THE OPPORTUNITY Since 1889, the University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has shaped the nursing profession by developing leaders in education, research, and practice. From the beginning, the School was part of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB), which is the founding campus of the University System of Maryland (USM.) Today, there are six professional schools and a Graduate School at UMB: School of Nursing, School of Medicine, School of Dentistry, School of Pharmacy, School of Social Work, and the Francis King Carey School of Law.
UMSON has demonstrated extraordinary growth and national recognition during the tenure of Jane Kirschling, PhD, RN, FAAN, the Bill and Joanne Conway Dean of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. The School enrolls nearly 2,000 students in its doctoral, master’s, baccalaureate, and certificate programs. Currently, the School’s BSN program is ranked fourth among all public nursing schools nationally by the U.S. News & World Report and five of its DNP specialties are ranked in the top three of public nursing schools. It is the only nursing school in Maryland with an Institute for Educators, which offers a post- graduate certificate, “Teaching in Nursing and the Health Professions”. It has a long history of early adoption of important advances in nursing education, including establishing the first nursing informatics master’s and PhD programs in the world.
The School’s response to the COVID pandemic demonstrated the institution’s attributes of resilience, agility, and innovation with swift adaptation to meet needs by helping with the set up and directing the Southern Management Corporation (SMC) Campus vaccine center with short notice. In regard to diversity and inclusion, UMSON proudly embraces its anti- oppression statement In UniSON: Together We Commit, Together We Act, to create an environment where all are welcomed and supported to be successful. For the fourth consecutive year, UMSON received a Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award in 2021 from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. UMSON is passionate about its longstanding commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Current enrollment is comprised of 914 Baccalaureate students (BSN and RN-to-BSN), 456 Master of Science students (4 master’s specialties), 35 PhD students, and 590 DNP students. Academic offerings include 48 unique Web-based courses with 127 total sections: 76 unique Web-enhanced courses with 1 total section. There are 165 faculty members (full and part time) of which 86% are doctoral prepared and 14% are master’s prepared. There are also more than 400 faculty associates and clinical preceptors who oversee student clinical experiences.
Dean Kirschling has announced her retirement in 2023 and UMB President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, has underscored his expectations that the next Dean will build on the wave of success following Dr. Kirschling to continue to accelerate UMSON as one of America’s most elite nursing schools. A national search is underway for this position.
UMB is seeking a leader with a focus on excellence for the Dean, School of Nursing. The Dean reports directly to the President and will meet and consult with the Provost on a regular basis on matters including, but not limited to, academic and student affairs, strategic planning, accreditation, and faculty appointments, promotion, and tenure. The Dean serves as the chief executive and academic officer for the School and provides leadership of the School’s senior executive team. The Dean works collaboratively and cooperatively with the deans of the other schools and University’s vice presidents. As an executive leader, the Dean is charged with overseeing and enhancing education, research, and training aimed at developing the next generation of nursing practitioners, scholars, administrators, and researchers.
The next Dean will be a nationally recognized leader and scholar in nursing, one who is passionate about the mission, vision, and values of the School. They must showcase a proven track record of collaborative partnership, demonstrated learning agility that is characteristic of great leaders, and exhibit the cultural intelligence to effectively engage all prospects that contribute to the School’s success. They will seek consensus among diverse stakeholders and serve as a courageous leader who can bring confidence to a broad audience. The Dean will make strides to benefit the School, community, and society as a whole.
First one-to-two-year success factors for the new Dean will include the following:
Prepare nurses at all levels of practice to lead, influence and fill roles that will inspire and move healthcare systems forward.
Focus on meeting the nursing needs of the State of Maryland and prioritize BSN education.
Partner across the University to help build out training pathways and new learning opportunities for students.
Continue to build a faculty that is recognized for excellence in teaching, research, practice, and leadership.
Build core programs of nursing research that are innovative and collaborative and promote interprofessional research and grant activities.
Support and pursue articulation agreements with community colleges and USM institutions such as University of Maryland College Park (UMCP) and University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).
Engage with other communities of interest to develop successful partnerships.
Commit to diversity, equity, and inclusion and promote an environment and culture where all can learn and work collaboratively.
Represent and embrace the school’s mission, vision, and values.
