College of Health Sciences Dean
The University of Kentucky (UK) invites nominations, inquiries and applications for visionary, collaborative and ambitious leaders to serve as the next College of Health Sciences (CHS) Dean. UK’s College of Health Sciences stands at the forefront of interdisciplinary education, groundbreaking research and impactful community partnerships. Reporting directly to the provost, this dean’s position offers an opportunity to guide one of the university’s most important academic units at a pivotal moment in its growth, as it strengthens ties across health disciplines, enhances educational infrastructure and expands its role in the Commonwealth’s health ecosystem.
The College of Health Sciences is dedicated to educating frontline, entry-level practitioners for its health science disciplines, as well as the clinical, educational and research leaders of tomorrow. Its mission is to address health challenges facing communities and populations, particularly in Kentucky, through teaching, research and service. To that end, CHS offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as minor and certificate options, and a Ph.D. program in Rehabilitation and Health Sciences, to more than 1,700 undergraduate and graduate students. It is divided into five departments — Athletic Training and Clinical Nutrition, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Health and Clinical Sciences, Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant Studies.
The new dean will take on this responsibility, equipped to succeed. The college is set to be a key occupant of the Michael D. Rankin MD Health Education Building (RHEB), a 520,000-plus-square-foot facility currently under construction and scheduled for completion in 2027. RHEB will house four colleges — Health Sciences, Medicine, Nursing and Public Health — alongside the Center for Interprofessional and Community Health Education. This interdisciplinary environment is designed to stimulate further student growth in alignment with the state’s health care workforce needs, foster collaboration across disciplines, modernize health training programs and expand clinical simulation capabilities.
The successful candidate will be an experienced, entrepreneurial, creative and collaborative leader with a deep appreciation for the scholarly and practical importance of the disciplines and professions within the College of Health Sciences. The dean will be committed to developing and promoting the gateway to the health sciences.
Required Professional Qualifications and Personal Qualities
• Ph.D. or equivalent degree.
• Nationally recognized achievement in academic pursuits that would warrant appointment as a tenured, full professor.
• Progressive and broad academic administrative leadership experience arising from a senior-level administrative role such as department chair, center director, associate dean or dean.
• Evidence of innovation in the classroom with demonstrated undergraduate and graduate teaching excellence.
• Distinguished record of extramural funding and scholarship aligned with the College of Health Sciences’ robust program in research and scholarship.
• Ability to build partnerships and collaborate with external stakeholders, government agencies and health science partners to support the tri-part mission of teaching, research and service.
The full position profile can be accessed at https://greenwoodsearch.com/current-opportunities/
APPLICATION AND NOMINATION PROCESS
Greenwood Asher & Associates® is assisting UK in this search. Applications and nominations are now being accepted. Inquiries, nominations, and application materials should be directed to Greenwood Asher & Associates. Application materials should include:
• A letter of interest that clearly states the applicant’s qualifications for the role
• A current résumé/curriculum vitae
It is strongly encouraged to submit application materials as PDF attachments. The search will be conducted with a commitment of confidentiality for all candidates until finalists are selected. Initial screening of applications will begin immediately and will continue until an appointment is made. For best consideration, applications and nominations should be provided by December 7, 2025.
Please direct inquiries, nominations, and application materials to:
Julie Schrodt, Senior Executive Search Consultant
E-mail: julieschrodt@greenwoodsearch.com
Jeremy Duff, Vice President for Executive Search
E-mail: jeremyduff@greenwoodsearch.com
The University of Kentucky is committed to a policy of providing opportunities to people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.