Dean - College of Health Sciences

The University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) is seeking a visionary and strategic leader with a proven commitment to academic excellence and shared decision making. The Dean is responsible for fostering excellence in teaching, research, and service. The expected start will be Summer 2025.

Salary Range

Salary and compensation package is highly competitive based on candidate qualifications

The Position

Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and serving as the College’s Chief Academic Officer, the Dean will play a central role in enhancing academic excellence and aligning priorities with the strategic plans for Academic Affairs and the University. The Dean serves as a member of the Provost’s senior leadership team and will work directly with the Provost, other University leaders, faculty, and staff in formulating the College’s academic goals and policies. The Dean is responsible for: the articulation of the College’s vision in alignment with University mission on academic distinction; the development and administration of academic programs; scholarship, research, and service initiatives among faculty; college policies relating to instruction, curriculum, student success, research and other high-impact practices; and faculty and academic staff appointments and performance assessments.

The Dean supervises the activities within the College’s academic units (School of Nursing, Department of Social Work, Department of Human Performance, Department of Psychology, Department of Biology and Department of Community and Family Health). Additionally, the College houses a number of research centers and other units that support the academic mission of the University, including the Center for Interprofessional and Experiential Learning and the Midland Health Simulation and Learning Resource Center.

Working collaboratively with all stakeholders in the campus community, the Dean supports excellence and creativity in teaching, research and service while fostering activities that improve the retention, achievement, and timely graduation of students. Additionally, the Dean works with external sponsors, funding agencies, industry and community leaders to develop research and educational partnerships that contribute to the economic vitality of the region.

The Permian Basin and West Texas - an Unprecedented Opportunity

The Permian Basin is one of the fastest-growing, culturally vibrant, economically invigorated regions of the country – full of industry, culture, and wide-open spaces. Spanning an area of 75,000 square miles, the low-lying geological formation of the Permian Basin is a stunning stretch of land with unique beauty that is home to the big, beautiful Texas skies. It is also home to the world’s largest petroleum ¿eld.

Accounting for more than 30% of domestic oil production and recently named the largest oil reserve on the planet, the Permian Basin region of West Texas is poised to boost local and global economies for decades to come. The International Energy Agency expects global oil demand to grow until around 2040, which experts predict will support the creation of around 45,000 jobs across the Permian Basin through 2030. Wind and solar developments are also diversifying the Permian Basin, putting it on the map as a critical energy provider for the future. West Texas is seeing an explosion in economic activity as other industries such as ¿nance, construction, healthcare, digital technology, transportation, real estate, and public sector jobs grow alongside it. In addition, UTPB is working with many community partners, the three large comprehensive hospitals, the soon-to-be constructed Behavioral Health Center, a national model for improving community health, and a collaboration with Texas Tech Medical School to build a pipeline of future medical professionals.

The Permian Basin also is home to a vibrant healthcare community. With the regional growth comes a high demand and need for additional healthcare, including expanding current healthcare partnerships, plans to build a behavioral health facility, and enormous collaborative and financial support from organizations such as the Permian Strategic Partnership,and other local foundations. PSP and other partners have funded over $24 million for our healthcare programs. The University is in the strategic planning process now to map out a comprehensive health sciences plan for the next decade, which will include potential new programs and a new Health Sciences complex as part of an exciting community development at our Midland campus. This development is expected to include regional expansion of hospital and academic medical campus facilities, a regional trauma center, and new behavioral health facilities. UTPB will be one of the primary providers of health care workers for this exciting community health care expansion. As the only major university in the Permian Basin, UTPB is positioned to be its academic center, providing leadership and skilled professionals across all of the region’s prominent and growing industries.

The College

Healthcare careers are in high demand in the Permian Basin as well as throughout the nation. The College of Health Sciences offers a variety of degrees in disciplines that contribute to interprofessional health teams. By focusing on providing high-quality, safe, and patient-centered care, students develop valuable skills, knowledge, and passion for improving overall health and quality-of-life of those in their care.

