Nursing and Allied Health
Walla Walla Community College
Recruiting for a Dean of Nursing and Allied Health
Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) sought a Dean of Nursing and Allied Health at a time when the competition for nursing education leaders is at an all-time high. Across the country, health sciences programs continue to expand, and the demand for qualified academic leaders far outpaces supply. This role required a highly skilled professional with deep experience in nursing and allied health education, accreditation oversight, regulatory compliance, and the leadership capacity to guide multiple programs simultaneously.
The Challenge
WWCC needed a partner who could surface top-tier talent quickly in an intensely competitive space—one where relocation hesitancy, talent shortages, and high-demand credentials often limit candidate pools. And they needed this done within Another Source’s 30-day recruitment model.
The Solution
Another Source partnered closely with WWCC to design and execute a targeted sourcing strategy that reached both active and passive talent across the nation. Our approach included:
- Crafting a compelling message that highlighted WWCC’s strong regional reputation, the appeal of Walla Walla as a destination community, and the opportunity for the right leader to shape a rapidly growing division.
- Direct outreach to 206 passive candidates; leaders in nursing education, health sciences administration, and clinical academic programs.
- Notification to 151 industry influencers, including deans, association leaders, and established nursing networks, to amplify reach and increase awareness of the opportunity.
- Alignment with accreditation bodies, nursing education associations, and professional communities to ensure we reached candidates with the compliance and leadership experience required.
Throughout the engagement, we monitored candidate responses in real time, adjusted messaging based on market feedback, and maintained close communication with WWCC to ensure alignment with their expectations and needs.
The Result
Despite the national competitiveness of this field, Another Source delivered strong results within the 30-day timeline. WWCC received a well-qualified slate of candidates, including:
- 4 highly qualified finalists presented to the search committee.
- Candidates with experience in academic leadership, nursing accreditation, clinical partnerships, and higher education administration.
- A slate that represented not just technical qualifications but alignment with the vision, mission, and community-centered values of WWCC.
This collaborative, data-driven approach allowed WWCC to engage candidates who understood both the opportunity and the impact of leading Nursing and Allied Health programs at a top Washington State community college.
By combining strategic sourcing, proactive outreach, and market expertise, Another Source positioned WWCC to select a leader capable of advancing student success, strengthening clinical partnerships, and guiding the division during a period of growth and heightened demand across the healthcare education landscape.