Associate Dean, School of Education, Academic Programs

*Category:*: Administrative/Staff
*Subscribe:*:
*Department:*: School of Education
*Locations:*: Springfield, MA
*Posted:*: Aug 23, 2022
*Closes:*: Open Until Filled
*Type:*: Full-time
*Ref. No.:*: 3291
*Position ID:*: 152316
About American International College:

[American International College](https://www.aic.edu/) is a private, coeducational institution of higher education located on an 88+ acre campus in Springfield, Massachusetts. The campus has 42 buildings on two sites approximately 1/2 mile apart with a total of approximately 888,000 gross square feet. Included in the inventory of buildings are student residences for a resident population of 900 students. Founded in 1885, the College has approximately 2200 graduate and undergraduate students. AIC offers a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs through the Schools of Business, Arts and Sciences; Health Sciences; and Education. The mission of the College is to transform student lives through career-focused learning, with a strong foundation in the liberal arts, a commitment to serving the community, and a high level of involvement in the global economy.

AIC strives to create a diverse and inclusive campus community that is representative, at all job levels, of the students we serve. We are an EEO employer and we welcome applications from individuals for positions where they are underrepresented.

Job Description:

* In consultation with the dean, ensure the curricular and instructional integrity of academic programs in the School of Education. Orientation and supervision of faculty and advisors at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level, including those assigned in educator preparation programs across multiple locations statewide. Collaboration with the dean and other academic leaders within the unit. Timely address and resolve faculty and student concerns; also identify and implement innovative strategies for increased persistence and consistency in preparation. Effectively manage and monitor enrollment within and across academic programs.

* Systemically gather evidence of student learning outcomes and having met established criteria across all programs for continuous improvement purposes. Ensure effective documentation of faculty and candidate performance, specific to program completion. Ensure that undergraduate pre-licensure curriculum and educator preparation programs at the graduate level adhere to accreditation standards, effectively integrate campus mission, and reflect the vision established to advance success of all learners statewide. Work with unit level colleagues and senior instructors/program supervisors to process and complete practicum placements aligned with unit expectations and state guidelines. Maintain accurate data on course and practicum enrollments. Respond to requests for data analysis and report as requested.

* Work with stakeholders across programs including faculty, staff, program supervisors, supervising teachers, and community as well as school/district partners to ensure consistent, systemic implementation supportive of student/candidate success. Serve as the first source for managing student/faculty academic concerns and work with the dean to timely address concerns to enhance and improve students' academic experience.

* Lead selection, orientation, and assignment of adjuncts to academic programs. Work with faculty development at the campus level to ensure rigorous instruction within programs and facilitate deep learning for enhanced student/candidate performance. Lead faculty innovation efforts and special initiatives/partnerships supportive of student/candidate success. Review all course evaluations and faculty assessments annually in collaboration with the dean and develop follow up plans to facilitate continuous improvement of teaching and learning supportive of student/candidate success.

* In consultation academic leaders and senior instructors/program supervisors ensure annual program review, curricular adoption, and currency of all course syllabi aligned with assessment data. Ensure course alignment and instructional consistency. In partnership with dean and designated campus offices, establish efficiencies in course schedule. Work with dean and faculty to resolve all potential course scheduling conflicts and student-related concerns. Collaborate with faculty to annually review existing curricula, program procedures, and protocols for efficiency and continuous improvement. Ensure currency of knowledge within courses taught; participate in program reviews, academic planning, and accreditation specific to the area/level assigned.

* In collaboration with unit leadership, faculty, and admissions office, oversee review/selection process for incoming students/candidates, participate/lead open houses, and student/candidate orientation supportive of academic and licensure success. Advise prospective and current students.

* Assist instructors with maintaining teaching and social presence; advance critical thinking and "learning to learn" skills. Support faculty with maintaining effective documentation and reporting systems for candidate-related decisions and timely submission of grades and reports supporting decisions specific to each candidate's program history and matriculation.

