Description

Director of the School of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training

Pacific University Oregon, in partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Director of the School of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and collaborative leader to guide two well-established, high-impact programs, the Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Science in Athletic Training, while shaping their future growth and innovation. Serving as both School Director and DPT Program Director, this individual will play a central role in advancing academic excellence, fostering meaningful partnerships, and strengthening the School’s visibility and impact across the University, the region, and the profession.

Reporting to the Vice Provost and Executive Dean of the College of Health Professions, the Director will join a highly engaged leadership team and contribute to strategic initiatives at both the College and University levels. This role offers the chance to cultivate an inclusive and supportive academic community, champion faculty and student success, and lead long-range planning, program development, and resource stewardship. Grounded in Pacific University’s mission to inspire students to think, care, create, and pursue justice, the Director will help shape a learning environment defined by collaboration, discovery, and purpose.

Responsibilities:

• Provide vision and leadership for the School of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training
• Foster a community of inclusion in all aspects of departmental functions, including instruction, service, scholarship, advising, administrative work and collaboration with students
• Develop strong relationships with internal and external parties to promote the DPT and MSAT programs and to support the mission of the School
• Actively pursue external opportunities for funding, facilities, and research
• Prepare, manage, and administer program budgets and advocate for economic support
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies and accreditation standards
• Facilitate the faculty in long-range planning and program development
• Guide the faculty in outcomes assessment and curriculum review
• Contribute to recruitment, supervision, and evaluation of faculty and staff
• Recruit, supervise, and evaluate administrative personnel
• Implement standards for student performance and advancement
• Coordinate fundraising activities in support of programmatic goals 
• Represent the School in the University’s administrative structure
• Represent the School on local, state, and national levels within the professions and the community

Required Qualifications:

• PhD, EdD, DSc or similar terminal doctorate degree and to possess or be eligible to hold an Oregon Physical Therapy License.  Applicant holds an active, unencumbered PT license in any United States jurisdiction. 
• Has a minimum of six years of full-time higher education experience, with a minimum of three years of full-time experience as a core faculty member in a CAPTE-accredited entry-level physical therapist education program. 
• Academic experience allowing the candidate to be eligible for Associate or Full Professor status
• Evidence of increasing administrative, management, and budgetary responsibilities
• Outstanding leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Management style which emphasizes open communication, collaborative work relations, and continuous quality improvement
• Knowledge of curriculum design, outcomes assessment, and accreditation
• Teaching experience in physical therapy, athletic training, or health care higher education
• Service to the community and the physical therapy and/or athletic training professions

Preferred Qualifications:

• Athletic Training degree or background 
• Understanding of the profession of Athletic Training and its academic accreditation process

About Pacific University Oregon:

Pacific University Oregon has stood as a cornerstone of opportunity and community in Oregon for more than 175 years, evolving from its early beginnings as an orphan school into a dynamic private, nonprofit institution. As the only comprehensive university in Washington County, Pacific serves a diverse and driven student body through a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs spanning the arts and sciences, business, education, and healthcare. Grounded in a mission that uplifts individuals, families, and communities, the university fosters a caring, inclusive environment where students are empowered to discover their purpose. This spirit carries beyond campus, as Pacific alumni embody the Boxer Spirit in meaningful careers as educators, caregivers, innovators, artists, and community leaders.

With campuses in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Eugene, Woodburn, and Portland, Pacific University offers a vibrant and far-reaching academic experience rooted in the heart of the Pacific Northwest. Its more than 60 undergraduate majors and 30 graduate and professional degrees emphasize experiential learning through internships, global opportunities, and clinical placements. Recognized as a leading private research university in the region, Pacific integrates teaching, scholarship, and service to inspire students to think critically, care deeply, and pursue justice in their communities. Through its network of healthcare clinics and strong partnerships across the region, the university not only prepares students for impactful careers but also extends vital services to the public, demonstrating its enduring commitment to those who uplift others.

About the College of Health Professions:

The College of Health Professions at Pacific University Oregon was established in 2004 in Forest Grove, Oregon, when the schools of Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant Studies, and Graduate Psychology united to provide a premier education in integrated, team-based healthcare. Since opening the Hillsboro Health Professions Campus in 2006, the college has expanded to include eight schools, adding Audiology, Dental Health Science, Healthcare Administration and Leadership, and Pharmacy. Today, it offers undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and PhD programs, along with certificates, fellowships, and continuing education, all grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, and academic excellence.

Through immersive, hands-on learning, students are fully engaged in classrooms, simulation experiences, clinics, research labs, and community outreach. Faculty and staff are dedicated to preparing the next generation of leaders to deliver innovative, evidence-based care through an interprofessional, team-based approach. With strong partnerships in Hillsboro’s Health and Education District, the College of Health Professions provides rich, real-world experiences that prepare graduates for impactful careers in a diverse and evolving healthcare landscape.

About the Community:

Hillsboro, OR, the largest city in Washington County and its county seat, is one of Oregon’s most diverse and dynamic communities, with a population of more than 112,000. Located just west of Portland and 8 miles from Pacific University Oregon’s historic Forest Grove campus, Hillsboro blends small-town charm with access to a thriving regional economy. Known as the “high-tech hub of Oregon” within the Silicon Forest, the city is home to major employers such as Intel, Nike, and Genentech. As the western terminus of the MAX Light Rail Blue Line, Hillsboro offers convenient connectivity to downtown Portland, while its location places residents within an hour’s drive of the Cascade Mountains, the Columbia River Gorge, and the Pacific Ocean.

Just 10 miles to the east, Portland, known as the “Rose City,” offers a vibrant mix of urban energy and natural beauty. With no state sales tax and a reputation for arts, culture, and sustainability, the city provides something for every interest, from world-class dining and cultural attractions to outdoor recreation along rivers, forests, and gardens. Together, Hillsboro and Portland create an ideal setting that combines innovation, accessibility, and quality of life in the heart of the Pacific Northwest.

Application and Nomination Process:

All correspondence relating to the position of Director of the School of Physical Therapy & Athletic Training at Pacific University Oregon should be directed in confidence to the University’s executive search consultant:

Danan Tsan, Vice President
Scott Healy & Associates
danan@scotthealy.com

A complete application should include the following:

1. Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position;
2. Updated CV;
3. Contact information for three (3) professional references with title, institutional affiliation, email address and direct phone numbers. (No references will be contacted without written permission from the candidate.)

Applications received by May 31, 2026 will receive priority consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYMENT

Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to complying with all applicable laws, including those concerning employment and workplace policies. We are committed to fostering a non-discriminatory and inclusive work environment. We are proud to encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from historically underrepresented groups.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY

Pacific University makes all employment decisions without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law. Applicable laws include, but are not limited to, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs at 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116 or via email at provost@pacificu.edu.