Sustain and expand interprofessional education in the classroom and in the clinical environment.
Pursue philanthropic partnerships, grants, and other funding (capital campaigns and transformational gifts) to support the school’s mission.
Continue to foster and enhance the strong relationship between the school and the health system.
Actively continue to collaborate with the other school deans and others across the university. Participate in the community medicine initiative and work across the organization to expand offerings in west Baltimore.
Serve as an active partner with the other schools to build and enhance opportunities from health system data.
Build upon the relationships with surrounding organizations and establish collaborative partnerships to conduct research, expand academics, and improve clinical training.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF NURSING UMSON is one of the oldest and largest nursing schools in the nation and is ranked among the top nursing schools nationwide. More than 2,000 students are enrolled at UMSON and the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) in Rockville, MD. It also operates the Governor’s Wellmobile Program which provides primary health care to uninsured and underserved residents in Maryland.
During its more than 130-year history, the School has served as a driving force by advancing nursing through practical learning, innovative research, and an unwavering commitment to its community. UMSON shares a 61-acre campus in downtown Baltimore with the five other UMB professional schools and a graduate school. The School’s campus is conveniently located near the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), University of Maryland BioPark, and the Baltimore VA Medical Center. UMSON works closely, and in partnership, with UMMC and the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) to provide research-intensive, academic, and clinically based care.
The School offers more than 20 doctoral, master’s, undergraduate, and certificate programs. They offer 400+ clinical learning sites that provide clinical practicum and project locations. To help students excel in clinical practice, UMSON has established 28 leading- edge simulation labs to allow students to practice in real-life health care environments. In addition, UMSON has a rich legacy of conducting research and developing nurse researchers.
Mission We shape the profession of nursing and the health care environment by developing leaders in education, research, and practice.
Vision We develop preeminent leaders in nursing education, research, and practice. As a catalyst for creativity and collaboration, we engage diverse groups of professionals, organizations, and communities in addressing local, national, and global health priorities. Together, faculty, staff, and students create a rich and vibrant working and learning environment where knowledge is created and shared. A passion for discovery permeates the educational process and advances the use of evidence as the basis for nursing practice. Accordingly, we are recognized for our scientific knowledge, critical thinking, interprofessional teamwork, and profound commitment to the health of individuals and communities.
Values We embrace a culture that embodies the University’s Core Values:
Respect and Integrity
Well-Being and Sustainability
Equity and Justice
Innovation and Discovery
Patient Care Faculty and students provide compassionate, state-of-the-art patient care – not only in Baltimore, but throughout the state of Maryland. UMSON works collaboratively and closely with UMMC to give students the opportunity to provide patient care and learn, but also to enhance both the School and Medical Center.
UMNursing is a strong academic-practice partnership between UMMC and UMSON. Founded in 2007, UMNursing was developed to strengthen the transition from student to professional nurse as well as the advancement of all nurse professionals.
Due to the success of UMNursing, the relationship expanded in 2019 to include all UMMS hospitals. The partnership continues to create opportunities for deep collaboration between UMSON, UMMC, and the nursing community at large. UMSON faculty and UMMC nurses serve on advisory bodies for each other’s programs and act as a team to achieve synergy and growth.
University of Maryland Medical Center The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) is the flagship academic medical center at the heart of the University ofMaryland Medical System(UMMS). UMMC is comprised of the 789-bed downtown Baltimore campus and the 177-bed midtown campus one mile north. UMMC is home to the Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center and The R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, which is the highest- volume trauma center in the United States. Additionally, UMMC is recognized as among the less than 10% of US hospitals with Magnet Designation for nursing excellence, as recognized by the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
University of Maryland Medical System The University of Maryland Medical System(UMMS) was established in 1984 when the state-owned University Hospital became a private, nonprofit organization. UMMS continues to serve as a private, university-based regional health system focused on caring for the health care needs of Maryland. UMMS brings together innovation, discovery, and research to the care they provide. At the same time, UMMS educates the state’s future health care professionals through the partnership with the UM Schools of Nursing, Medicine, Pharmacy, Social Work, and Dentistry in Baltimore.
Education and Training There are 164 faculty members, 24 clinical instructors, and 700+ faculty associates and clinical preceptors to support and teach students.
