What are the responsibilities and job description for the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine - Associate Dean of Admissions position at Academic Career & Executive Search?
Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine (VCUSOM)
Associate Dean of Admissions
Associate Dean of Admissions
Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in its search for Associate Dean of Admissions.
For full consideration, please apply by December 19.
Join a thriving, top ranked research institution in leading and growing the School of Medicine’s innovative research at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). The Associate Dean of Admissions will enhance VCUSOM’s commitment to team science, which drives $360 million in active research awards and is responsible for over half of VCU’s sponsored research funding. The Associate Dean of Admissions will oversee the entire admissions process for the VCUSOM, from the recruitment to application review and decision notification to matriculation of students to the M.D. program. The Associate Dean plays a critical role in expanding the research portfolio, supporting strategic initiatives, and advancing VCUSOM’s impact on medical science and patient outcomes.
Virginia Commonwealth University Health stands at the forefront of health care, serving as an academic medical center that delivers cutting-edge treatments and the latest medical advancements to its patients. Situated in downtown Richmond, Virginia, VCU Health serves as the medical campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. VCU ranks among the top 50 public research universities in the U.S., achieving the designation well ahead of the timeline set out by VCU’s Quest 2028 (strategic plan) goals.
The ideal candidate is externally focused representing the VCU brand, data driven, knowledgeable about the admissions process with a proven track record of managing and implementing a successful medical school admissions program and ability to direct, manage, implement and evaluate procedures related to medical school admissions. Additionally, the next Associate Dean should emphasize innovation and bring an ability to develop and implement visionary strategies.
This position reports to the Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education and Student Affairs and serves on the leadership team for the Office of Medical Education. This is a full-time position, performed on site in Virginia.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Oversee the entire admissions process for the School of Medicine, from recruitment to application review and decision notification to matriculation
- Develop and implement short-term and long-range planning with strategies for achieving the goals of the Admissions Office. In consultation with the Dean and Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education, oversee policies for the composition of the medical school class
- Select the best possible candidates for admission to the Doctor of Medicine program at the VCU School of Medicine. Provide oversight of the final class list and management of the alternate list.
- Develop innovative admission programs to meet the educational mission of the VCU School of Medicine
- Maintain the integrity of the admissions process, including adherence to LCME standards
- Serve as a spokesperson to internal constituents and to external constituents, including applicants, students, and the public regarding admissions policies
- Build partnerships to represent VCUSOM externally as a brand-builder
- Work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), to ensure evidence-based admissions practices for all applicants to the medical school
- Supervise the Admissions staff and office operations, engendering a service culture
- Collaborate with the SOM Office of Medical Education and VCU Medical Philanthropy and Alumni Relations to oversee processes for the awarding of scholarships
- On issues related to medical student admissions, represent the medical school to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC); American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS); Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and other groups as needed
- Provide leadership for the Admissions Committee. Oversee process efficiencies to ensure an effective committee member process. Assure training of all Admissions Committee members on interviewing, the selection criteria for applicants, and how to review and present applicants for admission
- Assure training of Admissions Committee members on the selection criteria for applicants, and how to review and present applicants for admission
- Assure training for individuals who conduct interviews and file reviews for the Admissions Office
- Oversee the organization of the interview process
- Oversee all communications to applicants, including materials for written and electronic publication regarding the admissions process
- Advise applicants who are not accepted regarding their subsequent application and career goals
- Ensure adherence with all regulatory and credentialing requirements as well as annual oversight of conflict of interest of all members engaged in the admissions process
- Evaluate student outcomes and success in the MD curriculum related to admission criteria and student selection
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Sense of mission toward building the physician workforce of tomorrow
- Awareness of the expense of medical school and the ability to participate effectively in the administration of recruitment scholarships
- Ability to effectively plan, delegate, and/or supervise the work of others
- Ability to lead, motivate, develop, and train others
- Strong interpersonal, presentation, networking, verbal and written communication skills
- Exceptional leadership and strategic planning skills
- Proficiency in data analysis and a commitment to data-driven decision-making
- Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders
- Demonstrated commitment to ethical conduct and compliance
- Ability to exercise sound judgment in applying and interpreting policies and procedures.
- Superior analytical ability and critical thinking skills
- Demonstrated ability to function effectively and collaboratively with multiple stakeholder groups within a large, dynamic organization
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- M.D., D.O., Ph.D., or Ed.D. degree
- Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in medical student admissions at an LCME-accredited medical school or ACGME residency program recruitment
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in medical school leadership, e.g., residency director, clerkship director, assistant / associate dean, etc.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement visionary strategies for recruitment and program development, including measurement of outcomes
- Ability to espouse an innovative outlook in a changing landscape
- Proven track record of managing and implementing a successful medical school admissions program with the ability to direct, manage, implement and evaluate procedures related to medical school admissions
- Knowledge of LCME accreditation standards for medical student admissions
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- M.D. degree
- Five or more years of relevant experience in medical student admissions at an LCME-accredited medical school or ACGME residency program recruitment
- Five or more years of experience in medical school leadership, e.g., residency director, clerkship director, assistant / associate dean, etc.
