Associate Dean of Healthcare
Priority Consideration Date: April 30th, 2026
Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with nearby mountain ranges and Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is surrounded by outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating and camping. Tacoma, Washington has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the country, due to the increasing career opportunities, cultural diversity and community engagement, just to name a few.
Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup and Squaxin Island Tribes. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at a great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of our community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition. TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Asian, and other marginalized communities. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.
We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black/African- American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. To this end, TCC seeks applicants who:
- Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching
- Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others
- Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community
- Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population
- Are committed to teaching in a community college setting
- Care deeply about student success
- Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
- Honor TCC’s mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities
- Reflect the diversity of our community
Position Summary:
The Associate Dean of Healthcare provides administrative leadership and oversight for the Nursing and Nursing Assistant programs at Tacoma Community College (TCC) and collaborates closely with the Dean of Healthcare on planning and advancing college strategic initiatives. This role provides leadership in curriculum development, program assessment and continuous improvement, faculty development and performance evaluation, budget and financial management, and facilities planning.
The Associate Dean of Healthcare supports faculty and staff in the day-to-day execution of their responsibilities, ensuring departmental goals and project milestones are met and that work remains aligned with approved budgets. While the primary focus of the role is the Nursing program, the Associate Dean also supports the broader Healthcare Pathway by participating in division-level planning, contributing to cross-program initiatives, and ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and workforce needs.
This position reports to the Dean of Healthcare.
Essential Functions
- Provide visionary leadership to advance excellence in the Tacoma Community College Nursing Program while upholding the college’s mission, vision, values, and strategic goals.
- Ensure program compliance with all applicable regulatory and accreditation requirements, including Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Washington State Board of Nursing (WABON), and Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) standards.
- Maintain current knowledge of emerging research, peer-reviewed literature, and best practices in nursing education and healthcare, disseminating relevant findings to support evidence-based curriculum, policies, and program improvement.
- Advocate for and support nursing faculty and staff in maintaining high academic quality, curriculum rigor, and instructional excellence across all nursing programs.
- Lead development and management of Nursing program budgets, including analysis of departmental needs, coordination of budget requests, preparation of annual budgets for review by the Dean and Provost, and responsible stewardship of financial resources.
- Conduct quarterly budget reviews, monitor expenditures, and forecast resource needs to align fiscal planning with strategic priorities, enrollment trends, and long-term program sustainability.
- Identify and pursue opportunities to generate additional revenue through grant funding, strategic partnerships, and innovative collaborations with clinical partners and community organizations.
- Promote transparent and effective communication across the Nursing program by facilitating regular meetings and fostering collaboration among full-time and part-time faculty and staff.
- Support faculty recruitment, onboarding, mentoring, evaluation, and professional development, fostering a collaborative culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Oversee tenure processes for nursing faculty in accordance with institutional policies and collective bargaining agreements.
- Engage students in program governance and educational activities in alignment with accreditation expectations and student engagement standards.
- Oversee program recruitment, marketing, and outreach efforts, including coordination of information sessions, orientation activities, and collaboration on program materials such as brochures, catalogs, and website content.
- Oversee student progression, retention, and readmission processes, ensuring compliance with program policies, clinical site requirements, and student support initiatives such as tutoring and academic assistance programs.
- Use program and student outcomes data to inform assessment, policy development, and resource allocation, including oversight of processes related to NCLEX preparation and licensure application support.
- Provide administrative leadership and operational support across Healthcare Pathway programs in collaboration with the Dean, ensuring alignment with division and institutional priorities.
- Partner with the Dean to advance strategic initiatives that strengthen workforce alignment, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and student success.
- Promote innovative and collaborative teaching and learning practices, including simulation integration, interprofessional education (IPE), and clinical partnerships that reflect contemporary healthcare practice.
- Provide direct supervision and strategic oversight of program support staff responsible for clinical onboarding, compliance processes, and documentation, ensuring standardized and effective operations.
- Oversee the development and maintenance of clinical affiliation agreements and partnerships with healthcare organizations, ensuring regulatory compliance and supporting high-quality clinical placements.
