Vice President of Academic Affairs

Job Description

Position Description: The Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) is the Chief Academic Officer of the University, and reports directly to the President. The VPAA provides academic vision and leadership to fulfill the institution’s academic mission. The VPAA provides the academic vision and leadership to advance and support excellence in teaching and learning, scholarship, and engagement for the university. The VPAA is an institutional advocate, visionary and creative strategist who works effectively, collaboratively, and transparently with a variety of campus-level administrators, faculty, support staff, and regulatory officials at the state and national levels to promote the success of Adams State University and its students. The VPAA ensures that academic programs align with the institutional mission and goals, sets the overall academic priorities and allocates funds to move priorities forward. The VPAA oversees the systematic and routine assessment of academic programs and initiatives to measure and plan for continuous improvement. The VPAA ensures that the activities of Academic Affairs meet the requirements of the university’s accrediting and licensing agencies. The VPAA supports and nurtures research and grant seeking agendas appropriate for the mission and vision of the University.

Positions reporting directly to the VPAA are the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs; the Assistant Vice President for Graduate Studies, Research, and Sponsored Programs; the Assistant Vice President for Extended Studies; Academic Department Chairs; the Director of the Library; the Director of Academic Instructional Technology; and the Director of Assessment.

Essential Responsibilities:
Academic Instruction and Program Delivery

• Provide academic leadership with attention to trends and challenges in higher education
• Ensure that the university’s programs and faculty are of the highest quality
• Serves as an institutional and faculty advocate with both internal and external stakeholders
• Plan, evaluate, provide guidance, and facilitate the implementation of all academic programs, aligned with ASU 2020 and forthcoming 2025 goals
• Develop avenues to promote degree acquisition for post/non-traditional adult learners
• Review and evaluate curricula; and recommend curricular revisions, additions, and suspensions in alignment with the Academic Master Plan and ASU 2020 and forthcoming 2025
• Ensure campus wide oversight of course caps, course scheduling, and teaching assignments to maximize efficiency in course offerings
• Use data to effectively analyze program quality & productivity and implement the program prioritization plan
• Works collaboratively to encourage and nurture active research and grant seeking agendas and has responsibility for overseeing the activities of Research and Sponsored Programs
• Collaborate with the Office of Student Services and relevant departments to resolve student issues and formal complaints

Personnel, Faculty, and Staff Oversight

• Develop recruitment strategies that promote hiring and retention of diverse faculty and work collaborative with campus diversity liaison and all initiatives to increase diversity (including women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented groups)
• Appoint individuals to faculty positions (including academic administrative positions) and evaluate their performance
• Recommend and approve all promotions, retentions, faculty, and/or special hires, and tenure appointments
• Recruit, hire, develop, evaluate, and terminate personnel within Academic Affairs
• Provide support to faculty and staff with regard to teaching, curriculum development, advising, student support, and professional development

Budgeting and Planning

• Work in collaboration with the President’s Executive Team to establish budget priorities for the university
• Develop, plan, administer, and monitor budgets for units within Academic Affairs
• Set academic priorities, establish and implement an Academic Master Plan that informs development of future institutional strategic plans

University-wide Involvement

• Create, implement, analyze, and evaluate operational policies and procedures
• Make any necessary modification based on analysis of operations, demographics, and other research information
• Represent the institution at community and campus events, in meetings with other institution personnel, and during accreditation processes

Qualifications:

• An earned doctorate or appropriate terminal degree in a discipline offered at the University
• A record of significant administrative experience, equivalent to an academic dean or higher (prefer at least five years or more of successful campus wide academic administration)
• Academic credentials for a tenured professor or equivalent
• Demonstrated excellence in teaching, scholarship, and creative activity
• Demonstrated excellence in written and oral communication
• Demonstrated commitment to Inclusive Excellence and affirmative action principles
• Successful experience in working with underserved and/or underrepresented populations

The successful candidate must demonstrate the following professional attributes:

• Effective administrative experience in higher education that includes planning, faculty development, budgeting, and resource development
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills and demonstrated ability to consider alternative and diverse perspectives in decision-making
• Ability to efficiently undertake responsibilities and administrative tasks using appropriate technologies while meeting deadlines
• Proven understanding of and commitment to supporting institutional goals for diverse faculty, staff, students and academic programs
• Commitment to student-centered programming, academic excellence, and integrity at all levels
• Commitment to collegial, consultative processes of shared governance
• Ability to identify, resolve, and consult on a wide range of administrative and personnel issues with a clear sense of institutional needs and priorities
• Knowledge of regional accreditation standards and experience working with accrediting organizations
• Ability to treat others with respect, civility, and courtesy and to work honestly, effectively, and collegiality with employees, students, and the community. This includes the ability to use appropriate conflict management skills to effectively manage any disagreement that might arise or to bring the disagreement to management for assistance in productive resolution when the situation requires.

Applications must minimally include the following:

• A letter of application that specifically describes their qualifications and professional experience addressing the position description, essential responsibilities, professional attributes, and qualifications described above
• Diversity Statement regarding teaching and learning, leadership, and institutional mission
• Leadership Philosophy
• Curriculum vitae
• A list of 5 references, including a current supervisor
• Copies of all collegiate transcripts; official transcripts will be required of the successful applicant

Submit all application materials electronically to Heather Heersink, chair of search committee, at heather_heersink@adams.edu in PDF format.

Upon request, the candidate must provide a list of up to five additional references (email addresses and phone numbers) including those the candidate has supervised, the candidate’s peers, and the candidate’s supervisors.

Completed applications received by Monday, September 30, 2019 will receive full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

In compliance with the Immigration Control Act of 1986, the candidate must provide proof of eligibility to work before an offer of employment can be made final.

Adams State University is dedicated to fostering Inclusive Excellence and especially encourages applications from women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented populations. Given the university’s mission and student body composition, the institution is committed to increasing the diversity of its professional staff and is actively seeking qualified applicants who have experiences, skills, and/or personal attributes that augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff; we will give particular consideration to qualified applicants with experience in ethnically diverse settings or who possess varied language skills and have a record of successful experience in engaging diverse communities and student populations. Additional information about the university and the academic mission may be found at www.adams.edu/academics/

Adams State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Applications are sought from all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, disability, and, as covered by law, veteran status. In addition, University policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, and parental status.

Adams State University performs background checks as a condition of employment for prospective employees and current employees seeking certain promotional opportunities. Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of an acceptable background check. Applicants will be asked to provide personal data and sign a release form before the background check is conducted. Applicants who fail to provide the data and consent form will not be considered for employment or promotion. Background checks include review of criminal records and sex offender registry background. Credit and driving record background may apply to certain positions.