FOUNDING DEAN, COLLEGE OF NATURAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND HEALTH SCIENCES

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1 FOUNDING DEAN, COLLEGE OF NATURAL, BEHAVIORAL, AND HEALTH SCIENCES Lock Haven University (LHU), a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), seeks nominations and applications for the Founding Dean of the College of Natural, Behavioral, and Health Sciences. The preferred starting date is January The College is one of three reorganized academic units at Lock Haven University, and the Founding Dean of this College will be joined by two other Founding Deans, in the College of Liberal Arts and Education, and the College of Business, Information Systems, and Human Services. The deans will join Dr. Michael Fiorentino, Jr. who assumed duties as President of LHU on July 1, 2011 and his new provost, Dr. Donna Wilson, as they create a new academic leadership team. THE UNIVERSITY Located along the Susquehanna River in the scenic town of Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, Lock Haven University provides its students with a high-quality university education with all the advantages of a mid-sized college setting. The University is home to nearly 5,500 undergraduates and approximately 350 graduate students and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Boasting student to faculty ratio of 21:1 and courses taught primarily by full-time faculty, LHU offers more than 60 undergraduate programs and certificates and five graduate programs. One of fourteen members within the PASSHE system of universities in the State of Pennsylvania, LHU provides an accessible and affordable education to a diverse population drawn primarily from Pennsylvania, but also the nation and the world. Pre-professional programs include Dentistry, Pre-PA, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, and Veterinary Medicine. Classroom learning is supplemented by vigorous co-curricular learning experiences that include internships, study abroad programs, field placements, and service learning opportunities. Lock Haven is dedicated to providing experiences that help students grow both inside and outside the classroom. Students contribute over 60,000 hours in service annually, and LHU has placed on the President s Honor Roll for Service Learning five years in a row. A remarkable 97

2 percent of each year s graduates enter employment or pursue graduate/professional studies immediately following graduation. A Global Honors Program offers students a challenging learning environment, countless occasions for leadership development, and additional opportunities to supplement their learning with co-curricular and extra-curricular activities. The University also sponsors a student newspaper, as well as radio and TV stations, which are housed in state-of-the-art facilities. LHU is committed to the use of technology in the classroom, which is facilitated by a wireless technology infrastructure encompassing virtually the entire campus. To learn more about Lock Haven University, please visit History LHU was founded in 1870 as the Central State Normal School. In 1927, it became the State Teacher's College in Lock Haven, and in 1960, the name was changed to Lock Haven State College. In 1983, the school joined the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and became known as Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania. PASSHE consists of 14 universities and more than 110,000 students and is the largest higher education provider in Pennsylvania. LHU s main campus in Lock Haven consists of 200 acres; the Clearfield Campus, located on 12 acres in Clearfield, Pennsylvania, was established in University Mission LHU offers an excellent and affordable education characterized by a strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences and a special emphasis on professional programs. Programs are enhanced with real-world experiences and co-curricular activities that enable students to realize their full potential. In close personal interactions with passionate faculty, students are challenged to develop their minds and skills in order to become responsible citizens and succeed in a global and technologically-advanced society. Lock Haven s strong foundation in the liberal arts and sciences is the core of a Lock Haven education. Skills in gathering and synthesizing information, critical thinking, and communication are necessary for upper-level studies, whether in the liberal arts and sciences or in a professional program. LHU s focus on international education has distinguished LHU from the other PASSHE institutions. In the era of globalization, cross-cultural literacy and the ability to work across borders are essential for both individuals and societies. Faculty Lock Haven is served by nearly 250 faculty members. Students benefit from faculty who see teaching and supporting the development of students as their highest calling. More than 80 percent of the full-time faculty members have a terminal degree, and many are engaged in

3 research, writing, and consulting. The faculty is represented by APSCUF, the collective bargaining association for all faculty members in PASSHE. Academic Technology, Continuing, and Distance Education LHU has been a leader in the implementation of technology to support teaching and learning. Supported by a technology plan and several lead committees, LHU has implemented a number of technology-related projects, including smart classrooms, computer labs, SAN upgrades, and videoconferencing capabilities. Lock Haven continues to support faculty and staff in the use of technology in classrooms and other learning environments. CLEARFIELD CAMPUS The Clearfield Campus is known for offerings in health services, including the Nursing and Physician Assistant programs. The following Bachelor s degrees are available: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with concentrations in Management or Management Information Systems Bachelor of Science (BSN) - Completion Program RN to BSN Bachelor of Science Applied Health Studies Track (for those with outside certification) The Clearfield Campus also offers the following Associates Degrees: Associate of Applied Science Degree in Healthcare Professions Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice (preparing students for careers in law enforcement, corrections and government) Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration with Management Track Associate of Science Degree in Business Administration with Management Information System Track Associate of Science in Nursing (RN) Degrees are offered in flexible design, and students who wish to continue their education can easily transition into the baccalaureate degree program at the LHU main campus. At the LHU main campus, students can continue their studies without the loss of credits. THE COMMUNITY Lock Haven, located in Clinton County, is a family-friendly town located near the confluence of Bald Eagle Creek, the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. The city is about 150 miles northwest of Philadelphia and 140 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Lock Haven has three sites on the National Register of Historic Places: Memorial Park Site, a significant pre-european archaeological find; Heisey House, a Victorian-era museum; and the Water Street District, an area with a mix of 19th- and 20th-century architecture. While industry remains important to the city, about one-third of Lock Haven s workforce is employed in

