Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Programs

Logo:
Posting Number:

FAC00059PO25

Advertised Title:

Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Programs (Associate Professor/Full Professor)

Campus:

Columbia

College/Division:

Arnold School of Public Health

Department:

ASPH Arnold School of Public Health

Advertised Salary Range:

Salary commensurate with qualifications.

Part/Full Time:

Full Time

Hours per Week:

37.5

Position Category:

Full-time Equivalent (FTE)

Basis :

9 months

Work County:

Richland

Tenure Information:

Tenure-Track/Tenured

Job Search Category:

Faculty

About University of South Carolina:

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service - helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Advertised Job Summary:

The Associate Dean (AD) for Graduate and Professional Programs is a key member of the leadership team at the Arnold School of Public Health, reporting directly to the Dean. The AD is responsible for providing visionary and strategic leadership, overseeing and enhancing the quality, effectiveness, and growth of all graduate programs, including on-campus and online master's, doctoral, and graduate certificate programs. This role involves working collaboratively with the Dean, Chairs, Faculty, the Graduate School, and other campus departments to develop initiatives that drive graduate enrollment, support student retention and success, promote student professional development and employability, improve student experience, and establish new degree programs.

The Associate Dean for Graduate and Professional Programs will play a crucial role in advancing the mission of the Arnold School of Public Health by ensuring the continued success, growth, and excellence of the school's graduate programs. This position offers the opportunity to shape the future of graduate education in public health while enhancing the academic experience for students and faculty alike.

Key Responsibilities:

Supervisory:

• Oversee the Office of Graduate Student Services; and Evaluation initiatives.

Graduate Student Recruitment & Retention:

• Coordinate efforts with department chairs and program directors to recruit, admit, retain, and graduate a high-quality graduate student body across all programs.
• Work closely with the Graduate School to develop and implement policies and practices that enhance the graduate student lifecycle, from admission through graduation.

Program Development & Evaluation:

• Develop, implement, and evaluate program policies, outcomes, and indicators in alignment with the Arnold School strategic plan, the Graduate School and accrediting bodies.
• Evaluate and navigate potential curricular overlap and/or gaps across graduate programs.
• Support the development, refinement, and evaluation of graduate-level courses in collaboration with faculty.
• Review of annual academic assessment plans as required by the University

Graduate Education Community:

• Develop programming and infrastructure that fosters a strong sense of community among graduate students, enhancing their experience and professional development.
• Manage student scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships to support graduate education and student success.

Cross-Campus Collaboration & Program Expansion:

• Collaborate with departments, programs, and the Associate Dean for Research to develop and submit grant proposals that support graduate education.
• Promote and facilitate the creation of new educational programs across departments and colleges, expanding the scope and reach of graduate offerings.
• Support initiatives that bridge graduate and undergraduate programs to create seamless academic pathways.

Program Visibility & Reputation:

• Enhance the visibility and reputation of the school's graduate programs on local, national, and international levels.
• Regularly communicate with departmental chairs and graduate program directors to ensure high-quality programs and consistent processes across the school.

Course & Program Approvals:

• Review and approve new course proposals, course changes, new program proposals, program changes and special topics courses.
• Regularly meet with program directors to monitor progress and resolve challenges.
• Evaluate in-person and online courses and content to ensure they meet academic standards and student needs.

Accreditation & Governance:

• Support and review materials for program re-accreditation and compliance with accreditation standards.
• Represent the school in university-wide committees and councils related to graduate education; and serve as Academic Program Liaison to Provost

Student Grievances & Conflict Resolution:

• Serve as a liaison with the Office of Graduate Student Services to manage graduate student grievances and conflicts.

Required Education and Experience:

• Doctoral degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field of public health.
• Previous graduate level course instructional experience (beyond thesis or dissertation preparation courses).
• Proven experience in curriculum development, implementation, and evaluation.
• Knowledge of accreditation process
• Demonstrated ability to lead faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds.
• Previous academic leadership experience required.
• Demonstrated ability to provide visionary leadership and manage teams
• Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• In-depth knowledge of the entire graduate program lifecycle, including curriculum programming, accreditation, and compliance.
• Expertise in the development and implementation of innovative graduate programs and initiatives.

Desired Start Date:

08/16/2025

Job Open Date:

04/22/2025

Open Until Filled:

Yes

Special Instructions to Applicant:

To apply for the Associate Dean position, please submit the following:

1. Cover Letter: Describe your experience and approach to leading, developing, managing, growing, and evaluating the quality and effectiveness of graduate programs, including on-campus and online master's, doctoral, and graduate certificate programs. Highlight your experience in working collaboratively across departments and programs to grow and strengthen the graduate programs. Also, note any experience or engagement with accreditation processes.
   
   
2. Curriculum Vitae: Provide a detailed CV.
   
   
3. References: Include contact information for three references.

If you have any questions about this posting, please contact Dr. Lisa Waddell, search committee chair, at .

Applications will be reviewed continuously until the position is filled. The earliest start date is August 16, 2025.

This position is open until filled. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

Quicklink for Posting:
EEO Statement:

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.