Physician Assistant Program Director
Full-time position, posted 8/26/26
John Brown University seeks a full-time, inaugural Program Director to lead the development and launch of its Physician Assistant (PA) program, with an anticipated start date of Fall 2027. The program is being developed with the goal of enrolling its first cohort in 2030. Primary responsibilities will include providing leadership and oversight for program development, administration, fiscal management, and the strategic recruitment and hiring of PA faculty and program staff. The Program Director will lead curriculum planning, development, assessment, and analysis; oversee the development and review of program policies and procedures; and ensure that the program meets ARC-PA standards and policies throughout the accreditation process and maintains compliance with all requirements for continuing accreditation.
Program
The Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program seeks to prepare students to become highly competent and compassionate physician assistants who serve patients and communities with excellence and a commitment to JBU’s Christian mission. The 24-month residential program will provide rigorous academic and clinical preparation for PA practice, integrating medical knowledge, clinical skills, professional formation, and a biblically based worldview. Through partnerships with regional healthcare providers, students will gain clinical experience in a variety of settings and specialties. The program is being developed in response to significant healthcare workforce needs in Arkansas, particularly the shortage of physician assistants and other primary care providers.
The PA program is part of JBU’s broader expansion of graduate healthcare education, supported by a $34.5 million gift commitment from the Walton Family Charitable Support Foundation to launch JBU’s new PA and nurse practitioner programs. The funding will support facilities, program startup and accreditation, faculty support, and student scholarships. If accredited, JBU’s PA program will be the first in Northwest Arkansas and is expected to welcome its first cohort in 2030.
Institution
John Brown University’s mission is to provide Christ-centered education that prepares people to honor God and serve others by developing their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Founded in 1919, JBU is a Christ-centered, Biblically-faithful, interdenominational university that represents the best of Protestant evangelicalism in our commitment to the following theological principles: the fundamental human need for conversion and lifelong discipleship; the centrality of Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection for the redemption of human beings; high regard for, and obedience to, the Bible as our authority; and active involvement in a local church, in missions and in ministries that work for Biblical justice and serve people in need. At JBU, we seek to integrate faith and learning, foster holistic Christian formation, promote pragmatic liberal arts education, and prepare people to follow Christ’s call to serve others in all areas of life. Consistent with its evangelical identity, JBU’s board of trustees has articulated institutional commitments on certain theological issues or university practices. With God’s help, JBU seeks to live out these commitments faithfully and humbly with grace and truth. All employees must affirm JBU’s Employee Expectations and Articles of Faith.
With more than 2,500 students from 34 states and 61 countries, JBU offers approximately 50 undergraduate programs, seven fully online bachelor’s degrees, and 10 graduate degrees in business, education, cybersecurity, and counseling. JBU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds program-specific accreditations from various agencies. More information is available at jbu.edu/accreditation.
JBU has benefited from stable and excellent leadership throughout the organization. President Chip Pollard started in 2004 and has led the organization in consistently meeting enrollment goals, completing two capital campaigns and launching a third, completing two strategic plans and launching a third, 28 major building projects, encouraging efforts to recruit and retain diverse faculty, staff, and students, and navigating the educational and financial challenges of the pandemic successfully. He served on the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) board for thirteen years and as chair for five years. Combined, the president's cabinet brings 127 years of service to JBU, and all cabinet members have held volunteer leadership positions in the CCCU, ACSD, CIC, NACUBO, and other higher education associations. JBU’s board of trustees are people of deep Christian faith, generous spirit, and professional expertise, with an average length of service of 11 years. They are deeply committed to maintaining JBU’s mission to educate students to honor God and serve others.
JBU has experienced a season of God’s favor and blessing, for which we are grateful. In the last 22 years, JBU has received over $400 million in gifts and grants and has built or renovated over 96% of the university’s facilities. JBU has only about $6 million of total liabilities (under $3 million in long-term bonds) on over $350 million of assets. During that same time, JBU’s endowment has grown from about $50 million to over $230 million, much of it dedicated to scholarships and academic programs and to support maintenance costs for new facilities. This financial strength has enabled JBU to retain excellent faculty and staff with consistent compensation increases and funds for faculty and staff development. JBU has not been not immune to the economic and cultural challenges facing higher education, but it is positioned better than many institutions to respond.
JBU has received national recognition from many national newspapers and industry journals. The Chronicle of Higher Education has named JBU on its “honor roll” in its “Great Place to Work” survey for over a decade. The Wall Street Journal has named JBU to its Best Colleges list since 2019, ranking us the top private school in Arkansas (2020) and top Arkansas university overall (2022, 2024). We are typically in the top 10% in our category (master’s level universities in the South) in U.S. News and World Report rankings. Forbes College Financial Grades gave JBU an A grade, placing us among the top 12% of U.S. schools and No. 6 among CCCU institutions.
JBU is located in Northwest Arkansas, a region predicted to have the third fastest job growth rate in the country behind only Austin, Texas and Charlotte, North Carolina. Three of the largest corporations in the world are located here — Walmart, Tyson Foods, and JB Hunt—and there is a growing technology, entrepreneurial, and art business ecosystem in the region. The quality of life is enhanced with a world-class art museum, Crystal Bridges, 25 miles from campus, over 400 miles of mountain biking trails, several state and national historic sites, parks, and large lakes, and a new $33 million whitewater rafting park just five miles south of campus. Siloam Springs has approximately 18,350 people with affordable housing and good private and public schools.
Required Qualifications
- A master’s degree from an accredited institution
- A committed follower of Jesus Christ
- Ability to teach graduate courses
- Ability to contribute to the mission and vision of the institution in the department and more broadly at the institution
- A commitment to the integration of Christian faith and teaching
- A commitment to supporting and collaborating with students, faculty, and staff from varied academic and cultural backgrounds
- At least three years of full-time experience in PA education at the time of appointment
- Current or emeritus NCCPA certification as a PA
- Thorough knowledge of the ARC-PA Accreditation Standards and demonstrated ability to interpret and implement accreditation requirements
Preferred Qualifications
- An earned doctorate in a field relevant to PA education, healthcare, or higher education
- Experience teaching graduate courses
- Evidence of successfully teaching, mentoring, or working with people who have different perspectives, life experiences, and cultural expressions
- Experience with PA program development and/or the ARC-PA accreditation process
- Experience with systematic assessment and analysis of program effectiveness and continuous improvement
- Experience with fiscal management, personnel supervision, and/or program administration
Important Dates
Position begins July 1, 2027. The screening process begins September 15, 2026 and continues until the position is filled.
Salary
A competitive salary exists which will be commensurate with training and/or experience. In addition, JBU offers a comprehensive benefits package including 403(b) retirement plan, medical and dental insurance, tuition remission, leave related to the birth of a child, adoption leave, and moving expenses.
More information about JBU
A summary describing the university is available on-line.
The employee is expected to adhere to all University policies.
Applications
Please upload the following documents to the "Upload Your Documents" page:
- Letter of Interest
- Your resume or CV
- A completed and signed faculty employment application form (Click Here to Access the Application)
- Statement of Christian Commitment - regarding your relationship with Jesus Christ and your Christian Commitment (integration of faith and learning) related to your teaching, scholarship and/or service. (Please Note: This is not the same as answering the faith questions on the application, although there may be some overlap. The search committee will be expecting to see a separate document regarding the integration of faith and learning related to your teaching, scholarship and/or service.)
Contact Information:
Office of Human Resources
John Brown University
2000 West University Street
Siloam Springs, AR 72761
Phone: 479.524.7197
e-mail: jobs@jbu.edu
