UNC Chapel Hill, School of Nursing - Associate Dean of Simulation and Experiential Learning
Company: Academic Career & Executive Search
Location: Chapel Hill
Posted on: April 1, 2026
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Job Description:
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of
Nursing Associate Dean for Simulation and Experiential Learning and
Professor (Open Rank – Academic or Clinical Track) Academic Career
& Executive Search is pleased to assist The University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing in its search for
Associate Dean for Simulation and Experiential Learning and
Professor (Open Rank – Academic or Clinical Track). For full
consideration, please apply by May 4, 2026. This is a rare and
prestigious opportunity to lead one of the nation’s most
established simulation enterprises in nursing education at a moment
of extraordinary institutional momentum. Amid sustained enrollment
growth and strategic investment in nursing workforce development,
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing
(Carolina Nursing) is elevating simulation and experiential
learning as a central pillar of its academic mission. Carolina
Nursing’s Education Innovation Simulation Learning Environment
(EISLE) is not simply a supporting unit; it is a flagship program
that has helped define Carolina Nursing’s national reputation and
shape best practices in immersive, evidence-based nursing education
for decades. The Associate Dean for Simulation and Experiential
Learning and Professor will build on this strong foundational
legacy while bringing innovation and vision to help shape the
future of simulation-based experiential learning for academic
nursing and clinical education. With nearly $2.9 million in new UNC
System funding dedicated to nursing expansion, including
significant investment in simulation personnel, infrastructure, and
advanced technologies, the Associate Dean will steward one of the
most visible and well-supported simulation portfolios in the
country. Set to open in spring of 2027, the new Nursing Education
Building will feature three dedicated floors of purpose-built
simulation space, signaling deep institutional commitment and
long-term strategic alignment. This level of backing reflects not
only confidence in the program’s trajectory, but an expectation
that Carolina Nursing will lead the national standard, guided by
Dean Valerie Howard’s longstanding commitment and investment in
simulation and experiential learning. A leader in evidence-based
simulation education and former president of the International
Nursing Association of Clinical Simulation and Learning (INACSL),
Dr. Howard helped advance the first national standards for
simulation best practices and brings a deep understanding of what
is required to build and sustain a high-performing simulation
program. The role arrives at a pivotal moment of growth and
opportunity. Expanded staff, increasing engagement with clinical
and academic partners, and high-impact initiatives such as the Tar
Heel Academic Practice Partnership and Carolina Nursing’s virtual
reality simulation program position EISLE for broader
interprofessional collaboration and statewide impact. The Associate
Dean will bring cohesion, strategic clarity, and bold innovation to
an already distinguished enterprise, strengthening organization
alignment, reinforcing its identity, and amplifying national
visibility and influence in simulation-based nursing education.
Designed as a 50% faculty and 50% administrative appointment, this
role is ideally suited for a nationally respected senior faculty
leader who brings both scholarly credibility and strategic
leadership to advancing simulation and experiential learning. The
administrative appointment reports to the Dean with the faculty
support from the Division Chair. The Associate Dean will join
Carolina Nursing’s senior leadership team and help shape the future
of simulation-based nursing education at one of the nation’s
leading public research universities. This position is fully
on-site. View the full Leadership Profile to learn more about this
opportunity, Carolina Nursing, UNC Chapel Hill and the community.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Administrative-Specific Responsibilities
Include: Strategic Leadership: Lead initiatives to integrate
cutting-edge simulation methodologies into the curriculum.
Partnership Development: Strengthen partnerships with clinical and
community partners to enhance experiential learning opportunities.
Quality Assurance: Ensure high-quality, evidence-based experiential
learning that prepares students for real-world nursing practice.
Program Oversight: Oversee, enhance, and expand simulation-based
education and experiential learning opportunities for nursing
students across undergraduate and graduate programs. MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS Doctoral degree (PhD, DNP, EdD, or equivalent) in
nursing, education, or a related field. Experience and
qualifications commensurate with a faculty appointment at the rank
of Full or Associate Professor on either the tenure-earning or
clinical track. Active, unencumbered RN license or eligibility for
licensure in North Carolina. Minimum of five (5) years of
experience in simulation-based education or experiential learning,
including leadership of programs, teams, or initiatives within an
academic or healthcare setting. Expertise in simulation pedagogy,
debriefing methodologies, and experiential learning strategies.
