Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship and practice. 

Pacific University is a prestigious private institution that brings together the College of Optometry, College of Health Professions, College of Education, College of Business and College of Arts & Sciences.  The main campus is located in the Portland area between the Cascade Mountains and Pacific Ocean and in close proximity to numerous extracurricular opportunities.  Specifically, the College of Optometry is located on our Forest Grove campus with other campus locations in Hillsboro and Eugene. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, acquire and share knowledge. 

Both Optometry and Vision Science students enjoy a rich educational environment, learning full-scope optometry and graduate studies with state-of-the-art classroom, laboratory, clinical, and research technology

Position Overview:

The Dean is the chief executive officer of the College of Optometry. As such, the Dean leads and oversees all programs of the College, including faculty, staff, curriculum, clinics, academic and clinical standards and budgets of the College. The Dean leads with equity and inclusion in determining and implementing the academic and clinical programs necessary to maintain the College at the forefront of the profession. The Dean leads College and University activities devoted to fund-raising and alumni relations. In doing so, the Dean must articulate within and outside the University the values and standards of the Optometric profession. The Dean participates in the development of major policies that impact the entire University and specifically enhancing community within the College of Optometry. 

The Dean is responsible for oversight of the academic, clinical, and research programs at the College. In addition to contributing visionary leadership to these evidence-based training programs, the Dean will also be able to pursue personal academic and scholarly interests and continue to cultivate a collaborative academic community deeply committed to diversity, equity, and multicultural inclusion.

This position represents the College on the Provost’s Council and various committees, and works collaboratively with leaders within the College of Optometry as well as with the other Colleges within the institution. The Dean advocates for the College of Optometry to the rest of the university and to the local community and participates actively in national, regional, and local conversations about optometry education.

 Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides visionary, intellectual, and administrative leadership to develop and sustain the College of Optometry as a collaborative leader of the profession. This includes developing, implementing, evaluating, strengthening, and promoting curriculum and programming with an eye towards culturally sustaining and affirming outcomes for the College. 
• Leads the Executive Committee of the College and faculty in accreditation, long-range strategic planning, and curricular development, implementation, and enhancement, consistent with the mission and values of the institution.
• Leads and oversees clinics to not only provide excellent services to the surrounding community, including marginalized and underserved populations, but also to support clinical training for students.
• Collaborates with University Advancement to develop and implement fundraising and public information programs for the College. Encourages and facilitates grant writing within the College.
• Develops and implements, in collaboration with the University’s alumni relations program, programs to maintain effective services for and communications with the College’s graduates.
• Infuses equitable and inclusive practices in their work to establish effective and meaningful working and learning environments.
• Oversees, prepares, and manages the College’s budget, and communicates relevant information to the faculty.
• Supervises the selection, assignment, and management of faculty, administrative, and support personnel within the College of Optometry.
• Generates and implements methods to encourage and maintain excellence in teaching, research, and professional development of faculty within the College.
• Builds and supports an academic community that cohesively works towards fulfilling the Mission of the College. 
• Fosters an excellent and diverse faculty, capable of educating students in all aspects of modern optometric practice.
• Works with and through the Faculty Development Committee and the University Personnel Committee, of which the Dean is a member, on all personnel policies and considerations, recommending faculty promotion, tenure, termination, and sabbatical and other leaves.
• Maintains and increases faculty and staff cohesion and morale and ensures academic and professional integrity within the College.
• Promotes high academic standards for the students of the College. Supervises academic advising and development and application of academic rules.
• Coordinates the development and implementation of wholistic student admissions and financial aid policies.
• As the primary spokesperson for the College, develops and maintains close communications between the College and its faculty with practicing optometrists and local, state and national optometric associations and organizations. Assures direct communication between practicing professionals and faculty.
• In collaboration with the Director of External Affairs and the Continuing Education Advisory Committee, delegates Optometric Continuing Education programs.
• Acts as primary liaison between the College and the rest of the University, including serving on the Provost Council.
• Counsels with the appropriate faculty committees and officers relative to matters of faculty and academic concerns.

Key Working Relationships: 

The Dean reports to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Dean works closely with students, staff, faculty, and administrators to develop a collaborative and supportive community within the college.

