Faculty Director of Professional Development - Health Administration

About Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU is a public research university unlike any other, dedicated to serving the needs of students and patients. We’re home to creativity, teaching, discovery and healing. Our location in the heart of downtown Richmond, Virginia, means the nonstop energy of our city ignites our innovation and provides unlimited opportunities for our students.

We are the university for Virginia. We know that the unique backgrounds and experiences of the VCU community are what drive the university forward. Together, we’re forging a future that is built by us. Here, artists and engineers, doctors and designers come together to reimagine the human experience and tackle the problems of tomorrow.

VCU’s mission drives us to remain dedicated to the success and well-being of our students, patients, faculty, staff and community.

Welcome to VCU. A world unlike any other.

Mission or Goal of Unit

The mission of the Department of Health Administration is to create the most innovative, compassionate, and business-savvy leaders to reimagine healthcare. Building on our remarkable environment, our extraordinary networks, and our legacy of excellence, we provide the knowledge, skills, and connections for tomorrow’s healthcare leaders through our innovative and business-focused approach.

Chief Purpose of this position

The Department of Health Administration is seeking a dynamic and visionary leader for the position of Director of Professional Development. This role is critical for managing and enhancing the graduate students’ professional development curriculum, ensuring it reflects leading practices in adult education and instructional design.

Responsibilities include collaborating with faculty and staff to enhance curriculum and educational initiatives, fostering an academic culture that supports student success, and implementing a professional development curriculum for students. The director will also strengthen the department’s presence in professional circles by participating in and engaging with organizations like AUPHA, NCHL, ACHE, NAHLE, and NAHSE. Additionally, this leader will mentor and advise graduate students, provide career coaching, and make connections to the alumni network. Assisting with internship and residency opportunities and providing guidance during administrative residencies will be central to this role, preparing students to lead with inclusivity and excellence in the field of health administration.

The faculty employee classification of this position will be a 12-month full-time appointment, term/tenure, and open rank. This position will be primarily in-person and onsite.

Position Responsibilities

• Professional Development: The faculty member will design and implement innovative professional development programs and workshops for MHA & MSHA students, develop mentorship and career advancement opportunities that promote leadership and skill-building in the health administration field, and collaborate with healthcare organizations and external stakeholders to create student success opportunities.
• Residency Placement: Manage and oversee the MHA student residency placement process. This involves establishing and maintaining partnerships with healthcare organizations, identifying residency opportunities, coordinating residency placements, and guiding students through the application and interview process.
• Teaching: The faculty member has teaching responsibilities in the Department’s master's and undergraduate programs. Areas may include health systems organization, management of healthcare delivery organizations, executive skills, residency practicums, and other specialized areas depending on qualifications and experience.
• Research: The faculty member will share in promoting the scholarship and research of the department’s faculty and students.
• Service: The faculty member will serve internally on Departmental, College, and/or University committees as assigned. The faculty member will represent the Department's selected professional organizations, as well as in a professional capacity in their field, e.g., reviewer or conference organizer.
• Other (For instance administrative duties, etc.): Career advising, case competition coaching, academic advising, attending and/or presenting at conferences on behalf of the department (e.g. ACHE, NAHSE, NCHL, etc.)

Required Qualifications

• A master’s degree in health administration, public health, or a closely related field is required.
• Experience teaching at the college or university level (undergraduate or graduate), in health administration or related disciplines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of professionalism, civility, and respect with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU.
• Experience in curriculum development, experiential learning, and mentoring students.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively and professionally engage and interface with existing and potential residency sites.
• Demonstrated understanding of the field and trends in healthcare and leadership.
• Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends, as well as travel to conferences and residency sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• Established relationships with healthcare organizations and community health agencies, as well as a demonstrated history of alumni engagement.
• Doctoral degree (e.g. PhD, DrPH, EdD) or equivalent in health administration, public health, or a closely related field.
• In-person and online teaching experience.

Application Process

Application materials submitted must include the following documents:

• A cover letter that addresses the applicant’s qualifications based on the position announcement;
• A resume or curriculum vitae;
• Statement of teaching philosophy;
• Contact information for three professional references.

Interested candidates should submit evidence of their ability to educate students from different backgrounds and learning styles with their application materials.

For more information, contact Saleema Karim, PhD, Search Committee Chair at karims2@vcu.edu.

Review of applications will begin 30 days from the posting date and continue until the position is filled.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) should not be used as part of the application submission or process.