* Participate in curricular decisions, program review, and commencement along with other activities as appropriate, including professional development related to faculty leadership role. Engage in scholarly activities appropriate to one's discipline and other academic responsibilities.

* Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

* *Required Degree(s)*: EdD or PhD from an accredited institution

* *Preferred Degree(s)*: Degree in one following Education areas: Moderate Disabilities, Early Childhood, Elementary Education, Middle/Secondary Education, Reading Specialist, or Ed Leadership

* *Required Field of Expertise*: At least five years experience in PK-12 education with progressively responsible leadership in higher education guiding academic programs at multiple levels for licensure/certification of educators; Experience working with adjuncts, assessment, candidate placements, partnerships, and program accreditation preferred.

* *Preferred Field of Expertise*: Experience working with multiple levels to support all learners in education, within a highly diverse environment is preferred.

* *Preferred Licensure(s)*: Prior or current licensure as an educator in Massachusetts.

*Knowledge/Skills/Abilities*

* Ability to project strong, positive image of the institution to many constituencies and effectively engage stakeholders in critical conversations for shared success. Ability to listen deeply and respond effectively to faculty and candidate concerns, be approachable, and consistently support candidate success while upholding unit-level vision and AIC's policies and performance expectations for educator preparation. Prior success teaching candidates in higher education appropriate to the faculty assignment for educator preparation.
* Awards, achievement, and accomplishments as a practitioner and scholar. Strong service engagement, including committee leadership, presentations, and any scholarly work appropriate to the department and program assigned; knowledge of best practices in educator preparation, including research-informed practices.

* Strong relationship-building skills, including success working with students who are first-generation and/or from low-income from diverse backgrounds. Capacity to develop faculty, students/candidates, and leaders for foster positive social change as scholar-practitioners.

* Successful teaching in PK-12 and higher education, with experience in educator preparation. Ongoing professional development as reflective practitioner either as a faculty member and/or academic leader. Ability to mentor others and facilitate a work environment committed to continual improvement of operations and academic programs supportive of candidate success. Ability to guide strategic, transformative processes aligned with unit vision and goals for academic affairs.

* Successful mentorship supporting student learning outcomes specific to the program and licensure area assigned. Develop and direct the implementation of educational initiatives that can be adapted to the needs of various communities within the service area of Massachusetts, including strong enrollment management, marketing skills, and development of critical partnerships at the community level. Ability to coordinate with other campus departments to support services.

* Deep commitment to inclusive excellence, diversity, and success in education. Advocacy for teaching, learning, and leadership supporting the diverse needs of learners, candidates, and communities served. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.

* Strong analytical skills, including writing, research, and verbal communication skills. Strong time and co-project management skills. Ability to multi-task and consistently meet obligations even when faced with competing priorities.

* Strong analytical skills, including writing, research, and verbal communication skills. Strong time and co-project management skills. Ability to multi-task and consistently meet obligations even when faced with competing priorities.

* Strong computer skills, including experience working with online education programs and teaching online in educator preparation programs.

* Openness to feedback and willingness to perform other duties and responsibilities to ensure candidate success, accreditation, and effective unit operations.

Additional Information:

*Work Schedule*

This is a full-time, exempt level, benefit eligible position. Normal office hours are 8:30 am - 4:30 pm, flexible to the needs of the department. Occasional night and weekend work required.

AIC reserves the right to fill this position at a level above or below the level included in this posting.

AIC is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

With limited exceptions, all AIC employees are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccination. See the complete policy by clicking [here](https://www.aic.edu/html/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Vaccination-Policy.pdf?x54996).

Application Instructions:

Qualified applicants should save and submit the following documents with the online application.

* Brief cover letter
* Current resume
* Contact information for three professional references (one of which must be a current or prior supervisor and one of which must be a current or prior subordinate)

Review of applications will continue until the position has been filled.