Overview
DEAN, COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES
Metropolitan State University of Denver (MSU Denver) invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences (CHHS). Reporting to Dr. Matthew Makley, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean serves as chief academic and administrative officer for a diverse portfolio of health profession disciplines, including nursing, social work, human services, counseling, nutrition, speech-language-hearing sciences, exercise and sport sciences, and criminal justice.
MSU Denver is Colorado’s third largest and most diverse public university, a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, and a national leader in social mobility. CHHS enrolls 4,528 students—nearly one-quarter of the university’s total—across eight departments, offering 17 undergraduate majors, six graduate programs, and 16 certificates. A key opportunity for the incoming Dean is developing the Gina and Frank Day Health Institute, a new five-story, 70,000-square-foot facility opening fall 2027 that will connect ten academic departments across two colleges.
Leadership priorities include articulating a strategic vision; growing enrollment to meet regional healthcare workforce demands; closing equity gaps; deepening partnerships with healthcare systems, agencies, and donors; and supporting faculty, staff, and shared governance while modeling the university’s CADRE values (Community, Access, Diversity, Respect, Excellence).
Required Qualifications
– Earned doctorate or terminal degree in a discipline related to CHHS
– Scholarly record qualifying for tenured full professor appointment
– Minimum five years of academic leadership experience (e.g., Dean, Associate Dean, Chair, Director)
– Proven management of complex operations, budgets, personnel, and programs
– Demonstrated commitment to diverse and underrepresented student populations
The complete CHHS profile may be found at www.academicsearch.org/MSUDenverDeanCHHS.
The anticipated hiring range is $200,000–$230,000, with a comprehensive benefits package. Preferred start date is January 1, 2027, no later than fall 2027. Applications are due October 5, 2026.
Academic Search is assisting with this search. For confidential inquiries, nominations, and requests for conversations with Senior Consultant Dr. Ginny Horvath: MSUDenverDeanCHHS@academicsearch.org.
Metropolitan State University of Denver is a unique, access-oriented campus community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion in all its forms. Our student population consists of 57.8% first-generation students and 57.9% students of color. We are a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution located in downtown Denver.
We create an equitable learning and working environment in concert with individuals who consistently demonstrate commitment to equity and inclusion. We greatly value the diverse identities and perspectives of our students, faculty, and staff and recognize that in order to achieve a just and equitable society, diversity must go beyond simple representation. It requires critical inquiry and dialogue and a commitment to action. We strive to provide a culture of belonging for all community members to achieve personal and professional success.
MSU Denver is committed to creating and fostering a work environment and culture of belonging; we are proud of the work our employee affinity groups contribute to our culture. For more information on our employee affinity groups please visit www.msudenver.edu/diversity/affinity-groups/