All faculty members are actively involved in the education of nursing students. UMSON provides an unparalleled combination of educational resources to prepare students for their nursing careers.
UMSON sets the stage for “firsts”:
In Maryland, UMSON was the first to offer an online RN-to-BSN program, a Community/Public Health Nursing master’s specialty, and a civilian Nurse Anesthesia DNP specialty.
The only university in the state of Maryland to offer a Clinical Nurse Leader master’s option.
First in the nation to offer a Nursing Informatics master’s specialty and an Institute for Educators that prepares nurses for faculty roles which provides ongoing professional development.
Research In pursuit of improving quality of care and the overall nation’s health care system, UMSON takes pride in conducting research to better the lives of others. It is 19th for all schools of nursing and 13th for public schools of nursing in receipt of funding from the National Institutes of Health and received extramural research funding of $4.5 million in FY’21; with a total extramural funding of $10.9 million in FY’21.
UMSON supports groundbreaking research and scholarship that enhances the field of nursing, influences modernized care, and inspires new thinking behind ways to take care of society. The School of Nursing serves as:
A national leader in receipt of funding (for schools of nursing) from the National Institutes of Health.
Among the first nursing schools in the nation to offer a PhD program.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AS DEAN The Dean is responsible for all education, research, service, and administrative functions throughout the School of Nursing. It is the responsibility of the Dean to ensure diversity and inclusion in all facets of the operation of the School.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Oversee and enhance a rigorous portfolio of academic programs aimed at building a dynamic curriculum to train the next generation of nursing practitioners, scholars, and administrators.
Develop and oversee an ambitious faculty recruitment and retention plan in order to build a community of world class teachers and researchers.
Provide and maintain a strong focus on the importance of professional development opportunities for staff and promote a culture of continuous learning across the School of Nursing.
Supervise the School of Nursing’s appointment, promotion, and tenure process.
Engage the School of Nursing community in an inclusive strategic planning process to develop and implement a strategic plan that aligns with UMB’s strategic plan.
Establish and oversee a comprehensive quality assurance and effectiveness program that aligns with the standards established by the School’s respective accrediting bodies.
Encourage and facilitate a culture of collaboration that leverages the resources, talents, and expertise across the UMB community and the USM to advance the mission of the School of Nursing.
Engage with local, state, and national leaders in government and industry to advocate for and advance the strategic initiatives and priorities of the School.
Develop and execute, in cooperation with the Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations, a fundraising program that aggressively seeks private, federal, and foundation funding.
Advance the long-standing relationship with UMMC and UMMS, through UMNursing.
Cultivate a collegial and equitable work environment throughout the school.
Create a student-centered learning environment that is sensitive to the needs of the School’s diverse student population and that results in a quality and distinctive educational experience.
Develop a facilities and capital improvement master plan for the School of Nursing.
Promote a culture that supports and rewards entrepreneurial activity.
Position the School as a committed leader in helping to meet the health needs of underserved populations both home and abroad.
Oversee and maintain an inclusive and transparent shared governance structure in the School of Nursing.
Oversee and deploy the financial and physical assets of the School responsibly and efficiently consistent with UMB, USM, state, federal, and other applicable guidelines.
Develop and execute a vibrant and extramurally funded research program.
Engage in activity that enhances the national and international rank and reputation of the School of Nursing.
Actively engage the School of Nursing’s Board of Visitors in support of the vision and mission of the School.
Support the UMB’s President, provost, and the University’s senior leadership team in pursuing and achieving the University’s broader goals and objectives.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Reliable judgment, trusted discretion, and excellent interpersonal skills to relate to legislators, community representatives, and numerous and varied constituencies of the School of Nursing.
Ability to interact collegially with faculty and staff at various levels in the School of Nursing and maintain effective relationships with alumni and relevant internal and external constituents.
Knowledgeable of the field, including major trends in nursing education, practice, and research, as well as accreditation, regulatory, and legal issues.
Ability to conduct research and synthesize result in a variety of areas.
Thorough knowledge of field, including related laws and regulations.
Comprised of strong financial acumen and has the ability to solve problems, make timely decisions, excellent initiative with resourcefulness, analyze data and has sound judgement.
