Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

The University of Minnesota School of Dentistry (SOD) seeks a dynamic, multifaceted leader to serve as the next Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to usher the School through its next phase of growth and innovation. Reporting to the Dean, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (AADA) will provide strategic leadership and facilitate a vision for all academic matters across the School of Dentistry, including curriculum development, student and resident affairs, advanced education, student admissions and progression, and more. With a mission to advance health through scientific discovery, innovative education and the highest-quality care for all communities, the SOD is the only school of dentistry in Minnesota, and the only dental school in the northern tier of states between Wisconsin and the Pacific Northwest. The work of the School affects a significant proportion of Minnesotans, educating 73% of dentists in Minnesota, 68% of licensed dental therapists, and 49% of dental hygiene educators. 

The SOD maintains an active, competitive, and successful research environment - investigators and programs in the School are currently supported with just under $8 million annual external funding.   Research is organized into five clusters: Behavioral, Public Health & Education Research; Biomaterials, Biomechanics and Technology; Oral Microbiology, Virology, Immunology and Cancer; Systems Biology of the Orofacial Complex; and Clinical & Translational Research. Working together across disciplines, faculty and students bring the latest knowledge and advancements from the classroom into clinics and offices across the state and beyond. The SOD is also the only dental school in the U.S with an MRI dedicated to oral health. 

The successful candidate will have strong administrative leadership skills and knowledge of contemporary curricular modalities and transformative competencies to advance clinical education. The University of Minnesota offers a comprehensive and diverse landscape in health sciences education, research, and patient care, and the ideal ADAA candidate will have expertise in medical-dental integration and in building collaborative practice models. As the most senior leader at the SOD behind the Dean, the ADAA will work collaboratively with the Dean, other Associate/Assistant Deans, the Department Chairs, and the Director of DEI towards maintaining a culture steeped in academic excellence, while fostering a humanistic environment in their office and promoting the same throughout the academic environment. Additionally, the ADAA will work closely with Division Directors and the Associate Dean for Patient Care and Clinical Services to oversee and influence the academic components of student progression through their clinical coursework. This leader will have a strong understanding of the use of technology in education and the integration of basic, behavioral, and clinical sciences through the curriculum and will represent the School to external stakeholders as needed.

The SOD is at a pivotal moment of transformation, marked by exciting growth and bold initiatives. With an increasing focus on expanding its footprint in rural communities, embracing cutting-edge technologies in digital dentistry, and preparing for significant upgrades to its clinical facilities, the School is poised to shape the future of dental education and patient care. The ADAA role is uniquely integrated into every layer of these advancements, offering a rare opportunity for a visionary leader to make a profound and lasting impact. This is why we seek a strong, forward-thinking leader – because this position is vital to steering the SOD toward its ambitious goals and ensuring its continued success in this dynamic era.

Jay Torio is leading this search with Jasmine Miller.