Associate Dean Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Associate Dean roles sit at the intersection of academic leadership and administrative authority, making them strong candidates for H-1B visa specialty occupation sponsorship. Universities regularly file Labor Condition Applications for these positions, and many institutions have cap-exempt status, bypassing the annual lottery entirely.
Find Associate Dean JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 92+ Associate Dean jobs
See all 92+ Associate Dean Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Associate Dean roles.
Get Access To All JobsTitle: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Mennonite College of Nursing
Campus Location: Normal, IL
Job Summary
The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (ADA) provides strategic and operational leadership for the academic mission of MCN. Reporting to the dean of the college and working closely with program directors and lead coordinators, faculty, staff, and university partners, the ADA serves as the facilitator and coordinator for the program directors to ensure compliance with academic policies, manage program evaluation to ensure that Illinois State University (ISU) maintains high-quality academic programs, ensure compliance with all regulatory and accreditation requirements, and serve as a champion and leader for excellence in instruction and curriculum design across all modalities of instructional delivery. The ADA serves as the chair of the Departmental Faculty Status Committee (DFSC) and thus leads all evaluations of annual performance portfolios and tenure and promotion cases. Additionally, the ADA provides leadership and oversight to the Simulation Learning Center. The ADA serves as a key member of the college’s leadership team and acts on behalf of the dean on academic matters as assigned.
University Benefit Highlights
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time
Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/
Salary Rate / Pay Rate
$160K - $165K annual salary
Required Qualifications
- Doctoral degree in nursing or related field (master’s degree in nursing required if doctorate is not in nursing)
- Collegiate administrative and academic experience relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the position
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff and administrators within the College and University
- Strong commitment to quality academic programming, student achievement, faculty development, and overall College and University success
- Proven potential for scholarly productivity and data analytical skills
- Rank of associate professor or professor required
- Licensed Registered Nurse, with license in Illinois (or eligible to be licensed in Illinois)
Preferred Qualifications
None
Work Hours
Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm. Occasional evening and weekends as needed.
Functional Expectations
Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
- Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
- Remain at a workstation for extended periods.
- Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.
Proposed Starting Date
July 2027
Required Applicant Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Reference list of at least 3 professional references with contact information
Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"
Contact Information for Applicants
Linda Haddad,
lghadd1@ilstu.edu
Important Information for Applicants
This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.
Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.
If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.
Title: Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
Division Name: Academic Affairs
Department: Mennonite College of Nursing
Campus Location: Normal, IL
Job Summary
The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (ADA) provides strategic and operational leadership for the academic mission of MCN. Reporting to the dean of the college and working closely with program directors and lead coordinators, faculty, staff, and university partners, the ADA serves as the facilitator and coordinator for the program directors to ensure compliance with academic policies, manage program evaluation to ensure that Illinois State University (ISU) maintains high-quality academic programs, ensure compliance with all regulatory and accreditation requirements, and serve as a champion and leader for excellence in instruction and curriculum design across all modalities of instructional delivery. The ADA serves as the chair of the Departmental Faculty Status Committee (DFSC) and thus leads all evaluations of annual performance portfolios and tenure and promotion cases. Additionally, the ADA provides leadership and oversight to the Simulation Learning Center. The ADA serves as a key member of the college’s leadership team and acts on behalf of the dean on academic matters as assigned.
University Benefit Highlights
- Insurance benefits, including health, dental, vision, and life
- Retirement and supplemental retirement planning options
- Tuition waiver benefits available to staff as well as their eligible dependents
- Paid holiday/administrative closures during Thanksgiving and Winter Breaks
- Paid benefit time
Additional University Benefit information, including information regarding eligibility to participate in the State Universities Retirement System and the State of Illinois Group Insurance program, can be reviewed here: https://hr.illinoisstate.edu/benefits/
Salary Rate / Pay Rate
$160K - $165K annual salary
Required Qualifications
- Doctoral degree in nursing or related field (master’s degree in nursing required if doctorate is not in nursing)
- Collegiate administrative and academic experience relevant to the duties and responsibilities of the position
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work effectively with faculty, staff and administrators within the College and University
- Strong commitment to quality academic programming, student achievement, faculty development, and overall College and University success
- Proven potential for scholarly productivity and data analytical skills
- Rank of associate professor or professor required
- Licensed Registered Nurse, with license in Illinois (or eligible to be licensed in Illinois)
Preferred Qualifications
None
Work Hours
Monday - Friday, 8am - 4:30pm. Occasional evening and weekends as needed.
