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The University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Nursing. Reporting to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Dean has broad authority and responsibility for oversight of all aspects of the academic endeavors of the College of Nursing. As a key member of UMSL’s leadership team, the Dean will steer the trajectory of academic brilliance within the College, fostering an environment where innovation meets transformation and impactful engagement.

Established in 1963, the University of Missouri–St. Louis is the region’s premier public university in eastern Missouri and comes with a storied history. UMSL is a metropolitan, public research and teaching institution consistently recognized for its strong academic programs across disciplines and is considered a primary driver of the St. Louis economy. Supported by nearly 650 faculty across nine schools and colleges, UMSL offers an array of degree options, including doctoral and graduate degree programs, numerous bachelor’s and certificate programs, and is home to the only professional optometry school in Missouri. With an ambitious goal of becoming the nation’s premier metropolitan public research university, UMSL is a Tier 1 public research institution that prides itself on creating greater access to higher education and is an institution on the move. U.S. News & World Report now ranks UMSL No. 136 among all public universities in the nation. UMSL scored even higher on the 2025 list of “Top Performers on Social Mobility” and ranks No. 1 in Missouri and No. 87 nationally.

The College of Nursing consists of 3 degree and 7 certificate programs, including Pre-licensure BSN (Traditional and Accelerated Tracks), RN to BSN, Post Graduate Certificates, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), and Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing (PhD). Value Colleges and Top RN to BSN both ranked UMSL nursing’s online RN to BSN program among the top 50 nationally. The college recently announced a unique bridge program that will create a pathway for Army Practical Nursing Specialists (also known as 68Charlies) who have trained as LPNs to earn a BSN in two years. The College of Nursing is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence and leadership through academic, clinical, and research initiatives. The college prepares nurses as clinicians, scientists, and educators, and facilitates professional advancement through its innovative programs. The college takes immense pride in its commitment to serving its students. The college is dedicated to working diligently to provide comprehensive support and resources, actively striving to remove any barriers that might hinder individuals from accessing the educational opportunities offered by UMSL.

The Dean of the College of Nursing assumes a pivotal role, characterized by both authority and accountability, serving as the steward of the College’s academic, research, practice, and service endeavors. With fiduciary oversight, the Dean is vested with the financial authority necessary to guide the college’s overarching mission and visionary objectives. Directly reporting to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Dr. Steven J. Berberich, the Dean assumes a prominent position within the Provost’s Council, a forum comprising fellow deans and vice and assistant provosts and directors. Collaborative engagement with these academic leaders is integral to the Dean’s mission, which aims to harmonize the broader institutional vision and mission of the university with the unique aspirations of the College of Nursing. This harmonious synergy enables the Dean to catalyze progress toward the university’s overarching objectives while advancing the College of Nursing’s distinctive mission and visionary pursuits.

The successful candidate will possess the following minimum qualifications:

• A terminal degree in nursing or related field (both DNP and PhD will be accepted).
• Licensure or ability to be licensed as a registered nurse in the state of Missouri, a compact state.
• A significant and progressive history of advanced administrative or leadership experiences appropriate to service in this role.

Academic rank (tenured or non-tenured) will be granted upon appointment based on scholarly accomplishments in accordance with university and College of Nursing policies and procedures.

Further information on the position and the institution – including a full list of sought capabilities and characteristics – is available in the search profile, which can be found at the link above.

Applications, Nominations, and Inquiries

Academic Search is partnering with the University of Missouri-St. Louis in this search. Confidential discussions about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting consultants Ann Hasselmo at Ann.Hasselmo@academicsearch.org and Chris Butler at Chris.Butler@academicsearch.org.

Nominations and inquiries can be sent to UMSLNursingDean@academicsearch.org

To apply, candidates should submit a substantial letter of interest, a CV, and a list of five professional references with full contact information and a note indicating the nature of their working relationship with each. No references will be contacted without the candidate’s explicit permission. Applications may be submitted at: https://www.academicsearch.org/UMSLNursingDeanApply

The position is open until filled, but only applications received by Tuesday, September 15, 2026, can be assured full consideration. Further information about the University of Missouri-St. Louis is available at https://www.umsl.edu/index.html.