Founding Program Director, Physician Assistant Program, Medical & Molecular Sciences (MMSC)

The University of Delaware College of Health Sciences (CHS) invites applications for a full-time, open-rank, continuing track faculty position as the Founding Program Director, Physician Assistant Program in the Department of Medical & Molecular Sciences (MMSC).  This is a unique opportunity for an experienced, accomplished, and innovative leader to shape and grow a new PA program within a top-ranked, research-intensive institution known for its commitment to academic excellence and student success.  The Founding Program Director will have the chance to build a diverse and high-quality faculty team, design an innovative curriculum, develop policy aligned with ARC-PA standards, and lead the program through initial accreditation and ongoing excellence. This role offers the ability to influence the future of PA education while collaborating across the College of Health Sciences, engaging with the Newark and Southern Delaware communities, and contributing to a nationally recognized institution with a commitment to professional preparation, experiential learning, and student success. 

Candidates must hold a master’s degree in related health field, education or science; a doctoral degree is preferred.  Candidate must also hold current certification from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) and possess, or be eligible for, unencumbered licensure as a physician assistant in Delaware.

The successful candidate will bring a minimum of three years of full-time clinical experience and three years of full-time higher education experience in an instructional or leadership capacity within a PA educational program. Candidates must demonstrate a strong working knowledge of ARC-PA accreditation requirements and standards, including experience with self-study preparation, accreditation site visits, and ongoing compliance.

The successful candidate will lead the development and advancement of the physician assistant program, guiding preparation for provisional accreditation and subsequent accreditation reviews, ensuring compliance with ARC-PA standards, and directing continuous program assessment and improvement.

In collaboration with faculty and University partners, the Program Director will oversee student recruitment and enrollment, curriculum delivery, course scheduling, faculty assignments, and student support. The Program Director will recruit, supervise, and mentor faculty and staff, cultivating a collegial academic environment that supports collaboration and professional development.

The Program Director will also oversee program administration, budget, and resources; develop and maintain clinical affiliate partnerships that support student placements; and represent the program within the University and the broader professional community. Through these partnerships, the director will advance the program’s reputation and strategic growth.

MMSC is an agile, student-centered department recognized for innovation in education, research, outreach, and practice. Celebrating 75 years, MMSC offers programs in medical laboratory science, medical diagnostics, and biotechnology with a dynamic, federally funded research enterprise ($3.1M+ portfolio). The department enrolls >700 students across four undergraduate majors, including Medical Laboratory Science (NAACLS-accredited), Applied Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (ASBMB-accredited), and two Medical Diagnostics majors (one uniquely preparing students for Physician Assistant programs). Graduate education has grown with three professionally focused master’s degrees alongside our established Ph.D. in Molecular Biosciences.  We actively collaborate with academic, clinical, community, and industry partners (60+) to enrich experiential learning and broaden access to STEM. Approximately 50% of MMSC faculty lead sponsored research reflecting our commitment to advancing science and educational innovation.  Research space includes the Willard Hall, Delaware Biotechnology Institute and the Ammon-Pinizzotto Biopharmaceutical Innovation Center on the University's STAR Campus.

The College of Health Sciences is a dynamic, innovative academic unit with 3,400 undergraduate and graduate students and 135 faculty, who are nationally recognized leaders across multiple disciplines. The College is housed in multiple buildings on the traditional main campus but also is an anchor tenant of the University’s Science, Technology, and Advanced Research (STAR) Campus. STAR has become an exciting center that combines business, research, education and simulation space, all focused on leading strategic priorities in health science, biopharmaceuticals, data science, engineering, finance and other cross-cutting fields of study. In addition to the Department of MMSC, CHS has six additional academic units, including Communication Sciences and Disorders (#33 U.S. News Best Graduate Schools), Epidemiology, Health Behavior and Nutrition Sciences, Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, Physical Therapy (ranked #1 by US News and World Report), and the School of Nursing with a BSN program ranked #40 and MSN ranked #35 by U.S. News Best Colleges. With annual research expenditures of approximately $20 million, the college currently houses a number of large, interdisciplinary grants with significant funding from the NIH and DoD. The college boasts strong research teams in the areas of neurological disorders, cardiovascular health, chronic disease conditions, molecular biosciences, epidemiology, and public health. The college also houses and supports the Partnership for Health Communities that serves as a community-engagement hub for the University of Delaware. This environment fosters innovative research aimed at addressing pressing health challenges and improving clinical and population health.

One of the oldest institutions of higher education in the United States, the University of Delaware has a rich history of contributing scientific insights and new ideas, fostering enlightenment, transforming lives and changing the world. Today under the leadership of President Laura Carlson, the University is committed to building on this legacy to meet the complex challenges facing the globe. The University’s foremost priority remains to ensure the success of every student, and this commitment dates back to our roots as a small private academy founded in 1743. From that early school, which educated three signers of the Declaration of Independence, UD has grown into a research-intensive, technologically advanced institution that is at the forefront of innovation in the classroom, in the laboratory and in the community.

Located in scenic Newark, Delaware, within 2 hours of New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., the University is a Land Grant, Sea Grant, Space Grant, and Carnegie Research University (with very high research activity, a designation accorded to fewer than 3% of degree-granting institutions in the U.S.), and with external funding exceeding $200 million. A state-assisted, privately governed institution, the University enrolls approximately 18,600 undergraduates and 4,500 graduate students.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. The position start date is as soon as possible, but negotiable. Nominations and expressions of interest will be held in confidence and references will be contacted only with the candidate’s permission. Applicants should upload a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references at http://www.udel.edu/udjobs/. The letter of application and CV will be shared with the search committee. For inquiries, please contact Search Co-Chairs: Nicole Pekarek, PhD, MAT, MLS(ASCP)SBB^CM, pekarekn@udel.edu and Andrew Hollinger, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CMSM^CM, ahollin@udel.edu

Notice of Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.

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