Dean of Academic Affairs: Liberal Arts & Sciences - MnSCU Admin-6

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Job Description

Under the administrative direction of the Vice President of Academics and Innovation this position sets the vision and is responsible for the day-to-day management and visionary leadership of the Liberal Arts & Sciences division and academic support services. The Dean of Academic Affairs provides academic leadership, management, evaluation, and administration for the achievement of successful teaching and learning through faculty and support staff, which includes collaborating with faculty and staff to plan and develop new program initiatives and redesign existing course curriculum to ensure student success. 

This position participates as a member of the college academic affairs team and develops policy and process when necessary and builds and encourages effective professional relationships with colleagues and leaders in the community. It requires building-level and unit-level assignments of responsibility, examining and implementing policies and procedures to enhance effective and efficient administration as well as the provision of academic leadership and support for other initiatives with the Vice President’s, President’s and Chancellor’s annual work plans.

CHARACTERISTIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1.    Supervise and maintain assigned instructional functions of the college, including providing quality instruction programs, instructional support services, assessment of student learning, course development, staff evaluation and development, program development, and review to assure a curriculum that is responsive to the educational and economic needs of the region.

This work includes soliciting, monitoring, and incorporating workforce data and future trends for new program development; supervising and evaluating reporting personnel, delegating responsibility to various functions within the instructional unit to appropriate personnel; meeting regularly and work collaboratively with president, vice presidents, deans, and directors, and college committees, to include the Academic Affairs Standards Committee (AASC) and Faculty Shared Governance Council (FSGC); monitoring, evaluating, and recommending new /expanded course sections, program course modifications, and cancellations, suspensions, and deletions of instructional courses and programs, promote use of instructional technology and development of alternative/extended learning; supervise the development of educational specifications for instructional space and equipment for assigned programs; assisting with the development of operational and strategic plans for the college and within academic affairs to assure alignment with the college mission and strategic plan in relationship to Higher learning Commission (HLC) criteria; and improving student learning by assessing the achievement of intended outcomes at the classroom, program, discipline/department, unit, division, and institution levels.

Additional duties include leadership of academic support services, Minnesota Transfer Pathway agreements, academic planning and scheduling of PSEO/ Concurrent Enrollment, and other K-12 and Adult Basic Education partnership programs and assisting in grant writing and grant management.

2.    Provide leadership and support for other initiatives within the vice presidents’, president’s, and chancellor’s annual work plans.

Provide focus and support to the initiatives of the System Framework and College’s Strategic Plan.

Serve as a collaborative administrative team member in addressing challenges of the college.

Provide appropriate leadership for division-level academic and student affairs projects.

Provide appropriate leadership for division-level academic and student affairs projects.

Provide leadership for unit-level projects across each community and building location.

Provide advocacy for program and department/discipline projects.

Represent a positive college and system influence in the communities of the immediate and extended service area.

Participate in a college community that believes in shared governance and valuing people. Examples include Academic Support Services, Developmental Ed/ABE partnership, Bridges programs, Teaching & Learning Circles, and Equity 2030. 

3.    Manage, develop, allocate, and monitor assigned planning and budgeting process including assist in determining budget allocations for assigned academic cost centers, monitoring budgets. 

This work includes approving plans for expenditures and requests for expenditures, tracking and improving efficiencies, serving on college planning and budget functions through the college’s academic affairs division and the administrative council, to include Finance, Facilities, and Student and Employee Affairs units and providing budget oversight within selected grants and manage audit liability. 

4.    Determine need, recruit, interview, and recommend new faculty and staff; evaluate and monitor progress; and provide leadership.

Work includes evaluating probationary and assigned faculty/staff, monitoring the progress of personal staff development plans, making recommendations on permanent and continuing status, reviewing and monitoring faculty credentials and advancement for assigned faculty, promoting leadership in creating a team-based, people-sensitive climate that encourages personal and professional development, recruiting and hiring part-time faculty, conducting program/department reviews. 

Salary Range

98,457.00 - 157,531.00 USD Annual

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a discipline reflective of this position’s current, new, or prospective division programming, or related field.

• Three (3) years of successful higher education teaching experience.

• Three (3) years of leadership experience, managing faculty, complex budgets, and academic services.

