Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean

Job Description

Job Description

Position Title: Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean

Reports To: President of the College

Supervises: Deans of Academic Schools, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs/Director of Core, Registrar, Director of Libraries, Executive Director of Assessment, Research & Global Intiatives, Assistant Director of Global and Benedictine Engagement, Department of Defense Education Programs Administrative Assistant

Primary Function: The Vice President for Academic Affairs & Academic Dean will serve as the Chief Academic Administrator for all academic programs within the College. The Vice President for Academic Affairs & Academic Dean will provide overall direction of undergraduate and graduate programs that exemplify the highest standards of educational practice and academic excellence. The Vice President for Academic Affairs & Academic Dean must be a Catholic with knowledge and understanding of the Catholic liberal arts tradition and willing to embrace the principles of Ex corde Ecclesiae and the Benedictine educational mission of the College. In addition, the Vice President for Academic Affairs & Academic Dean provides leadership and oversight in matters of curriculum; budget; development and assessment of programs; recruitment, retention, and management of faculty and staff; external relationships; and grant seeking. The Vice President of Academic Affairs advocates for and represents the faculty to both internal and external constituencies.

Required Qualifications:

Education: An earned Doctorate from an accredited college or university in a discipline represented in the College.

Experience: A notable record of academic achievement and teaching experience meriting a tenured appointment in one of the College’s departments and significant experience in academic administration/leadership.

Essential Duties:

Advises the president on the formulation of the academic policies of the institution. Provides leadership in the implementation of those policies to serve the College mission and overall strategic plan. Promotes understanding of, and commitment to, the Catholic, Benedictine mission of the College including the incorporation of mission awareness into hiring decisions and the consideration of Catholic, Benedictine traditions in curricular decisions.

Effectively manages and provides leadership to the Deans, Chairs, and faculty of the College, and the Directors and employees of all Centers. This includes but is not limited to:

• Providing leadership in developing and understanding institutional goals and objectives;
• Serving as an effective advocate for the faculty and academic endeavors in the College;
• Supporting the principles of academic freedom;
• Participating in the faculty development and evaluation process; supporting Department Chairs and School Deans in their evaluation of faculty. Reviewing and providing preliminary approval of the Chairs’ and School Deans’ recommendations on tenure, promotion and other career actions prior to submission to the Rank & Tenure Committee and the President. Serving as ex officio member of the Rank & Tenure Committee;
• Determining employment criteria for academic and academic support positions within the College and consulting with employment and search committees;
• Providing approval of all employment decisions with respect to hiring within the academic and academic support departments of the College;
• Designing, evaluating, and overseeing individual development initiatives for faculty in consultation with School Deans and Directors of Centers or Programs;
• Promoting faculty and staff welfare and professional development and a collegial and participatory culture within and across the College.

Manages the active participation and support of the individual Schools’ Councils of Advisors in the effective and successful governance of the School and represents the academic interests of the College to the Board of Directors. This duty includes but is not limited to:

• Developing effective relationships with the members of the Council of Advisors for the Schools, and members of the Board of Directors of the College;
• Along with the School Deans, conducting regular substantive meetings with the Councils of Advisors to solicit input and participation, as well as to provide feedback on the programs and progress of the Schools and College;
• Encouraging the Deans of the Schools in working with members of the Council to identify and develop internships, graduate and professional school and career opportunities for students;
• Encouraging the Deans of Schools to develop additional sources of academic and financial support for the School.

Provides direction in the design and development of the curriculum including the CORE curriculum and programs of the College. This duty includes but is not limited to:

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• Encouraging development of an environment which enhances the learning experience and academic excellence;
• Taking initiative in curricular, program, and faculty development in response to institutional needs and nationally recognized academic best practices;
• Supporting School Deans, Chairs, and Directors of Centers under VPAA & Academic Dean guidance, in efforts to bring about departmental/institutional change as needed;
• Encouraging and facilitating long-range planning consistent with institutional needs;
• Reviewing and approving the School and Departmental statement of objectives, major and minor requirements, new program proposals, and major revisions thereof;
• Reading and responding to School and Department annual reports and assessment reports, consistent with the established assessment process by the College.

Develops and manages relationships with all constituencies of the College. This duty includes but is not limited to:

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• Identifying and developing relationships with local community organizations, businesses, industries, and government entities;
• Identifying and developing relationships with alumni, foundations, business and government entities, other institutions, and those who could be called on to support, or who could benefit from, relationships with the College;
• Providing leadership and fostering collaborative relationships among the members of the larger College community and facilitating interdisciplinary initiatives;
• Developing and maintaining a collegial relationship with the Academic Dean of the Seminary;
• Promoting overall esprit de corps within the campus Community.

Provides leadership and direction in the fiscal management of, fundraising for, and marketing of the College and its component academic parts. This duty includes but is not limited to:

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• Preparing and administering the budget for all academic functions and departments;
• Providing sound fiscal management, including the ability to address budgetary matters that achieves efficient and effective use of resources;
• Providing clear and effective communication about budgetary matters, including the allocation of funds to Schools and Departments, and faculty compensation in alignment with the Chief Financial Officer;
• Working with the President, Executive Vice President and the Vice President for Philanthropy & Alumni Relations to identify, develop, and nurture sources and potential sources of funding for the College;
• Working with School Deans, other Vice Presidents, and departments of the College on marketing and advertising initiatives to recruit and retain a high-quality student population.

Other Duties:

• The Vice President for Academic Affairs must exhibit a commitment to the Mission of the College, academic excellence, hospitality, and outreach to the constituencies of the College, and demonstrated excellence in communication and interpersonal skills;
• To maintain an academic presence, the Vice President for Academic Affairs should, when possible and if capacity permits, engage in research, writing, teaching, and other scholarly activities that enhance the academic environment of Saint Vincent College.

All positions require the incumbent to be able to fully embrace the unique mission and identity of the College as a Catholic, Benedictine liberal arts and sciences institution. Saint Vincent College is committed to diversity and encourages applicants from all qualified candidates. Saint Vincent College is committed to building a diversified and competent population of faculty and staff, and encourages applications from women and minorities. Saint Vincent is an equal opportunity employer.

PLEASE NOTE: Background checks will be performed on all new hires. Employment is conditional upon satisfactory background checks and clearances.