Demonstrated ability to foster a collaborative, solution-oriented approach which can lead change.
Ability to maintain a strong commitment of ensuring that student, faculty, and staff continue to represent the diversity of the communities served.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills.
Ability to present complex information to various audiences, such as governing boards and legislative bodies.
Ability to convey a collaborative, solutions-oriented style which can help lead change using strong communication skills to convey the benefits of proposed initiatives.
Ability to facilitate implementation of the School and University plans.
Outstanding skill in analytical and persuasive writing.
Demonstrated leadership, communication, staff building, team building, and organizational skills within a complex and diverse organization.
Ability to prioritize ongoing and new projects necessary to implementing a specific organizational program.
Skill in continuously seeking to improve the quality of services and processes of the School of Nursing.
A competent and willing team player with the ability to achieve and perform in a civil and collegial environment.
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a relevant discipline, preferably in nursing.
Current nursing licensure in good standing that will be reciprocal with State of Maryland Board of Nursing. Able to secure and retain an active State of Maryland Nursing license for employment.
Demonstrated success in an equivalent setting with a minimum of twelve (12) years of related experiences that demonstrate leadership, management, and academic administration in a Department/School of Nursing level in progressively responsible positions, with at least five (5) years at a level equivalent to associate dean, associate vice president, or vice president.
A record of scholarly accomplishments sufficient to support appointment as a tenured professor in the School of Nursing.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE Founded in 1807, UMB is comprised of a 61-acre research and technology complex that encompasses 65 buildings in West Baltimore near the Inner Harbor. It is the founding institution of the University System of Maryland and brings 214 years of history of achievement to its mission. UMB remains Maryland's only public academic health, human services, and law center with six professional schools and a graduate school which t rain the majority of the state's nurses, physicians, dentists, lawyers, social workers, and pharmacists.
UMB enrolls over 7,100 students each year throughout their six nationally ranked professional schools. They offer 80 doctoral, master’s, baccalaureate, and certificate programs and confer most of the professional practice doctoral degrees awarded in Maryland.
The University is a thriving academic center and leader in health care and law. It serves as a catalyst, advancing scholarship, research, clinical care, social justice, and law. UMB maintains a deeply committed partnership with the greater Baltimore area as a prominent anchor institution. UMB students, faculty, and staff annually provide more than 2 million house of volunteer service to external partners, constituencies, and stakeholders. In addition to its steadfast volunteer service, UMB’s $1.2 billion annual budget generates more than 18,000 jobs each year and produces more than $2.8 billion in annual economic activity.
UMB recently adopted its 2022-2026 Strategic Plan, which is integrated with the University’s Core Values. The planning process now shifts to each school and administrative unit, with the expectation that each school or unit will develop, within the context of its own strategic plan, “SMART Goals” that map to the outcomes in the UMB Strategic Plan.
Mission
To improve the human condition and serve the public good of Maryland and society at- large through education, research, clinical care, and service.
Vision
The University will excel as a preeminent institution in its missions to educate professionals, conduct research that addresses real-world issues affecting the human condition, provide excellent clinical care and practice, and serve the public with dedication to improve health, justice, and the public good. The University will become a dominant economic leader of the region through innovation, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and interdisciplinary and interprofessional teamwork. The University will extend its reach with hallmark local and global initiatives that positively transform lives and our economy. The University will be a beacon to the world as an environment for learning and discovery that is rich in diversity and inclusion. The University’s pillars of professionalism are civility, accountability, transparency, and efficiency. The University will be a vibrant community where students, faculty, staff, visitors, and neighbors are engaged intellectually, culturally, and socially.
UNIVERSITIES AT SHADY GROVE The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) is a collaboration of nine public degree-granting institutions that brings some of the top programs from across the state to one convenient location in Montgomery County. USG helps prepare students for rewarding careers in the region’s most high-demand fields, such as nursing, accounting, biotechnology, cybersecurity, hospitality, social work, and many more. The Rockville, Maryland location is ideal for students in Montgomery County, Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia.
