Description:
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University seeks a Physician Assistant Program Director
Click here to view the position profile: https://summitsearchsolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/NC_AT_PD_PA_Profile.pdf
North Carolina A&T State University (N.C. A&T) seeks a visionary, dynamic, and passionate leader to serve as Program Director to lead the continued development and success of a high-quality Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (PA) program. This is an exciting opportunity to bring a newly developed Physician Assistant program to life and shape every aspect of its future. The Program Director will build the team, design engaging didactic and clinical curriculum, develop strong clinical partnerships, guide the program through the Accreditation Review Committee on Education for the Physician Assistant ( ARC -PA) accreditation, and create a collaborative learning environment where faculty, staff, and students can thrive. Part of the John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences (https://www.ncat.edu/chhs/index.php) ( HCHHS ), the Department of Physician Assistant Studies (https://www.ncat.edu/chhs/departments/physician-assistant-studies/index.php) is answering the call to lead in an area of intensive need and growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 12,000 PA job openings annually over the coming decade.
The position of Program Director is a 12-month tenure-track faculty position (open rank commensurate with experience) with significant administrative responsibilities. The Director of the PA Program is responsible for the organization, administration, fiscal management, continuous review and analysis, planning and ongoing implementation of the Physician Assistant Program. This includes consistent review of the curriculum, ensuring compliance with accreditation standards established by ARC -PA, oversight of the development of clinical sites, supervision of faculty and program staff, coordinating program assessment, and maintaining accreditation. The Director will also work closely with N.C. A&T’s admissions, marketing and communications offices to recruit students to the program. The position reports directly to the Dean of Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences.
To Apply:
A confidential review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position has been filled. For full consideration, individuals are encouraged to apply by October 4, 2026. Please submit a PDF version of your CV and cover letter explaining your interest in and suitability for this position. Refer to our blog on strengthening application materials and letters of interest here (http://summitsearchsolutions.com/cover-letters-do-make-a-difference/) .
To apply online: https://theapplicantmanager.com/jobs?pos=su520
For information, recommendations or nominations:
Andrea Martinez, M.Ed.
Senior Consultant
Summit Search Solutions, Inc.
(919) 357-8766
amartinez@summitsearchsolutions.com
Primary Function of Organizational Unit:
The John R and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences offers baccalaureate degree programs in Kinesiology, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Communication Sciences and Disorders ( CSD ), and Health Services Management ( HSM ). The College is also home to three master’s level graduate programs, MS in Health Psychology, MS in Social Work, and master of Physician Assistant Studies; and three doctoral degree programs, PhD in Applied Psychology, PhD is Social Work, and Doctor of Nursing Practice ( DNP ). Through innovative programs, high impact, and student-centered pedagogy, faculty in the college foster an inter-professional learning environment for undergraduate and graduate students. Social justice and the promotion of health equity are integral components of the college’s mission. Consistent with this mission, the college welcomes applicants representing the full diversity of intellectual perspectives, life experiences, social-demographic, and political-cultural backgrounds.
N.C. A&T is a public, land-grant, doctoral research institution and has been the largest historically Black university in the country for the past decade. With an enrollment of 15,275 students in Fall 2026, the university offers 59 undergraduate degree programs, 36 master’s programs, and 12 doctoral programs. It is America’s top producer of Black graduates in Engineering and Agricultural Science bachelor’s programs, as well as a top five producer in numerous additional disciplines, including Liberal Arts and Communications/Journalism. It also ranks No. 3 in master’s degrees awarded to Black graduates in Engineering Technologies and Related Fields, no. 4 in master’s degrees in Engineering, and no. 11 best business school for women in the nation.
Nationally recognized for its leadership and excellence in STEM education and research, N.C. A&T is classified as “R2-High Research Activity” in the Carnegie Classifications and is poised to achieve “R1-Very High Research Activity” status. It also holds Carnegie’s earned credential in Community Engagement and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities ( APLU ) Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation. With an annual economic impact of $2.4 billion, N.C. A&T plays a vital role as a higher-education economic driver in North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad region and across a state that is ranked No. 1 in the nation for the second straight year as “best for business” by the CNBC financial network.
Requirements:
- Master’s degree or higher in physician assistant studies or a related field.
- Must hold current or emeritus National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants ( NCCPA ) certification and eligible for physician assistant license in the State of North Carolina.
- Must have a minimum of three years of full-time higher education experience at the time of appointment and three years of health care experience
- Commitment to inclusive education and developing cultural competencies among graduate students with a lens toward social justice education
- Experience with accreditation
- Experience with being efficient and responsive to issues related to personnel
- Knowledgeable about physician assistant program director responsibilities required by ARC -PA and the demands of maintaining ARC -PA accreditation.
- Must be knowledgeable about and responsible for: program organization, program administration, fiscal management of the program, continuous programmatic review and analysis, program planning, program development, completion of ARC -PA required documents, and adherence to the Standards and ARC -PA policies.
- A team-oriented, collaborative decision maker with effective communication and problem-solving skills.
Preferred:
- A Doctoral degree in a health, education, or administrative discipline.
- Experience in curriculum development, evaluation, instruction, program administration, academic advising required.
- Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to, and understanding of students, faculty, and staff’s diverse academic, socioeconomic, and ethnic backgrounds.
- Commitment to a team-oriented, student-centric environment.
- Strong interpersonal abilities with excellent verbal and written communication skills
Special Instructions:
You must complete and submit an electronic application for employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. Applicants seeking Veteran’s Preference must attach a DD 214 form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during the process of applying to the job posting. Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. North Carolina A&T State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. North Carolina A&T State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. No one who applies or seeks employment will be denied admission to or employment at North Carolina A&T State University on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disabling condition, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or sexual orientation and sexual identity.
Employee Benefits available to NC A & T permanent employees include the following and more;
- Accrued Vacation and Sick Leave for Eligible Employees
- Community Service Leave
- Aetna – State Health Benefits of North Carolina
- NCFlex – Vision, Dental, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance and more
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Teachers and State Employees Retirement System ( TSERS )
- Optional Supplemental Plans – 401k, 403b, 457b and 457
- Employee Assistance Program ( EAP )
- Campus Recreation Center Discount
- University Bookstore Discount
- and more
This position may be eligible for a remote or hybrid work arrangement, consistent with university and state policies. N.C. A&T employees are generally required to reside in North Carolina, within a 2-hour commuting distance of their assigned duty station.