Associate Dean, Jackson College of Graduate Studies & University College

Along with sharing a Curriculum Vitae or resume, please submit a cover letter that shares your background, interests, and addresses the three questions : Why do you want to work in this role? What evidence do you have that you’ll enjoy working in this role? What evidence can you provide that we’ll enjoy working with you in this role?

College/Department Overview:

The University of Central Oklahoma is dedicated to helping students learn through creating transformative learning experiences centered on the four pillars of student success, transformative learning, value, and place. In support of the UCO mission, the Jackson College of Graduate Studies (JCGS) works strategically and cooperatively with campus leadership and appropriate university units to lead and support the development of high quality graduate offerings that serve the needs of students, faculty, and the university community as they compete in a global society. Established in 1954, the JCGS serves a unique function at UCO in its support for and coordination of graduate studies as well as creative and scholarly activities. In support of the UCO mission, the University College (UCOL) is dedicated to providing distinctive, student-centric experiences in undergraduate education that advance career readiness and transformative learning. Established in 2020, the UCOL serves a unique function at UCO in its support for and coordination of undergraduate academic experiences.

Currently, the JCGS collaborates with UCO’s five academic colleges, the Forensic Science Institute, and Swansea University in offering 8 master's degrees and 1 Ph.D. covering more than 40 graduate degree programs and over 70 different major areas of study. The UCOL oversees Broncho Blueprint (the university’s new first-year experience), Broncho Stride (an experience being developed to increase academic stamina) and the Broncho Education and Learning Lab (BELL), which offers peer-tutoring, supplemental instruction, and academic workshops.

Position Overview:

The Associate Dean works alongside the Dean, who serves in Academic Affairs to oversee operations within two colleges-the Jackson College of Graduate Studies (JCGS) and the University College (UCOL). Designs, develops, and executes academic policies and programs for the JCGS and UCOL. Develops strategies to achieve educational goals and objectives. When needed, determines scheduling of courses and recommends implementation of additional courses. Determines vitality of programs and offerings and recommends implementation of additional programs, offerings, and experiences. Participates in activities of faculty committees, relevant Councils, and student advisory boards. Establishes academic goals for the College to achieve and maintain high standards in academic and teaching processes. Serves as liaison officer with accrediting agencies which evaluate academic programs. Initiates academic integrity and quality graduate and undergraduate education by articulating University Policy and procedure to faculty, disciplinary colleges, and other units. Responsible for maintaining effective communication between students and faculty associated with the Colleges. Responsible for administrative oversight assistance in faculty engagement, graduate admissions, graduate retention, undergraduate experiences, undergraduate retention, evaluating staff, fundraising, budgeting, and setting academic rules and policies.

Department Specific Essential Job Functions:

The Associate Dean supports and reports to the Dean of the Jackson College of Graduate Studies (JCGS) and the University College (UCOL) and serves at the pleasure of the Dean. Along with existing functions in graduate education, the Associate Dean is responsible for assisting with operations in the University College, which has oversight for coordinating and integrating the university’s academic retention, persistence, and experiences in undergraduate education. The duties below are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed in the JCGS and the UCOL. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

The Associate Dean joins a thoughtful, inclusive and diverse group of driven individuals who collaborate in a cross-functional, team-oriented environment. The JCGS and UCOL have fast-paced work climates. The successful candidate will be collaborative, flexible, adaptive, intentional, cheerful, supportive, analytical, a problem-solver, student-focused, and a pursuer of excellence. The JCGS and UCOL team is committed to pursuing excellence in interactions, work quality, and cross-campus collaborations.

The Associate Dean will have duties in the following areas:

