Associate Vice Chancellor for Online Learning and Innovation

SUMMARY:

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Online Learning and Innovation(AVCOLI) will develop and implement a comprehensive online strategy that enables South University to grow in all aspects of online education while maintaining the existing reputation of academic quality. The AVCOLI must be a highly innovative yet student-centric leader with a strong interest in new approaches towards improving student access and outcomes. The ideal candidate will have a strong traditional university background as well as a record of invention and student success.

The AVCOLIis responsible for managing the key performance indicators of online courses, and the continuous improvement of online student academic experiences, including (but not limited to) the classroom environment, engaged faculty and analysis of retention programs that promote student success and persistence. The incumbent assumes primary responsibility for developing innovative academic experiences for all online learners, initiates programs to improve student retention to graduation and assures effective strategies for teaching excellence among full time and adjunct faculty. This position is responsible for creating and sustaining an environment of academic and professional excellence for students and faculty and a collaborative working environment with Online team members.

KEY JOB ELEMENTS:

1. Execute on initiatives aimed to improve the on-line student’s academic journey, including the classroom experience, faculty effectiveness and student outcomes. Utilize quantitative and qualitative data to inform and prioritize high impact initiatives that facilitates effective teaching and learning through improvements with people, processes and technology.
2. Manage the process and continued development of the Faculty Lead Model (FLM), a comprehensive leadership model that manages and evaluates the performance of full-time and part-time faculty.
3. Create a strategic plan to build a robust Online Academic Support Center that provides multifaceted academic support services designed to enhance student learning and student success.
4. Work closely with program deans and the Director of Innovation and Education to ensure timely course development and updates; the learning management systems are maximized to support student success and faculty engagement; digital textbooks align with course outcomes and are accessible for students and faculty; and students, faculty and support staff are well trained in navigating all digital resources. Ensure regular collaboration with all vendors to stay up to date on features and benefits of all systems. Seek opportunities for improvements and enhancements to learning resources.
5. Analyze data to detect barriers to student success, such as course deficiencies, teaching effectiveness, student resource management, and effectiveness of remediation, and collaborate across the Colleges or Student Services to develop strategic programs or initiatives to mitigate these barriers. Continue to collect data to drive continuous improvement and document results; share results with appropriate parties.
6. Regularly evaluate online faculty members using Student Evaluation of Course (SEC) data and online faculty grade distributions and student success/ completion rates for Online courses at end of each term to identify trends and areas of improvement. Audit courses at least once per quarter per faculty member to identify faculty engagement and feedback in courses and response times to students. Develop efficient reporting to review course success factors and faculty success factors in each course and implement timely training, coaching or course level improvements to mitigate deficiencies.
7. Manage and report key contributors to online continuing, drop, and re-entry student numbers and evaluate course withdrawals and post-matriculation cancels from courses to identify areas of opportunity for student success initiatives, faculty training and to identify course/curriculum deficiencies. Communicate results of analysis and report trends and issues to College Deans, Assistant Deans, Program Directors, AVCAA and Student Services.
8. Report KPI metrics weekly to Provost team and university leadership through an effective Continuing Student Review process, consistent with best practices developed by the University.
9. Create targeted faculty development trainings to support specific online faculty needs identified as areas of improvement from evaluations and audits conducted and weekly CSR reports and anecdotal information; Mentor and provide additional training/ support for new faculty and faculty demonstrating the need for additional support.
10. Develop programs to address common areas of student deficiency through remediation, supplemental instruction, or other academic support measures
11. Works closely with the Digital Resources Team and Faculty Training Specialists to create and execute an effective faculty on-boarding and deliver ongoing faculty development program; ensure the Learning Management Systems and Student Information System are being leveraged to maximize faculty engagement, student learning and retention to graduation. Regularly explore innovative opportunities for improvements, or new technology and resources to improve student learning and outcomes.
12. Effectively collaborate with the Academic Counselors and Student Affairs to maximize retention to graduation. Meet regularly to receive feedback regarding the student journey and collaborate to develop programs and activities that maximize student retention.
13. At the direction of the Provost and in collaboration with College Deans, Assistant Deans and Program Directors, institute processes to assure that all Faculty are being appropriately scheduled, supervised, developed and evaluated, prioritizing high performing faculty when developing the schedule.
14. Explore, assess, examine and take steps to eliminate the barriers that prevent college students from graduating on time. Stay current on student retention data, research, and programs regarding traditional and non-traditional online students through reading publications and attending targeted workshops.
15. In coordination with the Provost, oversee academic policy and procedures, including institutional policies, students’ rights and responsibilities, and academic policies and procedures. Participate in appeals and other academic procedures as appropriate.
16. Collaborate with Academic Operations in the dissemination of the Academic Calendar, Academic Catalogs, Student Handbooks and Academic Policy implementation to all on line stakeholders and actively participate in the University’s institutional effectiveness process and ensure programmatic and institutional standards are met or exceeded online.
17. In partnership with the Vice Chancellor for Compliance, Provost, and College Deans, coordinate compliance of the campus’s educational practices with South University policies, national, state, local and regional regulations, and ensure the appropriate accrediting criteria and requirements are maintained.
18. Other duties as assigned.

REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Meet data needs and reporting responsibilities with the Director of Institutional Research.
2. Generate reports to demonstrate Digital Resources and Faculty Development Team activities.
3. Meet reporting needs working in conjunction with the Provost.
4. Coordinate administration of Faculty and Student Surveys.
5. Provide CampusVue and Power BI training for appropriate staff and faculty online
6. Provide ad hoc reports to campus, University Administration and executive team as requested.

REQUIREMENTS:

• A minimum of 7 years of academic operations leadership experience in a university setting (registrar and/or admissions experience a plus).
• Terminal degree from a regionally accredited institution in either higher education
• Leadership in an area related to one of the University’s academic programs.
• Relevant teaching experience in a university.
• Experience with computerized administrative systems. Proficient with the use of standard office applications on personal computers.
• Ability to resolve inquiries and complaints from employees, students, regulatory agencies, or members of the academic or business community.
• Ability to effectively present information to faculty and academic and campus leaders, university leaders, and public groups.

ABILITY TO TRAVEL:

The individual must be able to travel out of the local area occasionally on an overnight basis as required to participate in a variety of conferences and meetings.

ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The term "qualified individual with a disability" means an individual with a disability who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to communicate professionally in person, over the telephone, through email, video conference, and other electronic means, move about the office or school, handle various types of media and equipment, and visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess.

South University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and embraces diversity as a critical step in ensuring employee, student and graduate success. We are committed to building and developing a diverse environment where a variety of ideas, cultures and perspectives can thrive.