Search Postings

Title: Dean, Mennonite College of Nursing
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Mennonite College of Nursing
Campus Location: Normal, IL

Job Summary

Illinois State University seeks a strategic and innovative academic leader committed to the mission, vision, and values outlined in the University’s strategic plan. The dean is the chief academic and executive officer of the college, providing vision and leadership in the context of shared governance. The dean leads the development and implementation of the college’s strategic future, and reports to the provost, who also serves as vice president for academic affairs.

The dean’s overarching responsibilities are to develop an effective collegial environment that supports excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service and advances the profession of nursing. The dean facilitates collaborations within the college, university, and broader community. The dean provides leadership that advances the University’s commitments through extramural funding as well as internal and external partnerships. The dean provides leadership and support efforts to advance equity, diversity, access, and belonging to effectively serve all students, faculty, and staff in the college. The dean must be committed to continued excellence in undergraduate and graduate nursing education; faculty support for scholarship and research activities, including extramural funding; and partnerships with regional hospitals and healthcare facilities. The dean will engage college faculty, staff, and students in developing a shared plan for the future of the college and its role in the broader mission of the University.

In addition, the dean provides leadership for promotion and tenure standards, supervises associate and assistant deans along with college staff, assumes fiscal responsibility for the college, and advocates on behalf of the college to the provost, president, alumni, and external stakeholders. The Mennonite College of Nursing includes approximately 23 tenure/tenure-track faculty, 22 non-tenure track faculty, 18 staff, and about 50 part-time faculty.

Additional Information

The dean works closely with the college’s director of development for philanthropic support and college facilities planners. The Dean is expected to work collaboratively and collegially with seven other academic deans as well as administrators from all four divisions of the University.

Salary Rate / Pay Rate / Benefits

$220,000 - $250,000 annuallyUniversity Benefit Highlights: 
 
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life 
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options 
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents 
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks 
- Paid benefit time 
 
Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/ 

Required Qualifications

1. Be registered as a nurse or be eligible for RN licensure in the State of Illinois.

2. Hold at least one graduate degree in nursing and hold a terminal degree in nursing or a related field from an accredited institution of higher learning.

3. A record of outstanding scholarship and teaching, meriting appointment as Professor with tenure in the Mennonite College of Nursing at Illinois State University

4. A record of full-time administrative leadership experience in dynamic academic organizations, with a record of accomplishments in roles such as dean, associate dean, department chair, or school director, or comparable full-time leadership role.

5. A record of aligning fiscal resources with strategic priorities and demonstrated innovative fiscal management accomplishments as a manager of people and resources in support of high-quality graduate and undergraduate instruction, scholarly productivity, nursing practice, and outreach activities.

6. Fundamental understanding of the scholarly, teaching, and service responsibilities of a college of nursing faculty member at an R2 university.

7. Experience with the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education for program accreditation.

8. Knowledge of or experience in fundraising and donor stewardship.

9. Ongoing participation in state/national nursing professional organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience working with academic doctoral programs.

2. Experience with curriculum development and/or online degree programs.

3. Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to build relationships across stakeholder groups.

4. Experience in providing professional mentorship.

5. Success securing and managing extramural funding.

6. Demonstrated commitment to shared governance and the ability to work collegially with other deans,
administrators, and a range of stakeholders in developing goals and programs.

7. Experience in the development and implementation of a strategic plan.

8. Experience with leadership and/or oversight of facilities resources.

9. Demonstrated commitment to advancing Illinois State University’s core values of Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Scholarship; Individualized Attention; Equity, Diversity, Access, and Belonging; Collaboration; Community and Civic Engagement; Respect; and Integrity.

Work Hours

A fast-paced, productive office environment where work demands may extend beyond traditional hours of operation.

Functional Expectations

Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
1. Remain at a workstation for extended periods
2. Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work
3. Effectively communicate on a daily basis

Proposed Starting Date

July 1, 2026

Special Instructions for Applicants

Greenwood Asher & Associates® is assisting Illinois State University in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. Inquiries, nominations, and application materials should be directed to Julie Schrodt and/or Jeremy Duff from Greenwood Asher & Associates. Application materials should include:

1. A letter of interest that clearly states how the candidate’s experiences align with the opportunities and expectations for leadership to address a university-wide perspective

2. A leadership/administrative philosophy statement

3. A current résumé/curriculum vitae


Candidates should also provide the names and contact information for three references. References will not be contacted without prior knowledge and approval from candidates.

We strongly encourage submitting application materials as PDF attachments. The search will be conducted with a commitment of confidentiality for candidates until finalists are selected. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. For best consideration, applications and nominations should be provided by October 3, 2025.


Please direct inquiries, nominations, and application materials to:

Julie Schrodt, Senior Executive Search Consultant E-mail: julieschrodt@greenwoodsearch.com

Jeremy Duff, Vice President of Executive Search E-mail: jeremyduff@greenwoodsearch.com

Important Information for Applicants

This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.

If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.