Vice Dean​/Director, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Vice Dean/Director, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Department:
Medicine | College Administration-Interim

The School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences (SHRS) is one of the most comprehensive health science leaders in the nation and part of the top-ranked OSU College of Medicine. Established in 1966, SHRS prepares students for elite careers in the healthcare professions and offers a variety of degree programs and tracks. With 124 faculty and 54 staff, SHRS is organized into nine divisions serving 3,379 graduate and undergraduate students through 23 academic programs.

Many of the School’s programs are nationally recognized by U.S. News & World Report, including the Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) at #4, the Occupational Therapy Doctorate (OTD) at #9, and the Online Health Science Program at #5. Our graduates remain in high demand, boasting robust career paths and exceptional success in graduate school placement.

The Vice Dean and Director serves as the chief executive and academic leader of SHRS, responsible for strategic vision, financial stewardship, organizational effectiveness, student success, and the recruitment, development, and retention of faculty and staff. This leader will advance SHRS as a global force in health sciences by leveraging expanded campus infrastructure to drive innovation in research, education, and clinical practice, while defining a forward‑looking vision that responds to the evolving landscape of healthcare, education, and rehabilitation science.

The role requires active engagement with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners across the College of Medicine, Health Sciences Colleges, the University, and the broader community.

The Director will guide faculty and staff in curriculum development, outreach, operations, and governance; champion scholarly activity; and collaborate with the University to strengthen interprofessional education that transforms clinical practice. The ideal candidate is a dedicated educator and recognized scholar whose expertise aligns with the School’s programs and who brings experience advancing research, educational initiatives, and community engagement—particularly in ways that support marginalized and underserved populations.

• Define a forward‑looking vision that positions SHRS as a national leader, integrating its pioneering spirit in online education with its commitment to academic rigor.
• Anticipate and respond to rapid changes in healthcare delivery, technology, and policy, ensuring the School remains at the forefront of the dynamic academic landscape.
• Serve on the Dean’s Cabinet and College Leadership Team to align School initiatives with university‑wide priorities.
• Define a distinctive identity for SHRS that prioritizes programmatic offerings and research with the greatest potential for societal impact and distinction.

• Lead a high‑quality educational portfolio, identifying opportunities to optimize, expand, and align programs with emerging industry needs and national trends.
• Advance the use of digital platforms, hybrid delivery models, simulation, and AI‑supported tools to enhance equity and excellence in education.
• Foster a student‑centered environment by ensuring high‑quality academic advising, wellness resources, and professional pathways.
• Collaborate across the University to enhance longitudinal, interprofessional curricula that prepare graduates for the modern healthcare workforce.

• Lead a long‑range plan to sustain growth in research funding, emphasizing faculty success in grant acquisition and impactful publications.
• Champion initiatives across the University and with clinical partners to accelerate translational science and technology‑enabled health solutions.
• Support faculty in translating intellectual property into scalable tools and practices that improve global health outcomes.
• Manage the strategic allocation of laboratory space and core facilities within the new West Campus Innovation District.

• Recruit and retain world‑class faculty and staff, fostering a culture of…