PRESS RELEASES

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) selected by the University of South Florida for Senior Associate Dean of Graduate Nursing Search

(October 31, 2025, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, has been selected to recruit the next Senior Associate Dean of Graduate Nursing Search at the University of South Florida. Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search.

Reporting directly to the Dean, the Senior Associate Dean will serve as the operational head of graduate programs, providing vision, strategic direction, and driving programmatic excellence. The ideal candidate will be an experienced faculty mentor and program developer who brings strong business acumen to connect enrollment, revenue, and sustainability. This entrepreneurial role offers the opportunity to lead and expand master’s and DNP programs, develop innovative offerings beyond the traditional nurse practitioner focus, and mentor faculty in a well-resourced, high-growth environment. With strong clinical partnerships, robust simulation resources, and a supportive leadership team, the College provides a platform to shape the future of graduate nursing education in the Tampa Bay region and beyond.

The University of South Florida College of Nursing is a nationally recognized leader in nursing education, research, and clinical practice. Serving more than 2,400 students annually across bachelor’s, master’s, DNP, and PhD programs, the College is consistently ranked among the nation’s best—its Master of Science in Nursing program holds the No. 1 ranking among public Florida institutions and is ranked No. 23 nationally by U.S. News & World Report. With more than 1,000 clinical partners and over 110,000 clinical hours completed each year, students gain extensive real-world experience that drives strong outcomes, including NCLEX pass rates above state and national averages. Guided by its mission of excellence, innovation, inclusion, and respect, the College is advancing health care locally and globally, supported by a $33 million facility expansion—including a new simulation and learning center set to open in 2026—to prepare the next generation of nursing leaders.

Affordable Excellence

Academic Career & Executive Search, a higher education focused search firm, specializes in affordable excellence, providing perfectly matched candidates to institutions quickly and accurately. Their methodologies, based on frequent touchpoints, pinpoint ideal candidates with speed and meticulous care resulting in highly successful placements.

They offer flexible service/pricing levels for all positions, ensuring affordability. Contact Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, at 860-740-2600 or Jennifer@ACESrch.com, or visit https://acesrch.com/.