Founding Director, Physician Assistant Program

Company: Sam Houston State University
Location: Conroe
Posted on: September 12, 2023

Job Description:

Founding Director, Physician Assistant ProgramSam Houston State University (SHSU), in partnership with the national search firm,--, invites applications and nominations for the position of Founding Director for the proposed* Physician Assistant Program. Sam Houston State University seeks an innovative and dynamic leader to serve in this full-time appointment within the College of Health Sciences (COHS). This is a full-time, tenure-eligible, 12-month position that reports directly to the Dean of the COHS. Salary is commensurate with professional experience and academic preparation.
*Subject to approval by applicable governing and accrediting agencies
The proposed Physician Assistant Program will be housed in Conroe, Texas on SHSU's Medical
and Health Professions Campus, and will matriculate students in Fall 2026. In 2021, SHSU
received tuition revenue bond funding to build an 80,000 square foot Health Professions
Building. The new building, estimated to open in December 2025, will house four academic
programs including the MS in Athletic Training, MS in Dietetics, MS in Physician Assistant
(proposed), and Doctor of Physical Therapy (proposed). Conroe, Texas is in Montgomery County
about 40 miles north of Houston, the 4th largest city and most diverse city in the U.S. , located near downtown Houston, is the world's largest medical
complex. The SHSU Medical and Health Professions campus is approximately 10 miles north of
the "Medical Center of the north."Responsibilities:

• Curriculum development;
  
• Strategic planning and partnerships;
  
• Fiscal management of personnel and faculty/staff resources;
  
• Collaboration and innovation for interprofessional education (IPE);
  
• Application for initial accreditation that meets all standards of Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA);
  
• Ongoing maintenance of accreditation;
  
• Recruitment for the program;
  
• Leading and administering the program;
  
• Continually evaluating and advancing the goals of the program; and
  
• Other duties as assigned by the Dean of the COHS.
  Qualifications:
  • Minimum of a master's degree from an accredited Physician Assistant Program; doctorate degree preferred.
    
  • Must be a certified Physician Assistant.
    
  • Three years of full-time higher education experience at the time of appointment.
    
  • Outstanding organizational skills, communication, time management skills, and self- motivation.
    
  • Licensure as a Physician Assistant in the State of Texas, or eligible to obtain licensure.
    
  • Previous teaching experience in higher education.
    
  • Previous experience with ARC-PA.
    
  • Previous leadership/administrative experience.
    About Sam Houston State University:
    For more than 140 years, as a member of the Texas State University System, SHSU has been
    preparing students for meaningful lives of achievement. Its motto, "The measure of a Life is its
    Service," resonates among its approximately 21,612 students, eight colleges and well beyond its
    Huntsville roots. Sam Houston State offers top-ranked degree programs, and graduates are not
    only well-prepared to think and respond to the workforce needs of a rapidly changing world,
    but also stand ready to serve their community.
    SHSU offers an extensive range of bachelor's and master's degrees, as well as doctorates in
    selected areas. The faculty and the University are recognized regionally, nationally, and
    internationally. The mission of SHSU is to provide high quality education, scholarship, and
    service to students and to regional, state, national, and international constituencies.About the College of Health Sciences:
    The College of Health Sciences began operations in 2013 and is comprised of four academic
    units including the Departments of Human Sciences, Kinesiology, and Public Health, and the
    School of Nursing. COHS serves almost 3,000 students across thirteen undergraduate programs
    and six graduate programs. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution, serving and meeting the needs of
    all our students is central to our mission. In addition, almost 50% of our students identify as
    first-generation college students. Faculty and students across several of our COHS academic
    programs, in partnership with the SHSU College of Osteopathic Medicine, engage in a variety of
    Interprofessional Education (IPE) activities each academic year.About Conroe, Texas:
    Conroe is the fastest-growing city in Texas, and boasts an abundance of exciting offerings.
    Conroe is bordered by 22,000-acre Lake Conroe, Sam Houston National Forest, and W.
    Goodrich Jones State Forest, making for a veritable utopia for the outdoor lover. Conroe is also
    located just north of The Woodlands, a dynamic community located within a natural forest and
    home to approximately 120,000 residents. Conroe Independent School District, which serves
    both Conroe and The Woodlands, is home to top-ranked schools. The Woodlands offers
    intellectual stimulation through cultural institutions like the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion,
    which hosts world-class performances. Both Conroe and The Woodlands are located in
    Montgomery County, which is one of the fastest growing areas in the United States. Conroe's
    close proximity to metropolitan experiences, outdoor activities, shopping, and sports make it
    uniquely positioned to offer a variety of opportunities for its residents. Conroe's close proximity
    to the Houston-Galveston metroplex also provides a large number of activities and multicultural
    partnership opportunities not found in many other areas.
    Learn more about all that and has to offer.Sam Houston State University is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employerand Smoke/Drug-Free Workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration foremployment without regard to race, creed, ancestry, marital status, citizenship, color, religion,sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, orgender identity or expression. Sam Houston State University is an "at will" employer. Employeeswith a contract will have additional terms and conditions. Security sensitive positions at SHSUrequire background checks in accordance with Education Code -- 51.215.

Keywords: Sam Houston State University, Conroe , Founding Director, Physician Assistant Program, Executive , Conroe, Texas