Founding Dean, College of Health and Community Well-Being

Founding Dean, College of Health and Community Well-Being

Aligned with its 2025 Strategic Vision, Achieving Beyond Imagination, the University of La Verne announces a national search for its Founding Dean of the College of Health and Community Well-Being. The University seeks an experienced, dynamic, entrepreneurial and creative professional with a record of successful health science and community well-being leadership. In leading the development of the University of La Verne’s newest academic college, the Founding Dean must bring a thorough understanding of social determinants of health, health disparities, community well-being, best practices in health science education, and possess the ability and experience in building successful relationships across University colleges/programs and throughout the region.

The College of Health and Community-Well Being

Over the past four years, the University of La Verne has launched initiatives and academic programs designed to address the pressing need for improved health and well-being throughout Inland Southern California. Those initiatives include a master’s degree program in physician assistant practice, a master’s degree in athletic training, and the recent launch of the Randall Lewis Center for Well-Being and Research, which serves as a unique hub for teaching, research, community partnerships, and healthy lifestyle habits for students, employees, and the broader community. In May of 2020, the University of La Verne’s Board of Trustees approved the creation of its newest College: the College of Health and Community Well-Being.

It is expected that the College of Health and Community Well-Being, under its Founding Dean, will strengthen and expand existing programs, create new offerings in health and community well-being professions, bring more visibility to the University through its programs, graduates, and vision, connect with Foundations and donors, and build health and well-being relationships, as appropriate, throughout the community.

The University of La Verne

Founded in 1891, 130 years old, and located in Inland Southern California, the University of La Verne is a comprehensive private, not-for-profit university offering a distinctive and relevant educational experience to a diverse population of traditional-age, adult, and graduate students, preparing them for successful careers. Delivering its educational programming on the La Verne Campus as well as online and across nine regional locations throughout Southern California, the University serves more than 7,000 students through its 55 undergraduate programs, 19 master’s degrees, four doctoral programs (including a juris doctorate), and eight credential programs across its four colleges: College of Arts and Sciences, LaFetra College of Education, College of Business and Public Management, and College of Law.

The University of La Verne is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), with one of the largest numbers of Hispanic students of any private institution in California. Across all its colleges, the University of La Verne’s traditional age and adult learners, 43% of whom are first-generation students, make the University one of the most diverse in the nation. U.S. News & World Report has also ranked the University of La Verne no. 7 in the country for social mobility and the no. 1 private university in California for social mobility. This recognition highlights the commitment and success of the university’s educational experience to advance social mobility for all of its students by enrolling and graduating the largest proportions of disadvantaged students. The University of La Verne is also among the best in California and 66th nationally in the Best Value Schools category. Overall, it ranked 136th among 391 institutions considered to be National Universities. For more information about the University of La Verne, please visit https://laverne.edu/.

The Position

Reporting to the Provost/Chief Academic Officer, the Founding Dean is the chief academic and executive officer of this College and is responsible for the College’s leadership, strategic, and fundraising initiatives. S/he is also responsible for managing the faculty and staff, fiscal resources, and physical facilities of the College. The Dean oversees the quality of the College’s academic programs and faculty and supports the faculty in creating a rewarding environment for education, research and scholarship, and service to the University and the community. The Founding Dean will be expected to lead faculty and staff in further integrating the academic and clinical missions of the College in a way that leverages existing strengths and identifies new opportunities to create synergies that lead to success.

The Dean will serve as a strong advocate for the College, its faculty, and its students to work toward strengthening interprofessional and interdisciplinary efforts within the University and other regional community partners. In addition, the Dean will also promote the visibility and reputation of the College both inside and outside the University through their interactions with a broad array of constituencies in order to advance the College and University’s reputation locally, regionally, and nationally. With the incredible pace at which the health care landscape and health education are changing, the University of La Verne’s Founding Dean and the new College are poised to serve as influential contributors in attaining a regional and national level of prominence in these fields. For a full position profile and list of qualifications, please visit https://www.spaexec.com/pd/ULaVerneHCWB.pdf.

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

Emy Cruz, Partner

Sal Venegas Jr., Principal

Email: apsearch@spaexec.com

Refer to code “ULaVerne-DeanHCWB” in the subject line

SP&A Executive Search

6512 Painter Avenue

Whittier, CA 90601

The University of La Verne is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against for employment or employees on any basis prohibited by state and federal law.