NM - Associate Dean of Academic Affairs - School of Health Professions
Join Our Team: Where We Belong
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs & MSBS Program Director
Burrell College School of Health Professions (BCSHP) Las Cruces, New Mexico
Shape the Future of Health Professions Education
The Burrell College School of Health Professions (BCSHP) invites applications for the inaugural position of Associate Dean of Academic Affairs (ADAA) and Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) Program Director. This is a unique leadership opportunity for an accomplished academic administrator and educator to help build and advance innovative health professions education while launching a new graduate program that will prepare future healthcare professionals for success.
Reporting directly to the Dean, the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs serves as the School's senior academic officer and provides strategic leadership for academic programs, curriculum, assessment, accreditation, faculty development, and academic policy. Simultaneously, the successful candidate will lead the development, implementation, and ongoing management of the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences (MSBS) program on the Las Cruces campus.
This position offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact on a growing institution dedicated to excellence, innovation, and student success.
About the Role
As a member of the School Leadership Council, the ADAA plays a central role in shaping academic strategy and ensuring educational excellence across all BCSHP programs. The position works closely with academic leaders throughout the Burrell College community, including faculty, program directors, department chairs, and colleagues in the Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCSOM).
During the development and launch phase of the MSBS program, approximately 70% of effort will be devoted to Program Director responsibilities and 30% to Associate Dean responsibilities. Once the program becomes fully operational, the anticipated workload distribution will transition to approximately 60% Associate Dean and 40% Program Director responsibilities.
Key Responsibilities
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
The Associate Dean will provide leadership and oversight for all academic affairs functions within the School of Health Professions, including:
Academic planning, curriculum oversight, instructional quality, and student learning assessment
School-wide curricular governance and cross-program curriculum development
Leadership of curriculum and outcomes assessment initiatives to support continuous quality improvement
Accreditation readiness and compliance for institutional and programmatic accreditation activities
Academic support and guidance for Program Directors and faculty
Faculty recruitment, onboarding, development, evaluation, and advancement
Leadership of the Office of Academic Affairs, including Accreditation and Program Effectiveness, Medical Education, and Faculty Development
Development and implementation of academic policies and procedures
Strategic planning, institutional effectiveness reporting, and budget management
Collaboration with BCSOM leadership to support shared educational initiatives and student success efforts
Chairing the Curriculum Oversight Council and participating in institutional governance
MSBS Program Director
The Program Director will lead the creation and growth of the Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences program, including:
Designing and launching the MSBS curriculum
Developing courses, program policies, and student assessment plans
Supporting Higher Learning Commission (HLC) substantive change and approval processes
Coordinating shared educational experiences with the School of Medicine
Building pathways into medical and other health professions programs
Working collaboratively with Admissions, Financial Aid, and the Registrar to recruit and enroll students
Monitoring student progress and coordinating academic support services
Recruiting, mentoring, supervising, and evaluating program faculty and staff
Managing program operations and budget
Collecting and reporting program outcomes and effectiveness data
Leading ongoing program assessment, review, and continuous improvement efforts
Ideal Candidate
The successful candidate will be a collaborative academic leader who brings a passion for student success and educational innovation. They will demonstrate expertise in curriculum design, assessment, accreditation, faculty development, and academic program leadership.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Higher education academic administration and leadership
Curriculum design, mapping, implementation, and evaluation
Student learning outcomes assessment and data-informed decision-making
Regional and programmatic accreditation processes
Faculty development and instructional excellence
New academic program development and implementation
Budget planning and resource management
Faculty and staff supervision
Strategic planning and change management
Strong interpersonal, communication, and relationship-building skills
Effective problem-solving and sound decision-making abilities
Experience working collaboratively across departments and locations
Required Qualifications
Terminal degree (PhD, EdD, DSc, or equivalent)
Academic rank of Associate Professor or higher
Minimum of five years of experience in higher education
Demonstrated familiarity with institutional and programmatic accreditation standards and processes
Preferred Qualifications
Experience in medical education or health professions education
Experience with curriculum development and outcomes assessment
Experience developing, launching, or directing a graduate academic program
Experience leading interdisciplinary teams and academic initiatives
Why Burrell College?
At Burrell College, we are committed to creating innovative educational opportunities that address healthcare workforce needs and improve the health of our communities. Joining our team means becoming part of a mission-driven institution where collaboration, innovation, and student success are at the center of everything we do.
This is an exceptional opportunity to help shape a growing School of Health Professions while establishing a new graduate program that will prepare future healthcare professionals for meaningful careers.
We invite visionary academic leaders to join us in advancing health professions education and making a lasting impact on the future of healthcare.
The selected candidate will support Burrell College’s organizational health initiatives, focusing on enhancing leadership, promoting clarity of purpose, improving communication, and reinforcing a respectful, purpose-driven culture. This role is key to fostering a healthy, high-performing organization that values integrity, transparency, and collaboration. Burrell College Org Health
For more information, please visit: www.burrell.edu
Our Work Opportunities Page: https://burrell.edu/administrative-services/human-resources/work-opportunities/
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
NOTE: Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
The Burrell College of Health Sciences is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity and inclusion among our faculty, staff, and students. We prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, and more. Individuals with varied backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply. The selected candidate will subscribe to and support our commitment to the College’s Mission.
Burrell College campuses and facilities are drug and tobacco free and comply with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA). Employees and students shall not be involved with the unlawful use of controlled substances and/or illicit drugs.About Las Cruces, NM:
Las Cruces is the second largest city in New Mexico and is located in the southern part of the state at the crossroads of I-10 and I-25. Less than an hour from El Paso, Las Cruces is the mid-point between San Diego, CA and Dallas, TX. Las Cruces is in the Chihuahuan Desert, in the heart of the fertile Mesilla Valley, between the majestic Organ Mountains and the illustrious Rio Grande – the lands and waters that sustain us.
Boasting an average of 320 days of sunshine per year and situated at an elevation of 3,900 feet above sea level, Las Cruces is an ideal year-round destination, home to a rich culture and history, vibrant art and music scene, ideal weather for an abundance of outdoor activities, and authentic cuisine made from recipes passed down through the generations.