4 education, health care, or social services. The city s biggest employers are Lock Haven University and Lock Haven Hospital, which are also among the seven biggest employers in Clinton County. LHU also presents public concerts, plays, and student recitals on campus at the Price Performance Center and the Sloan Auditorium, both of which are open to the community. LHU thus plays a vital role in the economy and cultural life of the city of Lock Haven and its surrounding areas in Clinton County and Pennsylvania. COLLEGE OF NATURAL, BEHAVIORAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES There is palpable excitement among the faculty who reside within this new college. A new building for the natural sciences will be completed by summer of 2013; the health sciences are housed nearby in the recently renovated Willis Health Professions Center. The nationally-ranked PA program has sites in Lock Haven, Clearfield, Coudersport, and Harrisburg. The programs in the college are all anticipated to be significant growth areas for the University for the foreseeable future, including development of new applied graduate programs. The College is seen as an organizational structure for innovative interdisciplinary programs, such as the nanotechnology program that was initiated at the University in The nanotechnology program has been supported by state and federal (National Science Foundation) grants totaling nearly $1.2 million. Undergraduate research opportunities are the hallmark of the College, and graduates of its programs have gone on to pursue Ph.D., MD, PA, DPT, and MS programs, among others. The College of Natural, Behavioral and Health Sciences houses the following departments/programs: Biology, Biology Education Biology/Chemistry Chemistry, Chemistry Education Environmental Studies General Science Geology/Applied and Env. Geology, Earth and Space Science Education Health Sciences Healthcare Professions MHS Physician Assistant Mathematics, Math Education Nanotechnology Nursing Physics/Pre-Engineering, Physics Education

5 Psychology During the many faculty meetings to discuss the configuration of the three new colleges, the following opportunities were seen for the organization of the College of Natural, Behavioral and Health Sciences: Collaboration across the college Funding opportunities for performance measures in STEM & Health Sciences Enhancing undergraduate research opportunities Marketing opportunities, raising the profile, and attracting students Stronger loop between research and practice Revenue generation/grants Stronger voice for the sciences Consolidate and leverage expertise and resources Likewise, the following challenges were observed: Consistent message for students across the sciences Fairness/a place for all voices Wide range of student preparations and public institution identity Retention issues/math success Different needs for different departments Scheduling Communication and space Identifying the optimum size for the college and its programs Resource allocation and generation Required Qualifications Candidates must have (1) a terminal degree in a profession or one of the disciplines represented in the College, (2) a record of excellence in teaching and research commensurate with appointment with tenure at LHU, (3) experience with accreditation and accredited programs and (4) evidence of progressive administration experience at the chair level or equivalent. Experience with a breadth of programs is highly preferred. Other preferred qualifications include: Demonstrated ability to help articulate and implement a shared vision; Data-driven decision making; Fostering collaborative academic and community partnerships and interdisciplinary engagement; Assessment of institutional effectiveness and student learning outcomes leading to a cycle of continuous improvement;

6 Experience with retention strategies in STEM disciplines; Commitment to general education; Respect for value of teaching, research, and clinical modes in the College; Leading in a collective bargaining environment committed to shared governance; Faculty recruitment and development; Resource generation; Communication skills; Innovative undergraduate and graduate program development. APPLICATION PROCESS This search is being assisted by Academic Search. Applicants should submit (1) a cover letter describing the fit between their experience and the desired qualifications; (2) five references, none of whom will be contacted without permission, and (3) a current CV. Letters of application should be addressed to Dr. Jacqueline Whitling, Chair of the Search Committee, and sent electronically to LHUScience@academic-search.com. The position will be open until filled (starting date on or about January 2014), but only applications received by August 26, 2013, can be assured full consideration. To arrange a confidential discussion with senior consultants Andrea Warren Hamos or Jessica Kozloff, please contact Lauren Johnson, Associate Consultant, at ltj@academic-search.com. Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania is firm in its resolve that equal employment and educational opportunity shall be accorded to all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religious creed, disability, life-style, affectional or sexual preference, national origin, ancestry, union membership, age, sex, or status as a Vietnam era veteran.