Vice President for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean

About the Role

The Vice President for Academic Affairs & Academic Dean will serve as the Chief Academic Administrator for all academic programs within the College. This role provides overall direction of undergraduate and graduate programs that exemplify the highest standards of educational practice and academic excellence. The VPAA & Academic Dean 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.
• Mission Fit: 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.

Responsibilities

Academic Policy & Mission Leadership:

• 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.

Faculty & Academic Staff Management:

• Effectively manages and provides leadership to the Deans, Chairs, and Faculty of the College, and the Directors and Employees of all Centers.
• Serves as an effective advocate for the faculty and academic endeavors in the College.
• Supports the principles of academic freedom.
• Participates in the faculty development and evaluation process; supports Department Chairs and School Deans in their evaluation of faculty.
• Reviews and provides 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.
• Serves as ex officio member of the Rank & Tenure Committee.
• Determines employment criteria for academic and academic support positions within the College and consults with employment and search committees.
• Provides approval of all employment decisions with respect to hiring within the academic and academic support departments of the College.
• Designs, evaluates, and oversees individual development initiatives for faculty in consultation with School Deans and Directors of Centers or Programs.
• Promotes faculty and staff welfare and professional development and a collegial and participatory culture within and across the College.

External & Board Relations:

• 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.
• Develops 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, conducts 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.
• Encourages 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.
• Encourages the Deans of Schools to develop additional sources of academic and financial support for the School.

Curriculum Development:

• Provides direction in the design and development of the curriculum including the CORE Curriculum and programs of the College.
• Encourages development of an environment which enhances the learning experience and academic excellence.
• Takes initiative in curricular, program, and faculty development in response to institutional needs and nationally recognized academic best practices.
• Supports School Deans, Chairs, and Directors of Centers under VPAA & Academic Dean guidance, in efforts to bring about departmental/institutional change as needed.
• Encourages and facilitates long-range planning consistent with institutional needs.
• Reviews and approves the School and Departmental statement of objectives, major and minor requirements, new program proposals, and major revisions thereof.
• Reads and responds to School and Department annual reports and assessment reports, consistent with the established assessment process by the College.

Constituency & Community Relations:

• Identifies and develops relationships with local community organizations, businesses, industries, and government entities.
• Identifies and develops 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.
• Provides leadership and fosters collaborative relationships among the members of the larger College community and facilitates interdisciplinary initiatives.
• Develops and maintains a collegial relationship with the Academic Dean of the Seminary.
• Promotes overall esprit de corps within the campus Community.

Fiscal Management & Fundraising:

• Prepares and administers the budget for all academic functions and departments.
• Provides sound fiscal management, including the ability to address budgetary matters that achieves efficient and effective use of resources.
• Provides 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.
• Works 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.
• Works 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.

Additional Expectations

• Exhibit a commitment to the Mission of the College, academic excellence, hospitality, and outreach to the constituencies of the College.
• Demonstrate 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.

About the Organization

Saint Vincent College is an educational community rooted in the tradition of the Catholic faith, the heritage of Benedictine monasticism, and the love of values inherent in the liberal approach to life and learning. Our mission is to provide quality undergraduate and graduate education for men and women to enable them to integrate their professional aims with the broader purposes of human life. The programs, activities, and encounters that make up student life at Saint Vincent College encourages the intellectual gifts, professional aptitudes and personal aspirations of students to mature harmoniously.