Dean of the College
of Health and Wellness

About Carlow University

Carlow University is a Catholic university in the Sisters of Mercy tradition, located in the heart of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Grounded in the values of mercy, sacredness of creation, hospitality, service, and discovery and committed to transformative education, Carlow prepares students to become ethical, career-ready leaders who contribute meaningfully to their communities and professions. With a strong emphasis on social justice, academic excellence, and student-centered learning, Carlow offers a dynamic and mission-driven environment in which faculty, staff, and students thrive together.

The College of Health and Wellness

The College of Health and Wellness (CHW) is a cornerstone of Carlow University’s academic mission, preparing the next generation of compassionate, skilled, and ethically grounded health professionals. The College is organized into two distinct schools, each offering a robust array of accredited healthcare programs designed to meet the evolving demands of today’s healthcare landscape:

A Carlow University nursing student wearing a stethoscope taking notes in a clinical simulation lab

School of Nursing

Department of Undergraduate Nursing

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
  • Practical Nurse Certificate (LPN)

Department of Graduate Nursing

  • Master of Science in Nursing
    • Family Nurse Practitioner
    • Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
    • Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
    • Nursing Education and Leadership with an MBA option
    • Executive Organizational Leadership
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice

Department of Public Health

  • Respiratory Therapy (BS and AS)
  • Surgical Technology (AS)

School of Allied Health Sciences

Department of Physical Therapy

  • Doctor of Physical Therapy
  • Exercise Science (BSES)

Department of Occupational Therapy

  • Occupational Therapy (MSOT)

Department of Physician Assistant

  • Physician Assistant (MSPA)

Department of Speech-Language Pathology

  • Speech-Language Pathology (MS)
A Carlow University physical therapy student working with a patient while faculty observe

Together, these programs reflect Carlow’s deep and longstanding commitment to health professions education that integrates rigorous academic preparation with clinical excellence, professional ethics, and a spirit of service. Students in the CHW benefit from dedicated faculty mentorship and advising, strong clinical partnerships throughout the greater Pittsburgh region, and a curriculum designed to develop whole-person practitioners who are ready to lead in complex, dynamic healthcare environments.

The College serves a diverse student body across undergraduate, graduate, and certificate levels, and is committed to innovation in program delivery including expanding digital and hybrid learning modalities to meet students where they are and prepare them for where healthcare is going.

The Opportunity

Carlow University invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Health and Wellness. This is a rare and compelling opportunity for an accomplished health professions educator and leader to guide a college that is central to Carlow’s identity, enrollment, and community impact.

The Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the College and reports directly to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Dean will lead faculty, staff, and students in implementing and fulfilling the vision, mission, and strategic plan of Carlow University, championing innovation, continuous program improvement, and a culture of academic and clinical excellence.

The next Dean will be a collaborative, mission-driven leader who brings both scholarly credibility and administrative acumen to the role. They will be a champion for faculty development, a steward of institutional resources, a skilled navigator of complex accreditation landscapes, and an engaged partner in the broader Carlow University community and the regional healthcare ecosystem.

Roles and Responsibilities

The Dean of the College of Health and Wellness will be expected to:

  • Lead and ensure the overall quality of the academic enterprise within the College
  • Develop and implement new curricula, programs, partnerships, and modes of delivery including online and hybrid formats that address emerging areas of need in health professions education
  • Promote a culture of planning and continuous assessment to improve student learning and ensure institutional effectiveness
  • Maintain compliance with accreditation requirements and ensure approval of all accredited programs across nursing and allied health disciplines
  • Provide leadership for the integration of graduate and undergraduate programs within the College
  • Maintain an active and visible presence in the academic life of the College
  • Demonstrate familiarity with and commitment to innovative educational technology and online delivery of programs

  • Lead the selection and evaluation of faculty to ensure instructional effectiveness
  • Promote and support the professional development of faculty, including engagement with scholarship and research
  • Handle all faculty and staff personnel issues in accordance with established policies, with attention to due process and fairness

  • Interact with students to create a positive learning environment in which policies are implemented with fairness and attention to student development
  • Collaborate with appropriate offices to market programs and recruit students across all departments and programs within the College
  • Foster a student-centered culture that prepares career-ready, ethical health professionals

  • Collaborate with the Provost and other deans to achieve institutional and College goals
  • Represent the College to external constituencies and actively participate in donor cultivation and fundraising
  • Foster relationships and cultivate partnerships with colleagues in local, regional, national, and international arenas to recruit students, remain current in educational trends, and develop Carlow’s academic and collegial reputation
  • Demonstrate and reflect an understanding of and commitment to the mission and core values of the University and the Sisters of Mercy

  • Oversee the preparation and monitoring of budgets for all academic units within the College, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and fiscal realities

Required

  • An earned terminal degree in a discipline represented within the College of Health and Wellness
  • A record of distinguished teaching and scholarly achievement sufficient for appointment at the rank of full professor
  • Significant and progressive academic administrative experience (e.g., department chair, associate dean, or dean)
  • Based on area of clinical practice, current certification and/or licensure in Pennsylvania, or eligibility for licensure in Pennsylvania
  • Demonstrated commitment to shared governance and collaborative leadership
  • A minimum of five years of progressive academic leadership experience.
  • Alignment with the mission and values of Carlow University and its Catholic, Sisters of Mercy heritage

Preferred

  • Familiarity with the regulatory and accreditation requirements across multiple health professions disciplines (e.g., ACEN/CCNE, CAPTE, ACOTE, ARC-PA, ABHES, CAA, Co-ARC)
  • Experience with enrollment management and student recruitment strategies in health professions programs
  • Demonstrated success in external partnership development, grant acquisition, or fundraising

Application and Nomination Process

Carlow University is committed to building a diverse and inclusive academic community and strongly encourages applications from candidates of all backgrounds. The University is an equal opportunity employer. Applications, including a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of five professional references should be submitted via the link to Carlow University’s Employment Application Portal.

Confidential inquiries and nominations should be directed to:
Carlow University’s Office of Human Resourceshroffice@carlow.edu.

The position is open until filled and review of applications will begin immediately. Only applications received by Thursday, December 31, 2026, can be assured full consideration.

Carlow University is a Catholic university in the Sisters of Mercy tradition, committed to providing transformative education in an inclusive environment that prepares students to serve and lead in a changing world.

Carlow University prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the Title IX Coordinator, Carissa Monaco at titleix@carlow.edu or 412-578-6050.