Hofstra University Founded in 1935, Hofstra University is a nationally ranked and recognized private university located in Hempstead, Long Island, 25 miles east of New York City. A diverse, dynamic institution that honors tradition while challenging convention, Hofstra University combines an intimate learning environment with all the resources of a large university, including state-of-the-art facilities for academics and student life. The campus, a recognized arboretum and Tree Campus USA School, is a leafy oasis just a quick train ride away from New York City and all its cultural, recreational, and professional opportunities. With 22 academic centers and institutes, a business incubator, a museum, a cultural center, legal clinics, the Saltzman Community Services Center, and the award-winning WRHU college station, Hofstra offers its students, community, and surrounding residents many opportunities for scholarship, resources, and engagement.
Hofstra is home to 484 full-time faculty and 730 part-time faculty. There are approximately 175 undergraduate programs and approximately 200 graduate programs in Liberal Arts and Sciences, Business, Communication, Education, Health Sciences, Engineering and Applied Science, and Honors studies, as well as a School of Law and a School of Medicine. The student-faculty ratio of 13 to 1 and a priority on teaching excellence ensures students are part of creating their own success. Hofstra University offers small classes with dedicated faculty and a beautiful, energized campus, plus all the opportunities of New York City within easy reach.
Hofstra 100 bridges Hofstra’s first century of excellence to the student-centric, technology-forward needs of the next era. This plan will propel the University to its centennial milestone. The future calls for a new model of student access, and Hofstra is ready to rise to the challenge. The University aims to be a national leader in interdisciplinary education, designing a curriculum that crosses invisible lines within the institution and communities. Hofstra serves to provide an education centered around career readiness for the workforce needs of the future.
Northwell Health With 85,000 team members and 900+ hospitals and care centers, Northwell Health is New York State’s largest healthcare provider and private employer. Northwell is a nonprofit, integrated healthcare network headquartered on Long Island that treats over 2 million patients annually. Northwell’s North Shore University Hospital is ranked #1 in New York and is Long Island’s highest rated hospital according to the US News & World Report’s 2023-2024 Best Hospital Rankings. Additionally, Northwell has 10 Magnet-designated hospitals recognized for nursing excellence, one of the largest medical residency programs in the United States and has been named a Best Place to Work by both Fortune and Glassdoor.
Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies The Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies aims to be the global leader in interprofessional education preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. The School incorporates the diverse academic programs and infrastructure of Hofstra University, as well as the significant clinical activities and educational resources of Northwell Health.
The Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in nursing and physician assistant studies, with experiential learning facilities that offer the opportunity to integrate both theory and practice in various academic and clinical settings with a variety of healthcare professionals and scholars.
Nursing Programs Hofstra’s nursing programs leverage the clinical educational resources of both Hofstra University and Northwell Health, New York state’s largest healthcare provider and private employer. The program is the latest collaboration in the academic-practice partnership between the two institutions following the establishment of the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell collaboration created in 2008.
Observations in the healthcare setting begin as early as a student’s first year. Faculty help coordinate students’ clinical placements at one of its partner Northwell facilities. Graduating students are prepared to provide quality, holistic, scientifically sound, and evidence-based patient-centered care while optimizing the health and well-being of diverse populations and communities for the betterment of humanity. Hofstra offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program as well as various graduate nursing programs. All Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing programs are recognized by the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions.
Physician Assistant Studies The Hofstra Northwell Department of Physician Assistant Studies’ mission is to create an interprofessional environment that fosters PA leaders and scholars who deliver empathetic, patient-centered care, and promote inclusivity to the diverse populations they serve. With the PA program offerings being in New York, students experience well-rounded clinical clerkships allowing them access to diverse learning environments. In partnership with the Northwell Health’s Bioskills laboratory and Center for Learning and Innovation, Hofstra’s PA program integrates simulation experiences in the curriculum that emulates as true to real-life experiences as possible. Additionally, through collaboration with the Medical School, the PA program incorporates a unique and clinically focused cadaver lab, further expanding students’ skills and knowledge. The use of virtual cases, an innovative compilation of computer-assisted clinical education programs, provides a unique opportunity to enhance case-based learning. Students also complete original research during their research semester. Aside from the strategic partnership with Northwell Health, the PA program exposes students to other regional healthcare systems such as: Mt. Sinai, NYU and NYC Health and Hospitals.
