Vice President of Academic Affairs
McHenry County College

Work Week

40 Hours | Flexible schedule to meet department/division/institutional needs

Position Summary

The Vice President of Academic Affairs serves as the chief academic officer for the College, providing inspiring leadership in all aspects of the College's teaching and learning endeavors. The successful candidate partners with the President and Cabinet peers to develop and sustain best practices for creating success in multiple community college classrooms and environments (transfer, workforce training, adult education, online learning, and high school programs). The Vice President of Academic Affairs is responsible for articulating the College's mission, goals, and priorities to faculty, students, and the community.

The Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for the position of Vice President of Academic Affairs is an experienced leader with a focused commitment to teaching and learning, and all activities that meet the College's mission of student success. This candidate is able to balance strategic thinking and strategy with creativity and forward thinking, ultimately inspiring Academic Affairs team members to strive for excellence and innovation. This highly critical thinker has an adept ability to problem-solve and has strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills that allow for the utmost collaboration with staff and community partners. The candidate has appreciation for diverse thought and opinions, and is highly ethical, trustworthy, and credible. Ultimately, the candidate for Vice President of Academic Affairs has the ability to collaborate and delegate using sound judgment and expert planning skills, with a constant commitment to upholding high-level services to students-both inside and outside of the classroom.

Direct Reports

• Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs
• Associate Vice President of Workforce Development
• Academic Deans
• Executive Administrative Assistant

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

• Plan, organize, and administer the total direct instructional and Academic Affairs services program with an innovative and dynamic manner consistent with the philosophy, mission, goals, and resources of the College, fostering a collegial environment
• Provide successful academic leadership and vision in instruction and program development in basic skills, transfer, vocational developmental, and non-traditional programs
• Advocate and promote quality instruction, student success, integrated planning, and the expansion of Student Learning Outcomes to meet the educational needs of students in a diverse community college environment
• Coordinate MCC's strategic initiatives in meeting the needs of industry and businesses concerning training, assessments, and technical assistance and career placement
• Provide leadership for course, program, and policy development/refinement in collaboration with the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Deans and Academic Council in an effort to enrich the educational, social, and cultural life of the community and to address the community's workforce needs
• Direct the development and administration of the annual instructional, workforce, and academic support services budgets
• Provide leadership in the recruitment, orientation, evaluation, and professional development of faculty and staff associated with the educational and service mission of the College
• Provide leadership in establishing sound academic standards which lead to effective outcomes assessment, while consistently promoting a commitment to open College admissions, supported by a responsible developmental education program and a commitment to student engagement
• Provide direction for the College's education planning initiatives and other related reporting
• Provide guidance and support leading to the annual development of the academic calendar, giving particular attention to semester-specific daytime, evening, and weekend course/program/service schedules which meet identified student needs
• Collaborate with the Office of Human Resources to coordinate the administration of the collective bargaining agreement with the Full-time Faculty Association and Adjunct Faculty Association
• Serve as the Chief Academic Officer and maintain a general liaison relationship with staff of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, Illinois Community College Board, Higher Learning Commission, and such other state and federal agencies which relate to the educational and service mission of the College
• Develop and maintain relationships with school districts and businesses in order to better understand educational and training/workforce needs in the community
• Collaborate with Student Affairs around student services, including enrollment management
• Assist the President, as requested, in the development and review of policies to be recommended to the Board of Trustees
• Participate in the President's Cabinet
• Effectively deploy resources to achieve College goals and support student success
• Identify and promote the role and use of technology in the instructional environment, programs, and services
• Work collaboratively with the Institutional Advancement Division to identify alternative opportunities for program(s) support
• Work collaboratively with others (e.g. colleagues, stakeholders, vendors) to accomplish functions and responsibilities
• Assume other duties and responsibilities as delegated or assigned by the President

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate from a regionally accredited college or university
• Minimum of two years of teaching in the college classroom
• Five years of administrative experience (preferably at the two-year college level) with increasing responsibility given over time
• Strong working understanding of changing trends and issues in community college education
• Demonstrated experience in the assessment of academic programs, including learning outcomes assessment
• Demonstrated experience in effectively engaging diverse student populations

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with the Higher Learning Commission accreditation process
• Five years of full-time classroom teaching
• Administrative experience working in a unionized environment

Skills and Specifications:

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Strong problem-solving, time management, and analytical skills
• Demonstrated ability to think creatively, strategically, and proactively
• Technological competence; the ability to proficiently utilize technology including database software and Microsoft Office
• Knowledge of the organization of a community college
• Collegial management style
• Record of successful leadership and team management
• Ability to collaborate, build consensus, and resolve conflict
• Demonstrated ability to manage fiscal and personnel resources
• Demonstrated ability to develop, foster, and promote new opportunities for educational partnerships with public and private sector entities
• Ability to oversee, plan, and implement major programs and services for the organization
• Ability to assess and measure effectiveness of programs and services
• Ability to work in a dynamic environment, sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs
• Ability to develop policies, long-range plans, and fund allocation within assigned divisions
• Ability to determine goals and desired outcomes for multiple areas
• Ability to provide updates to senior managers, elected officials, or other community groups or organizations
• Ability to create plans for and guide implementation of new technology systems
• Ability to work independently yet with a strong team orientation and to develop productive working relationships at all levels of the organization
• Commitment and respect for diversity, equity, inclusion, and the MCC Behaviors of Excellence
• Commitment to the College mission, vision, values, and goals

Equal Employment Opportunity

McHenry County College declares and reaffirms a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination. The College will make all decisions regarding admission, employment, participation in educational programs, or activities, without discrimination on grounds of race, color, creed or religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, marital status, physical or mental disabilities, military status, sexual orientation, gender-related identity, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge from military service, or other factors prohibited by law. Decisions regarding employment include hiring, promotion, termination, wages or salaries, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. MCC is committed to diversity and inclusion in its college community. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in any aspect of the hiring process, contact Human Resources at AskHR@mchenry.edu.

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