The College is home to the School of Nursing, Department of Community and Family Health, Department of Human Performance (Athletic Training and Exercise Science), Department of Social Work, and the Center for Interprofessional and Experiential Learning, including the Midland Health Simulation and Learning Resource Center. Nursing and Social Work degree programs are fully accredited, and accreditation is being sought for the Master of Science in Athletic Training and the new Master of Social Work. In addition, we plan to add Psychology and Biology to strengthen the pre-health programs including behavioral and mental health sciences.

College Facilities

Through a growing partnership with Midland Health, the simulation lab is now known as the Midland Health Simulation and Learning Resource Center. Midland Health's generous support has ensured that technology and training will be available for students learning new skills, as well as practicing nurses and professionals who continue their lifelong learning as new technology develops. The Midland Health Simulation Center has a 7-bay design, including a fully equipped Emergency Department room, multiple control rooms, standardized patient lounge, reception, and coordinator office. There is a large debriefing room, an electronic medical record room, and a fully equipped Family and Community Health simulation suite. The Center holds state-of-the-art equipment including low- to high-fidelity mannequins, an Anatomage table for 3D, layered visualization of human anatomy, and advanced simulation mannequins, all situated in a learning center that mimics clinical and acute care venues. Simulation provides a safe environment, critical for education health professionals to apply classroom knowledge. Students also can extend their knowledge to simulated application, developing confidence and competence that are implemented at hospitals and other external venues.

The D. Kirk Edwards Family Human Performance Center is a state-of-the-art facility with classrooms, lab space, and technology necessary to give UT Permian Basin students and athletes the best tools to excel. "The Kirk" officially opened its doors in fall 2021. At a total project cost of $37 million, the building covers 63,717 square feet. The Kirk is home to the College of Health Sciences and features several labs including athletic training education, exercise physiology, biomechanics, clinical skills, rehab, body composition, and bone densitometry. It also features faculty offices, the Jimmie B. Todd Academic Wing, a high-tech auditorium, enviable athletic locker rooms, full-scale gym, state of the art equipment, and much more. The facility never fails to strike awe in those who visit, while providing a top-notch practice facility to students preparing for health discipline practice, and excellent overall research and teaching environment. In addition, we have more than 5,000 square feet mental health facilities including Social, Cognitive, Health, Developmental, Sports, Counseling, and Clinical Psychology.

• Terminal Degree in Health, Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences, a related applied science, or equivalent field from a regionally accredited institution.
• Progressive academic and administrative or professional experience with significant accomplishments, including credentials that qualify for a faculty position at the rank of Professor or equivalent executive-level experience served in professional institutions.
• Success in attracting, recruiting, retaining, and evaluating faculty and staff consistent with the highest standards of scholarship.
• Experience in building successful, productive administration-faculty relationships and shared decision-making
• Success in leading programs to accreditation and maintaining the accreditation standards relevant to the Dean of Health Sciences and Health Performance, for example, Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), or Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE) and others.
• Experienced in developing/restructuring interdisciplinary research and academic programs.
• Solid Track record in meeting the Institution's mission concerning enrollment, graduation, and research.

Required Application Materials

1. Cover Letter
2. Résumé or CV
3. List of References
4. Unofficial Transcripts

Conditions of Employment

1. The job description is not a complete list of all responsibilities and duties performed by employees. Employees may perform other related duties as assigned by their immediate supervisor.
2. Employment is subject to an introductory period to monitor employee performance.
3. Once hired, the prospective employee must present documentation within three (3) days of the hire date to establish their identity and employment eligibility as required by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Applicants must be able to show proof of eligibility to work in the United States by time of hire. UTPB participates in e-Verify.
4. Employees must be able and willing to travel and perform duties away from campus as necessary and must be able to operate a licensed motor vehicle, have access to a dependable motor vehicle, and possess a valid state driver’s license. Must have and maintain a satisfactory driver’s record.
5. Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.
6. UT Permian Basin is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action 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.

Schedule

Generally, the normal work hours for the university are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 – 5:30 pm; Friday, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm with a one-hour lunch. The individual holding this position may need to be available early morning, evening, and on weekends to meet the needs of the department. Hours worked may differ with some departments.

