Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

SUMMARY: 

Reporting to the Dean of the College for Community Health, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, equipped with a blend of academic and administrative skills, oversees the curriculum and instructional matters while supporting a climate of curricular innovation in the College. The Associate Dean shapes and administers activities to fulfill the College's mission and vision and plays a key role in overseeing policies and services that support the college's strategic goals, including faculty recruitment and management, enrollment and schedule management, instructional, and academic support.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:  

• Facilitate and track the processing of curriculum development and academic innovation proposals.
• Liaise between the Provost’s office, curriculum committees, and faculty regarding issues related to academic programs.
• Review and resolve curricular and programmatic issues across colleges.
• Develop and promote interdisciplinary academic initiatives to support the college and university.
• Remain current with institutional, state, and accreditation policies that impact academic programming compliance.
• Oversee and coordinate the College undergraduate and graduate curriculum committees
• Represent the College and serve on the Graduate Council and the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee
• Work with faculty and staff from program areas and departments to promote the development of alternative delivery formats (e.g., off-campus, online, hybrid, and low-residency) courses and programs. 
• Lead efforts in faculty recruitment and retention aligned with diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice initiatives.
• Facilitate the hiring process for full-time faculty, specialists, and adjunct faculty.
• Provide support to the Dean in overseeing faculty evaluation and promotion procedures; Collaborate with the Dean to prepare first drafts of faculty appointment recommendation letters.
• Mentor and guide faculty in understanding the criteria for rank, appointment, reappointment, and promotion.
• Lead faculty development initiatives to support scholarly activities.
• Work with other colleges and schools for interdisciplinary faculty initiatives.
• Develop and coordinate internal grants to support research, scholarly activities, and professional development of faculty. 
• Coordinate writing groups and manuscript/publication support activities.
• Supervise external funding activities (pre and post-award).
• Supervise Grants Manager and Post Award Facilitator.
• Explore and develop interdisciplinary research opportunities.
• Support doctoral student research and oversee the Faculty Scholarship Program.
• Ensure new faculty are mentored and supported.
• Process Instructional Service Reports and review reassigned time and course releases.
• Review course schedules and evaluate for efficiency (approvals, reviewing faculty load, coordinating with chairs to strategically determine course needs including number of sections, sequencing, and modality)
• Coordinate program evaluations, improvements, and international academic initiatives.
• Support curricular infusion of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging pedagogies, content, and resources.
• Ensure academic program alignment with the institutional and college strategic plans
• Provide visionary leadership, comprehensive support, and mentorship for all assessment, accreditation, and credentialing activities within the College.
• Oversee the preparation, coordination, review, and evaluation of accreditation reports, ensuring compliance with established standards.
• Play a pivotal role in the Middle States accreditation process, actively engaging in regional accreditation initiatives to uphold and enhance the College's academic standing.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Management retains the right to add or change job duties at any time.

QUALIFICATIONS: 

     Required Qualification:

• Doctoral degree from accredited institution in any discipline
• Minimum five years of experience planning, developing, assessing and  evaluating academic services and programs
• Evidence of knowledge and skills in the development and implementation of discipline curricula, and a range of academic credentials.
• Experience leading, directing and evaluating faculty and staff in a higher education environment 
• Experience and working knowledge of regional and specialized accreditation standards. 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively across diverse audiences, both orally and in writing.

Preferred Qualification:

• Doctoral degree from an accredited university, in a health-related discipline aligned with the College’s existing departments.
• Demonstrated experience in innovating curricula and implementing pedagogical best practices, as well as scaling practice efforts across disciplines.
• Experience in developing interdisciplinary academic programs and courses.
• Experience in developing training and knowledge enhancement programs for faculty to create unique academic programs, including use of certifications and micro-credentials.
• Experience in strategic faculty recruitment and retention initiatives, particularly promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Familiarity with innovative instructional formats, including online, hybrid, and alternative delivery methods, and demonstrated application of multiple formats in programs.
• Proven expertise in assessing and enhancing academic programs through data-driven decision-making.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current with trends in higher education and health-related disciplines.