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Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) selected by Vanderbilt University School of Nursing for Senior Associate Dean of Research Search

(August 5, 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 for Research in the School of Nursing at Vanderbilt University. Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, will be leading the search.

The Senior Associate Dean for Research (SADR) will join the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing (VUSN), a nationally recognized leader in nursing research, education, practice, informatics, and scholarship, at a moment of transformation and momentum. Reporting to the VUSN Dean, the SADR will provide strategic leadership and direction for the growth of the School of Nursing’s research and scholarship programs. In addition to maintaining an active, externally funded research program as a principal investigator, the Senior Associate Dean also directs both the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program and the CRDS. The next SADR will have a rare opportunity to expand the school’s research enterprise, build and amplify its national leadership in nursing science, and shape the next generation of nurse scholars. With a legacy of innovation since 1908, Vanderbilt School of Nursing (VUSN) has long been a national leader in shaping the future of nursing education and practice. The school pioneered multiple entry points to advanced nursing degrees including one of the first accelerated MSN pathways, and today enrolls over 800 students (including MSN, DNP, and PhD) across 12 specialties. VUSN’s programs are consistently ranked among the best in the nation, with the MSN program ranked #4 and the DNP program currently ranked #17 by U.S. News & World Report. The school is also home to one of the country’s most extensive faculty practice networks, providing care to underserved communities through clinical partnerships.

Vanderbilt University is a globally recognized private research institution located in the heart of Nashville, Tennessee. Home to 10 schools including top-ranked programs in nursing, education, law, business, medicine, and divinity, Vanderbilt fosters a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment where faculty and students address complex challenges facing health, society, and culture. Vanderbilt offers a uniquely supportive environment for research, fueled by deep institutional commitment from the Chancellor and Provost. Their strategic investment in research growth is evident across the university, particularly within the School of Nursing, where interprofessional partnerships and a revitalized leadership team are driving momentum. The Dean, an accomplished scholar and mentor, has fostered a culture of inquiry and innovation, providing faculty with the resources they need to succeed, including generous start-up packages, protected time for research, and structured mentorship.

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/.