Founding Program Director, Physician Assistant Program

California State University, Stanislaus, in partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of Founding Program Director, Physician Assistant Program. California State University, Stanislaus seeks a bold and visionary leader to serve as the Founding Program Director for a proposed Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program. This is a rare opportunity to build a program from the ground up at a university deeply committed to student success, community engagement, and regional impact in California’s Central Valley. This position is located in Stockton, California.

This is a rare opportunity to build a program from inception at a Hispanic-Serving Institution where leadership is actively advancing healthcare education as a cornerstone of regional transformation. We seek an entrepreneurial, collaborative, and mission-driven leader who is excited to shape a program that expands educational access and prepares highly skilled physician assistants to serve the diverse and underserved communities of California’s Central Valley. The Founding Program Director will have the opportunity to establish a program grounded in student success, health equity, workforce development, and community engagement, while helping address the region’s evolving healthcare needs.

Responsibilities:

The Program Director provides leadership, academic oversight, and administrative management for the MPAS program. The Director will lead all aspects of program development, implementation, accreditation, and continuous improvement in alignment with ARC-PA standards and university policies.

As the founding leader, the Director will:

• Provide strategic leadership in developing and launching the MPAS program.
• Design and implement a forward-thinking, student-centered curriculum.
• Lead the program through the ARC-PA accreditation process and ensure continuing compliance with ARC-PA accreditation standards.
• Recruit and support a diverse and high-performing faculty and staff team.
• Build and advance pathways for student recruitment, retention, and success.
• Lead program assessment, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Advance interprofessional education and community-based learning.
• Develop and sustain clinical education partnerships.
• Manage program resources and planning effectively.
• Foster a culture aligned with Stan State’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student-centered learning.

Required Qualifications:

• Current certification by the NCCPA.
• Eligibility for licensure (or current licensure) as a Physician Assistant in California.
• Minimum of a master’s degree (doctorate preferred).
• At least three (3) years of full-time higher education experience in a PA program.
• At least two (2) years of experience in a leadership or administrative role in PA education.
• Demonstrated knowledge of ARC-PA accreditation standards and processes.
• Strong organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Earned doctoral degree (PhD, EdD, DHSc, DMSc, or related field).
• Prior experience as a Program Director or Associate Program Director.
• Experience launching or substantially revising a PA program.
• Demonstrated record of scholarship and professional service.
• Experience in interprofessional education and simulation-based instruction.

About California State University, Stanislaus:

California State University, Stanislaus, also known as Stanislaus State, is a student-centered, Hispanic-Serving Institution dedicated to fostering inclusive excellence, expanding access, and transforming lives through education. The University's mission emphasizes personalized learning, academic excellence, and partnerships that enrich the surrounding community, making it an ideal environment to launch a program that addresses critical healthcare workforce needs.

Stanislaus State serves the San Joaquin Valley and is a critical educational resource for a six-county region of approximately 1.5 million people. The University is fully committed to creating a culture of diversity and inclusion - one in which every person in the University community feels safe to express their views without fear of reprisal. Widely recognized for its quality academic programs, the University has 10 nationally accredited programs and 662 faculty members. 94 percent of full-time faculty hold doctorates or terminal degrees in their fields. The University offers 43 undergraduate majors, 16 master's programs, 7 post-graduate credentials, a doctorate in education and serves more than 10,000 students. New instructional facilities have been built for the unique pedagogy of professional programs, laboratory sciences and performing arts.

Stanislaus State continues to receive national recognition with its ranking as one of the best 384 colleges in the nation by The Princeton Review. The University was one of 12 public universities in the nation to be recognized by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities for demonstrating exceptional performance in retention and graduation rates. In addition, U.S. News and World Report ranks Stanislaus State in its top 10 among public universities in the West, while Washington Monthly honored Stanislaus State as the West's No. 1 university for the money. Stanislaus State also is recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) by the U.S. Department of Education.

About the College of Health, Human Services, and Education:

Stanislaus State’s new College of Health, Human Services, and Education brings together Education, Kinesiology, Social Work, Psychology and Child Development, and Nursing to prepare highly skilled, compassionate professionals who strengthen the health, learning, and well-being of communities throughout the Central Valley and beyond. Rooted in a commitment to student success, equity, and regional engagement, the college advances interdisciplinary collaboration, applied learning, community partnerships, research, and innovative academic pathways that respond to evolving workforce and community needs. Together, the college’s programs create meaningful opportunities for students to learn across disciplines, connect classroom knowledge to real-world practice, and make a lasting difference in the communities they serve.

About the Community:

Stockton, CA, offers a flavorful Northern California experience in the heart of the Central Valley, known for its rich agricultural heritage, waterways, and exceptionally diverse cultural community. As the county seat of San Joaquin County and home to California’s largest inland seaport, Stockton has a strong connection to agriculture, transportation, logistics, manufacturing, education, and healthcare, with the surrounding fertile farmland supplying an abundance of fruits, nuts, and other crops. The city’s waterfront, Delta waterways, farmers’ markets, restaurants, arts, and cultural festivals provide plenty to explore, from the Haggin Museum and historic Bob Hope Theatre to professional and collegiate sports, boating, fishing, and outdoor recreation. Its central location also puts Sacramento, San Francisco, Lodi wine country, the Sierra foothills, and Yosemite within easy reach, making Stockton an appealing base for experiencing the broader Northern California region.

Just a short drive south, Turlock, CA, is a welcoming and growing community in the heart of the Central Valley and home to Stanislaus State’s main campus. With a strong agricultural heritage and a vibrant university presence, Turlock offers a blend of small-city charm, cultural diversity, and opportunities for education, healthcare, business, and community engagement. The city is known for its tree-lined neighborhoods, local restaurants, farmers’ markets, parks, and community events, while nearby Modesto and the surrounding Central Valley provide additional shopping, dining, entertainment, and recreational opportunities. Together, Stockton and Turlock offer access to a diverse range of communities and experiences while providing a convenient location for exploring Northern California, with the Bay Area, Sacramento, Sierra Nevada, and Yosemite all within driving distance.

Application and Nomination Process:

All correspondence relating to the position of Founding Program Director, Physician Assistant Programat California State University, Stanislaus should be directed in confidence to the University’s executive search consultant:

Christopher S. Healy, President

Scott Healy & Associates

chris@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 November 30, 2026 will receive priority consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled.

Salary Range: $180,000-$209,880 per year, commensurate with qualifications and experience. Salary is paid in 12 monthly payments per academic year, commensurate with education and experience within the salary schedule for the appropriate faculty rank. As a member of the 23-campus CSU System, we offer an extremely competitive benefits package.

The university is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, National origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered veteran status, or any other protected status. You can learn more about federal equal employment opportunity protections by accessing the Department of Labor's notices: http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

Individuals with disabling conditions who require accommodation during the recruitment process may contact the ADA Coordinator at (209) 667-3159.