Assistant Dean of eLearning & New Programs

Assistant Dean of eLearning and New Programs

Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) invites applications for an Assistant Dean of eLearning and New Programs.

Position Overview

The Assistant Dean will broaden the college’s reach through the implementation of new educational delivery methodologies and new academic programs. The candidate’s primary responsibility is to research, plan and develop new academic programs and initiatives. These can be online, hybrid, or in person, and include degrees, tracks, certificates, as well as credit and non-credit courses and professional development programs for both traditional and non-traditional learners. The candidate will propose academic initiatives, assessing their market feasibility and create clear business and implementation plans for said initiatives. These programs will be on mission, generate additional/new revenue streams for the college as well as expand the college’s outreach beyond its traditional demographics. The ideal candidate will have a passion for creating new initiatives/programs as well as leveraging MECA&D’s current curricular offerings.

Key to the candidate’s success is the ability to create programs of study that use emergent technologies to reach more students “where they live” while meeting the high educational standards of MECA&D. 

Additionally, the candidate will also guide MECA&D faculty and staff on current best- practices in eLearning as the college continues to expand and enhance its use of its learning management system beyond the hybrid and online courses in its current curricular offerings.

The candidate will have a demonstrated passion for education, the arts and entrepreneurship, and the power of these experiences to transform lives.  

Position Details

• Researching, developing, and implementing new academic programs;
• Developing new graduate, online, and professional programming;
• Budget management and planning;
• Growing existing graduate programs; 
• Preparing proposals, and facilitating program accreditation;
• Establish best practices for eLearning at the college in both its undergraduate and graduate programs as well as future programs.

Qualifications, Experience, Abilities

• Master’s Degree plus 3 to 5 years higher educational experience in emergent technologies, instructional design and development;
• Knowledge of effective eLearning pedagogy;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills required; 
• Ability to create realistic business plans for new initiatives; 
• Demonstrated knowledge in relevant emerging technologies;
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in administration, program implementation, and/or teaching; 
• Experience in graduate and/or professional programming preferred;
• Experience with accreditation processes and procedures is an asset, but is not required. 

The Institution

Maine College of Art & Design is an independent college of art and design located in the center of the thriving arts district of Portland, Maine. Established in 1882, the College currently enrolls approximately 450 students, the majority of whom are in the undergraduate program. About 1,000 students take classes through MECA&Dʼs Continuing Studies Program annually. MECA&Dʼs Joanne Waxman Library is an important resource of art and design oriented books and periodicals for the region. The Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA&D is a vibrant site for the exhibition of contemporary art. MECA&D is characterized by its intimate learning community, its interdisciplinary nature and the breadth of its programs. It confers the degrees of Bachelor of Fine Arts in eleven majors, Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art, Master of Arts in Teaching, and the Salt Graduate Certificate in Documentary Studies. Our goal at MECA&D is to teach each student how to transform aspirations and values into a creative practice that serves as the foundation for a lifelong pursuit of personal and professional goals. Maine College of Art & Design is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The Collegeʼs accreditation status with both agencies was renewed in 2016.

Strategic Direction

MECA&D’s seven-year strategic (2020-2027) plan builds on our historic positioning in Portland’s arts district, a shared strategic vision, and proven ability to embrace change. 

Strategic Plan Priorities

Strategic Goal 1 - ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE CHARGE: Maine College of Art & Design will cultivate the highest standards in teaching and learning in art, design, and media, and will be recognized for its students’ cultural contributions. The College will be known as an educational leader in the programs it offers, creating and continually improving a relevant, culturally inclusive, and distinctive curriculum that enables students to reach their potential in an ever-changing world.

Strategic Goal 2 - DEVELOP A CULTURE OF EQUITY AND BELONGING  CHARGE: Maine College of Art & Design’s commitment to equity and belonging will inform all aspects of the College. By focusing on building authentic relationships, we will serve as an incubator around these ideas both for our College community and for the greater region of Portland. We believe placing these values at the forefront of our work cultivates artists who are true agents of change and connects our community to the world in meaningful ways.

Strategic Goal 3 - BROADEN OUR REACH: ONLINE LEARNING AND NEW PROGRAMS CHARGE: Maine College of Art & Design will develop new programming via online learning, hybrid, and in-person modalities to further our mission of educating students and designers for life; expand our audience and community; generate additional revenue streams; and provide for the future adaptability of the College. The College will approach this endeavor within a comprehensive planning time frame.

Strategic Goal 4 - CREATE LIVING AND LEARNING CENTERS CHARGE: Maine College of Art & Design will develop a concept for living & learning facilities that reflects MECA&D’s mission and values to provide students with the necessary resources to become artists for life. 

Building on Maine College of Art & Design’s historic role as a creative anchor of Portland, we preserve space for education on Portland’s peninsula during a time of robust development. We will determine priorities for expanding the College's footprint to deliver on our academic mission and best meet the needs of our students, faculty, staff, and community.

Strategic Goal 5 - SUSTAINABILITY CHARGE: An essential principle of our Strategic Plan is to ensure Maine College of Art & Design’s long-term financial sustainability. As informed by investments required by the other strategic goals, data, and qualitative metrics, we will develop a financial framework and a series of revenue-focused strategic priorities in support of sustainable results to strengthen the College's financial position for the long term.

Compensation & Benefits

Compensation ranges from $70,000 to $75,000 contingent on experience. A comprehensive benefits package is offered, including health, dental, vacation, sick and retirement benefits.

To Apply

Applications will be reviewed beginning immediately and will be accepted until a hire is made. Application materials must be sent in a single PDF, not to exceed a 25MB file size.  Place “Assistant Dean of eLearning and New Programs: [Last Name, First Name]” in the subject line.

The PDF must include:

• An application letter that describes how the candidate’s experience, accomplishments and qualifications intersect with the position;
• A resumé or curriculum vitae;
• A diversity statement;
• Any relevant scholarly publications, exhibitions, or other examples of professional achievement (if available; a link to a website may be used); 
• The names and contact information of four current references. 

Applications will be kept confidential until such time as candidates visit campus.

Maine College of Art & Design recognizes that diversity is integral to the academic experience and strives to foster an inclusive culture defined by respect, equity and social responsibility. Successful candidates will have demonstrated experience in working with diverse populations, and supporting an inclusive and equitable community. Maine College of Art & Design does not discriminate on the basis of gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, genetic information, HIV status, race, age, religion, national or ethnic origin, or military/veteran’s status in its educational programs, admissions policies, employment policies, financial aid, or other College administered programs. Candidates from historically underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.