•  Knowledge of innovative programs and pedagogy designed to serve diverse, nontraditional and adult students.

• Experience with Postsecondary Enrollment Options, Concurrent Enrollment.

• Ability to organize time and diverse tasks, to write clearly, to conduct meetings, to direct others, and to follow-up on tasks and projects.

•  Demonstrated skill in working effectively with personnel conflicts and concerns.

•  Commitment to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion, and the ability to represent, communicate, and collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Earned Doctorate in a discipline reflective of this position’s current, new, or prospective division programming, or related field.

• Three (3) years or more of leadership experience in postsecondary education that includes the supervision of faculty and instructional programs, or equivalent experience.

• Experience working in a collective bargaining environment.

• Knowledge and experience with higher education accreditation processes, especially Higher Learning Commission and National Association of Concurrent Enrollment Partners (NACEP).

• Experience recruiting and retaining new employees, including onboarding and mentoring.

• Experience with emerging educational technologies, including but not limited to Artificial Intelligence (AI).

• Understanding of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, and similar guidelines to ensure equitable access to content.

• Cultural competency and sensitivity to the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of students.

• Bilingual/multilingual fluent in Spanish, Karen, Karenni, Somali, Pohnpeian, French, Nuer, Anuak, or other languages that reflect our student body, workforce, and communities.

• Demonstrated experience working with multicultural and underserved populations.

Other Requirements

A complete online application will include a letter of interest and a resume/curriculum vitae.  Please note that the search committee will not review incomplete applications.

This position requires completing employment references and a driver’s license background check.

In accordance with the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (Minnesota State) Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, employees driving on college/university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to Minnesota State’s Vehicle use criteria and consent to Motor Vehicle Records check. 

Minnesota State is unable to sponsor Applicants for work visas. All Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

If you would like to request an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact Aimee Sue Larson at [email protected]

Work Shift (Hours / Days of work)

8:00 am - 4:30 pm / Monday - Friday

Telework (Yes/No)

No

About

Riverland Community College is dedicated to fostering an environment where employees, students, and the region thrive. Guided by our vision, mission, and values, we provide excellent opportunities for students to reach their academic and career goals. Our values focus on cultivating student growth through service, collaboration, innovation, and respect. We offer a supportive and innovative culture that values individual and team contributions and is committed to diversity and inclusion.

Diversity and Inclusion: We are dedicated to continually developing a workforce that mirrors the diversity of our students and communities. We recognize the value of diverse experiences and perspectives, which enhance our ability to serve the people of our region effectively.

Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Commitment: Riverland is an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution. We welcome candidates who understand HSIs and the Latinx student experience, further enriching our inclusive community.

Student-Centered Education: With small class sizes, personalized instruction, and hands-on learning. Riverland offers student-centered education that empowers individuals to succeed. Our diverse range of credit and non-credit courses caters to various learning modalities.

Program Offerings: With campuses in Albert Lea, Austin, and Owatonna, Riverland offers associate degrees in over 90 career options, liberal arts and sciences, and customized training, providing comprehensive educational opportunities for all.

Community and Quality of Life: Located in southern Minnesota, our region boasts excellent public and parochial education systems, diverse recreational activities for all seasons, and upscale communities that enrich personal and professional lives.

Join Riverland Community College, where dedication to employees, students, and the region drives excellence in education and service.

To learn more about Riverland or Minnesota State, visit www.riverland.edu or www.minnstate.edu.

Benefits Information:

At Minnesota State, we take your well-being and work-life balance seriously. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that features low-cost medical and dental insurance with affordable deductibles, employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and pre-tax healthcare and dependent care accounts with a roll-over option. To further support your holistic health, employees also have access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, legal, and financial counseling. Detailed plan details, rates, and coverage choices can be reviewed directly via the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) website.

To support your life outside of work, our package includes 12 paid holidays, generous vacation and sick time, and six weeks of Paid Parental Leave. We also help you secure your financial future with a robust Pension Plan, 457(b) and 403(b) retirement accounts, and various investment options. Furthermore, we invest in your growth by providing dedicated professional development and tuition waivers for both you and your dependents. Please note that specific benefit eligibility and coverage levels may vary depending on the type of position, employee classification, and collective bargaining agreements.

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