Associate Dean Academic Affairs - AZ - Arizona College of Optometry

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead curriculum development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the primary lead and liaison for Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) self-studies, progress reports, and related communications.
• Ensure curricula, syllabi, and academic policies comply with University, College, and accreditation requirements.
• Guide the work of the Curriculum Committee and oversee regular curriculum review.
• Maintain consistent, transparent, and ongoing communication with the Dean and senior leadership regarding academic performance, accreditation status, emerging risks, personnel matters, and strategic initiatives.
• Oversee academic-related performance evaluations of faculty and staff, ensuring timely completion and alignment with College goals and accreditation expectations.
• Support faculty development, mentorship, and teaching effectiveness initiatives.
• Collaborate with College leadership to ensure appropriate and equitable academic and clinical teaching assignments.
• Oversee academic policies related to student promotion, progression, and graduation.
• Provide academic counseling with other college support team members to students experiencing difficulty and coordinate referrals as needed to University support services.
• Monitor student academic and clinical performance and implement improvement strategies as needed.

Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in Optometry (OD) or closely related doctoral discipline.
• Eligibility for optometric licensure in Arizona.
• Minimum of 5 years of academic experience in optometric or health professions education.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum oversight, assessment, and accreditation-related activities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior academic leadership experience.
• Experience with accreditation self-study or reporting.
• Experience with faculty performance evaluation and academic outcomes analysis.

Core Competencies

• Academic Leadership: Ability to lead curriculum, assessment, and academic quality initiatives aligned with accreditation standards.
• Communication: Consistent, proactive communication with the Dean, senior leadership, and academic stakeholders.
• Faculty and Student Focus: Supports faculty development, accountability, and student academic success.
• Data-Informed Judgment: Uses academic and assessment data to identify risks and recommend improvements.
• Culture and Collaboration: Fosters a positive, inclusive, and high-performance academic environment.

Contact Information

Contact information: Interested applicants should apply online at https://www.midwestern.edu/employment-mwu. The application packet should include a curriculum vitae and a letter of interest. Inquiries may be directed to Dr. Alicia Feis, Dean, Midwestern University, Arizona College of Optometry, 19555 N. 59th Ave, Glendale, Arizona 85308; e-mail: afeis@midwestern.edu.