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.