Dean, College of Nursing

The Opportunity

Augusta University invites expressions of interest and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Nursing. Augusta University seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leader who will play a central role in shaping the success, growth, and future of the College. The dean will lead efforts in promoting excellence in student learning, research/scholarship, teaching, and community engagement; attract external resources and fundraise; prioritize enrollment growth; and support the university’s leadership role as Georgia’s public health care center.

August University

Augusta University is one of only four public research universities in Georgia and the only one with a nationally recognized academic health center dedicated to training future innovators, leaders, and healthcare providers. Its 11 colleges, offer over 160 degrees across four campuses and off-site instructional locations throughout Georgia. More than 2000 faculty provide exceptional instruction, mentorship, and education experiences to nearly 13,000 students both inside and beyond the classroom.

Since 2015, Augusta University has achieved eight consecutive years of enrollment growth totaling 27%, a 32% increase in degrees awarded, a 35% increase in academic programs, a 38% increase in funding from the National Institutes of Health, and a 48% increase in economic impact. Its 11 colleges and AU Online offer more than 160-degree programs.

As the fastest growing of the four public research universities in Georgia, Augusta University is committed to infusing a culture of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship throughout its campuses. Augusta University provides leadership and excellence in teaching, discovery, clinical care, and service as a student-centered comprehensive research university and academic health center with a wide range of programs from learning assistance through postdoctoral studies. Its vision is to be a top-tier university that is a destination of choice for education, health care, discovery, creativity, and innovation.

Health Sciences Campus

Augusta University’s College of Nursing is located on the university’s Health Sciences Campus in Augusta’s medical district, home to the state’s only public academic medical center and one of approximately 120 academic medical centers nationwide. This vibrant, interdisciplinary environment supports collaboration across health professions, education, research, and clinical care.

The Health Sciences Campus houses six of Augusta University’s eleven colleges and schools, creating a dynamic academic health sciences community dedicated to advancing health care, discovery, and workforce development across Georgia and beyond.

The campus includes:

• The Medical College of Georgia (MCG) — one of the nation’s largest and oldest medical schools and the only public medical school in Georgia. Anchored in Augusta with regional campuses throughout the state, MCG includes nearly 900 full- and part-time faculty who are deeply engaged in patient care, medical education, research, and community outreach.
• The College of Nursing, the largest nursing program in Georgia, prepares nurse leaders through innovative education, impactful research, clinical practice, and community engagement aimed at improving the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities across the state.
• The College of Allied Health Sciences, which educates therapists, technicians, administrators, managers, and other health professionals who form a critical component of the state’s health care workforce.
• The College of Science and Mathematics, which provides foundational training in the sciences and prepares students for careers in health professions, research, and scientific discovery.
• The Graduate School, which supports advanced scholarship and interdisciplinary graduate education, preparing leaders, researchers, educators, and clinicians who advance knowledge and improve communities.
• The Dental College of Georgia, the state’s only dental school, which prepares future oral health professionals through hands-on clinical education, research, and community service.

Augusta University’s Health Sciences Campus is further strengthened by its partnership with Wellstar Health System, which established Wellstar MCG Health. Located adjacent to campus, Wellstar MCG Health includes the former Augusta University Medical Center and the Children’s Hospital of Georgia. These facilities serve as primary clinical training sites for students and residents while also supporting cutting-edge clinical research and providing comprehensive care to patients across the region.

The College of Nursing

Georgia’s flagship public nursing school was founded in 1943. Today, the College of Nursing boasts numerous accomplishments to include being the first College of Nursing in Georgia to have a Doctor Nursing Practice program, the state’s only public Nursing Anesthesia program, and Georgia’s only Master of Science in Nursing – Clinical Nurse Leader Program. Additionally, the College of Nursing has a highly developed regional and international Outreach and Community Engagement program, one of the Southeast’s most comprehensive rural clinic initiatives. Beginning in 2005, this initiative has expanded to become an interdisciplinary academic-industry partnership that provides healthcare services to a variety of populations, integrating clinical excellence, public health strategy, and immersive student education to enhance community health and long-term workforce development.

The College has expansive student enrollment, nationally ranked academic programs, and consistently high NCLEX pass rates that exceed state and national averages. Approximately 1,000 students are enrolled across multiple degree programs, to include the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing - Clinical Nurse Leader, Doctor of Nursing Practice in various Nurse Practitioner concentrations, as well as Nurse Anesthesia, and several post-graduate advanced practice certificate programs.

