Associate Dean, Academic Affairs
About the role
The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (ADAA) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the osteopathic pre-clerkship (Years 1-2) medical education program. The ADAA ensures delivery of an innovative, integrated, competency-based curriculum that is aligned across the undergraduate medical education continuum.
Responsibilities
Lead the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of an integrated, competency-based pre-clerkship curriculum grounded in osteopathic philosophy.
Ensure vertical and horizontal integration across the UME continuum in collaboration with clinical education leadership.
Advance innovative educational strategies, including interdisciplinary learning, early clinical experiences, and emerging trends in medical education.
Monitor national trends and lead strategic curricular reform to meet evolving healthcare and educational needs.
Oversee program evaluation, student assessment, and continuous quality improvement processes.
Develop and implement strategies to optimize student performance on licensure examinations (COMLEX/USMLE).
Align assessment systems with competency-based education and progression standards.
Oversee policies and processes related to student progression, remediation, and academic performance.
Collaborate with student affairs and clinical education to support student well-being, professionalism, and readiness for clinical training.
Lead accreditation efforts for pre-clerkship education, including COCA standards compliance and reporting.
Partner with department chairs and senior leadership to recruit, retain, and develop high-quality faculty.
Lead faculty development initiatives that promote teaching excellence, educational innovation, and engagement in the academic mission.
Oversee day-to-day academic operations for pre-clerkship education to ensure consistent, high-quality program delivery.
Supervise academic affairs personnel, course directors, and faculty leaders responsible for curriculum implementation.
Manage course scheduling, faculty deployment, and adjunct faculty recruitment.
Collaborate with institutional partners (e.g., Registrar, CETL, CPC, CAIPE) to support curriculum delivery and infrastructure.
Manage academic affairs resources, including budget, facilities, and educational technologies.
Contribute to new programs, partnerships, and early clinical learning opportunities.
Serve as a key member of the college leadership team, supporting governance, policy development, and institutional initiatives.
Promote interprofessional education and external partnerships.
Advance a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and mission-driven excellence.
Qualifications
DO or MD degree and at least five years of leadership experience in undergraduate medical education.
Demonstrated expertise in curriculum design, assessment, and accreditation (COCA experience preferred).
Experience with competency-based medical education and innovative teaching approaches (osteopathic UME preferred).
Proven leadership in faculty development, student success initiatives, and academic administration.
Demonstrated experience managing others.
Excellent communication, organizational, and strategic planning skills.
Experience managing budgets, personnel, and complex academic operations.
National or regional professional leadership experience preferred.