Hofstra offers two paths to becoming a PA through the BS/MS Dual Degree Program and the Graduate Degree Program. The program is designed to meet the needs of applicants coming from different stages of their academic career; applicants can apply as incoming freshman or graduate students. Its distinctive curriculum is designed to augment the educational experience with emphasis on lifelong learning and a team approach to medicine.
The PA program consistently achieves high pass rates on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination while maintaining low attrition (failure) rates. The School’s highly dedicated, skilled, and passionate faculty and staff are focused on achieving student success. Curriculum emphasizes commitment to the underserved and focuses on the importance of leadership and community service. The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Hofstra University Department of Physician Assistant Studies Program sponsored by Hofstra University. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. The date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be fall 2026.
The Opportunity Reporting to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean of the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies plays a key leadership role in advancing the mission, operations, and service of the school, with complete line responsibility for personnel, general administration and management, budget, academic, and development functions. The Dean leads the school, working closely with their senior leadership team and department chairs and serves as a member of the Dean’s Council. The Dean will receive an appropriate administrative appointment at Northwell Health.
The Dean is responsible for all education, research, service, inclusive excellence, and administration functions throughout the School. They are committed to providing exemplary and innovative education, research, practice, and service that improves health locally, statewide, nationally, and beyond. The Dean will serve as a visionary and transformative leader and collaborate with all faculty, staff, and administrators to drive the School’s mission, values, and strategic direction in line with the overall strategic goals of Hofstra University. The Dean will help to maintain, strengthen and manage the partnership between Hofstra and Northwell.
Hofstra University seeks a leader who can transform healthcare education and shape its future by pioneering innovative education programs, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and driving research, ultimately cultivating a workforce equipped to advance patient care and health equity. The right candidate will be one who is energized by bringing teams and people together in a transparent, honest, and compassionate way through the School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, across Hofstra University and the Northwell Health System.
Key Responsibilities The Dean will be responsible for the following:
Provide bold vision and leadership to strengthen existing programs, create new programs, and advance the school’s reputation, positioning Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies as a health leader in the state of New York and beyond.
Implement a school-wide strategic planning process in line with the University’s mission.
Develop the financial resources of the School, especially through fundraising and external donor relations.
Recruit and retain faculty, enhance their career development, and promote a culture of shared governance.
Promote the School’s research enterprise and increase research expenditures, fostering collaboration across the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, and external partners.
Strategically expand health service organization partnerships to strengthen the School’s teaching and opportunities for on-site applied learning.
Recruit, retain, and develop talented staff who support the operations of the School.
Ensure a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all members of the School community.
Build external partnerships and purposeful community engagement to advance the academic mission.
Ensure the maintenance and further development of the Hofstra-Northwell partnership.
Increase communications such that Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies achievements are appropriately highlighted both within the University community and to external audiences.
Expand support for students to successfully prepare undergraduates and graduates to be leaders in their chosen professions.
Ensure sound financial and operational management.
Work collaboratively with the Provost and the deans of the other schools to advance the mission of Hofstra University.
Cultivate a collegial and equitable work environment throughout the School.
Champion educational innovation to prepare nurses and physician assistants to meet the health care needs of the community and engage in leadership and advocacy.
Oversee and enhance a rigorous portfolio of academic programs aimed at building a dynamic curriculum to train the next generation of clinicians, scholars, researchers and administrators.
Translate advances in evidence-based practice into models of care that fulfill the ability of healthcare practitioners to practice “at the top of their license” in delivering high-quality care.