- Leadership as part of LCME accreditation and continuous quality improvement with accountability for standards for medical student admissions
- Experience with pathway and outreach programs, admissions information systems, and strategic recruitment communications
- Political savvy in both the external and internal arenas
- Demonstrated ability to espouse data-driven metrics and qualitative measures as part of the holistic approach to selecting future physicians
- Attentiveness to building a community of learners to match the needs of the communities we serve
- Ability to cultivate the future physician workforce for our city and region, the state, and nation
About the Institution
Located in downtown Richmond, the state capital of Virginia, VCU enrolls more than 31,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate programs across its campuses: the downtown Monroe Park and MCV campuses in Richmond; the Rice Rivers Center in Charles City, Virginia; separate campuses in Fairfax, Virginia, and Charlottesville, Virginia, for the School of Pharmacy; and a campus in Doha, Qatar, for the School of the Arts.
VCU is designated as a research university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation, garnering more than $335 million in sponsored research from federal and other agencies. The National Science Foundation ranked VCU among the top 100 in the country, and VCU is ranked as one of the top three research universities in Virginia. This research enterprise and the influence of having the nation’s number one public graduate arts school ensures students receive unique educational experiences that equip them with a creative mindset that sets them apart.
VCU’s contributions in talent, innovation and entrepreneurialism, regional stewardship and local culture shape the economic impact and overall quality of life in the region. Students dedicate more than 1.3 million hours annually in service to the community, and VCU as a whole generates more than $6 billion in economic activity. It is the largest employer in Richmond, supporting 63,000 jobs in Virginia.
VCU’s commitment to diversity, inclusion and student success is why U.S. News named VCU to its Best Colleges list for 2020, ranking 38th in ethnic diversity, 45th in social mobility and 76th among top public schools. VCU also is ranked among the top 20% of all universities in the world in U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-25 Best Global Universities rankings.
About the School of Medicine
The VCU School of Medicine was established in 1838 with the formation of the Medical Department of Hampden-Sydney College, whose mission was to educate physicians in Central Virginia. The department was later renamed Medical College of Virginia as it became a stand-alone institution. In 1968, Richmond Professional Institute merged with the Medical College of Virginia to become Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
Today, VCUSOM is the largest medical school in the commonwealth, comprised of 26 academic departments – six basic health science and 18 clinical – and nine centers and institutes. There are 1,322 faculty, 773 staff, 799 medical students, 54 M.D.-Ph.D. students, 200 Ph.D. students, master’s students and certificate students. There are 784 residents and fellows in 74 ACGME programs and 109 postdoctoral fellows.
The mission of VCUSOM is to improve health through exceptional and innovative discovery, training and patient care. Guided by a strategic plan, VCUSOM strives to achieve its vision of being known for the accomplishments of trainees, faculty, staff and alumni in research, education and patient care.
The core values that guide VCUSOM conduct, performance and decision-making are:
|
|
|
|
|
|
The VCUSOM community is committed to collaborating across the campus, health system and university to foster a welcoming community that supports and values people of all cultural backgrounds and life experiences and makes the medical school a more diverse and representative place to work. All members of the VCUSOM community prioritize individual dignity and strive to promote a culture of diversity, inclusivity, and equity in a supportive patient care, learning, research, and work environment. To learn more, see: https://medschool.vcu.edu/about/dei/action/
With $360M in active research awards, VCUSOM researchers account for more than half of VCU’s sponsored research awards. Research expenditures for FY24 totaled $152 million, of which 54% ($82M) are from the NIH.
According to the 2023 Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research Rankings, the medical school ranks 60th in the nation for NIH funding. Three departments maintained their place among the top 25 departments in their respective fields: The Department of Family Medicine and Population Health ranks 14th in its category, the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology is 20th among pharmacology departments, and the Department of Psychiatry is ranked 24th. The SOM also continues to be a leader in addiction science, ranking eighth in the nation in funding from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and 19th in National Institute on Drug Abuse funding.
With an emphasis on team science, the school’s research agenda focuses on strengths in cancer, neurosciences, cardiovascular disease, liver disease and metabolic health.
Living in the Area
Established as the commonwealth’s capital in 1780, Richmond, Va. is a vibrant mix of history, diverse culture and real-world opportunities. Its rich history is much in evidence in the architecture, the Capitol grounds and the cobblestone streets around the city. Distinct neighborhoods, cozy restaurants and cafes and quaint local markets give the city an intimate feel, but theaters, galleries, music festivals, sports attractions and a steady stream of annual events bring RVA – as locals call the region – to life. With the historic James River and 550 acres of parks bordering it, bike trails, wineries, breweries, a flourishing arts, entertainment and restaurant scene and affordable suburbs, this small city with a low cost of living punches well above its weight in terms of attractions and buzz.
Richmond is situated between the Shenandoah Mountains and the Virginia / North Carolina coast. This central location provides an affordable lifestyle with easy access to beaches, mountains, wineries (Travel Leisure magazine named Virginia one of its five wine regions in the world) and other metropolitan areas on the East Coast. Richmond’s location places VCU within a two-hour drive of Washington, D.C., and a multitude of excellent institutions of higher education.
The Richmond metropolitan area is home to 10 Fortune 1000 companies, a broad base of financial companies, hospitals and media firms, high-tech manufacturing companies and state and local government agencies. TIME magazine’s number two city in the United States for attracting millennial talent, Richmond is one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the country.
Beyond Richmond, CNBC has named Virginia as the number one state in the country to do business. It has accomplished this by bringing in over $18.5 billion in capital investment and over 50,000 new jobs.
To Apply
For full consideration, please apply by December 19.
Please apply through the application link and do not email applications.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.
Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.
Inquiries and questions: Please send to VCUSOMAssocDeanAdmissions@acesrch.com.
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.
Institution’s EEO Statement
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability. Read VCU’s notice of non-discrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action. See also: Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal. Learn more about non-retaliation for disclosure of compensation by reading VCU’s Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.