Career Center

The Assistant Dean for Equity and Medical Student Engagement is an integral member of the student affairs team in the University of Washington School of Medicine’s medical student education program. 

The University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM) is a public medical school that provides access to public medical education for citizens of the five-state WWAMI (Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho) region. UWSOM has six regional campuses during the classroom phase (Foundations Phase) of the medical student curriculum and over 200 different clinical partnerships across WWAMI for the clinical phases (Patient Care and Explore and Focus Phases) of the medical student curriculum. 

The Assistant Dean will report to the Associate Dean for Student Affairs and will work closely with the other academic affairs deans, regional deans, faculty mentors and the Office of HealthCare Equity (OHCE) to support medical student well-being from recruitment through graduation. A summary of key responsibilities of this position is outlined below. 

Responsibilities 

• Develop and implement programs to support the success and wellness of underrepresented and disadvantaged medical students  
• Work with the Admissions Office and the Office of Healthcare Equity in the recruitment and retention of underrepresented and disadvantaged students 
• Actively engage with community members outside UWSOM across the WWAMI region in support of medical education 
• Provide oversight to medical student affinity groups 
• Work with regional campuses to develop and work with regional campuses Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) committees 
• Participate as an ex-officio member of the Student Progress Committee 
• Work with faculty mentors in providing a supportive community for all medical students 
• Oversee wellness activities for medical students across all regional campuses and all years of the medical student experience 
• Work with Disability Resource Services to provide accommodations for medical students 
• Actively participate in the Learning Environment Committee  

The Assistant Dean for Equity and Medical Student Engagement will supervise staff to facilitate the execution of the job responsibilities. The assistant dean would be expected to develop a comprehensive knowledge of and approach to: 

• UW Medicine policies and procedures, including policies related to professional behavior and student mistreatment. 
• Current and developing issues and trends in equity and medical student well-being; 
• The impacts of structural and institutional racism on medical student recruitment, well-being and equity;  
• Continuous quality improvement, program assessment and evaluation, and skills in rewriting operations and procedures; 
• Conflict resolution skills, crisis intervention techniques, and the ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations; and  
• Familiarity with restorative justice practices 

Faculty Appointment 

The assistant dean for equity and medical student engagement is a 0.5 FTE position in the School of Medicine. This position will have a faculty appointment in one of the School of Medicine departments appropriate for background and experience and may commit up to 0.5 FTE to the department.  Faculty with 12-month service periods are paid for 11 months of service over a 12-month period (July-June), meaning the equivalent of one month is available for paid time off. All UW faculty engage in teaching, research, and service. This position has an anticipated start date in fall 2022.

Qualifications

The assistant dean must have effective written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to communicate and work effectively across levels and with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community. The assistant dean will have frequent written and oral interactions with deans, faculty, professional staff, and medical students throughout the WWAMI region.  

Educational Requirements 

Terminal degree from an accredited college or university (e.g. M.D., D.O., Ph.D., Ed.D.) or foreign equivalent. Positive factors for consideration, but are not limited to, will be placed in medicine, educational administration, counseling, organizational leadership, or other related field. 

Work Experience Requirements 

Three years or more of administrative experience in student support, student well-being or student equity programs in higher education setting, including supervision and evaluation of full-time staff. Positive factors for consideration include, but are not limited to experience in a medical education program setting. 

Licensure Requirements 

If successful, candidates with an M.D. or D.O., must have board certification and the ability to obtain an unrestricted Washington medical license. 

Travel to regional WWAMI sites is required. Therefore, the successful candidate must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check and possess and maintain a current, valid driver's license in their state of residence.