Associate Dean and Director of the Wellstar School of Nursing and

Thomas M. and Elizabeth D. Holder Endowed Chair of Nursing

Kennesaw State University invites applications and nominations for the role of Associate Dean and Director of the Wellstar School of Nursing and Thomas M. and Elizabeth D. Holder Endowed Chair of Nursing. The anticipated start date of this position is January 1, 2026. Kennesaw State University seeks a talented, collaborative, and creative leader to establish a forward-looking and innovative vision for the Wellstar School of Nursing. The school has engaged in a substantial partnership with the Wellstar Health System that provides significant opportunities for Kennesaw State University’s nursing students and faculty. The next Associate Dean and Director will develop a vision of continued growth and success for the School.

For more than 60 years, Kennesaw State University has been known for its entrepreneurial spirit and sense of community. A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State is located just north of Atlanta and combines a suburban setting on two metro-Atlanta campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta. As one of Georgia’s largest universities, Kennesaw State offers undergraduate and graduate degrees, including a growing number of doctoral programs to over 47,000 students. Our high-impact research and Division I athletics also draw students from throughout the region and across the globe. A member of the University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State is committed to becoming a world-class academic institution positioned to broaden its academic and research missions and expand its scope on a local, regional, and national level.

As a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution, KSU is among an elite group of only seven percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. The Institution has recently launched a strategic plan that forges a new path toward a brighter, more impactful future at KSU, united in our commitment to excellence and innovation. For more information on the strategic planning process, please visit: https://www.kennesaw.edu/president/strategic-plan/index.php .

The Wellstar School of Nursing is one of the largest in-person Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs in the United States, offering both traditional and accelerated tracks. The School is a CCNE-accredited school within the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services. In addition to its robust undergraduate programs, Wellstar School of Nursing offers Master’s degrees in Nursing Administration, Nursing Education, and Family Nurse Practitioner, as well as Post-Graduate Certificates in Nurse Educator and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, with an institutional desire to expand into a Doctor of Nursing Practice program in the future. The School is deeply committed to academic excellence, innovation, and addressing the health needs of Georgia’s diverse communities.

The Associate Dean and Director reports to the Dean of the Wellstar College of Health and Human Services, serves as Wellstar School of Nursing’s chief administrative officer, and leads all operational functions of the School. The Associate Dean and Director is responsible for setting the vision for the School in alignment with the University/College vision, faculty hiring and development, enrollment and retention, CCNE accreditation, student success, fiscal management, and external engagements. The Associate Dean and Director of Wellstar School of Nursing directly oversees a highly collaborative and supportive team.

The next Associate Dean and Director of the Wellstar School of Nursing will be expected to perform the following functions:

Direct all aspects of the Wellstar School of Nursing.

Ensure a highly engaging and rewarding student experience and implement strategies to facilitate student success.

Articulate a compelling vision and align the School’s strategic plan with institutional plans and priorities.

Administer and oversee all financial operations of the School to ensure that funding priorities and budgets align with near and long-term strategic objectives in conjunction with university administrators and faculty leadership at the School.

Represent and advocate for Wellstar School of Nursing in internal relations with administration and with other colleges and units within Kennesaw State University.

Represent Wellstar School of Nursing and Kennesaw State University in external relations with alums, donors, the community, clinical partners, state and national organizations, and other relevant professional bodies.

Develop and implement entrepreneurial and innovative initiatives to foster collaboration, curriculum, and programs with external and community-based partners and enhance the reputation of Wellstar School of Nursing as a producer of qualified and caring nurses in the regional community and beyond.

Provide leadership in fundraising, revenue generation, external grant acquisitions, and resource allocation to support the School’s aspirations and priorities.

Commit to the recruitment, retention, and mentoring of faculty, staff, and students and promote career development for graduates.

Provide strategic oversight of faculty recruitment, retention, and academic program growth.

Ensure ongoing compliance with CCNE accreditation standards and support successful reaccreditation efforts.

Strengthen existing research and scholarship and emphasize interdisciplinary collaborations to promote excellence in education and scholarship.

Develop and implement strategies to create innovative and market-driven academic programs aimed at increasing on-campus and online undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral student enrollment.

Create and advocate for nursing policies at the local, state, and federal levels.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

An earned doctoral degree, or the foreign equivalent, in Nursing or a related field, with an academic background and appropriate credentials to be a tenured full professor in the Wellstar School of Nursing

Eligibility for a Georgia Nursing License

A minimum of three years of teaching experience in a nursing education program.

Experience in higher education administration including leadership of personnel, budgeting, procurement, inventory, and facility management

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated transformational and visionary leadership, with experience leading through growth and transition

Ability to foster effective relationships within and beyond the School and university based on excellent interpersonal communication and transparency

Excellent skills in initiative, teamwork, problem-solving, independent judgment, organization, communication (verbal and written), time management, and project management

Experience in clinical practice

Evidence of teaching effectiveness

Established record of research or scholarship, with external funding

Experience and ability to successfully communicate with all levels within an organization, from senior management to operational teams

Demonstrated ability to navigate essential community, industry, and government partners

A team player comfortable with ambiguity as decisions or processes evolve over time and the ability to quickly refine strategies after receiving feedback from stakeholders

Entrepreneurial instincts, intellectual curiosity, and an ability to work both independently and as a team member

Experience with fiscal management and budgeting in a complex environment

This is a full-time position that will be performed on-site in Georgia. Salary is commensurate with experience with a generous benefits package.

For more information about Kennesaw State University, please explore the detailed position profile https://www.kennesaw.edu .

PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY

Requested application materials include a letter of interest, a resume/CV, and a list of five references. All applications, nominations, and inquiries will remain confidential until finalists are identified for campus interviews.

To express interest in this role please submit a compelling cover letter and resume directly through the Talent Profile . For a confidential discussion regarding the position, please contact:

Tom Fitch, Managing Director

Brian Bustin, Senior Associate

KSUNursing@storbecksearch.com

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work, and study. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of or discrimination against any person because of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditions related to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran or military status by any member of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with a University program or activity, or in a manner that creates a hostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information on this policy or to file a complaint under the provisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants for employment or admission or other third parties should contact the Office of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225, eeo@kennesaw.edu .