The Assistant/Associate Dean for Academic Affairs serves as the senior educational officer and is responsible for planning, developing and managing the predoctoral dental education program leading to the DDS degree. In addition, this position is responsible for implementing academic policies related to the DDS curriculum and instruction, student evaluation, advancement and graduation.

The Assistant/Associate Dean is a member of the College of Dentistry senior leadership team, reporting directly to the Dean of the College of Dentistry. The Assistant/Associate Dean also provides leadership for the assessment, evaluation and continuous quality improvement of an innovative curriculum.

The Assistant/Associate Dean for Academic Affairs maintains a strong supportive relationship with other administrators, faculty, staff, and students to facilitate a humanistic learning environment for the student body, providing focus, and ensuring educational compliance with accreditation standards. The Assistant/Associate Dean for Academic Affairs is responsible for preparing outcome measure data in support of the educational program related to the Commission on Dental Accreditation Standards.

Other responsibilities include:

·       Establishing a vision and strategic plan for the future of the Office of Academic Affairs in consultation with the dean and aligned with the college, health science center and university.

·       Implementing and assessing a strategic plan for the predoctoral programs of the college.

·       Serving as an advocate for student learning.

·       Continually updating, implementing and enforcing the policies and procedures in the Student Handbook.

·       Managing the operations of the Office of Academic Affairs.

·       Ensuring a culture of excellence, hospitality, collegiality, and collaboration.

The Assistant/Associate Dean of Academic Affairs will have the opportunity to have a preclinical, clinical or didactic teaching role, consistent with his/her area of expertise as well as the opportunity to practice in the College Faculty Practice, if desired.

Minimum qualifications:

DDS/DMD and/or PhD degrees.

Education and academic experience commensurate for the rank of Assistant, Associate or Professor.

At least 5 years experience in dental education at the institutional level.

At least 5 years of administrative experience, current or previous experience in a leadership role.

Experience in curricular design, didactic and clinical assessment methodology. Demonstrated experience working with effective teams to identify and resolve problems. Demonstrated experience in supervising the work of others in a dental education setting. 

Preferred qualifications:

Experience in dental education at the institutional level, preferably in the development, implementation, evaluation and monitoring of an education program leading to the dental degree.

Experience with the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) and preparation for CODA accreditation.

The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry has retained the national executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to assist in the search. All applications, inquiries, and nominations, which will remain confidential, should be directed to the search firm as indicated.

Screening of complete applications will begin immediately and continue until the completion of the search process. Inquiries, nominations, referrals, and CVs with cover letters should be sent via the Isaacson, Miller website:

Asst/Assoc Dean for Academic Affairs | Isaacson, Miller

Electronic submission of materials is strongly encouraged.

If you experience any issues, please contact Maria Pena, Senior Search Coordinator with Isaacson, Miller at [email protected].