Skip to main content

Chief Academic Officer

Employer
Jackson College
Location
Jackson, MI, MI
View more categoriesView less categories

Job Details

Description

SUMMARY:

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) serves as the senior executive responsible for leading the academic vision and strategy at Jackson College. Reporting directly to the President & CEO, the CAO plays a crucial role in supervising all of the College’s instructional programs, as well as fostering academic quality, innovation, and outcomes for faculty and students. This position leads the development of an academic master plan that aligns with the College’s Strategic Agenda, guiding academic offerings to meet the evolving needs of students, the workforce, and the community. The CAO directly supervises the Dean of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; the Dean of Workforce, Technical and Professional Education; and the Dean of Health Sciences, Business, and Information Technologies.

Essential Functions

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Strategic Leadership and Master Planning

  • Lead the creation and implementation of a comprehensive academic master plan that aligns with Jackson College’s mission and strategic vision. This plan will guide academic programs, resource allocation, and long-term educational goals.
  • Work closely with the President & CEO, senior leadership, faculty, and staff to drive a strategic academic vision focused on excellence, innovation, and student success.
  • Co-chair the Academic Council, in concert with a faculty co-chair to lead academic decision making, communication, and advance the instructional efforts of the College.
  • 2. Curriculum and Program Development

  • Oversee the development, assessment, and continuous improvement of academic programs, ensuring they are aligned with workforce demands, instructional and transfer pathways, as well as reasonable student interests.
  • Foster a culture of academic innovation, promoting online, hybrid, and competency-based learning models to enhance accessibility and flexibility for students.
  • 3. Faculty Recruitment, Development and Innovation

  • Lead initiatives in faculty recruitment, orientation, and professional development to support high-quality teaching and innovative instructional practices.
  • Encourage a culture of instructional excellence through ongoing development opportunities that emphasize pedagogy, assessment, and culturally responsive teaching.
  • Provide dedicated support, professional development, and integration for adjunct faculty, ensuring they receive the resources, training, and support needed to succeed, and to feel a part of the College’s overall instructional efforts.
  • 4. Library/Information Commons and Learning Resources

  • Supervise the College’s library services, ensuring access to academic resources and support services that advance student learning and research.
  • Collaborate with library staff to enhance digital resources, instructional support, and research capabilities that align with the College’s academic mission, and in concert with the Jackson County Library System.
  • 5. Corrections Education

  • Oversee academic programming for the College’s corrections education initiatives, ensuring quality, accessibility, and relevance for incarcerated students.
  • Collaborate with Jackson Preparatory and Early College (JPEC), located on the College’s Central Campus, allowing students the potential to earn both their high school diploma as associate degree.
  • Partner with corrections facilities to address specific instructional needs and support student success within correctional environments.
  • Ensure, to the degree possible, a similar academic experience as if on the College’s Central Campus.
  • 6. Accreditation and Compliance

  • Lead accreditation efforts, ensuring compliance with standards set by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) as well as other secondary accrediting bodies and regulatory agencies.
  • Manage continuous quality improvement initiatives, in collaboration with the College’s Institutional Research and Effectiveness (IRE) offices, using data-driven decision-making to enhance academic programs and support institutional accountability.
  • Participate in the HLC Annual meeting and become a Consultant-Evaluator of the HLC.
  • 7. Student Success and Retention

  • Collaborate with Student Services to implement strategies that enhance student retention, persistence, completion, and transfer success, as part of the student’s educational experience at the College.
  • Develop data-informed approaches to monitor academic progress, identify improvement areas, and support equitable student outcomes.
  • 8. Supervision of Deans and Others

  • Provide leadership and support to three academic deans: Dean of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; Dean of Workforce, Technical and Professional Education; and Dean of Health Sciences, Business, and Information Technologies.
  • Lead academic staff and administrators with weekly and monthly meetings as needed
  • Provide insight to the Corporate and Continuing Education (CCE) department regarding quality training, internship and apprenticeship opportunities
  • Guide these leaders in aligning departmental goals with institutional objectives.
  • 9. Budget and Resource Management

  • Develop, monitor, and manage the Academic Affairs division budget, ensuring resources align with institutional priorities and maximizing efficiency.
  • Identify and pursue funding opportunities, including grants and partnerships, to support academic programming and faculty development.
  • 10. Community and Industry Partnerships

