Dean of School of Health Sciences

Job Details

Job Location:

Columbia College - Columbia, SC 29203 Position Type:
Full TimeTHE OPPORTUNITY

Columbia College (the College), a private liberal arts college with a legacy of transformation and impact, seeks a seasoned leader to serve as its Dean of the School of Health Sciences. This is a defining opportunity for a bold leader to join a college on the rise, reimagining liberal arts education through inquiry‑based learning, deep community engagement, and a steadfast commitment to social mobility.

The Dean will be an architect of possibility, helping to articulate and advance the School of Health Science’s mission in ways that expand opportunity and empower students to shape meaningful futures. The Dean will mold the academic strategy, steward resources, and cultivate a culture of excellence in teaching, learning, research, and scholarship for the School. The Dean will collaborate closely across campus to strengthen academic planning, support innovation, and ensure that the School of Health Science’s programs remain responsive to student and societal needs.

The Dean will be a key driver of this work, leading efforts to amplify the School of Health Science’s academic identity, strengthen community partnerships, and shape programs that allow students to thrive as engaged citizens and professionals.

ABOUT COLUMBIA COLLEGE Columbia College is a private liberal arts institution committed to preparing students for lives of purpose, responsibility, and impact. Since its founding, the College has cultivated a learning environment where academic rigor is paired with a deep investment in personal growth, ethical leadership, and community engagement. Leadership at the College is cultivated through action, reflection, and connection, not defined by titles or hierarchy.

Students are encouraged to engage deeply with their communities, take initiative, and approach challenges with resilience. Whether in the classroom, through service, or in professional settings, they learn to lead with empathy and integrity. The College offers undergraduate, graduate, and online programs that blend a liberal arts foundation with career‑focused preparation. Small class sizes and close faculty mentorship foster a culture of support.

This is a moment of forward momentum for the College. With a new Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs as well as the launch of a strategic plan that guides progress toward the end of the decade, the College is investing in academic areas that align with workforce needs and directly serve the needs of its surrounding communities. Most graduates remain in South Carolina, and the institution takes seriously its role in preparing students to contribute meaningfully to the region’s social and economic vitality.

History Founded in 1854 and rooted in the United Methodist Church, Columbia College has a rich legacy as one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in South Carolina. Originally established as Columbia Female College, the institution opened its doors to students in 1859 with a mission to provide a rigorous liberal arts education for women. Over the decades, Columbia College has evolved in response to societal shifts, education needs, and student demographics, becoming fully co‑educational in 2020 and welcoming its first coed residential class in 2021.

Throughout its history, Columbia College has demonstrated resilience and adaptability. The campus has endured and rebuilt after fires, including a major one in 1964 that destroyed Old Main, a beloved campus landmark. The surviving columns of Old Main remain a powerful symbol for the College and have since been incorporated into the logo. Today, the College offers a personalized liberal arts education that…