Washtenaw Community College - Vice President for Academics and Liberal Arts and Sciences

Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Washtenaw Community College in its search for Vice President for Academics and Liberal Arts and Sciences. 

For full consideration, please apply by April 25th. 

This is an exciting opportunity and exceptional time to join one of the nation’s premier community colleges in one of America’s top college cities. Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President for Academics and Liberal Arts and Sciences (VPALAS) is the chief academic officer of the college and provides leadership, execution and oversight of the degree credit programs within the divisions of Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Math, Science and Engineering Technology. Enrolling more than 18,000 students in over 130 programs, Washtenaw provides accessible and affordable education to diverse populations in next level facilities on a well-equipped 285-acre campus. 

The Vice President will provide leadership for online teaching and learning across the college. The Vice President leads and has oversight for The Center for Interactive Teaching & Learning (CiTL), Learning Resources/Bailey Library, the Curriculum and Assessment Office, and the Teaching & Learning Center (including Faculty Professional Development).This position will support and focus on teaching and learning in face-to-face, synchronous and asynchronous platforms, degree credit enrollment, and enhancing the student experience, retention, and completion. The Vice President also provides oversight of STEAM education in collaboration with the Executive Vice President for Instruction and Chief Workforce and Community Development Officer. 

This position works in collaboration with the Executive Vice President for Instruction and Chief Workforce and Community Development Officer. The VP for Academics and Liberal Arts and Sciences position is accountable for and provides college-level leadership and supervision for the following academic affairs areas/functions:  

• Liberal Arts and Sciences Academic Divisions 
• Bailey Library/Learning Resources 
• Curriculum and Assessment 
• Teaching and Learning Center (including Faculty Professional Development) 
• Transfer 
• Online Learning 
• Developmental Education 
• Art Gallery 
• University Center 
• Student Persistence, Retention, and Completion 

This position reports directly to the President.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Provide leadership for online teaching and learning; curriculum and assessment; academic standards; general education and transfer; the library; the college Art Gallery; program accreditation (as applicable); faculty evaluation for the area; student success, retention and persistence; enrollment and scheduling, academic facilities; and the instructional budget for the Liberal Arts and Transfer-related areas. 
• Duties include, but are not limited to:
  • Direct the development of new programs and existing services to support the Liberal Arts and Sciences and effectively respond to constituent higher education needs and/or requirements of the WCC service area.
  • Develop, implement and sustain a sequence of program and curriculum review and development for all instructional areas.
  • Provide leadership for online teaching and learning, including oversight of the Center for Interactive Teaching & Learning and support for continued growth in the quality, innovation, and effectiveness of online offerings for students.
  • Oversee the further development of transfer programming and partnerships to enhance student progression to bachelor degrees, including articulation agreements and university center development.
  • Coordinate the development of the master course schedules and approve all academic catalogs and brochures. Improve student accessibility and time flexibility to engage learners in the learning process. 
  • Ensure programs and courses across the college are offered within a pathway and an effective timeline to the realistic accomplishment of the goals for the full-time and part-time student. 
  • Responsible for instructional resources in the Liberal Arts and Sciences divisions, including all classrooms and labs, and making recommendations as needed for the development and management of campus instructional facilities and equipment.
  • Enhance the quality of learning and teaching utilizing faculty, student and, if applicable, employer and transfer institution input in creating professional development and coaching opportunities for faculty and staff.
  • Ensure relevant and effective faculty professional development opportunities through oversight of the Teaching and Learning Center.
  • Develop academic and strategic annual plans.
  • Responsible for the leadership of developmental education and related student success initiatives.
  • Develop and implement the operating budget for the Liberal Arts and Sciences and Academic Affairs areas and learning resources divisions, in collaboration with the Deans and Directors.
• Lead coordinated and comprehensive strategies to increase persistence, completion and retention as part of enrollment planning with the Provost and the Vice President of Student Services. 
• Responsible for leading development and implementation of strategies for student enrollment, persistence and retention in credit courses and programs, in collaboration with the Executive Vice President for Instruction and Chief Workforce and Community Development Officer.
• Plan and direct the development of staffing patterns and supervise the recruitment, hiring and development of faculty in the Liberal Arts and Sciences areas.
• Oversee the evaluation, discipline and discharge of all faculty and instructional administrators and staff in the Liberal Arts and Sciences divisions and related offices.
• Coordinate the assignment of deans and other liaisons between the College and state or other agencies or organizations as appropriate.
• Ensure the Liberal Arts and Sciences divisions achieve goals and objectives identified in the strategic plan and academic plan and meet accreditation standards when applicable.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of the academic budget for the Liberal Arts and Sciences areas; analyze and approve yearly budgets of the area’s divisions/departments and ensure the budget conforms to the approved financial required format and timeline.
• Promote staffing in the Liberal Arts and Sciences and Academic Affairs divisions/departments that is representative of the diversity of the local workforce.
• Prepare a data-driven academic unit staff development plan that reflects the college’s skill needs for the upcoming year and incorporates input from the executive leadership team, faculty and staff.
• Play a key leadership role on the Executive Leadership Team in the development of college-wide procedures, goals and plans and work collaboratively with other executives in the implementation of the initiatives of the strategic plans and in the accomplishments of the goals and mission of the college. 
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the President or designee.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctorate degree (PhD, EdD) required. Degree must be earned at time of application.
• At least five (5) years’ experience in Higher Education in an Administrative/Executive position (Dean level or higher).
• Ability to exhibit leadership, initiative, enthusiasm, and collaboration with faculty, staff and with external constituents in the execution of the responsibilities of the position.
• Thorough knowledge and experience with diverse teaching and learning principles and modalities including classroom, hybrid and online teaching, along with current and emerging instructional technology.
• Demonstrated ability to foster innovation in teaching and learning, particularly within general education and liberal arts and sciences instructional areas.
• Demonstrated ability and success in developing, implementing, and leading online instruction.
• Demonstrated ability in data-driven decision marketing based on KPI’s and transforming that data into actionable insights.
• Ability to think analytically and creatively in support of the College’s strategic plan, mission and vision.
• Proven excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective regular contact with diverse faculty, staff, and external individuals and groups. 
• Ability to work effectively with faculty, administration and staff.
• Proven management abilities sufficient for directing the resources and activities of a comprehensive community college curriculum having the full range of educational support elements.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in a union environment.

