Job Description

Job Summary
The University of Michigan School of Public Health (UMSPH) invites applications and nominations for a bold, collaborative, and transparent leader to serve as its next dean. As one of the leading schools of public health in the nation, recently ranked #2 by U.S. News and World Report, and as part of one of the world's leading public research universities, UMSPH is uniquely positioned to advance the future of public health education, research, and practice within a world-class academic environment.

Who We Are
The University of Michigan (U-M) is home to 19 nationally recognized schools and colleges, making it one of the most comprehensive and academically diverse institutions in the world. U-M is ranked among the top three public universities nationally, with more than 100 graduate programs ranked in the top ten by U.S. News & World Report. U-M had more than $2 billion in research expenditures for fiscal year 2024 and ranked fourth in the nation among all institutions of higher education, and second among public universities, in the fiscal year 2023 National Science Foundation research expenditure rankings. Michigan Medicine, the University of Michigan's academic medical center, is one of the country's top-ranked academic health centers; its clinical branch, Michigan Health, includes 11 hospitals and hundreds of clinics statewide that are staffed by more than 30,000 employees.

UMSPH is a top-ranked school of public health dedicated to advancing health equity and improving population health. Founded in 1941, UMSPH enrolls more than 1,300 undergraduate and graduate students annually and is supported by over 190 faculty across six academic departments. The school offers a wide array of degree programs, including bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate options, designed to prepare students for leadership in a rapidly evolving public health landscape. With more than $100 million in annual research expenditures, the highest per capita of any school at U-M, UMSPH is home to over 30 research centers and initiatives and plays a leading role in university-wide efforts such as Precision Health, Poverty Solutions, and the Institute for Firearm Injury Prevention. UMSPH's faculty includes internationally recognized leaders with an advanced understanding of infectious disease dynamics, environmental exposures, and health equity. Their research and policy engagement shape decisions at the national and international level, while their mentorship trains the next generation of University of Michigan Dean, School of Public Health public health practitioners and scientists. Faculty and students engage in interdisciplinary, global work across more than 90 countries. UMSPH offers a dynamic academic environment and a strong foundation for the next dean to lead the school into its next era of excellence and impact in public health.

Course Description
The dean of UMSPH serves as the school's chief academic and administrative officer and is a key member of the university's academic leadership. Reporting to the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Laurie McCauley, the dean provides strategic vision and operational leadership across all aspects of the school's mission: education, research, and practice. The dean is a member of the Health Sciences Council of Deans, which is a highly supportive and close-knit group that consists of leaders from all health sciences schools and colleges on the Ann Arbor, Flint, and Dearborn Campuses.

The dean of UMSPH oversees an annual general fund budget allocation of $48.5 million net funding with an endowment of $174 million. As of November 2024, the school included 130 tenured/tenure track faculty, 13 clinical track faculty, and 30 research track faculty. The school provides institutional support for the 9-month base salaries of instructional track (tenure/tenure-track) faculty, reflecting a strong commitment to sustaining the core academic mission.

UMSPH derives revenues from sponsored research contracts and grants, degree and certificate program tuition and fees, gifts and endowment payouts, and other miscellaneous income. The U-M budget model functions within a hybrid system of responsibility center budgeting, incremental budgeting, and centralized/initiative budgeting.

Establish a bold strategic vision for the future of the School of Public Health

The next dean will be charged with establishing a bold, unifying strategic vision that positions UMSPH for long-term impact and resilience. Through a collaborative strategic planning process that engages faculty, staff, students, and external partners, the dean will articulate a forward-looking strategy rooted in the school's mission and responsive to evolving public health needs, workforce demands, and societal shifts. This vision must bring coherence across the school's diverse and entrepreneurial departments, enabling more effective decision-making while preserving the innovative spirit that defines UMSPH.

In a rapidly changing landscape, marked by technological disruption, shifting enrollment patterns, and constrained funding, the dean will lead with creativity and pragmatism. They will ensure the school remains proactive in adapting to emerging trends such as artificial intelligence, while stabilizing core operations and strengthening internal structures. This includes developing clear policies and processes, aligning resources with strategic priorities, and fostering a culture of unity, transparency, and shared purpose.