• The Dean works closely with the Dean of the Library and Chief Information Officer to promote the development of the library, academic computing, and technology.
• The Dean works closely with the Vice President for Finance and Administration on management of the College’s budget, physical plant maintenance and construction.
• The Dean works closely with the Vice President for University Advancement to develop, maintain and implement community relations programs, alumni relations and fund-raising activities, serving as the primary representative of the College for these activities.
• The Dean works closely with the Vice President of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility to work towards a diverse and equitable learning environment.
• The Dean works loosely with the Vice President of Human Resources and Lead People Officer to ensure equitable compensation and support for faculty and staff across the College, as indicated within the Dean's budgetary authority, employee relations, employment-related policies, benefits programs, and recruitment.
• The Dean works closely with the Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs to develop and implement financial aid, admissions and other policies and programs impacting students in the College.
• The Dean assists the University Registrar and Associate Vice-President for Marketing and Communications in preparing the University Catalog and other publications affecting the College.
• The Dean represents the College to its external constituencies within or outside the profession. The Dean represents the College at the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, and other international, national, regional, state and local organizations involved with the furthering of optometric education and practice. Serves as member of ASCO Board of Directors.
• The Dean works closely with the practicing optometric community, through its organizations and with individual practitioners to provide continuing service and education for practitioners, provide direct consultative services from faculty to practitioners in order to improve and maintain, both in perception and reality, the excellence of the College of Optometry.
• The faculty of Optometry report to the Dean.

Application: Please upload your cover letter of interest and your CV. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with highest priority candidates submitting materials by January 10, 2025.

This is a full-time, in-person (not remote) position based on the Forest Grove Campus.  

At Pacific University we are dedicated to providing experiences that are authentic, holistic, equity minded, and responsive. We continue to develop our equity practices with a particular focus on racial equity.

Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.  Studies have shown that candidates that are female and/or BIPOC are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications they find in the job description. We are seeking the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be a person who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every minimum qualification described or are unsure if your experience could be considered related experience.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

It is the policy of Pacific University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military, veteran or Vietnam Era status, or any other protected classification recognized by applicable law, in admission, access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or any other applicable state or federal law, or city ordinance. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, provost@pacificu.edu.

Application materials will be screened and interview candidates will be selected and notified by email. The hiring process normally consists of several interviews and can last several weeks depending on the position.  All applicants will be notified once the position is filled.  Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.

Education and Qualifications:

• Must have an O.D. degree, or equivalent, and a record of academic accomplishment commensurate with senior academic rank.
• Demonstrated experience and understanding of clinical operations. 
• Demonstrated inclusive management and mentorship experience for employees and students. 
• Experienced Optometrist, well versed in full scope, broad based optometric care, with a record of successful leadership, and sensitivity to issues facing education, research, and the provision of highest quality clinical services in the rapidly changing optometric profession. 
• Evidence of leadership qualities and experience in development, implementation, and facilitation of strategic planning, curricular innovation, and high-quality clinical operations. 
• Experience and evidence of leading teams with an integrative vision and action, with the ability to facilitate creativity and foster productivity in all aspects of modern optometry
• Ability to lead the College into new areas of optometric practice while maintaining a basis in traditional optometry. 
• Ability to work closely with the constituencies of the profession and those who come from non-traditional backgrounds to promote the College and its activities bringing experience in alumni relations and fund-raising. 
• Demonstrate skills in evaluation and promotion of leading teams through change. 
• A demonstrated commitment to diversity and the infusion equity and inclusion in decision-making.
• A demonstrated commitment and ability to model the highest standards for honesty and integrity, ethics and values, scholarship and clinical practice.

About Pacific University College of Optometry

Pacific University is a prestigious private institution that brings together the College of Optometry, College of Health Professions, College of Education, College of Business and College of Arts & Sciences. The main campus is located in the Portland metropolitan area, between the Cascade Mountains and Pacific Ocean and in close proximity to numerous extracurricular opportunities. Both Optometry and Vision Science students enjoy a rich educational environment, learning full-scope optometry and graduate studies with state-of-the-art classroom, laboratory, clinical, and research technology.

Connections working at Pacific University College of Optometry