Provide and maintain a strong focus on the importance of professional development opportunities for staff and promote a culture of continuous learning across the School.
Encourage and facilitate a culture of collaboration that leverages the resources, talents, and expertise across the School and Hofstra University.
Engage with local, state, and national leaders in government and industry to advocate for and advance the strategic initiatives and priorities of the School.
Engage in activity that enhances the national and international rank and reputation of the School.
The successful candidate will receive an administrative appointment at Northwell Health commensurable with their experience.
The Candidate Experience and Professional Qualifications The Dean is responsible for all education, research, and administrative functions throughout the School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. The ideal Dean candidate will possess the following:
Practical experience in the nursing field and will value promoting and integrating clinical and practical experience in an academic environment. The ideal candidate will have experience establishing and maintaining external partnerships to support the clinical training of nursing and health professions students.
Demonstrated success in an equivalent setting with related experiences that demonstrate leadership, management, and academic administration in a Department/School of Nursing level in progressively responsible positions, with experience at a level equivalent to department chair, associate dean, associate vice president, or vice president.
An established record of effective, strong, and collaborative leadership.
Proven ability to work with others to develop, inspire, communicate, and operationalize a shared vision and strategic plan
Demonstrated commitment to enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion for individuals including those from underrepresented or historically marginalized groups.
A history of developing and promoting shared governance between faculty and administration.
The capacity to formulate and articulate a shared vision, persuade a wide range of audiences of its value, and engage others in its implementation.
Ability to recruit and mentor outstanding new faculty, as well as retain the School’s strongest faculty, with specific experience engaging with, recruiting, and retaining faculty of color and from diverse backgrounds.
Familiarity with appointment, promotion, and tenure procedures.
Ability to motivate and inspire others to strive continuously for academic excellence.
Strong interdisciplinary ethic.
Successful experience as a dean, associate dean, department chair, research center/institute director or in health services leadership will be deemed a valuable asset to an individual’s candidacy.
Experience working with faculty unions is preferred.
Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated excellence in team building, change management, and supporting other leaders.
Demonstrated participation and/or service in current or recent leadership roles for state and/or national nursing organizations.
A leader with strategic planning expertise and capability who can establish a compelling vision and establish buy-in and accountability for implementing that vision.
Demonstrated ability to manage a financial portfolio of internal, external, research, and donor funds.
A demonstrated record of developing inter-organizational relationships with clinical training sites, academic institutions, and major professional organizations. Experience in clinical service with a demonstrated record of building partnerships in service and workforce development.
A strong history of establishing external relationships and coalitions to enhance the image of nursing at a regional and national level.
Knowledgeable of the field, including major trends in education, practice, and research, as well as accreditation, regulatory, and legal issues.
Ability to maintain a strong commitment of ensuring that student, faculty, and staff continue to represent the diversity of the communities served.
Has effective written and oral communication skills, works well in a team environment, and has a record of developing effective and trusted relationships at all levels of the organization.
Possesses and values a collaborative and inclusive leadership style characterized by clear communication, transparent decision-making, willingness to take calculated risks, and openness to criticism.
Successful resource management experience in an academic institution.
Deep understanding of, and preferably prior involvement in, an active research program or history of a successful program of funded research.
Demonstrated ability to foster a collaborative, solution-oriented approach which can lead change.
Ability to convey a collaborative, solutions-oriented style which can help lead change using strong communication skills to convey the benefits of proposed initiatives.
Demonstrated leadership, communication, staff building, team building, and organizational skills within a complex and diverse organization.
Education
Doctorate or terminal degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a relevant discipline, preferably in nursing.
Current registered nursing licensure in good standing. Able to secure and retain an active State of New York license for employment.
*A tenured appointment is available for candidates with appropriate qualifications and record of accomplishment.
Salary Range: $310,000-$350,000
Hofstra University provides the above salary as a good faith estimate of the starting pay range which considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience and education.
