Dean, Milken Institute School of Public Health

The George Washington University (GW) seeks a visionary and dynamic leader to serve as the next dean of the Milken Institute School of Public Health ( GWSPH). The new dean will shape the future of public health education, research, practice, and policy at one of the nation's leading schools of public health. Committed to advancing population health and well-being locally, nationally, and globally, GWSPH empowers students, faculty, and staff to drive meaningful, impactful change. The GWSPH is at the forefront of tackling the most pressing health challenges of our time through cutting-edge research, bold policy initiatives, educational programming, and innovative public health practice. As GWSPH embarks on its next phase of growth and transformation, the next dean will have an extraordinary opportunity to lead this charge-cultivating new opportunities, expanding impact, and inspiring the next generation of public health leaders.

GWSPH works to advance population health locally, nationally, and globally by applying public health knowledge to enhance policy, practice, and management; conducting rigorous basic, applied, and translational research; and educating the next generation of public health leaders, scientists, practitioners, advocates, managers, and policymakers. The next dean will lead the school through an exciting and critical period for the university. Building on the momentum of its recent inclusion in the Association of American Universities ( AAU), GW is developing an aspirational strategic framework to guide the university in the next decade and beyond. GW's elevated research mandate will prioritize increasing the volume and impact of its research and catalyzing interdisciplinary research. GWSPH will be central to these aspirations as a major contributor to the university's research enterprise. The next dean also will advance GWSPH's alignment with the university's strategic framework themes:

The GWSPH faculty are leading public health scholars, educators, and practitioners deeply involved in the policy landscape at local, national, and global levels. Students have unparalleled opportunities to engage in a "living campus," participating and collaborating with federal agencies, local governments, international organizations, and numerous non-governmental organizations based in DC. This presents a unique and prestigious opportunity to lead a thriving public health school-the only one in the nation's capital - during a pivotal moment in the history of public health, both in the United States and globally.

The next leader of the Milken Institute School of Public Health must be deeply committed to nurturing the intricate interplay between research, education, policy, and practice. This role demands a distinguished scholar and administrator who can drive innovation while upholding the fundamental mission of public health: protecting and improving the health of individuals, communities, and populations worldwide. They must intimately understand the school's pivotal role and its profound impact within the community of Washington, D.C. The new dean must be a strategic thinker grounded in public health values and a compassionate leader who champions a caring and supportive culture. They should excel in communication, management, and fundraising and demonstrate a collaborative and inclusive leadership style that fosters an environment of collegiality, and innovation, leading with kindness and empathy.

The next dean will be expected to:

Fiercely advocate for public health and GWSPH in a rapidly evolving political, social, and environmental context. Therefore, this role involves building and/or deepening areas of research expertise and policy impact in a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation, recruiting, retaining, and mentoring world-class faculty, and inspiring continuous improvement at all school levels. Additionally, the dean will prioritize strengthening the principles of shared governance as a core value for GW and GWSPH.

Ensure residential and online educational programs meet the evolving needs of the public health workforce. This includes equipping the next generation of researchers and public health professionals with the skills and knowledge essential for leading interdisciplinary, team-based scientific discovery and implementation. The dean will need to prioritize advancing student development initiatives to better prepare graduates for careers in public health. The dean should be committed to creating an academic community where students are empowered to make meaningful contributions to public health research, policy, and practice. Moreover, the dean should work toward ensuring accessibility to the programs offered by the GWSPH by supporting initiatives and fundraising efforts that provide students with the resources necessary for their success. Finally, the dean should ensure the correct balance of graduate enrollment and programs, with an astute eye toward enhancing the student experience and student outcomes.

The University's admission into the AAU is both welcomed and serves as an incentive to aim even higher. To capitalize on this momentum, the dean must cultivate a dynamic research ecosystem that prioritizes interdisciplinary collaboration, translational impact, innovation, and excellence. The dean should demonstrate skill and commitment to improving the research infrastructure within the GWSPH by investing in shared resources, streamlining institutional processes, enhancing grant administration support, and developing centralized hubs for cross-departmental projects. Additionally, the dean should seek to increase the volume and diversity of the school's research award portfolio and foster efforts that facilitate national and international collaborations. The dean will empower junior faculty through mentorship programs and seed funding for pilot studies, thereby enhancing the school's competitiveness for early-career awards.