Demonstrated success in curriculum development, faculty mentorship,
and interprofessional collaboration. Experience in program
evaluation, accreditation processes, and research related to
simulation and experiential learning. Strong communication,
organizational, and leadership skills. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Certification in simulation education (e.g., CHSE, CHSOS, or
equivalent). Experience with emerging simulation technologies,
including virtual and augmented reality. Grant-writing and external
funding experience. National recognition in the field of simulation
and experiential learning. About the Institution Founded in 1789 as
the first public university in the United States, The University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill is one of the nation’s leading public
research universities and the flagship institution of the UNC
System. The University enrolls 31,000 students, supported by 4,000
faculty and 9,000 staff who come to Chapel Hill from around the
world, bringing varied cultural, racial, socio-economic and ethnic
heritages that help make UNC Chapel Hill a thriving and diverse
global intellectual center. Consistently ranked among the top
public universities in the country by U.S. News & World Report, UNC
Chapel Hill is widely recognized for both academic excellence and
exceptional value. Classified among the nation’s R1 research
universities, UNC Chapel Hill is home to world-renowned programs
across disciplines including medicine, public health, business,
law, and health sciences. Located in the Research Triangle,
alongside Duke University and North Carolina State University, UNC
Chapel Hill sits within one of the country’s most dynamic hubs for
research, healthcare innovation, and technology development. This
environment fosters deep collaboration across academia, industry,
and clinical practice, reinforcing Carolina’s role as a global
center of discovery, education, and public service. Learn more
about The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: Quick Facts
About the School of Nursing Established in 1950, Carolina Nursing
is a nationally recognized leader in nursing education, research,
and clinical innovation. The School offers highly ranked BSN, MSN,
DNP, and PhD programs, along with post-graduate certificate
programs that prepare nurse leaders to improve health outcomes
locally, nationally, and globally. Located on UNC Chapel Hill’s
health sciences campus and within walking distance of the Schools
of Medicine, Public Health, Pharmacy, Dentistry, and Social Work,
Carolina Nursing benefits from a deeply collaborative
interprofessional environment. Its proximity to UNC Hospitals, one
of the nation’s leading academic health systems, further
strengthens opportunities for clinical education, research
partnerships, and translational impact. Carolina Nursing faculty
lead and contribute to a diverse portfolio of multidisciplinary
research and scholarship addressing critical health challenges. The
School is widely recognized for its commitment to academic
excellence, community engagement, and innovative models of
experiential learning that prepare the next generation of nursing
leaders. Learn more about Carolina Nursing: Quick Facts Living in
the Area Located in central North Carolina, Chapel Hill is a
multicultural university town known for its blend of small-town
charm, cultural richness, and academic energy. Together with nearby
Raleigh and Durham, Chapel Hill forms the renowned Research
Triangle , one of the country’s leading hubs for research,
healthcare, and technology. The region offers an exceptional
quality of life, with highly regarded schools, nationally
recognized healthcare systems, and a strong growing economy
anchored by Research Triangle Park, one of the largest research
parks in the world. Residents enjoy easy access to parks,
greenways, and outdoor recreation, including the nearby North
Carolina Botanical Garden . The heart of Chapel Hill is Franklin
Street , a lively downtown district featuring more than 200
restaurants, cafés, music venues, and locally owned shops. Cultural
opportunities throughout the Triangle include performing arts,
museums, festivals, and collegiate athletics, contributing to a
dynamic and welcoming community. Chapel Hills’ central location
also allows convenient travel to both the Blue Ridge Mountains and
North Carolina’s Atlantic coastline, making it easy to explore the
state’s diverse landscapes and outdoor destinations. Chapel Hill
consistently ranks among the best places to live in the United
States for quality of life, education, and community vitality.
Learn more about the area: Chapel Hill/Orange County Visitors
Bureau / Research Triangle Park To Apply For full consideration,
please apply by May 4, 2026. Please apply through the application
link and do not email applications. Applications will be reviewed
as they are received and should include a cover letter and
curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages.
All applications are treated confidentially. Inquiries, referrals,
and nominations are also treated confidentially. Inquiries and
questions: Please send to UNCNursingADSim@acesrch.com . Nominations
and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact
information if available to nominations@acesrch.com . Institutional
Information The University is an equal opportunity employer and
welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender
expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin,
race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all
qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and
individuals with disabilities.
Keywords: Academic Career & Executive Search, Chapel Hill , UNC Chapel Hill, School of Nursing - Associate Dean of Simulation and Experiential Learning, Education / Teaching , Chapel Hill, North Carolina
