Career Center

With our institutional mission to transform lives, the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL) invites nominations and applications for the Dean of the College of Optometry. This is an exciting opportunity for a leader with a strong record as an educator and scholar to strategically guide the college.

As one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse campuses in Missouri, UMSL is committed to maintaining a climate where all students, faculty, staff, and visitors can explore their interests, refine their talents and flourish. Inclusive excellence is embedded in our strategic plan which focuses on actions to recruit and retain diverse students and employees and promote activities that encourage civil and constructive discourse, reasoned thought, and sustained dialogue in an environment of inclusion, respect and appreciation.

Qualifications
• The Dean should be an accomplished optometrist, well versed in full scope, broad based optometric care, have a record of successful leadership, and be sensitive to issues facing education, research and scholarship, and the provision of high quality clinical services in the rapidly changing optometric profession.
• The Dean should be eligible for licensure in the state of Missouri.
• The Dean should be able to work closely with the constituencies of the profession to promote the College and its activities while bringing experience in alumni relations and fundraising.
• The Dean should be an individual of integrative vision and action, one who facilitates creativity and productivity in all aspects of modern optometry, able to lead the College into new areas of optometric practice while maintaining an evidence-based understanding of medico-legal best practices in optometry.
• The Dean should evaluate and promote positive change, value diversity, and have strong skills in consensual management.
• The Dean must have an O.D. degree or equivalent, and a record of accomplishments commensurate with senior academic rank, broad based clinical and research understanding, and management success that will allow him/her to work as a mentor for faculty and students alike.
• The Dean should set through action the highest standards for honesty and integrity, ethics and values, scholarship, and clinical practice.

The University of Missouri-St. Louis is a public, metropolitan land-grant institution committed to basic and applied research, teaching and service with 17,000 students and 1,325 full and part-time faculty members. UMSL.edu. The College of Optometry includes a 4-year professional degree (O.D.) program and post-professional residency programs. optometry.umsl.edu.

For priority consideration, applicant materials and inquiries should be received prior to February 18, 2022. Applications should include:
• A detailed cover letter addressing how the candidate meets the qualifications for this position including their background and vision for the role as well as their alignment with the campus mission
• A current Curriculum Vitae
• An inclusive excellence statement reflecting the candidate’s understanding of, experience with, and ability to contribute to diverse and inclusive organizations, departments and classrooms.
• The names and contact information of three to six professional references from the candidate’s various professional roles. References will not be contacted without prior notification to the candidates.

Review of materials will begin February 18, 2022, and continue until an adequate pool is established, or until the appointment is made. Electronic submission strongly encouraged. umsl.edu/searches/optometry

Questions, inquiries or nominations may be submitted to: Roxanne Vandermause, PhD, RN, Dean, UMSL College of Nursing, vandermauserk@umsl.edu.

The University of Missouri-Saint Louis is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to excellence through diversity.