Demonstrate the ability to anticipate and respond to emerging public health challenges, showcasing expertise in identifying future trends, developing strategic responses to complex health issues, and positioning the school at the forefront of public health innovation. The dean must navigate an era of unprecedented challenges, which demands an anticipatory, adaptive, and inclusive leadership style, ensuring GWSPH remains a hub for public health innovation. A participatory leadership style should be a central component of the dean's managerial philosophy, involving collaborative strategic planning with faculty, students, and community partners.

Foster collaboration within the school and across university divisions. To effectively leverage and deepen excellence across the university, the dean must strengthen existing collaborations, seek new opportunities, and facilitate their exploration and establishment. The dean will champion innovative approaches that transcend traditional academic boundaries by fostering meaningful partnerships across schools, departments, and disciplines. Success in this role requires identifying and cultivating synergistic relationships that promote knowledge exchange, resource sharing, and innovative approaches to public health education and research.

Provide sound financial management essential for the long-term fulfillment of the school's mission. The dean must manage resources wisely across key revenue streams, including gifts, research funding, and tuition, while building sustainable financial foundations through endowment growth. Success requires maintaining sound budgetary controls, striking an optimal balance between operational efficiency and program quality, and adapting the School's financial model to evolving funding environments. The dean will be expected to engage actively in fundraising initiatives, dedicating significant time to cultivating donor relationships and stewarding existing partnerships to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

The university and school have a strong commitment to recruiting and retaining faculty, staff, and students of the highest caliber who have thrived in different environments and would enrich our community with different experiences and perspectives. The dean must have a demonstrated track record of successfully creating and sustaining environments that prioritize these core values. They will be expected to implement strategic initiatives that build on this commitment, recognizing that differences in perspectives and lived experiences also advance public health solutions that serve all communities.

The dean must pursue the autonomy necessary to support the school while advancing institutional priorities. The dean must effectively advocate for faculty, staff, and students in university-wide settings, particularly regarding institutional resources and processes such as tuition setting and donor allocation. Success requires championing a "One GW" approach that strengthens connections across the university ecosystem and enhances GW's market position and reputation. The dean will serve as a key ambassador, leveraging the school's strengths to contribute to and advance the university's broader strategic vision and market presence.

Fostering the school's mission to protect health and save lives begins within its own community. The dean should leverage the school's unique position in Washington, D.C., capitalizing on our proximity to global health institutions such as The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund ( IMF), and Pan American Health Organization ( PAHO) in addition to our many local community partners including our neighboring Departments of Health. The dean must effectively partner with these institutions and other local community leaders to establish mutually beneficial relationships that advance public health initiatives and serve the public good.

Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Candidates should have an international reputation and distinguished academic accomplishments commensurate with appointment at the rank of tenured professor at the Milken Institute School of Public Health. They should have proven ability in scholarly or other similar leadership, including fostering excellence in educational and research programs and respect for the dedication of an outstanding faculty. Preferred candidates will have experience managing complex organizational structures, particularly the ability to work effectively in a decentralized environment and a proven ability to forge consensus and draw varied constituencies together toward shared goals. Ideal candidates should have a demonstrated ability to listen to varied stakeholders, make difficult choices, rally people around those choices, and to make courageous, principled, and transparent decisions. They should be effective communicators with the ability to establish rapport and foster strong relationships with faculty, senior administrators, trustees, staff, students, alumni, donors, and other constituents. The successful candidate should be a savvy institution-builder deftly able to identify opportunities, choose high-reward risks, and see the horizon in the fast-changing world of Public Health.

Employer will not sponsor for employment Visa status.
The entire description can be found at: https://files.passle.net/Passle/58a5cb8db00e8110e83aa395/MediaLibrary/Document/2025-02-27-22-03-50-233-GWMilkenInstituteSchoolofPublicHealthDeanPositionDescription.pdf
Materials should be sent electronically via e-mail to the University's consultants, Dr. Jonathan Fortescue of Park Square Executive Search, at jonathan@parksquare.com or Michelle Burger, principal, at mburger@parksquare.com.
Documents that must be mailed may be sent to Jonathan Fortescue, Ph.D.,
Managing Partner, Park Square Executive Search, LLC, 225 Franklin Street, 17th Floor, Boston, MA
02110.
Candidates should provide a curriculum vitae, a letter of application addressing the responsibilities and requirements described herein, and five references' names and contact information. References will not be contacted without the candidate's prior knowledge and approval.