Functional Expectations
Must be able to complete the following with or without a reasonable accommodation:
- Effectively communicate on a daily basis.
- Remain at a workstation for extended periods.
- Move about in various locations on and off campus as needed to complete day-to-day work.
Proposed Starting Date
July 2027
Required Applicant Documents
- Resume
- Cover Letter
- Reference list of at least 3 professional references with contact information
Please Note: These documents are required to be submitted online in order to complete the application process. Please have these documents ready prior to clicking on "Apply"
Contact Information for Applicants
Linda Haddad,
lghadd1@ilstu.edu
Important Information for Applicants
This position is subject to a criminal background investigation and if applicable, an employment history review, based on University Policy 3.1.30 and any offer of employment is contingent upon you passing a satisfactory criminal background investigation and/or an employment history review. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.
Illinois State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or other state or federal law you may request an accommodation by contacting the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access at (309) 438-3383. The Office of Equal Opportunity and Access will hold any confidential information you provide in confidence.
If you are having difficulty accessing the system, please call Human Resources at (309) 438-8311.
See all 92+ Associate Dean Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Associate Dean roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Associate Dean Jobs
Verify your cap-exempt employer status
Most universities and affiliated research institutions qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers, meaning your petition bypasses the annual lottery. Confirm this directly with your prospective employer's HR or legal team before accepting any timeline commitments from them.
Document your specialty occupation case clearly
Associate Dean roles must meet USCIS specialty occupation standards. Compile your transcripts, degree equivalency evaluations, and a written breakdown of how your specific duties require a directly related bachelor's degree or higher, not just general management experience.
Target institutions with active LCA filing histories
Use Migrate Mate to identify universities and academic medical centers with verified Labor Condition Application filings for Associate Dean or academic administrator roles, so you're applying to employers already familiar with the sponsorship process.
Align your credentials with PERM labor certification timelines
If your employer plans to sponsor a green card after your H-1B, PERM recruitment requirements in higher education are strict. Universities must advertise the role publicly and document that no qualified U.S. worker applied, so flag this early in your offer negotiation.
Clarify which campus division is your legal employer
Large university systems often have multiple legal entities: the main campus, a medical school, a research foundation. The entity filing your I-129 petition with USCIS must be your actual employer of record, which affects LCA compliance and wage-level determinations.
Use OFLC Wage Search to benchmark your offer level
Associate Dean prevailing wage varies significantly by institution size, state, and whether the role is in academic affairs, research, or student services. Run the OFLC Wage Search for your specific job location to confirm your offered salary meets DOL wage-level requirements before the LCA is filed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an Associate Dean role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
Yes, in most cases. USCIS treats Associate Dean positions as specialty occupations because they typically require at least a master's degree, and often a doctorate, in a field directly related to the academic division being led. Roles in student affairs or enrollment management may face more scrutiny than faculty-facing academic leadership positions, so your employer's attorney should document the specific degree requirement for your division.
Do universities file H-1B petitions for Associate Deans outside the annual lottery?
Most accredited universities and their affiliated nonprofit research entities qualify as cap-exempt H-1B employers under INA Section 214(c)(5). This means your employer can file your I-129 petition with USCIS at any time of year, without competing in the April lottery. Confirm your prospective employer's cap-exempt status before accepting an offer, since not all affiliated foundations or for-profit arms of universities share this exemption.
What degree is typically required for Associate Dean visa sponsorship?
Most Associate Dean roles require a terminal degree in a relevant discipline, commonly a doctorate (Ph.D., Ed.D., or professional doctorate) for academic affairs positions, or a master's degree for administrative and student services roles. For H-1B purposes, the degree must be directly related to the specific duties of the position, not just general higher education administration. A credential evaluation from a NACES-member organization is required if your degree was earned outside the U.S.
How do I find Associate Dean roles where employers are already sponsoring visas?
Browse Associate Dean listings on Migrate Mate, which shows employers with verified sponsorship history so you can focus your search on institutions already comfortable with the process. This saves time and avoids offers from institutions unfamiliar with academic H-1B filings.
Can an Associate Dean on H-1B status pursue a green card through their employer?
Yes. Universities frequently sponsor EB-2 or EB-3 employment-based green cards for Associate Deans through the PERM labor certification process. The EB-2 category requires an advanced degree, which most candidates in this role already hold. Some candidates with an exceptional academic record may also qualify for an EB-2 National Interest Waiver, which allows self-petition without employer sponsorship or PERM. Priority date backlogs vary significantly by country of birth.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Associate Dean jobs?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.