Vice President of Academic Affairs

Job Summary:

The Vice President of Academic Affairs serves as the Chief Academic Officer for the College providing strategic and operational leadership and provides oversight for all academic affairs functions, thus, supporting academic programs, services and student success initiatives.  This position formulates, recommends, and implements Academic Affairs policies and procedures.  In addition, the Vice President develops, maintains, and enhances academic programs; promotes a culture of student learning and development and cultivates creative approaches to teaching and learning.  This position provides leadership and direction to academic associate vice presidents, directors, and department chairs, including the development of programs to meet local community needs and interests.

Position Duties:

·       Administers, evaluates, and advocates for academic programs.

·       Delegates responsibility and authority as appropriate.

·       Ensures the development of the strategic-level academic plan for Cowley College that follows the mission and strategies for the College.

·       Coordinates and collaborates with other units of the College to ensure the implementation of best practices for student success including first year experience, persistence, retention, pedagogy, faculty engagement, professional development, tutoring, advising, and enrollment.

·       Ensures the development and implementation of academic procedures, and to work collaboratively with other College units to develop procedures that are inter-departmental in nature.

·       Delegates authority to various positions, where appropriate, to develop procedures.

·       Provides guidance, direction, and assistance for programmatic and institutional accreditation.

·       Recruits, screens, and recommends employment of new professional personnel in accordance with established procedural and affirmative action guidelines.

·       For academic areas, recommends employment of personnel and participates in managing all aspects of their employment and development.

·       Fosters and supports professional development plans for individual staff and in-service training for faculty.

·       Acts as chairperson for the Academic Affairs Council, which acts as the curriculum committee for the institution.

·       Provides leadership and supervision in the development and preparation of applicable unit budgets. Works cooperatively with instructional units in developing the entire instructional budget.

·       Exercises executive authority for management of complaints, disciplinary actions, grievances and termination for all personnel within the academic unit.

·       Supervises, provides leadership, and sets direction for direct report personnel.

·       Oversees the preparation of class schedules, teaching assignments, faculty workload, and room assignments in collaboration with academic departments, Associate Vice Presidents, and the Director of Academic Enrichment.

·       Oversees student global, programmatic and course learning outcomes assessment, and institutional effectiveness efforts with other Vice Presidents, Associate Vice Presidents, organizational units, and other appropriate College administrators and faculty.

·       Represents the College to local, state, and federal organizations and agencies as directed by the President.

·       Oversees the concurrent educational plan with high schools and articulations with other colleges and universities.

·       Provides leadership for advisory committees/councils and programs to be compliant with the Carl Perkins Act and Kansas Board of Regents’ regulations.

·      Promotes the College through active participation in appropriate activities at the local, state and national level. 

·      Maintains courteous, professional and effective working relationships with employees, vendors and/or any other representatives of external organization.

·      As a Vice President, professional business appearance and attire is required when meeting with vendors or representing the college on official business and events and gatherings. 

·      Complies with all College policies and procedures.

·      Assists the President by performing other related duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

·      Learner-centered philosophy and approach for student success

·      Working knowledge of effective teaching and learning strategies oriented toward student success.

·      Skills in collaborating, negotiating, and problem-solving with a highly effective level of interpersonal and communication skills

·      Expertise in curriculum development and innovative delivery formats

·      Understanding of the community college mission and practices an open door policy

·      Strong administrative and academic leadership skills in a community college setting

·      Ability to work effectively with the President, administrators, faculty, staff, and students

·      Strong management skills, including the ability to develop and administer budgets, manage/adapt to change, make difficult decisions, encourage conflict resolution and ensure employee and department accountability

·      Ability to listen and value employee, student and community contributions to College operations

·      Possess an entrepreneurial attitude and work ethic

·      Strong knowledge of academic affairs

·      Possess a team approach to problem solving

·      Ability to manage multiple departments

·      Understand the uses of information technology to deliver, monitor, and evaluate programs and services for students

·      Commitment to enhancing and maintaining diversity among faculty, staff and students

·      Knowledge of theories of student learning as they relate to the traditional student and to the adult learner

·      Understanding of organizational systems and their contribution to student academic success

·      Ability to develop measurable outcomes and assessments strategies to formulate data-driven decisions

·      Knowledge of public sector and higher education federal and state regulations and compliance

·      Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse internal and external populations

·      Demonstrated ability to build consensus in a service-oriented environment

·      Strong organization and leadership skills

·      Ability to work independently, as well as on a team

·      Ability to work and maintain the highest level of confidentiality

·      Excellent communications skills, both written and oral

·      Ability to organize and prioritize work. Work well under deadline pressures

·      Excellent interpersonal skills and able to work with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and diverse populations

·      Understanding of and commitment to quality improvement.

Required Education Background:

·      A minimum of a Master’s Degree from an accredited institution in Higher Education Leadership, Higher Education Administration, Adult Learning or related field. Doctorate degree, preferred.

Required Experience:

·      A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership, preferably in a community college setting.

·      A minimum of three (3) years of supervisory experience, preferably managing the activities of faculty.

·      Experience in budget analysis, development, and management.

·      Experience as a faculty member in higher education.

·      Proven leadership experience in advancing student success initiatives.

·      Experience in a collective bargaining environment, preferred.

·      Successful experience as a mentor and team developer.

·      Demonstrated ability to engage staff and faculty to build on past successes while fostering change.

·      Demonstrated commitment to continuous and synergistic improvement of instruction, instructional support, and faculty development.

·      Demonstrated experience in planning and managing budgets.

·      A successful track record with facilitating program development, evaluation and coordination with accrediting bodies.

·      Experience working with faculty and students on a multi-campus college, preferred.

·      Experience successfully resolving student grievances.

 Supervisory Requirements: Administrative Assistant to Academic Affairs, Academic Departments, faculty, AVP of Academics & Secondary Partnerships, Director of Adult Education Programs, Director of Library Services, Tutoring Services, Registrar, Sumner Campus Operations Officer, Director of Impact Programs (TRIO) and Director of EMS Education.

 Physical Requirements:

Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time; ability to move freely around the campus and outreach centers; ability to lift up to 20 pounds; ability to bend, stoop, reach and grasp as required to perform responsibilities; ability to drive motor vehicle; ability to work evenings and weekends as necessary, and ability to work on the computer for long periods of time. 

 Work Environment:

Work performed in an office environment, classroom, and throughout the main campus and outreach centers.  In addition, some work will be completed throughout the College service community at community functions and events.

Cowley College is dedicated to providing equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, political affiliation or other legally protected category. (Notice of Non-Discrimination found at https://www.cowley.edu/about/legal.html) 

Cowley College

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