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University of North Texas Health Science Center Selects Harris Search Associates to Lead Dean of the School of Public Health Search

(March 2022) The University of North Texas Health Science Center has selected higher education executive search firm Harris Search Associates to lead the search for its next Dean of the School of Public Health.

Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean in collaboration with the Office of the Provost and internal/external leaders, will advance a future-oriented vision for the School of Public Health as a preeminent institution of public health education, research and practice. They will be a recognized thought leader in academic public health with considerable experience in community engagement and policy impact at the local, state, and national levels.

The Dean serves as the chief administrative officer for SPH. In this capacity the Dean oversees development, implementation, and evaluation of SPH’s mission and goals. As the chief administrative officer the Dean will work to cultivate a high-performing leadership team, guided by HSC values, and focused on strategic objectives and key results.

The Dean is responsible for high-quality academic programs and faculty research. In support of both the academic programs and faculty research, the Dean will advance effective faculty recruitment, retention, and development efforts. Further, the Dean will work to implement strategies to advance SPH diversity, equity, and inclusion. In order to maximize academic programs, the Dean will foster innovation related to education of Public Health students, such as high quality online educational programs.

Established in 1999, the SPH has 30 faculty members, 23 staff members, and approximately 325 students. The school’s annual operating budget for FY2022 is $5,414,856, with an additional $3,290,921 in revenue from grants and contracts. A large proportion of the external funding was from NIH. The School offers the following degrees: Master of Public Health (MPH), Master of Health Administration (MHA), Master of Science (MS) in Public Health Sciences with two separate concentrations in Epidemiology and Health Behavior Research.  Also offered is the PhD in Public Health Sciences with two separate concentrations in Epidemiology and Health Behavior Research, as well as numerous dual degree programs, many of which represent partnerships with HSC’s clinical schools and colleges. The school also offers graduate certificate programs in Public Health and Healthcare Administration.

Minimum Qualifications

A terminal degree, such as PhD, DrPH, DS, MD, DO or equivalent, and academic experience in a recognized and accredited School of Public Health.

A demonstrated results-oriented leader who has the ability and poise to develop and implement a strategy to create a world-class School of Public Health.

Understanding of the current and emerging issues in public health in education, research and service and how they potentially will impact the mission and goals of the School and HSC.

A collaborative leader who is committed to fostering an interdisciplinary research environment and interdisciplinary educational initiatives

Ability to establish a vision of the future that motivates optimal productivity and collaborations within the school and the institution.

History of substantial and consistent extramural research funding in public health, with expertise in health disparities research

Scholarly activity and educational achievement commensurate for appointment as a tenured full professor in the School of Public Health.

Prior experience in an academic or equivalent administrative environment, preferable at an accredited School of Public Health.

Demonstrated ability to communicate and work with others within and outside the organization.

Demonstrated ability to schedule and set priorities for self and others, handle multiple concurrent activities, work within a budget, manage projects and people, meet deadlines and get positive results.

Leadership that has exhibited a proactive, results-oriented stand towards achieving outcomes in complicated, changing, multifaceted environments.

Preferred Qualifications

National and international reputation in public health.

A management style that encourages collegiality, teamwork, participation, communication, mentoring, and service orientation.

Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, excellent writing proficiency, professional appearance, and an executive demeanor.

Ability to delegate responsibility to senior subordinates allowing them to identify the ways and means to accomplish specific operational goals and objectives.

Leadership skills as characterized by one who possesses a broad vision of the future of health and assertiveness in taking risks and presenting and selling ideas while at the same time, possessing a mature sensitivity to the values and expectations of others.

Demonstrated commitment to diversity and excellence of student teaching and learning.

UNTHSC is located in the heart of Fort Worth’s Cultural District on a 33-acre campus immediately adjacent to nationally recognized museums, the Will Rogers Memorial Center campus, and the 14,000 seat Dickies Arena. With almost 2,300 students and over 300 faculty, UNTHSC is a comprehensive academic medical center awarding over 700 medical, doctoral, masters, and professional degrees annually. It is a leader in innovative, interprofessional training, collaboration, and interdisciplinary research that generates over $40 million of external research funding yearly.

Harris Search Associates – an IIC Partners member firm, is a leading global higher education executive search and board advisory consulting firm with 44 offices in 33 countries worldwide.  Our higher education executive search practice is focused on identifying and attracting leaders to support the growth of clients in the areas of research, science, engineering, academic medicine, and healthcare enterprises. Clients include the foremost universities, research parks, institutes, academic medical centers, and healthcare organizations driving global innovation and discovery.

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