About the Institution

Washtenaw Community College was established in 1965, when Washtenaw County voters passed a millage to provide financial support for a countywide community college. WCC opened with a 6-member Board of Trustees, a newly appointed president, and a parcel of land in Ann Arbor and Superior Townships. Classes started in September 1966 on a temporary campus at Willow Run, with 1200 students enrolled in 30 occupational programs and a transfer curriculum. 
 
From this modest beginning, WCC has grown into one of the nation’s premier community colleges with an annual enrollment of more than 18,000 students in credit classes each year, and thousands more in Economic and College Development classes. The diverse student body includes more than 1,000 students from 100 foreign countries. The 285-acre campus and strategically located extension centers, operating resources, technology-enabled facilities, and instructional quality are the envy of post-secondary education institutions near and far.
 
Living in the Area

Ann Arbor, with a population of 120,000, is consistently ranked “Best of” in numerous categories by multiple sources including being #1 in the Top 100 Best Places to Live ranking in 2018 conducted by Livability. The city hosts the best schools and universities in the entire state of Michigan and education is a priority for Ann Arbor locals. With more than 90% of residents living within a 10-minute walk of a public park, Ann Arbor ranks high in walkability. Charming streets lined with bookstores, shopping, and unique culinary offerings set the backdrop for street fairs and a thriving arts scene. There are endless opportunities for sports, hiking and to enjoy nature along the Huron River which runs through the center of town. The city has lower unemployment and crime rates than the national average.

To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by April 25th. 

Please apply through the application link and do not email applications. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to WCCVPALAS@acesrch.com 
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.

WCC EEO/AA Statement
Washtenaw Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.
Washtenaw Community College does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status as provided for and to the extent required by federal and state statutes. Nor does the college discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Washtenaw Community College is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. 
Please visit Washtenaw Community College's Office of Diversity and Inclusion for more information and upcoming events.