Dean, College of Health and Behavioral Sciences
Conway, Arkansas
The University of Central Arkansas invites applications and nominations for Dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences (CHBS). As UCA’s largest academic college by declared majors and a leading contributor to Arkansas’s healthcare and behavioral health workforce, CHBS offers an exceptional opportunity for an accomplished and entrepreneurial academic leader.
With more than 3,000 declared majors, a broad portfolio of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, dedicated faculty, innovative clinical facilities, and strong community partnerships, the college is well positioned for its next chapter. UCA seeks a dean who will expand enrollment, strengthen academic and clinical capacity, develop new partnerships, and extend the college’s impact across Arkansas and beyond.
About the College
CHBS includes Communication Sciences and Disorders; Exercise and Sport Science; Health Sciences; Military Science and Leadership; Nutrition and Family Sciences; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; Psychology and Counseling; and the School of Nursing.
The college’s facilities include the Integrated Health Sciences Building, Nabholz Center for Healthcare Simulation, Interprofessional Teaching Center, Community Care Clinic, and Speech-Language-Hearing Center. These resources support interdisciplinary education, clinical preparation, research, and community service.
Position Responsibilities
Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the dean serves as the college’s chief academic and administrative officer. Responsibilities encompass academic programs, faculty and staff, budgets and resource planning, personnel processes, assessment, specialized accreditation, clinical operations and partnerships, enrollment and student outcomes, scholarship, advancement, and community engagement.
The next dean will advance a strategic vision aligned with UCA 2035, strengthen recruitment and retention, develop sustainable academic and clinical capacity, expand external partnerships, and support faculty research and external funding.
Required Qualifications
An earned doctorate in a discipline within or closely related to the college, together with a record of teaching, research, and scholarly achievement meriting appointment as a tenured full professor in one of its academic units.
Demonstrated academic leadership and progressively responsible administrative experience at the department chair, school director, associate dean, dean, or comparable level.
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred qualifications include demonstrated strengths in resource management, fundraising, shared governance, faculty and staff development, student success, interdisciplinary collaboration, and research. Candidates should bring knowledge of clinical and professional programs, accreditation, clinical operations, enrollment management, and faculty personnel processes.
UCA seeks an approachable, collaborative leader who communicates effectively, builds trust, demonstrates professional integrity, and uses data to guide strategy, program development, and resource allocation.
About the University
Founded in 1907 and located in Conway, UCA is a comprehensive public university committed to teaching, scholarship, student success, and service to Arkansas. Fall 2026 enrollment totaled almost 9,500 students, representing all 75 Arkansas counties, 48 states, and 63 countries. Its Central Arkansas location provides access to the Little Rock metropolitan region and a broad network of clinical, educational, nonprofit, and industry partners.
Application Process
Applicants should submit a letter of interest, full résumé/CV, and contact information for at least five references directly to Parker Executive Search. References will not be contacted without prior permission.
Review of materials begins immediately and continues until the appointment is made. Applications and nominations should preferably be submitted before Monday, January 25, 2027.
For additional information, please contact:
Parker Executive Search
Porsha Williams, Vice President and Managing Director, Higher Education
Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal
Scott Gaffney, Associate
(770) 804-1996 ext. 111
pwilliams@parkersearch.com | janderson@parkersearch.com | sgaffney@parkersearch.com
View the full position description and application instructions.
The search will be conducted in accordance with the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.
The University of Central Arkansas is an equal opportunity institution.