Founding Dean, College for Health, Community & Policy

Founding Dean, College for Health, Community & Policy

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) invites nominations, expressions of interest, and applications for the position of Founding Dean, College for Health, Community & Policy.

Under the leadership of President Dr. Taylor Eighmy and Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy, the campus has developed a bold and ambitious vision for UTSA’s future and its pursuit of excellence as an urban-serving, Hispanic-thriving discovery enterprise (https://www.utsa.edu/strategicplan/). The University seeks a dynamic and entrepreneurial leader and scholar who will build upon the existing strengths of the faculty and the untapped potential of the newly formed college to further advance the University’s progress toward these goals.

UTSA College for Health, Community & Policy (HCaP)

As UTSA’s newest college, the HCaP is the product of an inclusive and well-vetted process (http://www.utsa.edu/strategicplan/academic-initiatives/human-health/index.html) that engaged key internal and external stakeholders focused on capitalizing on the strength of the University’s faculty and programs in health and community-serving disciplines. The organizing principle of the new college is “Health” – inclusive of its broader elements of wellness and well-being – and grounded in the multi-dimensional social determinants, contextual contributors and embedded ecologies of “Community” and “Policy”. This modern, transdisciplinary, inter-professional conceptualization reflects the current state of knowledge at population scale, leverages unique UTSA assets and approaches, connects to UTSA’s roots, and projects forward an exciting future internally and externally poised to successfully realize new opportunities.

The HCaP is home to more than 6,800 undergraduate and graduate students, supported by 87 tenured and tenure-track faculty, 92 non-tenure track faculty, and a dedicated cadre of staff. In its exciting new structure, each of the HCaP’s eight departments and Nutrition and Dietetics program will bring unique value for advancing its mission—these include the Departments of: Public Health; Kinesiology; Social Work; Demography; Criminology and Criminal Justice; Public Administration; Psychology; and Sociology. With a presence on UTSA’s Main and Downtown campuses, the HCaP is well-positioned to further enhance the impact of its programs, research, and faculty in improving the lives and social mobility of those they serve in the region. HCaP faculty are passionately committed to the College’s community focus and exemplifying the University’s dedication to the San Antonio and South Texas communities by leveraging UTSA’s role as an urban-serving research university and Carnegie classification as a Community Engaged University.

The University of Texas at San Antonio

As the third largest of nine academic universities and six health institutions within The University of Texas System, UTSA is a leading public Hispanic and urban-serving university specializing in health, cybersecurity, fundamental futures, and human-social development. With nearly 34,000 students supported by 1,400 faculty and 5,050 staff and student employees, both benefits- and non-benefits eligible, it is the largest university in the San Antonio metropolitan region. As a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) of learning and discovery, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and is highly focused on student success and meeting the educational needs of many first-generation, transfer, DACA, Veteran, and international students. UTSA prides itself on its diverse student population and 63% of its students come from San Antonio and South Texas. Nearly half (45%) of UTSA undergraduates will be the first in their family to earn a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, transfer students comprise about 38% of UTSA’s total undergraduate population. Further enhancing an already diverse student population is UTSA’s military community, which makes up approximately 13% of total students. This includes active duty military members, veterans, reserves/guard, and their spouses and dependents. For more information about UTSA, please visit http://www.utsa.edu/.

Position Summary

The Dean will serve as the chief academic officer for the College for Health, Community & Policy with responsibility for developing a comprehensive, ambitious, and dynamic vision for the College’s future. UTSA is on an upward trajectory in pursuit of academic excellence, student success, research growth, and community service and the Dean must serve as a passionate advocate for these ideals—working in collaboration with College stakeholders to create a community-grounded vision for the College’s future. In so doing, the Dean will have the unique opportunity to showcase the HCaP as a significant contributor to UTSA’s Westside Community Partnerships Initiative focused on helping to shape educational, health, economic, and cultural programs and services in alignment with the University’s community outreach mission.