• Internal and External Collaboration. Collaborate with assistant deans, directors, faculty, staff, students, alumni, employers, and other stakeholders on planning, executing, and achieving the JCGS and UCOL, mission and goals, strategic initiatives, resource acquisition activities, and key events; serves as a liaison to internal and external offices and organizations, and acts as the primary designee of the Dean when the Dean is not available.
• Data Analysis and Report Production. Acquire required data, conduct analyses, and generate reports to improve performance across key performance indicators as well as strengthen stakeholders’ ties to support the identification, development, implementation, and control of the strategic aims of the JCGS and the UCOL including admissions, enrollment growth, graduate marketplace offerings, graduate experience, undergraduate experiences, retention, emerging market trends, identifying market niches, assessment, and fundraising opportunities.
• Graduate Education Offerings, Programs, Enrollment and Admissions. Work actively in leadership with the Dean to increase graduate marketplace offerings (traditional, hybrid, accelerated, online, certificate, etc.) and increase enrollment through improvements in admissions processing, applications, funnel activity, and enrollment; works alongside JCGS staff to improve the student experience across prospective student, current student, and graduating student stages; works with graduate faculty to review market-based data and to make recommendations on graduate offerings; works with the Dean and staff to enhance market-based partnerships and market positioning to improve graduate studies.
• Undergraduate Studies Programs, Enrollment and Admissions. Work actively in leadership with the Dean to increase and enhance distinctive, student-centric experiences within the UCOL that advance career readiness and transformative learning in undergraduate studies; works to evaluate experiences based on impact on retention, persistence, and degree completion through designing around UCO’s mission and best practices; works to measure and track impact of experiences through adequate assessment; works with associated faculty across undergraduate experiences (e.g., Broncho Blueprint, Broncho Stride, etc.) and with on-campus units to coordinate efforts and integrative experiences that improve the design and outcome of undergraduate offerings; reviews student success data, makes recommendations, and shares adjustments needed in undergraduate experiences; works with the Dean and staff to improve undergraduate studies.
• Representation and Committee Management. Contribute to and assist in the coordination of JCGS and UCOL representation on university committees, boards, and councils through working with the Dean, leadership team, and staff to maintain and update a repository of representation information including membership lists, meeting schedules, charges, agendas, minutes, and supporting documents in the centralized file server of the JCGS and the UCOL; work with different stakeholders to coordinate the activities among various committees.
• Policies and Operations. Serve as an operational leader in the JCGS and UCOL coordinating and implementing policies, procedures, and practices to ensure they align with appropriate Handbooks to maintain smooth processes for the JCGS and the UCOL, as well as their associated Council(s), committees, meetings, and other initiatives; collect and maintain all relevant policies and/or assessment associated with the JCGS and the UCOL in the appropriate centralized file server; support the Dean and assist the Operations Manager with budget management; serve as the designee when the Dean is not available.
• Accreditation and Program Vitality. Identify, track, and ensure timely progress of JCGS-related, UCOL-related, and offering-related accreditation opportunities; work with the Dean to maintain records and track progress as well as to formulate strategies, timelines, and tactics related to accreditation, program vitality, and the vitality of undergraduate experiences.
• Publications and Scholarship. Contribute to the coordination and management of existing and future publications and presentations associated with the JCGS and the UCOL as assigned by the Dean; work actively in leadership with the Deans to support an increase in intellectual contributions among appropriate faculty, staff, and students.
• Grantsmanship and Resource Acquisition. Contributes to generating and sustaining funding for JCGS and UCOL activities in coordination with the Office for Advancement, the UCO Foundation, and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, as appropriate; works with the Dean to identify fundraising opportunities and external grant solicitations relevant to the key hubs of JCGS and UCOL activities.
• Improving Faculty Engagement. Work actively in leadership with the Deans to enhance faculty engagement, recognition, research, scholarship, creative activities, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and development in key hubs of JCGS and UCOL activities.
• Improving Student Engagement. Work actively in leadership with the Dean and other appropriate entities to enhance student engagement, recognition, competitions/showcases, assistantships, and development opportunities in key hubs of JCGS and UCOL activities.
• Personal Scholarship and Demeanor. Maintains high visibility in the profession and in higher education through maintaining personal scholarship and leadership positions; serves as a role model academically, professionally, and personally.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications/Experience Required:

This position requires appropriate professional accomplishments and credentials in higher education including:

• Earned research doctoral degree in an academic discipline
• At least 10 years as a full-time faculty member
• Demonstrated contributions to graduate students and graduate studies, particularly in the areas of graduate marketplace offerings development, graduate recruitment and admissions, and graduate retention
• Demonstrated contributions to undergraduate students and undergraduate studies, particularly in the area of student success and undergraduate student retention
• Demonstrated ability in providing leadership in various strategic and administrative functions
• Demonstrated excellence in research, teaching, service, and community engagement
• Demonstrated commitment with points of actionable progress in advancing inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA)

Qualifications/Experience Preferred:

While this position is open to external candidates with demonstrable administrative and/or faculty achievement suitable of a full professor, internal candidates with the status of a tenured faculty member and full professor are preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Demonstrated abilities in using data to gauge KPIs and to make informed decisions
• Demonstrated experience with the Higher Learning Commission, its criteria and core components, or experience with other accrediting bodies
• Demonstrated abilities in listening, resolving conflicts, and building consensus
• Strong facilitation, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to pursue innovation and novelty in achieving JCGS and UCOL aims
• Strong ethical, moral, and professional values
• Has a results-oriented focus in achieving collegial collaboration with disciplinary Colleges, Institutes, and university units
• Energetic and detail-oriented
• Values a team-oriented, office environment
• Skilled at organizing projects, handling multiple tasks simultaneously, meeting deadlines, and dealing effectively with confidential or sensitive information.

Will this employee supervise others?

No

Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations (in accordance with ADA requirements) may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.