University of Oklahoma Health Campus, College of Nursing - Executive Director Experiential Learning

The University of Oklahoma Health Campus (OUHC)
The Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing
Executive Director of Experiential Learning

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist the University of Oklahoma Health Campus, Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing, in its search for Executive Director of Experiential Learning.

Join one of the nation’s premier academic health centers and shape the future of nursing education across a growing, multi-campus system, as Executive Director of Experiential Learning (Executive Director). The Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing at the University of Oklahoma Health Campus (OUHC) offers an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished leader in simulation and experiential learning to provide impact at scale, spanning five (soon to be six) learning sites and engaging in transformative interprofessional collaboration across health disciplines.

This is a pivotal leadership role for someone who brings both executive-level perspective and hands‑on simulation expertise to elevate excellence in teaching, learning, and innovation.

OU’s College of Nursing is nationally recognized for its innovative simulation programs, having earned INACSL Standards Endorsement, the only program in Oklahoma and one of just a few worldwide to achieve this distinction. The Executive Director, working under the leadership of Dean Craft, will have the support of a highly skilled core faculty and oversight of the simulation and lab operating budget, providing a strong foundation to advance simulation‑based learning and educational innovation.

The College continues to make significant investments in simulation and laboratory infrastructure, including a recent $4 million lab refurbishment and ongoing upgrades across all sites. Programs have also been expanded to meet Oklahoma’s health care workforce needs, including the state’s first public university CRNA track and a shortened accelerated BSN program. The College’s research profile is rising as well. OU secured $75.2 million in NIH funding for FY 2024, moving up to 102nd among 2,838 institutions nationwide in NIH rankings.

It is one of only a few comprehensive academic health centers in the country that consolidates all seven health professions colleges, offering rich opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration.

The Executive Director is responsible for the overall quality, strategy, and implementation of simulation and experiential learning across all OU College of Nursing locations. They provide strategic leadership for experiential learning within the undergraduate and graduate programs, oversee operational and administrative functions including the budget and financial planning; grants and contracts; employee management, development, and engagement; internal and external communication; and implement policies, procedures, and programs in support of college objectives and to optimize the efficiency and effectiveness of daily operations, administrative affairs and support, and stakeholder engagement.

The Executive Director will collaborate with the Assistant Deans of Academic Affairs, Program Directors, the Associate Dean for Research and PhD Studies, the Executive Director of Student Affairs, the Experiential Learning staff, and other college leadership and membership as appropriate.

This is a 12‑month faculty position reporting to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. It carries approximately 80% administrative release time, negotiated annually based on the demands of the role and the needs of the College.

• Teaching/Learning
  • Oversee Experiential Learning for both Undergraduate and Graduate Programs at all College of Nursing sites
  • Collaborate with Assistant Deans and faculty to develop educational innovations in clinical simulation
  • Support and guide clinical education faculty related to their faculty appointment, teaching assignments, etc., as related to experiential learning;
    Anticipates and requests additional faculty hires as needed to support simulation processes
• Student Support
  • Collaborate with Department Chairs, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs to ensure an excellent student experience…