Career Center

The University of Pikeville, is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Dean of the Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO). Located in the heart of Appalachia, the University of Pikeville is committed to offering a broad liberal arts and health professions education. KYCO is fully accredited and received eight-year approval from the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) in 2020. The dean of the Kentucky College of Optometry shall be the chief executive officer for the optometry college. The dean shall be responsible for the development and administration of the optometric academic programs and policies in conjunction with the provost and president, and shall perform other such duties as the president or the board of trustees may direct from time to time. KYCO has the support of the Kentucky Optometric Association (KOA) and Kentucky Board of Optometric Examiners (KBOE).

This role is tasked with leading the faculty in determining and implementing the academic and clinical program necessary to maintain the college in the forefront of the profession. The dean leads the Kentucky College of Optometry and partners with the university’s office of advancement in activities devoted to fundraising. In doing so, the dean must articulate within and outside KYCO values and standards of the optometric profession. Within the University of Pikeville, the dean is the principle advocate for the Kentucky College of Optometry, ensuring that the needs of the faculty, the students, and the curriculum are fully considered in the making of university-wide decisions.

The Dean performs the following essential duties: 

• Serve as the chief executive officer for KYCO.
• Administer the preparation of materials and documentation required for continuing accreditation of the school by the Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE).
• Ensure that the academic and patient care missions of the college are accomplished.
• Oversee the process of developing and maintaining an evidence-based optometric curriculum.
• Provide leadership for recruiting and retaining highly qualified faculty, staff and students, including instructing in lecture and laboratory activities.
• Promote the college and university’s positive image, state-of-the-art facilities, and educational programs.
• Ensure the efficient administration of college matters pertaining to personnel, facilities, budget, equipment, and planning.
• Supervise the college’s service outreach throughout Appalachia, including underserved rural communities through activities such as providing patient care services, enhancing interdisciplinary and inter-professional collaborations, and developing and enhancing positive relationships with alumni, industry, and educational institutions and government agencies.

Required qualifications include:

1. Doctorate of Optometry from an ACOE accredited institution.
2. Must have outstanding optometric educator abilities and excellent organizational skills in previous positions.
3. A minimum four years of leadership experience as an academic program leader or dean at a school of optometry and/or a teaching hospital or clinic where optometry students practice clinical skills.
4. Must have the credentials to receive a faculty appointment at the college.
5. Must obtain a license to practice optometry within the Commonwealth of Kentucky within 12 months of appointment to the faculty.
6. Demonstrated leadership and administrative experience, abilities and qualities to manage academic and clinical programs at the professional doctoral level.
7. A history of demonstrating strong character, collegiality & outstanding integrity.
8. The ability to maintain a culture of positive collegiality, trust and hope.

Preferred qualifications include:

1. A record of developing and maintaining a progressive and productive environment that supports teaching, clinical practice, and research activities.
2. Postgraduate training (e.g., Clinical residency, Masters, Ph.D., or Ed.D.).
3. Understanding of and commitment to the pedagogy of classroom, laboratory and clinical education.
4. Comprehensive administrative skills, including communication, supervision and budget management.
5. And personal qualities of integrity, organization, enthusiasm and industriousness.

The University of Pikeville offers a competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. UPIKE offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, telemedicine, long-term disability, tuition waivers, a 403(b)-retirement plan, and HSA, FSA, & dependent care accounts. UPIKE also offers a generous holiday schedule and paid leave program.

Important Notes: Resume and other application materials will be reviewed to determine if you meet the required qualifications for the position. If it is determined that you meet the required qualifications, your application materials will be used to identify a top group of the most highly qualified candidates. Please, specifically address the qualifications, competencies and desired qualifications in your resume and application materials.

The University of Pikeville is committed to providing a safe and productive learning, living and working community. To achieve this goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history.

The University of Pikeville is an equal opportunity employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. The University of Pikeville does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age or disabilities in its programs, activities, hiring, or the admission of students.

For more information about the University of Pikeville, please visit http://www.upike.edu. Interested applicants should complete the online application by visiting http://jobs.upike.edu. In addition to the application, interested applicants are requested to attach to their application a letter of interest, current resume, and the contact information for three to five professional references.

