Description

The Opportunity

Harding University invites applications for the next Dean of the College of Pharmacy, a Christ-centered academic leader who will guide one of Harding’s most visible and mission-significant colleges into a new era of innovation and influence to shape the future of Christian pharmacy education.

The College of Pharmacy stands at a pivotal moment. As it begins its second decade of shaping the lives of future pharmacists, the College is known for producing ethical, hardworking graduates whose character is as recognized as their competence. The relational and faith-anchored culture of Harding has formed hundreds of pharmacy practitioners who serve with integrity around the world.

This is an opportunity for a visionary builder, someone who loves students, understands the rhythms of Christian higher education, and brings the courage and creativity to elevate curriculum, recruit and shape next-generation faculty, and engage alumni networks eager to contribute to the College of Pharmacy’s future. Guided by faith and a collaborative spirit, the next dean will steward a legacy and help write its next chapter. The College offers a unique 3.5-year curriculum that saves students time and money while allowing them to start their pharmacy careers sooner. The College also has a collaboration with the Paul R. Carter College of Business Administration and the Cannon-Clary College of Education to provide incoming pharmacy students with the opportunity to pursue a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Science in information systems or a Master of Arts in organizational leadership with covered tuition. Through the pairing of these degrees, graduates are equipped to lead in their practices as clinical pharmacists, while also having the expertise to manage people, organizations, and technology.

About Harding University and the College of Pharmacy

Founded in 1924, Harding University is a private Christian institution located in Searcy, Arkansas, committed to providing a high-quality and transformative Christian education. Rooted in the Churches of Christ tradition, Harding’s mission is “With Christ as Lord, Harding University transforms learners for global impact by engaging minds and nurturing faith within a deeply connected community.” With nearly 5,000 students from 47 states and more than 60 nations and territories, Harding is known for its vibrant campus community, global engagement programs, and a deeply relational culture among faculty, students, and staff. The University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and maintains strong programs across its eight colleges. The College of Pharmacy’s mission is to graduate pharmacists who accept the responsibility of improving the spiritual and physical wellness of the world by providing patient-centered care that ensures optimal medication therapy outcomes delivered through the highest standards of Christian service. The College is accredited by the Accreditation Council of Pharmacy Education, with its most recent comprehensive evaluation resulting in continued accreditation through June 30, 2034.

Harding’s leadership is focused on institutional clarity, academic strength, and bold engagement with the changing marketplace of higher education. The university is embracing new opportunities in technology, health sciences, and mission-oriented fields that prepare students to serve and lead around the world.

The Role of the Dean

The dean of the College of Pharmacy serves as the chief academic and executive leader for the college, reporting to the provost. The dean will provide visionary, collaborative, and accountable leadership, drive program innovation, support faculty development, lead enrollment strategy, strengthen alumni engagement, and promote operational excellence.

The dean will:

• Champion Harding’s Christ-centered mission and infuse faith and ethical leadership.
• Provide strategic direction for academic quality, accreditation, and assessment.
• Recruit, develop, and retain a faculty aligned with the mission and committed to academic excellence.
• Strengthen and expand external relationships with alumni, donors, corporations, and community partners.
• Collaborate with graduate admissions, advancement, and communications and marketing to strengthen enrollment pipelines and brand visibility.
• Engage actively in the president’s cabinet and deans’ council, serving as a strategic partner in university-wide initiatives.
• Identify new program opportunities and delivery methodologies.
• Foster a culture of trust, transparency, teamwork, and open communication among faculty and staff.
• Ensure effective development, delivery, and improvement of curriculum, including oversight and quality assurance of coursework and pharmacy practice experiences.
• Ensure student and faculty development activities are provided to maintain well-being.
• Oversee the administrative officers of the College: the Assistant/Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, the Assistant/Associate Dean for Experiential Education, the Chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the Chair of the Department of Pharmacy Practice, the Assistant/Associate Dean for Admissions, the Assistant/Associate Dean for Student Affairs, and the Director of Assessment.
• Teach in select courses.

This is a relational, visible role requiring presence, humility, and discernment, paired with strategic courage and an ability to lead change with grace.

Requirements

The Ideal Candidate

Professional Qualifications

• An earned terminal degree in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, health professions education, or a closely related discipline from an accredited institution, such as a Pharm.D. or Ph.D.
• At least seven years of experience as a full-time faculty member in a College of Pharmacy.
• At least five years of significant academic administrative leadership experience as a dean, associate dean, assistant dean, department chair, or comparable senior academic administrator within an ACPE-accredited college or school of pharmacy.
• An academic and professional record at the rank of Associate Professor or higher within an appropriate College of Pharmacy discipline.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ACPE accreditation standards, academic assessment, continuous quality improvement, and the contemporary pharmacy education and practice environment.
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning, academic program leadership, student-success initiatives, faculty and staff development, budget management, and organizational change.
• A record of achievement in teaching, scholarship, service, and professional engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to build a collaborative organizational culture and work effectively with faculty, staff, students, university leaders, healthcare partners, regulators, donors, alumni, and community stakeholders.
• Exceptional communication, judgment, integrity, relationship-building, and decision-making abilities.
• Understanding of Christian higher education and the integration of ethics, faith, and leadership.
• Ability to lead within a comprehensive, teaching-focused, mission-driven institution. 

Personal Qualities

• Spiritually mature, Christ-centered leader with an active membership in a Church of Christ.
• Servant-leader with humility, emotional intelligence, and deep relational capacity.
• Visionary thinker who brings courage, creativity, and disciplined execution.
• Bridge-builder able to unify faculty, staff, alumni, administrators, and students.
• Excellent communicator — clear, inspiring, and approachable.
• Confident yet unassuming; demonstrates integrity, consistency, and resilience.