  • Cultivate relationships with businesses, schools, and higher education institutions to align College programs with community and workforce needs.
  • Represent the College in the community, building partnerships that enhance student learning opportunities through internships, job placements, and service learning.
  • 11. Assessment and Institutional Research

  • Oversee institutional research and assessment activities to evaluate academic programs and ensure they align with Jackson College’s mission and goals.
  • Use data analytics to make informed decisions on program development, student support initiatives, and resource allocation.
  • Demonstrate a mix of visionary, collaborative, and student-focused leadership while being adaptable to change and data-driven decision-making fostering an inclusive and innovative environment
  • SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

    The CAO directly supervises three academic deans—Dean of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Engineering; Dean of Workforce, Technical and Professional Education; and Dean of Health Sciences, Business, and Information Technologies—as well as library staff, faculty, and support personnel within the Academic Affairs division. Responsibilities include recruitment, training, performance management, and fostering a collaborative, growth-oriented environment.

    CONTACTS AND PURPOSED OF CONTACTS:

    Internal: Regularly engage with faculty, staff, and senior leadership to promote academic quality, innovation, and student success.

    External: Engage with external partners, including K12 schools, businesses, industry leaders, and community organizations, to build partnerships that support Jackson College’s mission and goals.

    Minimum Qualifications

    KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

    Education:

  • A doctorate in Higher Education, Educational Leadership, or a related field is preferred. Alternatively, obtaining a related doctoral degree within two years is also preferable – A master’s degree with substantial experience in academic Previous experience in a community college setting.
  • Knowledge of Michigan's higher education system and regulations preferred.
  • Strong community relations and partnership-building skills.
  • Knowledge administration will be considered.
  • of higher education accreditation requirements, state and federal regulations for higher education, higher education performance metrics, and higher education terminology and learning models
  • Experience:

  • A minimum of seven years of progressive leadership experience in higher education, with a demonstrated track record in academic administration, curriculum development, faculty support, and strategic planning.
  • Experience with corrections education, accreditation, and library oversight is highly desirable.
  • Skills and Abilities:

  • Strong leadership, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to foster collaboration and innovation across departments.
  • Demonstrated experience in data-driven decision-making, strategic planning, and budget management.
  • Commitment to student-centered education and a dedication to promoting inclusion of all identities within the College.
  • Collaborative approach to working with diverse internal stakeholders on politically sensitive matters.
  • Supervision of individuals throughout the college in a way that empowers them when beneficial and redirects them when necessary.
  • WORK ENVIRONMENT:

    The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    The noise intensity level to which the worker is exposed in the job is moderate.

    “This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required and shall not be construed as declaring the specific duties and responsibilities. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his or her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.”

    Supplemental Information

    Jackson College only accepts on-line applications though this system. For assistance with this, please call 517-796-8468.

    Please use your legal first and last names on your application. If you are hired you will have the opportunity to identify and utilize your preferred name.

    The Jackson College Nepotism policy prohibits hiring of a relative or someone with a familial relationship to work in the same instructional department, office or administrative unit of the College including spouse, child, stepchild, parent, stepparent or sibling of the employee or spouse, aunt, uncle, niece/nephew, grandparent, grandchild, and members of the same household including domestic partner.

    It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess (even if you are repeating it from your resume or cover letter). For instance, do not say, "See Resume or C/V." Your resume, cover letter that includes your salary requirements and an unofficial transcript for the degree required must be attached to your application. Applications will be rejected if incomplete. When you apply for the position, you will get to the document upload area where you will be given an opportunity to attach your documents such as your resume/vita, transcripts, etc. Instructions will also be found there.

    The College reserves the right to request proof of degree or certification at a later date, if these documents are required as part of the qualifications for the position.

    Final candidates will be subject to a criminal background as part of the employment process.

    If selected you will be required to complete the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Employment Eligibility Verification form I-9 and provide documentation verifying identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Jackson College is NOT able to support Visa applications for employment at the college. Applicants must already be eligible to work in the United States to be considered.

    Applicants with disabilities may request accommodation to complete the application and interview process. Please notify Human Resources at least three (3) working days prior to the date of need.

