Dean School of Nursing

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Dean

The University of Wisconsin–Madison, established in 1848 and considered one of the world’s outstanding public research universities, invites applications for the position of Dean of the School of Nursing. UW–Madison is a major land‑grant university committed to excellence in teaching, research and public service with revenues of $4.9 billion, a student body of over 50,000, faculty/staff of approximately 28,000, and a campus environment that facilitates cross‑disciplinary collaborative research.

The University is ranked among the top universities in the world and has the #5 national research ranking among public U.S. universities.

The School of Nursing (SoN) was established in 1924 with a mission to develop nurse leaders, innovators, and advocates through research, education, practice, policy, and outreach. The SoN is a leading nursing research institution with a history of impact on health through research in neonatal and pediatric nursing, aging research, patient‑centered intervention research, and health‑systems innovation. The faculty and staff comprise more than 87 clinical and tenure‑track faculty members and 84 staff.

The SoN enrolls more than 1,200 pre‑nursing and matriculated nursing students, offering BSN, DNP, PhD and five certificate programs. The BSN program is nationally ranked at #8 in a three‑way tie and is in the top 1 % of all eligible BSN programs in the country (2025). The SoN relocated in 2014 to a new $53 million facility, Signe Skott Cooper Hall (Cooper Hall).

Cooper Hall supports advanced nursing science, innovative teaching, and interprofessional health education. The Center for Technology‑Enhanced Nursing (CTEN) houses five simulation environments, and the school leads team‑based problem‑focused learning in a 360‑seat active‑learning classroom.

The SoN’s robust research enterprise contributes to a vibrant campus environment for interdisciplinary research in health care, interprofessional practice, and education. The school partners with the Schools of Medicine, Public Health, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy, and Education, as well as the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics and regional health partners.

The Dean reports to the Chancellor through the Provost and serves as chief academic and executive officer, overseeing faculty and staff development, personnel, budgeting, research, curriculum, student affairs, facilities, operations, and fundraising.

• Lead development of new educational programs and initiatives that respond to emerging healthcare needs, community priorities, workforce trends, and technological advances, while evaluating current programs for relevancy.
• Act as the SoN’s Chief Academic Officer, maintaining academic integrity and compliance with accreditation and regulatory standards for all nursing programs.
• Secure external funding from state and federal agencies, foundations, corporations, alumni, and philanthropic partners to advance the school’s mission and impact.
• Oversee complex, multi‑unit budgets, ensuring responsible fiscal planning and resource allocation to support strategic priorities.
• Lead the faculty, staff, and school community in articulating and implementing a forward‑looking mission, vision, and strategic framework that aligns with UW‑Madison’s institutional goals and the future of nursing education, research, and practice.
• Collaborate effectively with other deans, campus leaders, and Universities of Wisconsin partners to support interdisciplinary initiatives, shared governance, and institutional strategic priorities.
• Ensure all academic programs and administrative units are reviewed regularly in accordance with university policies, accreditation standards, and continuous improvement processes.
• Provide comprehensive oversight of the SoN’s academic, administrative, and operational functions, ensuring excellence, efficiency, and alignment with university policies and values, as well as…