFA Institute, the Certified Treasury Professional® (CTP) designation from the Association for Financial Professionals, and the Chartered Banking Professional® (ChBP) designation from the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University (GSBLSU).

CLINTON, MISSISSIPPI

Clinton, Mississippi, has a rich history and stands tall as Mississippi’s hidden gem. A town of more than 26,000 residents, Clinton has been named one of Mississippi’s “Most Livable Cities” and one of the state’s safest cities. Home to some of the most outstanding schools in the state and boasting an atmosphere saturated in celebrated history and charm, the city embodies the friendly essence and authentic work ethic of Southern living.

Historic brick-covered streets welcome you to a charming Olde Towne community which connects the city with Mississippi’s oldest campus. You can stroll through the hometown of writer Barry Hannah or visit the art studio of renowned artist Wyatt Waters. The city boasts a number of parks, as well as walking and jogging trails with immediate access to the Natchez Trace for bicycling enthusiasts. With a variety of state-of-the-art sporting facilities, Clinton is also home to Mississippi’s only professional soccer team, the Mississippi Brilla.

In early 2024, Mississippi College unveiled a partnership with city and business leaders for a new, mixed-use development adjoining the main campus. With state and federal investments of over $40 million to date, the “Rising Spring” development will serve as an economic driver for the entire region and transform the physical and economic landscape near the campus.

Whatever your interest, Clinton is ready to include you; after all, the city’s motto is “You Belong Here.”