The Doctorate in Nursing Philosophy (PhD) degree is among the first public programs offered in the state. Founded in 1986, this program provides mentoring and teaching to committed students who apply an interdisciplinary approach to generate and apply scientific knowledge in the field of healthcare. The program aims to lead faculty and future nursing scientists in the pursuit of improved outcomes and innovation.

The College of Nursing plays a pivotal role in the University’s mission, uniquely positioned to enrich lives and transform communities through life-changing, life-saving education, research, and evidence-based practice.

The Dean

The dean of the College of Nursing will be a visionary and seasoned leader, who will lead strategic growth in academic and research programs, foster interprofessional collaboration across Augusta University colleges, cultivate community partnerships, and serve as a key advocate for addressing Georgia’s nursing workforce needs. The dean is the chief administrative and academic officer of the college. They are responsible for the college’s teaching, research, and service mission. While overseeing the college’s operations, policies, and procedures, the new dean will provide strategic direction, set priorities for resource allocation, and work to generate new funding to support future growth. The dean helps to ensure that Augusta University achieves the key objectives of the university’s strategic plan. The dean is the chief advocate for the college, representing the College of Nursing within the university, the broader community, and external and community partners.

In addition, the Dean will be a strong advocate for the College and will bring a clear vision for the future of healthcare and higher education, championing innovation and technology to amplify impact across all mission areas. This leader will be an exceptional communicator and relationship builder, engaging effectively with stakeholders in a complex health sciences and comprehensive university environment, as well as government and healthcare leaders across the state. The Dean will have budgetary authority and will be instrumental in recruiting outstanding faculty, students, and staff. The Dean reports directly to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost and serves on the President’s Cabinet, Administrative Cabinet, and Deans Council.

The next dean will prioritize:

• Ensuring excellence in the instruction of foundational clinical and professional skills for students, preparing graduates to meet evolving healthcare needs.
• Recruiting, supporting, and retaining exceptional educators and scholars who are committed to excellence in teaching, research, and practice.
• Strengthening partnerships with Augusta University, Wellstar/Medical College of Georgia, and regional healthcare providers, while engaging business and community leaders to expand the College’s impact.
• Promoting healthcare advancement across Georgia’s communities, including rural and underserved areas, through education, outreach, and collaborative partnerships.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will bring a record of distinguished academic leadership, research/scholarship, teaching, service, and/or experience in a hospital or clinical setting. To meet accreditation requirements, the Dean must be a registered nurse with a terminal graduate degree in nursing and possess the academic credentials required for appointment at the rank of at least Associate Professor. A Ph.D. or DNP, relevant academic administrative experience, and a record of scholarly achievement commensurate with an appointment at the rank of Professor at Augusta University is recommended.

In addition to the qualifications outlined above, the ideal candidate will demonstrate many of the following:

• Executive leadership experience, ideally within a college of nursing, academic health center, or complex healthcare or research enterprise.
• A proven record of effective leadership with documented, measurable outcomes in previous administrative roles.
• Financial and budgeting experience, including oversight of complex academic budgets, strategic resource allocation, and long-term financial planning.
• Advocacy and policy experience, including engagement with healthcare policy, workforce development initiatives, and state or national nursing organizations.
• Philanthropic and fundraising experience, including cultivating donors, engaging alumni and community partners, and securing philanthropic support to advance academic priorities.
• National leadership and professional engagement, including leadership roles in national nursing organizations, advisory boards, or policy bodies that advance the nursing profession.
• Experience with accreditation and regulatory processes, including CCNE, ACEN, or other relevant accreditation bodies and state regulatory agencies.
• Demonstrated history of securing external funding, including federal grants, foundation support, contracts, or philanthropic resources that support research and program development.
• An unencumbered nursing license or eligibility for licensure in the state of Georgia.
• Strategic planning experience, including developing and executing long-term strategic initiatives aligned with institutional and healthcare workforce priorities.
• Collaborative, progressive leadership and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage faculty, staff, students, and community partners in shared governance and decision-making.
• Experience building partnerships and fostering community engagement, including collaborations with healthcare systems, academic units, community organizations, and industry partners.
• The dean will work closely with health system leadership and clinical partners to advance academic-practice partnerships that strengthen clinical education, expand research opportunities, and improve health outcomes across Georgia.

Application Process

The search committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue to review materials on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Application materials should include a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and a list of five professional references. For best consideration, applicants are encouraged to submit materials as soon as possible. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

Please send materials to:

Buffkin / Baker

Mr. Martin M. Baker, Managing Partner

Ms. Chelsie Whitelock, Associate Partner

augustacondean@buffkinbaker.com

Click here for the full leadership profile.

Augusta University is an equal opportunity employer.