Standard Working Conditions

1. Able to lift various materials up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis.
2. Able to bend, crouch, and reach continuously.
3. Physically able remain seated, frequently to continuously.
4. Able to remain standing up to 15% of the time.
5. Possesses dexterity abilities required to perform job duties including extensive keyboard work, operating office equipment, performing filing, and other job-related responsibilities that include extensive wrist and hand movement.
6. Standard working conditions may differ depending on department and occupation

University Benefits

1. UT Permian Basin offers an excellent compensation package including heath, retirement, & fringe benefits for eligible employees.
2. Coverage includes medical, prescriptions, life insurance, AD&D, and matching retirement provided by UTPB.
3. You may also be eligible to add dental, vision, family coverage, & flex-spending accounts, additional retirement, and a few other coverages as options too.
4. Fringe benefits include tuition reimbursement (after one year of service), wellness breaks, employee assistant program (EAP), and meal deals, among other perks and discounts!
5. Our benefits package, along with an ample leave policy, make for a great total compensation package.

About the University

The University of Texas Permian Basin is located in Odessa, Texas. It was authorized by the Texas Legislature in 1969 and founded in 1973. The Permian Basin is one of the fastest-growing, culturally vibrant, economically invigorated regions of the country – full of industry, culture, and wide-open spaces. At the academic heart of this area sits The University of Texas Permian Basin – which every year, delivers smart, savvy leaders across the U.S.

As a regional, comprehensive institution, The University of Texas Permian Basin serves a diverse community of students from the region, the state, and beyond. Through excellence in student-centered teaching, learning, research, and public service, the University cultivates engaged citizens and impacts lives while advancing the technology and public interests of West Texas.

The University of Texas Permian Basin

UT Permian Basin takes great pride in being part of The University of Texas System, known for its exceptional academic success, breakthrough research, and an international reputation for excellence and innovation. It includes 13 educational institutions throughout the state, including eight universities and five health institutions.

Home to over 7,400 enrolled students, UT Permian Basin bene¿ts from the vast resources and support of the world-renowned University of Texas System yet is lean enough to foster a connected, tight-knit community while remaining ¿nancially accessible to any student. With an unwavering commitment to students, a strategic approach to designing higher education, and the resources to ensure academic success, UTPB is set to nurture the leaders who will go on to shape the future of West Texas and the nation.

Each year over 250 teaching faculty deliver a highly educated and savvy workforce back into the communities of the Permian Basin and across the nation. UTPB offers 36 baccalaureate degree programs and 20 master’s degree programs in the arts and sciences, business, engineering, education, and health and human performance—and the University continues to grow.

UTPB is committed to meaningful faculty and student research. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) helps students and faculty find and secure grants to finance their academic and research efforts. The Research, Scholarly and Creative Activity (RSCA) program is an internal grant program administered by the ORSP to encourage eligible full-time faculty to develop individual projects leading to the pursuit of external funding sources and the promotion of research, scholarly, and creative activities in all disciplines. Research centers include the Biomedical Research Center, Cyber Center, Nancy Fyfe Cardozier Gallery, Natural Resource Center, Roden Center for Entrepreneurship, Small Business Development Center, Texas Water and Energy Institute, and the Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board recognized UT Permian Basin as the ¿rst public university in the state to implement AVID strategies at the post-secondary level. The University offers dual credit courses that serves remote school districts using a blended online and
in-person arrangement and online dual credit courses available to schools throughout the state of Texas.

UT Permian Basin also offers residential, commuter, and on-line educational opportunities. Designated a Hispanic Serving Institution (HIS), almost half of UTPB’s student population identi¿es as Hispanic. UTPB is also designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI). About half of the students at UTPB are ¿rst-generation college students.

In addition to its accredited and prestigious academic programs, the University boasts beautiful, state-of-the-art facilities that attract more than just the student population to its campus. The Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center is ranked as one of the top performing arts centers in the world and #1 in Texas for university-based centers. With a gorgeous exterior design referencing local geology and open sky themes, the facility is a source of pride for the campus and surrounding communities of Midland and Odessa. It is committed to providing various local and national acts to attract visitors of all income levels, ages, and artistic tastes. The $81 million facility and USITT Merit Award Recipient for excellence in architecture hosts over 150 scheduled shows a year, ranging from Broadway and ballet to comedy and country music.

