Job Description

Job Description:

Fairfield University invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies. Founded in 1970 as a school of nursing, today’s Egan School inspires students to become leaders across social and healthcare environments who improve health outcomes for all, with particular attention to the needs of underserved or vulnerable populations.

Undergraduate programs include a traditional bachelor of science in nursing (BSN), 15-month accelerated bachelor of science in nursing, bachelor of science in public health, and bachelor of social work. Graduate programs include a master of science in nursing (with concentrations in nursing leadership, family nurse practitioner, and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner), accelerated master of science’s entry to practice nursing, MSN/MBA dual degree, master of public health (online), master of science in healthcare administration (online), doctor of nursing practice (with concentrations for family nurse practitioners, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners, nurse anesthesia, nurse midwifery, and post-master’s DNP for advanced practice nurses and nurse administrators/executives), and doctorate in clinical nutrition. In addition to programs offered on Fairfield’s main campus, the Egan School launched a satellite campus in Austin, Texas nearly two years ago that offers the 15-month accelerated BSN as well as the DNP with nurse anesthesia concentration (the only accredited nurse anesthesia concentration in Central Texas).

The Egan School has a strong history of supporting and retaining its exceptional academic and clinical faculty. The School is home to 61 full-time faculty (22 tenured/tenure track, 33 non-tenure track, and 6 clinical joint appointments), more than 55 part-time faculty, and 13.5 staff. All speak very highly about the Egan School’s terrific culture, which is consistently described as deeply caring and collaborative. While high quality teaching is a clear priority within the Egan School, the School also takes great pride in producing high quality research and securing grant funding. The Egan School is the current recipient of three federal HRSA grants and the CT Health Horizons Grant Initiative, totaling over $6 million to support students and faculty innovation.

Egan School graduate programs continue to be recognized by U.S. News and World Report. In the 2024-2025 rankings of Best Graduate Schools for Nursing, Egan ranked #58 nationally among nursing schools with master’s programs and #72 nationally among schools with DNP programs. In the rankings of specialty programs, the Egan School’s nursing midwifery program ranked #17, the nursing anesthesia program ranked #29, and the social work program ranked #142. The undergraduate nursing program is also very highly ranked across multiple publications: U.S. News and World Report ranks the Egan School among the top 15% undergraduate nursing programs; College Factual ranks Egan among the top 5% nursing programs and the undergraduate public health program #42 in the U.S.; and Niche ranks Egan among the top 10% colleges for nursing.

Reporting to the Provost, the Dean will provide visionary leadership to propel the Egan School forward in ways that advance the national reputation of Fairfield University. A key priority will be to engage in School-wide strategic planning processes in line with the University’s mission and strategic trajectory. The next dean will also grow graduate programs strategically with an emphasis on further bolstering the health studies areas, expand clinical and practice partnerships to strengthen opportunities for on-site applied learning, and build interdisciplinary and interprofessional programs across Fairfield University. In addition, the dean will recruit and retain a diverse faculty and staff, enhance their career development, and maintain a collegial, caring work environment. The next dean will ensure the academic quality and continuous improvement of all Egan School programs through successful (re)accreditation, promote the School’s research enterprise and increase research expenditures and grant funding, and develop the financial resources of the School, especially through fundraising and external donor relations.

The ideal candidate will understand national trends in nursing and health studies and have a vision for how to position a school of nursing and health studies for future success. Administrative and management experience is important along with clinical/practical experience and experience working with interprofessional programs. The successful candidate will have genuine appreciation for the Jesuit Catholic mission of Fairfield University, which embraces and welcomes applicants of all faiths and backgrounds. Academic qualifications include an earned doctorate or terminal degree, teaching experience, and a record of success in scholarship and grant funding. Competitive candidates will have appropriate academic credentials for tenure upon appointment in one of the disciplines represented by the School.

Historically ranked among the top three northern regional universities by U.S. News and World Report—and experiencing a period of unprecedented growth and innovation as recognized by its recent elevation into the national category — Fairfield is a Jesuit, Catholic university that prepares students for leadership and service in a constantly changing world. Founded in 1942, Fairfield University is a doctoral professional university that holds the liberal arts as central to its institutional identity. The private, co-educational university has more than 6,000 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in its five schools and colleges: the College of Arts and Sciences, the Charles F. Dolan School of Business, the Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies, the School of Engineering and Computing, and the School of Education and Human Development.

The full Position Profile is available at https://bit.ly/FairfieldEgan.

Inquiries, nominations and applications are invited. Interested candidates should submit confidentially, in electronic form (Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF files preferred) a curriculum vitae and a letter of interest to:

Jett Pihakis, Ph.D.

Consultant to the Search Committee

Russell Reynolds Associates

Fairfield.Egan@russellreynolds.com

For fullest consideration, materials should be received as soon as possible and preferably by January 27, 2025.

Category:

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate. 
 

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Load a resume or CV first, then upload supporting documents including a cover letter at the bottom of the third page under the "My Experience" section where it says to upload a Resume/CV. You will be able to upload up to 5 other documents in this section. You will be unable to edit your application, so please have all documents available before applying.

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