In leading the College during this important period of institutional growth and transition, the new Dean will play a critical role in effectively bringing together the varied departments that now comprise HCaP, articulating and implementing a strategic plan, and guiding the College through the process of creating a new identity, refining its academic culture of excellence, and strengthening external partnerships to advance research and community impact. The Dean will be responsible for the academic, research, and outreach leadership of the College, as well as the management of its human and financial resources. The Dean has responsibility for leading the faculty and staff to work cohesively to advance the College as a whole and represents the College and UTSA’s health-related efforts on campus and to the outside world, including alumni, donors, and other external stakeholders. The Dean takes the lead in strategic planning and in solidifying and implementing the vision, mission, and goals for the College.

Qualifications

UTSA’s next Dean will play an important role in the future growth of the HCaP as well as ensuring the College’s support of UTSA’s goal of attaining R1 university status and its dedication to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement, and public service. The successful candidate will possess a distinguished record of academic service, superior interpersonal and management skills, and in addition will possess:

  • A demonstrated commitment to the broad conceptualization of health and how it is effectively grounded in community to advance policy for impact;
  • An earned doctorate and administrative and/or leadership experience in a research university;
  • An outstanding record of scholarly achievement and international reputation commensurate with appointment as full professor in one of the departments in the College;
  • Experience as a seasoned, decisive leader and diplomat with strong organizational and consensus-building skills, integrity, and the ability to inspire and lead faculty with diverse interests;
  • A record of success and ability in recruiting and retaining talented and diverse faculty; a history of inspiring faculty to excel in teaching, research, and creative activities and rewarding excellence in these areas;
  • A history of providing students with a high-quality educational experience and aggressively addressing issues related to student success;
  • Demonstrated experience in advancing scholarship, growing research impact and increasing external sponsors, and building interdisciplinary research teams that successfully compete for federal funding;
  • The demonstrated ability to build multidisciplinary programs and foster external partnerships to create an outwardly looking educational environment for faculty and students;
  • Enthusiasm for “building”; for developing and advancing a strategic plan to further the College and University’s national competitiveness;
  • Proven people skills and the ability to serve as a highly effective listener and communicator with both academic and non-academic audiences.

For a complete position profile, please visit https://www.storbeckpimentel.com/pd/UTSA/HCAP.pdf

San Antonio, TX

San Antonio is the 7th largest city in the United States with a thriving economy based on Energy, Bioscience/Healthcare, Aerospace/Aviation, Military, Financial Services, Information Technology and Cyber, and Tourism. It is recognized worldwide as the home of The Alamo and the Riverwalk. The city is celebrating growth and a rich, forward looking culture, and is a place of inclusiveness. In 2018, San Antonio celebrated the 300th anniversary of its founding by Spanish missionaries.

San Antonio provides an environment where professional satisfaction and career achievement are paired with optimal quality of life. It is a city that celebrates its rich heritage yet is progressive in embracing the future. As home to the Southwest Research Institute and the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, both internationally renowned organizations with which UTSA has created many collaborations and partnerships, and areas such as the beautiful Pearl and Southtown, revitalized and revamped for urban space, as well as their celebrated historical spaces—San Antonio exemplifies the future for vibrant, urban locales. This is a city that fosters entrepreneurial growth, co-working spaces, and accelerators/incubators – environments that encourage building foundations for business, and a business-friendly economy. San Antonio residents benefit from no state income tax and access to scenic pathways across the city to museums and art galleries, history, culture, performing arts, theme parks, family fun, dining and nightlife, festivals and events, shopping, sports, and year-round outdoor lifestyle.

Application and Nomination Process

The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. Applicants must submit: a current resume or curriculum vitae and a cover letter describing relevant experience and interest in the position. Nomination letters should include the name, position, address and telephone number of the nominee. All applications and nominations will be handled in confidence.

Applications and letters of nomination should be submitted by email to:

Alberto Pimentel, Managing Partner

Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates

6512 Painter Avenue

Whittier, CA 90601

Email: apsearch@storbeckpimentel.com

Refer to code “UTSA-HCaP” in subject line

UTSA is committed to provide equal employment and educational opportunities for all qualified persons without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation.