Overview
Northern Illinois University (NIU) seeks a dynamic, collaborative academic leader to serve as its next dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences. CHHS offers an impressive collection of programs to provide students with a multilayered understanding of the influences and impact of health and human sciences in society.
NIU is a high research (R2) and Carnegie-engaged institution that enrolls over 16,200 students,
and is home to more than 100 degree programs across seven colleges, in addition to a variety of programs that lead to undergraduate and graduate certificates. CHHS consists of five schools: Allied Health and Communicative Disorders, Family and Consumer Sciences, Health Studies, Interdisciplinary Health Professions and Nursing. Collectively, these schools house 23 programs — 13 of which hold external accreditation — and over 700 external practicum sites. The College is also home to the department of Military Science and the Fashion Merchandising program, as well as a growing and successful interdisciplinary Ph.D. program. Through its impressive array of programs, the college prepares leaders and practitioners who can enhance the lives of individuals, families
and communities, extending a foundational educational experience beyond the classroom and into
the community. Located in DeKalb, only one hour from Chicago, NIU’s CHHS is uniquely positioned to provide leadership in teaching, research, and practice in a range of settings from rural to urban.
Position Summary
The Dean will join NIU at an important moment in the history of the College, as the University is preparing to underscore the role of interdisciplinary study and technology to inform academic pursuits through a new Health Informatics Technology Center (HITC). As a center for this interdisciplinary exploration, the HITC will make possible exciting applications of state-of-the-art technology in the form of virtual patients and avatars as well as robotics and simulation.
The ideal candidate for this position is a visionary, strategic, and collaborative leader who is energized by the possibilities for health and human sciences in the 21st century. They will engage the faculty in rethinking educational formats as well as pursuing innovative partnerships with colleagues across the university.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The dean provides leadership in all aspects of the operation of the college and has ultimate responsibility for the following key objectives:
Developing a Unifying and Shared Vision for Academic Excellence
The dean will engage with faculty, staff and student leaders to develop and articulate a strategic vision for the College of Health and Human Sciences that will fortify existing programs through identifying new opportunities with external partners, maximizing the many strengths of the programs and addressing the challenges to assure excellence and promote innovation. This will advance NIU’s position within the region and, by so doing, position the college as a regional and state leader in health care education and encourage greater awareness of the value of health sciences and human development and family sciences across the university.
Strengthening and Supporting a Culture of Inclusive Excellence
The dean will be engaged in achieving NIU’s mission, vision and values regarding social justice, equity, diversity and inclusion, and will support processes for the hiring, development and retention of faculty and staff who reflect the diversity of NIU’s student population.
Leveraging the Promise of a New Health Informatics Technology Building NIU has recently begun the process of planning for a new building that will bring together dispersed health science programs, increasing opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in which the dean will play a
critical role in the conceptual phase with architects and the entire planning process for this new facility.
Enhancing Community Engagement and Resource Development
The college plays an integral role in supporting the future health care needs of DeKalb, the northern Illinois region and the state of Illinois. The dean will establish and strengthen mutually beneficial partnerships within the community to further the academic success of NIU’s students and faculty.
Fostering a Culture of Honesty, Transparency and Collaboration
The dean will embrace an inclusive, collaborative approach to leading the college and will foster a culture oftransparency and integrity. The dean will serve as an advocate for the college and as partner to other seniorleaders on campus to further NIU’s mission, vision and values.