About University of Pikeville

Founded in 1889 by Presbyterians, the University of Pikeville is committed to offering a broad liberal arts and sciences education. This foundation provides opportunities for students to develop their full academic and personal potential and prepare for specific careers. "At Pikeville, it's all about the students and our dedicated faculty and staff provide the strong foundation that makes this institution work and grow. Our professors have a passion for learning and scholarship that is key to our students' success. Equally important is the commitment of our dedicated staff, who work hard to make the student experience a positive one," said Chancellor Paul Patton. The University of Pikeville is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. The University of Pikeville does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age or disabilities in its programs, activities, hiring, or the admission of students. This policy applies to all areas such as hiring, promoting, transferring, training and development, as well as compensation and benefits. The Administrat...ion of this College is dedicated to carrying out this policy, and will continue to inform any recruiting sources used now or in the future, including the various State Employment Services, of our non-discrimination policy and our commitment to equal opportunity. The University of Pikeville is located in Pikeville, a vibrant community in East Kentucky. Pikeville is one of the state's leading financial centers and has been ranked as one of the "100 Best Small Towns" in America. The University of Pikeville is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. The University's program for the associate degree in Nursing is approved by the Kentucky Board of Nursing and programs in Teacher Education are approved by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board. The KY College of Osteopathic Medicine at the University of Pikeville is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation. The American Council for Optometric Education has granted the Kentucky College of Optometry the pre-accreditation classification of "Preliminary Approval." The University of Pikeville is the 22nd school in the country to have a college of optometry. The University of Pikeville (UPIKE) is the leading higher education institution of Central Appalachia, maintaining a commitment to Christian principles and respecting a variety of religious expressions. Students may earn either associate or baccalaureate degrees in a variety of majors with a liberal arts and science foundation; master's degrees may be earned in Business Administration (MBA) and Education (MA); and doctoral degrees may be earned in osteopathic medicine (DO) and optometry (OD). Degrees offered : A.S., B.A., B.S., B.B.A., B.S.N., M.A., M.B.A., D.O., and O.D. A low student-to-faculty ratio (16:1) allows professors to know students' names, ambitions and career goals. Total enrollment is about 1,834 students from 42 states and 24 countries, including approximately 1127 undergraduate students and 707 graduate students. Each year, over 98% of Pikeville College students receive financial assistance in the form of scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. Undergraduate: $19,600 for tuition, $8,866 for room/board, and $1,250 for textbooks. KYCOM: $42,975 for tuition. At no additional cost, KYCOM provides its students an OPP table, white coat and scrub suit, diagnostic equipment (stethoscope, ophthalmoscope, etc.), computing resources, and all required textbooks. KYCO: $38,450 for tuition. At no additional cost, KYCO provides its students all required ophthalmic and medical equipment in addition to the use of an iPad and laptop computer, as well as all required texts. There are 25 campus clubs and groups including academic, service and leadership societies in which students can become involved. NAIA Division I, Region XI, Mid-South Conference Sports include co-ed cheer, men's baseball, basketball, bowling, cross-country, football, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field; women's basketball, bowling, cross-country, golf, soccer, tennis, volleyball, track and field. Other sports include: archery, dance and e-sports. The facilities are constantly being updated as the University grows and changes. Recent renovations included the Wickham dormitory, the University of Pikeville South Housing Facility, the Coal Building and the Health Professions Education Building. The nine-story Coal Building was constructed alongside the college's historic 99 steps. The new facility includes two lecture halls, a gross anatomy lab, two research labs, offices, small group classrooms and student study space. Also, a clinical skills training and evaluation center houses 12 specially-equipped examination rooms and serve as training and testing centers for students in programs using standardized patients and high-fidelity robotic patient simulators. The expanded osteopathic manipulative medicine lab and clinic provides learning opportunities, as well as housing KYCOM's free community clinic. The newly constructed Health Professions Education Building is a 103,000-square-foot building which will house the Kentucky College of Optometry. Technology and clinical training aspects of the facility will also enhance the learning experience for students in the Elizabeth Akers Elliott School of Nursing, a program initially founded in the early 1980s to meet the needs of nursing education and health care in the region. Adjacent to Record Memorial Building, the facility is part of the university's strategic efforts to increase educational opportunities for students, stimulate economic development and improve comprehensive health care needs in Central Appalachia.

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