The campus is growing. The UT Permian Basin Engineering Building opened in 2019. The D. Kirk Edwards Family Human Performance Center opened in 2020. The busy Student Activity Center is the heart of campus life, offering group meeting and study spaces, hang out spots, food, and ¿tness.

Football is more than a beloved pastime in the Permian Basin. As the home of Friday Night Lights, football is written into our history and runs deep in the hearts of West Texans. The growing football and marching band program, coupled with a larger cheer and dance squad, is attracting new students excited about building new traditions at UTPB. UTPB football won the Lonestar Championship in 2023.

UT Permian Basin provides outstanding experiences for students and area residents by setting the standard for cooperation with surrounding communities via programs, events, and learning opportunities.

UTPB Values

Value Statement

• Extra Mile Service starts with an attitude of “yes,” enables flexibility to go above and beyond, and is proactive in finding solutions.
• Kindhearted means being nice, positive, friendly, and respectful; being generous with your gifts and talents; and investing in the success and well-being of others.
• Integrity means doing right, even when no one else is looking; being forthright in your intentions, words, and actions; and being honest, honorable, and trustworthy.
• Collaboration is a big tent mentality, being a partner who embraces and considers diverse perspectives and always being aware of and pursuing positive collective impact.
• Innovation inspired by curiosity, adaptability, and responsiveness; embracing the wildcatter spirit to be the solution.

Though people from all over the country call the Permian Basin home, there’s no shortage of southern hospitality. Neighboring cities Midland and Odessa are known for their laid-back, inviting communities that people around the country have come to associate with Texas towns. It’s not all cowboys and the wild west in the Permian Basin. The two cities combined make for a thriving metropolis, home to 300,000 people, with plenty to do and see in the growing region – from a great variety of restaurants, museums, and theatres, to hiking, hunting, and enjoying the area’s natural wonders.

Highlights:

• Only a four to five-hour drive to the great city of Dallas and the State Capital of Austin.
• Midland International Airport provides convenient air travel as well.
• Outdoor enthusiasts will find an essential stop at the I-20 Wildlife Preserve and Jenna Welch Nature Study Center. The 99-acre preserve is centered on a playa wetland and has a 2.4 mile trail system with an ADA-assessable trail loop, a 24-foot hawk observation tower, butterfly gardens, and feeding stations. A boardwalk that coasts for over 2,000 feet just above the wetlands with seven bird blinds is the perfect walk for birdwatchers. Just don’t forget your binoculars!
• History buffs will enjoy seeing the first bell that hung at the Alamo at the Haley Library and History Center, as well as President George Bush’s childhood home.
• The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum boasts the world’s most extensive collection of antique oil drilling equipment, but it also has a gallery featuring minerals from around the globe and a Chaparral Race Car Gallery.
• If the Texas night sky isn’t celestial enough, book a star party at the Marian Blakemore Planetarium, home to a state-of-the-art Spitz SciDome HD Projector, one of the few in the world.
• There’s no shortage of nightlife, music festivals, art galleries, and ballet. If you love Broadway shows, you’ll want to frequent the stunning Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center owned by the University.
• The area is home to minor league baseball, hockey, and football teams.
• If you come with an appetite, you’re in the right place. Midland/Odessa is a hub for local culinary arts and cuisine.
• Texans ¿ock to Odessa for their annual Beer and Wine Festival and Summer Evening Concert Series that aren’t to be missed.
• The Permian Basin is the perfect starting point for the great American road trip; there’s so much to explore within a three-hour radius. Head west toward the border of New Mexico to explore the limestone caves at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Head south near the border of Mexico for hiking, biking, canoeing, or an extended camping trip within the gorgeous river canyons at Big Bend National Park. Even another country and cultures are waiting for you to explore three hours away if your passport is updated and ready to go.
• The Permian Basin has so much to offer in and around its one-of-a-kind location.

Our vision is that the University of Texas Permian Basin will be an innovative, responsive university that thinks large and lives local. We will lead in advancing education, research, economic competitiveness, and cultural enrichment.