The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) invites inquiries, nominations and applications for the position of dean of the UCLA Joe C. Wen School of Nursing. Founded in 1949, the school prepares nurses and scholars to lead and transform nursing care in a rapidly changing, diverse and complex health care environment through academic excellence, innovative research, superior clinical practice, strong community partnerships and global initiatives. Research and scholarship aimed at advancing nursing science are critical components of the school’s mission. The school has 84 faculty and 452 students (239 at the graduate level) and offers B.S., M.S.N., D.N.P. and Ph.D. degree programs as well as a certificate program in mental health. In addition to teaching and research, the school has taken advantage of its location in the large and vibrant city of Los Angeles to make its outreach program a model in the field.
As the chief executive and academic officer for the school, the dean provides strategic vision for and operational leadership of the school, which has an annual operating budget of approximately $24 million. The dean works to advance scholarship, education and civic engagement; encourage distinctive programmatic innovation; enhance inclusive excellence in educational programs and faculty and student recruitment; and link the work of the school’s faculty and students to other disciplines, communities and interests within and outside of the academy. Supporting the university’s research mission, the dean will advance the faculty’s scholarly activities, including opportunities afforded by interdisciplinary approaches. The dean serves as the school’s public voice, articulating its contributions to local, state, regional, national and international communities, and pursuing an ambitious development program to build the school’s resources. The dean serves on the executive vice chancellor and provost’s deans council and the UCLA council of professional school deans, collaborating with leadership across UCLA and the UC system, as well as with the dean of life sciences; representatives from affiliated institutions; and local, national and international leaders in nursing. As a member of UCLA’s health sciences council, the dean collaborates with the senior vice chancellor for health sciences and the deans of dentistry, medicine and public health in the creation of increased opportunities for education, research and practice across UCLA Health and throughout the health professions.
We seek a visionary leader to build upon the school’s traditions of excellence and community engagement. The ideal candidate will be nationally recognized with demonstrated leadership and substantial administrative experience; strong scholarly visibility within the nursing research community; experience as an innovator, ambassador and partner in collaborating with leaders from various institutional and community sectors; and the capacity to exercise policy leadership at the local, state, national and international levels. Minimum requirements include a strong commitment to research, teaching and public service; administrative leadership experience at a research university; a record of distinguished scholarly accomplishment; demonstrated intellectual leadership in the area of nursing; proven success in — or aptitude for — external and alumni relations and development; an established record of advancing inclusive excellence; and credentials that merit appointment at the rank of full professor.
With its 419-acre campus in Westwood, UCLA Downtown in the city’s historic core and the UCLA Research Park under development in West L.A., UCLA is enriched by the cultural diversity of the dynamic greater Los Angeles area, as well as the geographic advantages of Southern California. One of the world’s preeminent public research universities, UCLA is an international leader in breadth and quality of academic, research, health care, wellness, cultural, continuing education and athletic programs, with more than 6,807 faculty members who teach approximately 49,000 students in the UCLA College and 12 professional schools. UCLA is consistently ranked among the top institutions nationally for research funding, having generated more than $1.6 billion in research grants and contracts in the last fiscal year alone.
Confidential review of applications, nominations and expressions of interest will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. Address nominations, inquiries and applications to our Isaacson, Miller consultants David Bellshaw, Carley Davenport and Rafael Escobedo via the Isaacson, Miller website. To be ensured full consideration, please submit a letter of interest and curriculum vitae by January 8, 2027.
The anticipated annual salary range for this position is $475,000 – $595,000, commensurate with related experience and qualifications. UCLA offers an inspiring higher education environment and excellent benefits. Learn more about the University of California and UCLA
The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.