Director/Executive Director of Institutional Assessment and Accretitation

Company Description:

Framingham State University was founded in 1839 for a singular purpose - meeting a public need to promote the public good. At our founding as the nation's first public normal school, that need was for comprehensively educated public school teachers who would, in turn, promote an educated citizenry. FSU continues to offer exceptional teacher education programs and, while we are proud of our roots as a teachers' college, we have grown far beyond them. Public need continues to evolve and FSU right along with it. Our students and alumni are making waves in the fashion industry, designing nutrition plans for professional athletes, writing for major media and news organizations, and working for Fortune 500 companies right here in Framingham. FSU is unapologetically a public institution offering accessible, affordable educational opportunities that integrate an academically challenging liberal arts education with workforce preparation programs, in a highly personalized teaching environment. Our programs have expanded but our purpose and commitment to public education for the public good remain steadfast.

At FSU, we are deeply committed to inclusive excellence and strive to promote a culture of antiracism, encouraging a challenging yet collaborative learning environment, and providing culturally relevant education. FSU is designated as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and also belongs to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence community, providing national leadership in science education and exploring strategies that will lead to more inclusive science education. We are honored that our commitment earned FSU six Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Awards from INSIGHT Into Diversity. We encourage applications from those who share our commitment to promoting a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community.

FSU currently enrolls about 3,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and professional students, offers 39 undergraduate majors, and enrolls 41% BIPOC students in our undergraduate programs. Ideally situated between Boston and Worcester, FSU and the surrounding area are steeped in history, achievement, and innovation and provide access to urban hotspots, verdant landscapes, natural and cultural amenities, and diverse communities.

Our founding motto, LIVE TO THE TRUTH, was said at the end of each class by beloved first principal, Cyrus Peirce, who sought to discover and teach "truth in theory and principle...truth in spirit and motive...truth in manner and form...truth intellectual and truth moral." Early leaders found this motto "speaks of sincerity of spirit...of intensity of effort, of resolution to succeed, of joy in achievement." LIVE TO THE TRUTH aptly reflects our past and our pledge for the future as it continues to guide our institution in practice and endeavor. If you share in this quest for truth and a commitment to living it fully, make the next chapter of your career the best chapter at Framingham State University.

Learn more about our career opportunities at www.framingham.edu/careers.

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The Director/Executive Director for Institutional Assessment and Accreditation works with departments and units across the University to develop and implement assessment processes that provide data to inform decision-making and generate improvements; oversee academic program reviews and accreditation processes; supervise the development and monitoring of the Academic Affairs strategic plan; provide guidance for the development and monitoring of the University's strategic plan.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Reports to Associate Provost

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Assistant Director, Office of Institutional Assessment and Accreditation; Administrative Assistant, Office of Institutional Assessment and Accreditation

EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Director/Executive Director for Institutional Assessment and Accreditation:

• Oversees, coordinates, and revises (as needed) the comprehensive assessment program at Framingham State University, including integrated methods and means by which data from across the institution are collected, aggregated, analyzed, shared, and then used to guide continuous improvement.
• Oversees the development of all New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)-related reports, including fifth-year interim and decennial reports.
• Provides support for and prepares reports on institutional progress toward meeting long and short-term goals, such as accreditation, campus-wide and academic affairs strategic planning priorities (including benchmarking), general education, and academic program review.
• Designs or collaborates with staff and faculty on the development of surveys, oversees survey deployment, performs quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and ensures the availability of relevant survey results and reports to members of the university community.
• Promotes a university-wide culture of assessment.
• Works with the Chief Institutional Research Officer and the Chief Information Technology Officer to aggregate and analyze assessment data and disseminate the information to decision-makers.
• Oversees and monitors program review processes, the results of which will be centralized in the Office of Assessment and Accreditation.
• Works with the Center for Excellence in Learning, Teaching, Scholarship and Service (CELTSS) to provide faculty and staff with opportunities for professional development through workshops and conferences on assessment.
• Assists faculty and staff in the development of overall assessment strategies, development of surveys, rubric development, and any other assessment needs.
• Represents the University in assessment initiatives such as Advancing a Massachusetts Culture of Assessment (AMCOA) and other statewide assessment initiatives.
• Assists with the development of the Academic Affairs Strategic Plan and monitors the plan on an ongoing basis.
• Assists College Deans and Chairs with new program development through the provision of data and supporting documentation.
• Supports grants that aim to assist students from underrepresented groups and achieve curricular diversity.
• Together with Associate Provost oversees the preparation and submission of the Academic Affairs Annual Report.
• Works successfully in a diverse, equity, and inclusion environment and contributes in a meaningful way to the DEI efforts of the campus.
• Ensures that DEI is integrally tied to all actions and decisions in areas of responsibility; works closely with the office of the Vice President for Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement (DICE) in ensuring that the two are in alignment with each other.
• Reports to the Equal Opportunity Officer or Title IX Coordinator knowledge or receipt of reports of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and retaliation from students or other members of the university community.
• Oversees Office of Assessment and Accreditation budget.
• Completes other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Most work occurs in a typical office setting. Some evening and weekend work required.

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field encompassed by or allied to the field of institutional assessment.
• At least three years of assessment experience at a regionally accredited four-year college or university and other relevant professional experience sufficient to prepare one for the position.
• Evidence of strong skills in strategic planning, institutional and program assessment and accreditation, office budget preparation and management, personnel (including staff and students) decision making and development, leadership, problem-solving, and project management.
• Demonstrated record of academic or professional accomplishment and/or scholarly or creative work.
• Knowledge of assessment theory and practice at the institutional, program, and course level.
• Knowledge and experience with survey systems (e.g., Qualtrics) and statistical methodology and software (e.g., SPSS).
• Experience with professional development for faculty and staff in assessment.
• Experience with program accreditation.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Experience with the aggregation, analysis, and publishing of data.
• Demonstrated commitment to the success of culturally, ethnically and racially diverse learners and to equity practices in staffing and operations.

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position in the Association of Professional Administrators (APA) bargaining unit. This position may be filled at the Director or Executive Director rank, commensurate with candidate experience and credentials. The starting salary range is $107,000 - 125,000.

Framingham State University conducts criminal history and sexual offender record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

Framingham State University is an equal opportunity employer.

Members of underrepresented or minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to equity, diversity, and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions:

Candidates must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter,
• Resume/CV,
• Equity and Inclusion Statement*,
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references (references are not contacted automatically upon submission of application).

*The Equity and Inclusion Statement is an opportunity for candidates to discuss professional skills, experience, and/or willingness to engage in activities that would enhance the university's efforts to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Equity and inclusion statements will be considered as part of a transparent and comprehensive review of candidate application materials.

For best consideration, please submit application materials by November 3,2024. The review of applications may continue beyond that date and until the position is filled, at the discretion of the search committee.

Framingham State University only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you experience technical issues with the online application process, please submit a helpdesk ticket.

Framingham State University understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office at 508-626-4530 or humanresources@framingham.edu.

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