Nearly 4,000 students attend programs at USG and future capacity is expected to grow to 7,500. USG offers nearly 80 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. It helps prepare students for rewarding careers in the region’s most sought-after fields. Students who successfully complete their coursework at the USG campus graduate with a degree from one of its nine partner universities. USG provides on-campus services such as academic coaching, career advising, internship preparation, personal counseling, and leadership training. Graduating students leave USG’s campus with the academic skills and real-world experiences needed for successful careers.
USG offers UMSON’s BSN and DNP Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Specialty degree programs, of which UMSON is ranked top 10 for the FNP specialty. Both programs are comprised of identical curriculum, course progression, and graduation requirements to those at the Baltimore location. Students receive a myriad of clinical opportunities in the Baltimore and Washington, D.C. region as well as education and experiences in state-of- the-art classrooms, labs, and facilities. USG’s campus offers interprofessional interaction with students from eight other University System of Maryland schools in a suburban setting.
UMSON at USG campus culture enables every student to thrive and helps to promote a sense of belonging and acceptance through initiatives that welcome diversity. For example, a student organization called Nurses Helping Nurses (NHN) provides peer-to-peer mentoring, encouragement, sharing of resources, study sessions, and support to nursing students. In 20 months, the membership of NHN grew to over 150 members across all four semesters and has remained dedicated to collaborative success and establishing a sense of belonging to UMSON at USG. The University of Maryland Association of Nursing Students (UMANS) is the University of Maryland's chapter of the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) at USG. UMANS was recently awarded the Stellar Chapter Recognition from NSNA. Since 2009, the NSNA Stellar School Chapter Recognition Program recognizes NSNA school chapters that demonstrate ongoing involvement in NSNA, including a strong commitment to shared governance and professional development of their students and faculty.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP Since 2012, UMB and the University of Maryland, College Park, the University Systemof Maryland flagship institution and one of the nation’s most preeminent public research universities, have had a strategic partnership that seeks to leverage each university’s strengths to make them more competitive in research and education. In 2016, the partnership was formalized in Maryland law. The relationship is funded with state support separate from each university’s budget with the intent to stimulate collaborative programs. To date, it has resulted in hundreds of joint
collaborations resulting in research awards and academic programs.
UNIVERSITY LEADERSHIP Dr. Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS was selected as the seventh president of UMB in September 2020, after serving as interim president for eight months. During the interim period, Dr. Jarrell led the University’s efforts to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. With the deans and vice presidents, Dr. Jarrell worked to further the University’s core values among faculty, staff, and students in the leadership, management, and promotion of the institution’s education, research, clinical, and community engagement agendas. Dr. Jarrell’s appointment as president was the latest in a long line of upward moves at UMB, where he has served as the chief academic and research officer, senior vice president, executive vice president, provost, and dean of the Graduate School. Dr. Jarrell reports to the USM Chancellor, Jay A. Perman, MD.
Dr. Roger Ward, EdD, JD, MPA, MSL was named provost and executive vice president of the UMB in October 2021 after serving in interim roles since January 2020, when he also was named dean of the Graduate School. Prior to that he served as senior vice president for operations and institutional effectiveness and has held a range of other leadership roles since he joined UMB in 2009.
BALTIMORE The city of Baltimore, Maryland is home to vibrant cultural, art, and athletic attractions. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is world renowned as are the Walters Art Museum and the Baltimore Museum of Art. The inner harbor is a frequent destination to guests of the city and is home to the National Aquarium and the Maryland Science Center. Within walking distance to the inner harbor are the homes of the Baltimore Ravens and the Baltimore Orioles.
Baltimore is a city of great neighborhoods with unique characteristics. One of the nation’s oldest cities, Baltimore has 72 historic districts including over 57,000 monuments, statues, and other structures. From urban row homes with water-view roof decks to Victorian porch fronts on tree-lined streets, Baltimore is nicknamed the “City of Neighborhoods.” All are unique and unlike any other city in America.
COMPENSATION Compensation arrangements are competitive and commensurate with both experience and achievement.
PROCEDURE FOR CANDIDACY The search committee will begin reviewing candidates immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applications should include a detailed curriculum vitae and a letter of interest that highlight the applicant’s personal vision and relevant leadership experience. To ensure full consideration, inquiries, nominations, and applications should be submitted electronically in confidence, to: kait.hasler@kornferry.com
