Illinois State University’s Mennonite College of Nursing in Normal, Illinois, is seeking a full-time Director of Undergraduate Nursing Programs. The annual salary is US$110,000 to US$120,000, and the application deadline is Oct 24, 2026.

The director is the primary academic administrator for MCN’s undergraduate nursing programs, including the traditional BSN, accelerated BSN and RN-to-BSN sequences at both the Normal and Springfield locations. The director ensures high-quality, evidence-based nursing education, compliance with Illinois State Board of Nursing and accreditor standards, and positive student outcomes including retention, progression and success on the NCLEX licensing exam.

The role requires specialised expertise in evidence-based nursing education and nursing practice, informed interpretations of Illinois State Board of Nursing policies and procedures, experience in curricular alignment with the AACN Essentials and other nursing curricular standards, and practical experience supporting nursing student success. The director interprets policy and exercises independent decision-making to administer academic programmes in alignment with university and college policies and according to their specialised professional knowledge of undergraduate nursing education.

The director provides independent oversight of teaching assignments and course scheduling so that assignments serve nursing students’ development and support faculty performance across teaching, scholarship and service. The director also provides independent oversight of clinical placements, contributes to college leadership’s strategic planning, independently conducts annual performance evaluations of all part-time non-tenure-line faculty and, when necessary, mentors faculty toward teaching excellence. The director is the first administrative leader to respond to student and faculty concerns when they cannot be resolved between students and faculty, reports to the associate dean for academic affairs and serves as direct supervisor of all part-time non-tenure-line faculty.

University benefit highlights include insurance benefits covering health, dental, vision and life; retirement and supplemental retirement planning options; tuition waiver benefits available to staff and their eligible dependents; paid holiday and administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks; and paid benefit time.

Required qualifications are a doctoral degree in nursing; work experience including 24 months in nursing practice and a minimum of 36 months teaching in an accredited nursing programme, preferably a baccalaureate or higher degree programme; excellent demonstrated leadership related to nursing education or a nursing specialty; a valid RN license in the state of Illinois; excellent written and oral communication; administrative experience in a nursing unit at an institution of higher learning that required independent decision-making; the ability to earn tenure in the Mennonite College of Nursing according to current Appointment, Salary, Promotion and Tenure policies; and nursing science research experience. The work schedule is Monday to Friday, 8am to 4.30pm, and the anticipated start date is Jan 1, 2027.

Functional expectations are the ability to remain at a workstation for extended periods, move about various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work, and communicate effectively on a daily basis, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Required applicant documents are a resume and cover letter, which must be submitted online to complete the application process and should be ready before clicking “Apply.”

Regarding sponsorship, applicants must be currently legally authorised to work for Illinois State University in the United States. The university will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity and is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit; only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Illinois State University.

Contact information for applicants is Linda Haddad, lghadd1@ilstu.edu, MCN.

The position is subject to a criminal background investigation and, if applicable, an employment history review based on University Policy 3.1.30, and any offer of employment is contingent upon passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or employment history review. Work may not begin until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act or other state or federal law may request one by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383, which will hold any confidential information provided in confidence. Those having difficulty accessing the system may call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.