- Maintain and strengthen partnerships with healthcare providers, advisory committees, and community stakeholders to support workforce development and excellence in nursing education.
- Oversee implementation of approved courses and programs of instruction, including scheduling, classroom and laboratory assignments, instructional materials, and operational processes necessary to maintain program quality.
- Collaborate with institutional partners including Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; Access Services; Enrollment Services; Academic Advising; and other departments - to support strategic initiatives, accreditation activities, and student success.
- Provide leadership and guidance to the Nursing Assistant Certified (NAC) program director to ensure continued program development, regulatory compliance, and responsiveness to regional workforce needs.
- Serve as a strategic partner to the Dean of Healthcare in advancing the Healthcare Pathway’s mission and ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, accreditation expectations, and regional workforce demands.
Qualifications
Duties of the position require knowledge, skills, and abilities:
- Experience working with healthcare agencies and community organizations.
- Evidence of teaching and/or technical training experience, minimum of three (3) years.
- Must have excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Must meet qualifications, standards, and requirements of Nursing educational WAC246-840-517
- WABON requirements:
- WAC 246-840-517(2a). A BSN degree from a nursing education program accredited by a national nursing education accrediting body recognized by the United States department of Education and a graduate degree, OR a graduate degree from a nursing education program accredited by a national nursing education accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education.
- WAC 246-840-517(2b). Preparation in education that includes teaching adults, adult learning theory, teaching methods, curriculum development, and curriculum evaluation, OR two years of teaching experience in nursing education that demonstrates this type of preparation.
- WAC 246-840-517(2c). Curriculum development and administration experience.
- WAC 246-840-517(2d). Five years of experience as a registered nurse including two years of experience in nursing education. WAC 246-840-517(2e). Current knowledge of nursing practice at the associate degree program level.
Required Qualifications:
- Master's degree in nursing required; a doctorate in Nursing or a related field preferred.
- Degree must be earned from an accredited nursing program.
- Minimum of five years of experience in nursing practice as a Registered Nurse, which may include academic, clinical, administrative, or a combination of these roles.
- Minimum of three years of teaching experience in nursing education, or preparation in education that includes adult learning theory, teaching methods, curriculum development, and curriculum evaluation; experience in curriculum development and program administration preferred.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of nursing education and program operations.
- Unencumbered, active Registered Nurse (RN) license in Washington State at the time of hire.
Required conditions of employment:
Successful completion of a criminal history background check.
Application Process
Complete application packages must include the following:
- Tacoma Community College online application.
- Resume and cover letter, In your cover letter describe how your background and experiences align with the responsibilities of this position.
- Diversity Statement: Tacoma Community College is committed to creating and supporting a multi-cultural climate that welcomes, fosters, respects, and celebrates diversity. Please attach a statement (maximum two pages) describing your experiences with other cultures and communities, your level of cultural self-awareness and how you have integrated both experience and self-awareness into your living/working environment.
Terms of Employment
This is a full-time professional exempt position contracted on an annual basis. The salary range is $105,000-$115,500 base salary, plus an annual nurse educator stipend. The salary will be prorated to reflect the actual number of contract days worked in the remainder of the fiscal year. Scheduled to work Monday-Friday during the academic year. Work schedule will vary based on programing and team needs. Tacoma Community College offers a comprehensive healthcare benefits package for you and your dependents including medical, dental, and vision insurance. Life and long-term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick and personal leave; reduced tuition for the employee; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our employment page/employment benefits: https://www.tacomacc.edu/about/employment/. Degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and verified by National Clearinghouse. International degrees will be verified for U.S. equivalency.
Tacoma Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator. Tacoma Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types). Provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Stephen Smith, Title VII and Title IX, Building 14, 253-566-5055; Kathryn Held, Section 504 Officer, Student Affairs Administration Office at 253-566-5115. This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed and or modified without notice.
Tacoma Community College
Human Resources
6501 S 19th St Bldg. 14, Tacoma WA 98466