What are the responsibilities and job description for the College of Nursing - Search for the Dean position at Inside Higher Ed?
Location:
Knoxville, TN
Open Date
Dec 1, 2025
Description
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has engaged the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in the search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately. To be assured of full consideration, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Dean, College of Nursing materials should be submitted by February 1, 2026, and include a cover letter and CV/Resume via the Isaacson, Miller website: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-tennessee-knoxville-college-nursing/dean
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville seeks a visionary leader to serve as Dean of the College of Nursing.
As Tennessee’s flagship public institution and a land-grant university with Carnegie Research 1 “Very High Research Activity” and “Community Engaged” designations, UT Knoxville stands at the forefront of innovation, discovery, and service. The College of Nursing plays a pivotal role in this mission, uniquely positioned to enrich lives and transform communities through excellence in education, research, and practice.
The College is thriving with record student enrollment, nationally ranked academic programs, NCLEX pass rates consistently exceeding state and national averages, and a rapidly advancing research enterprise. With 1,380 students enrolled across BSN, PhD, DNP, and graduate certificate programs and $7.9 million in annual external research funding, the College drives groundbreaking studies that advance nursing science and improve health outcomes locally and globally. This momentum is further supported by the state-of-the-art, 117,000-square-foot UT Medical Nursing Building—a hub for collaboration, innovation, and student success.
Qualifications
The next Dean 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 diverse stakeholders. To fulfill accreditation requirements, the Dean must be a registered nurse with a graduate degree in nursing and an earned doctorate, hold current or eligible RN licensure in Tennessee, and demonstrate scholarly distinction consistent with the expectations for a full professor. Significant experience in nursing leadership, education, practice, and research is expected.
Application Instructions
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has engaged the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in the search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately. To be assured of full consideration, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Dean, College of Nursing materials should be submitted by February 1, 2026, and include a cover letter and CV/Resume via the Isaacson, Miller website: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-tennessee-knoxville-college-nursing/dean.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.
Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.
Knoxville, TN
Open Date
Dec 1, 2025
Description
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has engaged the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in the search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately. To be assured of full consideration, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Dean, College of Nursing materials should be submitted by February 1, 2026, and include a cover letter and CV/Resume via the Isaacson, Miller website: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-tennessee-knoxville-college-nursing/dean
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville seeks a visionary leader to serve as Dean of the College of Nursing.
As Tennessee’s flagship public institution and a land-grant university with Carnegie Research 1 “Very High Research Activity” and “Community Engaged” designations, UT Knoxville stands at the forefront of innovation, discovery, and service. The College of Nursing plays a pivotal role in this mission, uniquely positioned to enrich lives and transform communities through excellence in education, research, and practice.
The College is thriving with record student enrollment, nationally ranked academic programs, NCLEX pass rates consistently exceeding state and national averages, and a rapidly advancing research enterprise. With 1,380 students enrolled across BSN, PhD, DNP, and graduate certificate programs and $7.9 million in annual external research funding, the College drives groundbreaking studies that advance nursing science and improve health outcomes locally and globally. This momentum is further supported by the state-of-the-art, 117,000-square-foot UT Medical Nursing Building—a hub for collaboration, innovation, and student success.
Qualifications
The next Dean 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 diverse stakeholders. To fulfill accreditation requirements, the Dean must be a registered nurse with a graduate degree in nursing and an earned doctorate, hold current or eligible RN licensure in Tennessee, and demonstrate scholarly distinction consistent with the expectations for a full professor. Significant experience in nursing leadership, education, practice, and research is expected.
Application Instructions
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has engaged the executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in the search. Screening of complete applications will begin immediately. To be assured of full consideration, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Dean, College of Nursing materials should be submitted by February 1, 2026, and include a cover letter and CV/Resume via the Isaacson, Miller website: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-tennessee-knoxville-college-nursing/dean.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment and admission without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, and parental status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state law. In accordance with the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University of Tennessee affirmatively states that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, or disability in its education programs and activities, and this policy extends to employment by the university.
Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator at Equal Opportunity and Accessibility, 1840 Melrose Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to eoa@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-2498. Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, and national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), the ADA (disability), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Investigation and Resolution, 216 Business Incubator Building, E J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, TN 37996-3560, by email to investigations@utk.edu, or by phone at 865-974-0717.
Salary : $8