Description
Program Director, Pathologists’ Assistant Program
Northwestern College, in partnership with the national search firm Scott Healy & Associates, invites applications and nominations for the position of founding Program Director, Pathologists’ Assistant Program. This is a rare opportunity for an innovative and visionary leader to launch and shape Northwestern College's inaugural Master of Science in Pathologists' Assistant Studies program. As the founding Program Director, you will build the program from the ground up, establishing its academic vision, culture, curriculum, clinical partnerships, and reputation while preparing the next generation of pathologists' assistants.
Ideal for a certified Pathologists’ Assistant seeking to transition into higher education or an experienced educator ready to lead a growing program, this position offers the chance to make a lasting impact on students, the profession, and Northwestern's expanding portfolio of graduate healthcare programs. As a full-time, 12-month, non-tenure-track Professor of Practice, the Program Director will provide strategic leadership for program development, accreditation, faculty, and student success while helping establish Northwestern College as a destination for Pathologists' Assistant education.
The Program Director provides strategic leadership, administrative oversight, and educational direction for the Master of Science in Pathologists' Assistant Studies. This individual is responsible for ensuring the program meets all NAACLS accreditation standards, maintaining curriculum excellence, fostering clinical partnerships, and balancing administrative leadership with teaching, student advising, and professional practice.
Responsibilities:
Administration & Accreditation
- Track graduate outcomes, including ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) pass rates and employment statistics.
- Ensure continuous compliance with institutional and state regulatory requirements.
- Manage the program budget, including resource allocation for laboratory supplies and equipment.
- Oversee the admissions process, including recruitment, application review, and candidate interviews.
- Lead all aspects of NAACLS accreditation, including self-studies, site visits, and annual reporting.
- Direct all program faculty and staff.
- Engage in a minimum of 60 hours of documented continuing professional development every three years.
Curriculum, Instruction, Evaluation
- Design, implement, and evaluate the didactic and clinical curriculum to reflect current practices in surgical and autopsy pathology.
- Ensure faith integration is implemented across the curriculum.
- Teach graduate-level courses within the Path-A program
- Evaluate faculty performance and support professional development for instructional staff.
Student Success
- Provide academic advising and professional mentorship to graduate students.
- Monitor student progress, implement remediation plans when necessary.
Required Qualifications:
- Be a graduate of a NAACLS accredited pathologists’ assistant educational program (or AAPA approved prior to 1995)
- Hold an advanced degree (master’s or doctoral)
- Hold ASCP BOC certification as a Pathologists’ Assistant; or a board-certified pathologist
- Adequate knowledge and proficiency in the content areas
- Five (5) years of experience as pathologists’ assistant (or pathologist)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Have practical experience with teaching (or clinical preceptorship) and administration
- Familiarity with NAACLS accreditation and professional certification procedures
- Exceptional communication and organizational leadership skills
- Proficiency in pathology LIS (Laboratory Information Systems)
Northwestern College seeks candidates with an authentic Christian faith who are supportive of our Reformed, evangelical and ecumenical identity as stated in ourChristian Identity Statement, and who embrace the college’smission,Vision for LearningandVision for Diversity. We view these statements as complementary and draw from each in fulfilling our calling to be a Christian academic community.
About Northwestern College:
Northwestern College is a distinctively Christian academic community where Christ is at the center of who they are, what they do, and the Kingdom-building work their students and graduates pursue. With more than 135 academic programs, a 15:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and a 100% graduate placement rate, Northwestern offers an exceptional educational experience that integrates authentic faith with rigorous academics. Students are challenged to become smart, brave, biblically rooted, and world ready through courageous and faithful learning in an environment where all truth is God's truth.
Community is at the heart of the Northwestern experience. Education extends far beyond the classroom as students learn, live, and worship alongside friends, professors, and mentors in a caring, Christ-centered environment. Through deep relationships, meaningful conversations, and a shared commitment to serving and loving God and one another, students are equipped to pursue God's redeeming work and lead lives of significance marked by intelligence, compassion, and faithful service.
About the Graduate and Professional Studies programs:
The Graduate and Professional Studies programs at Northwestern College are faith-based, affordable, relevant, and intentionally student-centered, equipping students to realize their potential and flourish in their vocations. Designed to meet the needs of working professionals, Northwestern offers flexible, accredited graduate degrees in education, business, healthcare, counseling, leadership, and nursing, as well as its on-campus Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program. Built on the College's Christ-centered mission, each program combines academic excellence with practical, career-focused learning while fostering students' academic, spiritual, and personal growth, empowering graduates to make a meaningful impact in their professions and communities.
About the Community:
Orange City, Iowa, is a thriving and welcoming community known for its rich Dutch heritage, vibrant arts scene, and exceptional quality of life. Since its founding in 1870, the city has grown steadily, experiencing nearly 6% population growth over the past decade while many small Midwestern communities have declined. Residents enjoy a charming European village atmosphere, highlighted by the nationally recognized annual Tulip Festival, which attracts more than 100,000 visitors each May, as well as unique local shopping, dining, outstanding recreation, including a nationally recognized golf course, and year-round entertainment. The community also embraces the arts through theater, music, dance, fine arts, and popular summer concerts in Windmill Park, while Northwestern College's renowned theatre program enriches the region's cultural offerings. With thriving businesses, low unemployment, excellent schools, and a reputation as a safe, nurturing, family-friendly community in Iowa's healthiest county, Orange City offers an outstanding environment for both personal and professional success.
Application and Nomination Process:
All correspondence relating to the position of Program Director, Pathologists’ Assistant Program at Northwestern College should be directed in confidence to the College’s executive search consultant:
Jamie Marcus, Vice President
Scott Healy & Associates
A complete application should include the following:
- Cover Letter outlining your interest and qualifications for the position;
- Updated CV;
- 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 August 31, 2026 will receive priority consideration. The search will remain open until the position is filled.
Non-discrimination Statement
Northwestern University prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ethnicity, caste, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, marital status, age, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, genetic information, reproductive health decision making, height, weight, or any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance or any other classification protected by law in the matters of admissions, employment, housing or services or in the educational programs or activities it operates, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended in 2008; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; and any other federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation.