    A copy of Jackson College's Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report is available on the JC Campus Safety & Security website. The security report contains crime statistics for the previous three years for all of our campus locations and the annual fire safety report, which contains statistics for any reported fires in campus housing units and fire safety systems in these buildings. Additionally, the report contains policies, available resources and information concerning personal safety, fire safety and reporting procedures for both crimes and fires.

    Applicants have rights under Federal employment laws. Jackson College is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively supports workforce diversity.

    Organization

    What we are all about

    Jackson College is deeply committed to promoting the importance of equity and diversity for all students, staff, and faculty. It is our utmost desire to continue to provide an educational atmosphere that is inclusive to the work of diversity, equity and belonging.

    Our history

    Jackson College offers quality, transformational educational opportunities to prepare students for today’s career fields or transfer to a university.

    Founded as Jackson Junior College in 1928, the College operated as a division of the public Jackson Union School District and was located near the high school in downtown Jackson, Mich. In 1962, Jackson County voters created Jackson Community College as a distinct entity; and in 1964, they passed a charter millage that still helps to fund the College today. Rapid enrollment and program growth in the 1960s spurred construction of a new campus on its present site. In 2013, in light of the College’s decision to begin development of curriculum for bachelor’s degree programs and increased efforts in international studies, the Board of Trustees voted to change the name to Jackson College.

    Today, the College owns more than 500 acres and sits on a scenic rural site six miles south of the city of Jackson, and also operates Jackson College @ LISD TECH in Adrian, Clyde E. LeTarte Center, Hillsdale, and W.J. Maher Campus, Jackson. Online learning opportunities offer education around the world.

    Mission Statement

    Together we inspire and transform lives.

    We are committed to diversity

    • Promote a positive attitude toward diversity and serve as an active voice for the institutional changes and cultural learning required of a diverse college community.
    • Promote research and serve as a resource on issues of diversity.
    • Promote dialogue on issues of diversity.
    • Promote a curriculum sensitive to diversity.
    • Uphold the vision and purpose of JC’s commitment to inclusion and diversity.

    Jackson College Equity Statement

    Jackson College is an equal access/equal opportunity institution that embraces diversity as one of its highest priorities and is firmly committed to establishing and maintaining excellence through diversity in education and employment. We respect and value differences among our student body, workforce and community and are dedicated to intentionally fostering a welcoming environment of openness and appreciation for all.

    Through our commitment to equity, we will establish and sustain a learning environment that supports the recruitment, retention and success of students from all backgrounds, including those readily visible differences and the underlying differences.

    Through our commitment to equity, we are dedicated to advancing and building a diverse workforce through intentional hiring practices, marketing strategies, and performance review procedures to best position ourselves to attract, retain, and develop a talented and highly skilled faculty, staff, and administration from diverse backgrounds.

    Through our commitment to equity, Jackson College will sustain and enhance its role as a world-class institution of higher education in a global community.

    Jackson College Diversity and Equity Committees

    Diversity, Equity & Belonging Committee focuses on establishing and enhancing a culture of diversity and belonging at Jackson College, offering programs, professional development, and ensuring policies and practices are inclusive and equitable.

    Lux et Veritas focuses on enhancing diversity of thought,  perspectives, worldviews,  with civility through conversations and symposia..

    Committee on Equitable Outcomes (CEO) focuses on equity in curriculum, pedagogy, training, academic outcomes, completion, accountability measures and classroom experiences. No one leaves Jackson College with a degree or certificate without an understanding of our history regarding racial bias, conscious or unconscious.

    Equity Audit Committee

    Equity Audit Committee is conducting a thorough analysis of Jackson College from an equity lens, researching its history to identify equity gaps and any racism while identifying opportunities to make improvements where appropriate.

    Equity Initiatives Documentation Committee A standby committee that warehouses all equity initiatives, data and programs and helps with equity-related applications for grants, surveys, proposals, etc.

    Jackson College Affinity Groups In an effort to better understand and serve the various ethnic communities in the College’s service area, the College has established several affinity groups from the various local ethnic communities. These groups meet to strategize on ways the College can better serve each respective community. In an effort to increase the affinity group’s effectiveness, the College is hiring a part-time liaison for each group. There are five affinity groups: Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander, Black/African American, Pakistani, and Indian.

    Get job alerts

    Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.

    Create alert