Job Summary:
Cleveland State University’s College of Health (COH) and School of Nursing invite applications for a full-time tenure track Associate Director of Graduate Programs, open rank. The anticipated start date is August 17, 2026.
This is a 9-month with summer stipend administrative appointment with an initial 4-year term, renewable annually based on performance. The Associate Director reports to the Director/ Chief Nursing Administrator, School of Nursing, College of Health.
The Associate Director, Nursing Graduate Programs provides academic and operational leadership for all graduate nursing programs including:
- APRN programs (Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
- MSN specialty tracks (Clinical Nurse Leader, Forensic Nursing, Nursing Education)
The Associate Director leads graduate program faculty; supports a developing graduate program infrastructure; ensures academic quality, accreditation compliance, and regulatory alignment; supports faculty development; and advances student outcomes aligned with University and College of Health policies; and works in collaboration with the CSU graduate college, in a dynamic, urban, public university context.
Key responsibilities
Academic Leadership and Program Oversight
- Provide leadership for all nursing graduate programs in a rapidly expanding academic environment
- Ensure curricula align with AACN Essentials, National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) competencies, Ohio Board of Nursing regulations, and standards.
- Promote innovative, evidence-based teaching strategies including but not limited to: online education, simulation, lab, case-based learning, and technology-enabled instruction
- Ensure graduate programs align with the university’s mission as a public, urban, and workforce-focused institution
- Collaborate with graduate faculty and standing committees on curriculum development, review, and revision
- Partner with College and School leadership on new program development, enrollment growth strategies, and organizational infrastructure
Faculty Leadership, Governance & Development
- Coordinate graduate program leadership, full and part-time faculty, and graduate program support services
- Collaborate with the Director / Chief Nursing Administrator and external partners to support operational efficiency and scalability
- Support faculty teaching excellence, workload equity, and role clarity in alignment with collective bargaining agreements
- Oversee and collaborate with the Director of Nursing on graduate teaching assignments and clinical experience placement
- Collaborate with the Director of Nursing on mentoring faculty in promotion, reappointment, scholarship development, and retention initiatives
- Participate in faculty recruitment, hiring, onboarding and orientation, and retention initiatives
- Serve on School, College, and University committees as appropriate
Student Success
- Oversee graduate student progression, retention, graduation, and certification outcomes
- Address academic progression concerns and student grievances in accordance with university and state polices
- Partner with academic coaches, enrollment management, and student services to support student success
- Monitor, certification pass rates, employment outcomes, and time-to-degree metrics to meet national and state standards, and university benchmarks
Accreditation and Compliance
- Ensure compliance with accreditation, APRN professional organizations, state boards of nursing, and institutional polices
- Oversee and collaborate on regulatory, university, college of health, and school-level reports
- Maintain documentation, data integrity, and record keeping for accreditation, audits, and state reporting
- Contribute to and oversee graduate nursing policies, procedures, guidelines, and student handbooks
Research and Scholarship
- Promote graduate faculty and student engagement in research and scholarship
- Promote research and scholarship as a pillar of career advancement
- Collaborate with graduate faculty and College of Health leadership to strengthen pipelines to advanced nursing education
Budget, Resource Management & Operations
- Work with the Director and Chief Nurse Administrator in the allocation of instructional,
simulation, and clinical resources efficiently and transparently
- Collaborate with School and College leadership on enrollment planning and instructional capacity
- Ensure responsible fiscal management for graduate nursing programs
Institutional and Community Engagement
- Represent graduate nursing programs internally and externally to advance program visibility and reputation
- Participate in activities that raise the stature of CSU’s graduate nursing education portfolio
- Stay abreast of national trends, innovations, and regulatory changes in graduate nursing education
- Teaches as appropriate, maintain an active program of scholarship, and service consistent with faculty rank and career trajectory
The School of Nursing is experiencing rapid growth, with approximately 975 students across our undergraduate and graduate programs. The School serves a diverse student body and is deeply committed to community engagement, workforce development, and advancing health equity.
We seek a doctoral prepared nurse leader with demonstrated success in graduate nursing education, academic administration, and faculty leadership. The successful candidate will bring experience leading complex programs in a growth environment and a strong commitment to student success, innovation, and inclusive excellence.
CSU aspires to be a national leader in social and economic mobility. We will be a great place to learn and work. CSU is striving to be a nationally recognized and student focused public research institution that provides accessible, affordable and Engaged Learning opportunities for all.
Minimum Qualifications
- Earned doctoral degree in nursing or closely related field (Ph.D. or DNP) from a nationally accredited institution;
- If doctoral degree is in a closely related field, an MSN from an accredited university is required;
- Active unencumbered active RN license;
- At least 5 years experience as an RN;
- At least two years experience in bedside nursing;
- Demonstrated leadership and teaching experience in nursing education;
- A record of research or scholarly activity.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Demonstrated experience with curriculum design – implementation – revision – maintenance;
- Demonstrated experience with national accreditation and regulatory standards (e.g., Board of Nursing, CCNE, INACSL, Quality Matters);
- Experience teaching in graduate nursing programs;
- APRN specialty certification in one or more specialty preferred;
- Record of teaching, scholarship, and service to warrant an appointment as Associate or Full Professor with Tenure;
- Experience with competency-based education;
- Proven ability to lead teams in complex growth environments;
- Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills;
- Familiarity with emerging technologies.
Applicant Instructions:
Applications will only be accepted online at
https://hrjobs.csuohio.edu/postings/26004. Mailed or emailed application materials will not be accepted. Preference will be given to applications received by April 12, 2026. All inquiries about the position should be directed to the Search Committee Chair, Dr. William Matcham, (
[email protected]).
List of documents applicant is required to submit:
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Evidence of Teaching Experience
- RN License/ Speciaility Certification
- Unofficial transcript of highest degree earned (those invited to campus will need to submit official transcripts prior to the campus interview).
- Contact information for three references – references will be contacted via email and asked to upload a letter of support on your behalf
CSU is an urban university with more than 14,000 students located in the heart of Cleveland, OH. According to the Brookings Institution, CSU is No. 18 in the U.S. among public universities that fulfill a critical dual mission: providing upward mobility and conducting impactful research. CSU is the only Ohio university in the top tier of the Brookings list. For additional information about the city of Cleveland, see https://www.thisiscleveland.com/.
Hire is contingent upon the maintenance of existing levels of funding from the State of Ohio. Offer of employment is contingent on satisfactory completion of the University’s verification of credentials (including evidence of a Ph.D.) and other information required by law and/or University policies or practices, including but not limited to a criminal background check.
It is the policy of Cleveland State University to provide equal opportunity to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran, or genetic information.
