Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Bay de Noc Community College (Bay College) in its search for Associate Dean of Nursing.
This is an exceptional leadership opportunity to join a well-established nursing program at a college serving as the cornerstone of healthcare education in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Associate Dean of Nursing will join a college on a growth trajectory and play a key role in shaping the future of nursing education in the region. Supported by a dedicated capital budget, Bay College’s nursing program is committed to providing cutting-edge educational resources for students and faculty alike. The successful candidate will be a collaborative and student-centered leader who can build on this foundation while guiding the program through its next phase of growth, complexity, and regional impact.
Bay College Nursing program offers nursing in Escanaba and Iron Mountain campuses. Both campuses house state of the art simulation centers with Iron Mountain recently completing a major simulation lab upgrade.
The Associate Dean will provide inclusive and visionary leadership, management, and strategic direction for the Nursing Program. The Associate Dean will work collaboratively with faculty, the Director of Nursing for the Iron Mountain Campus, and stakeholders to promote student success, program quality, and foster community partnerships.
Bay College is deeply integrated into the local community and committed to addressing rural healthcare workforce needs. As a critical partner to these providers, the College maintains strong clinical and workforce relationships across the Upper Peninsula, including OSF St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba, Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital, Marshfield Clinic Health System in Iron Mountain, the Iron Mountain VA, and other regional medical centers. The Associate Dean will sustain and expand these partnerships while ensuring program quality, regulatory compliance, and alignment with evolving healthcare needs.
The nursing program is known for its comprehensive, student-centered approach to education. With a curriculum that blends rigorous academic coursework and extensive hands-on clinical experience, students are well prepared to meet the demands of the healthcare field. The program boasts strong NCLEX-RN pass rate, reflecting the effectiveness of its teaching methods and the dedication of its experienced faculty. Bay College also offers state-of-the-art simulation labs, small class sizes for personalized learning, and a supportive community that fosters both professional and personal growth. These features support graduates that are not only competent nurses but also compassionate caregivers ready to make a difference in their communities.
In partnership with the Dean, this role includes oversight of planning, scheduling, budgeting, curriculum development, and compliance with state licensing and accrediting bodies. Responsibilities also include establishing articulation agreements, recruiting and supervising faculty, managing student admissions for nursing programs, and ensuring programs meet standards of accreditation, all while upholding the college’s mission, values, and strategic plan.
This position reports to the Dean of Occupational and Workforce Programs and supervises the Simulation and Clinical Coordinator, Director of Nursing for the Iron Mountain Campus, and all full-time and part-time faculty within the division.
This is an on-campus role across both campuses. The College offers a four-day work week during the summer months, with no work on Fridays.
About the Institution
Bay College was established in 1962 and is a rural, public community college with two campuses located in the south-central Upper Peninsula—Escanaba and Iron Mountain, Michigan. Bay College offers multiple transfer degrees and a variety of workforce and short-term training programs, community education classes, and provides services to the community. The College contributes to the Upper Peninsula’s vitality as a proactive leader in workforce development, educational partnerships, and cultural events while being well-regarded for providing accessible, affordable education and for being deeply connected to the local economy.
Bay College has strong partnerships with healthcare facilities across the Upper Peninsula (U.P.) to support education and workforce development in the healthcare sector. These collaborations include clinical training opportunities for students in nursing, allied health, and other medical programs, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in hospitals like OSF St. Francis in Escanaba, Marshfield Clinic Health System in Iron Mountain, and other regional medical centers. These partnerships help address the rural healthcare worker shortage by preparing graduates to meet the workforce needs of the U.P.’s healthcare system.
Living in the Area
Bay College is one college with two campuses, serving the central Upper Peninsula. As a home community for the larger campus, Escanaba offers a unique mix of natural beauty, small-town appeal, and affordability, ideal for those who love the outdoors and a relaxed lifestyle. Located on the shores of Little Bay de Noc, part of Lake Michigan, Escanaba provides residents with easy access to beaches, boating, fishing, and beautiful waterfront views.
The Iron Mountain campus is surrounded by forests and lakes and showcases breathtaking scenery throughout the year, with especially vibrant fall colors and picturesque winter landscapes.
Escanaba and Iron Mountain have welcoming, community-centered vibes where neighbors often know each other and come together for local events. The town features year-round community gatherings, quality K-12 schools, and relatively low crime rates, making the area appealing to individuals, families, and retirees alike. Escanaba and Iron Mountain combine the charm of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with a warm, Midwestern spirit. With a cost of living generally estimated to be 15–20% below the national average, and ~13% lower than the Michigan average, the Upper Peninsula offers a vibrant quality of life.
