POSITION SUMMARYThe dean for academic affairs serves as the senior academic leader for the university's three colleges and as the principal partner to the provost in advancing academic programs, academic growth, and external partnerships. The dean supervises the associate and college assistant deans, holds authority for faculty evaluation and personnel matters within the colleges, directs academic program development, and represents the university in academic partnerships with school districts, employers, agencies, consortia, and peer institutions. The dean serves on the Executive Council and other mission-critical committees as necessary.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIESAcademic Leadership and Strategy- Provide senior leadership, strategic planning, and operational direction for the academic programs, faculty, and academic operations of the three colleges.
- Partner with the provost in establishing academic priorities; represent academic affairs on the executive council, the provost's leadership team, and in university planning.
- With the provost, lead the Academic Stream of the Toward a Prosperous Future Strategic Task Force, directing the colleges in producing program response plans within the framework, benchmarks, and timeline established by the task force or similar committees.
- Supervise the college assistant deans; convene them regularly to coordinate academic operations, calibrate practice across the colleges, and resolve matters that cross college lines.
- Advise the provost on academic policy; oversee the development and implementation of academic policies and procedures.
Faculty Evaluation, Personnel, and Governance- Hold primary responsibility for faculty evaluation within the colleges, including annual review, classroom observation, and performance feedback, informed by input and recommendations from the assistant deans.
- Make recommendations to the provost regarding faculty rank, tenure, and promotion, incorporating the recommendations of the faculty RTP committee and the input of the assistant deans.
- Advise the provost on faculty staffing needs; authorize and direct faculty and adjunct searches; recommend candidates for appointment.
- Address faculty personnel matters, faculty and student concerns, and academic appeals not resolved at the college level; refer formal disciplinary action to the provost.
- Serve as the principal administrative liaison to Faculty Senate and faculty committees; facilitate curricular and policy proposals through faculty governance.
- Promote faculty professional development, scholarship, and professional engagement; recommend professional development allocations to the provost.
- Create and sustain a positive faculty work environment characterized by fairness, transparency, reasonable expectations, and collegiality.
Academic Growth and External Partnership- Develop, negotiate, and steward academic partnerships with school districts, employers, agencies, consortia, and peer institutions, including the university's teacher preparation, insurance, and concurrent enrollment partnerships.
- Lead the development of new academic programs, concentrations, and credentials in collaboration with the Dean for Academic Quality and the Associate Dean for Distance Education.
- Identify and pursue opportunities for academic growth aligned with Olivet 2030 and with demonstrated market and workforce demand.
- Represent the university and the provost in external academic matters, including partnership negotiation and articulation agreements.
- Support enrollment growth through academic program design, scheduling, and pathway development in coordination with enrollment leadership.
Academic Operations and Resources- Oversee course scheduling, staffing, and enrollment monitoring across the colleges; approve course cancellations and faculty overload assignments.
- Prepare and manage the operating budgets of the three colleges in collaboration with the provost and the assistant deans; recommend resource allocation to the provost.
- Ensure that program review and assessment are completed within the colleges according to the framework and calendar established by the Dean for Academic Quality.
- Support the colleges in meeting specialized accreditation requirements and in HLC compliance, in coordination with the Dean for Academic Quality.
- Oversee the academic components of new student orientation, opening convocation, and commencement in coordination with the provost.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the provost.
PERFORMANCE OUTCOMESThe success of the dean for academic affairs will be demonstrated by the existence of the following:
- Well-developed and well-regarded academic programs across the three colleges, aligned with the strategic vision of the university.
- Academic partnerships that expand enrollment, extend the university's reach, and advance its mission.
- Faculty who are fairly evaluated, well supported, intellectually productive, and engaged in the mission of the university.
- Effective academic operations, including timely scheduling, appropriate staffing, and sound budget management within the colleges.
- Program review and assessment completed on schedule and consistent with institutional standards.
- Productive working relationships with the provost, the Dean for Academic Quality, the Associate Dean for Distance Education, the assistant deans, faculty, and staff.
- Positive responses on the part of students to their academic experience at the university.
REQUIRED EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE- Terminal degree and a minimum of five years of successful experience working with university faculty, including at least three years in an academic leadership role.
- Demonstrated experience in faculty evaluation, supervision, and rank, tenure, and promotion processes.
- Demonstrated success in developing and sustaining external academic partnerships.
- Demonstrated experience in academic program development.
- Demonstration of excellent administrative, organizational, interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills.
- A proven record of working effectively with diverse populations.
REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES- Strong academic leadership, administrative, and organizational skills.
- Knowledge and skill in curriculum development, program review, and assessment.
- Knowledge and skill in faculty hiring, development, evaluation, and promotion.
- Knowledge of institutional and specialized higher education accreditation.
- Ability to negotiate and sustain partnerships with external organizations.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment in personnel matters.
- Knowledge and ability to use appropriate application software, including Microsoft Office, Jenzabar, and Canvas.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORKING ENVIRONMENTThe physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- The employee must be able to perform duties dependably and effectively in a diverse, challenging, and occasionally stressful environment.
- While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to stay in a stationary position for long periods and operate a keyboard or type; use common business office machines; handle materials weighing less than 20 lbs.; traverse campus; communicate verbally with diverse constituencies; and operate a computer.
- Travel is required for partnership development and external representation.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually mild to moderate.
This position description is subject to change at any time with notice to the employee.
