Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty - SUNY Ulster

SUNY Ulster Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) and Dean of the Faculty

Full-time; 12 months per year
Application Deadline: Open Until Filled
Priority Screening: November 1, 2024

 

Overview

SUNY Ulster was founded in 1961 in response to two major external factors—the cost of attending a university was placing higher education out of reach for many Ulster County families, and the educational requirements for “good jobs” were increasing. A community college was needed for Ulster County to thrive.  The College has stayed true to its commitment to serve the county and its residents by focusing on providing affordable pathways to a career through transfer programs to universities or career programs at the College.  An emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), located in the beautiful Hudson Valley, the College’s main campus is in Stone Ridge, NY with additional locations in Kingston and Shawangunk Correctional Facility in Wallkill, NY.

The college is embarking on the implementation of its next strategic plan which rests on four pillars: serve the regional needs, improve student success and completion, support and enrich the academic portfolio, and improve institutional effectiveness. The community has recommitted to supportingeachstudent to the successful completion of their goals. In achieving that, SUNY Ulster will expand economic mobility in a way that meets or exceeds the diversity of the county.

The College’s next Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty (VPAA) will lead collaboratively and build an academic vision that advances College goals. The successful candidate will strengthen trust through transparent communication and promote a strong, student-centered community. With a demonstrated commitment to values of shared governance and inclusion and enthusiasm for the community college mission, the VPAA will lead academic assessment and continuous improvement efforts to support the realization of the strategic plan.

Position Summary:

Serving as the College’s Chief Academic Officer (CAO), theVice President of Academic Affair (VPAA) provides strategic and day-to-day operational leadership for program development and assessment, teaching and learning, student retention and success, faculty appointments, development and administration of academic policy and procedures.  The VPAA leads the development and implementation of data-informed strategies to strengthen college access, retention, and graduation, and demonstrates best practices of shared governance to engage faculty and staff in the strategic vision, goal setting, and decision-making processes to provide students with clear pathways to graduation. The VPAA leads innovation throughout the division, actively supports professional development and provides visible and effective leadership.  Reportingto President and servingon the Cabinet, the VPAA will oversee the Library, Student Success, and Academic Support functions in addition to Faculty.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the Academic Affairs team to review, uphold, formulate, and propose policies, subject to presidential and trustee approval, as needed, concerning all facets of academic affairs.
• Respond to regional needs by leading the faculty in the development and launch of new programs.
• Review program offerings ensure they meet regional needs and remain relevant to workforce and transfer needs.
• Ensure support and resources for academic programs to maintain the high quality of existing programs.
• Embrace a commitment to continuous improvement and lead academic assessment to improve overall institutional effectiveness.
• Effectively communicate and collaboratewith other areas of the Collegeto achieve institutional priorities.
• Ensureefficient use of resources by assessingdepartment needs, development of budget recommendations, and management of the division within the budgetary constraints of the College.
• Ensurecompliance with academic policies, procedures, regulatory bodies, accrediting agencies, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Maintain a high standard of faculty performance and ability by celebrating the art and science of teaching.
• Fosterfaculty engagement strategies that lead to innovative programs and pedagogy.

• Makepromotionand tenure recommendations to the President and Board of Trustees.
• Leadeffective services that support student success including library services, tutoring services, and advising.
• Work collaboratively with other divisions and the Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs to ensure the successful implementation of the College’s Strategic Enrollment Management Plan and ensure the growth of the individual student in a supportive environment.
• Ensurethat academic policies and practices (e.g. course scheduling, academic calendar) support enrollment goals.
• Ensurean effective advising program.
• Embodythe College’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion through leadership and action, and creating a welcoming learning and working environment that values, respects, and cares for its members.    
• Representthe College with the State University of New York (SUNY), New York State Education Department, and the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). Serveas the College representative to the SUNY Chief Academic Officers.

• Serve on the President’s cabinet and other committees (internal and external).

• Representthe President as requested.

• Other duties as assigned.    

 

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstratean understanding of the community college mission and the ability to implement student success reforms.
• Ability to effectively convey information verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrate effective listening skills withrespect for and openness to other people’s thoughts and ideas.
• Commitment tothe College’s goal of becoming a more diverse, inclusive, and culturally aware community, and practicing behaviors to meet that goal.
• Effective organizational skills  with the ability to implement systems and follow-up processes.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work collaboratively and independently with purpose and accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
• Attention to detail, and ability to meet deadlines.    
• Knowledge of relevant assessment and continuous improvement frameworks and the ability to set and achieve results with clear, measurable goals.

• Ability to hire, develop, and retain individuals with diverse skills and perspectives resulting in cohesive and high-performing teams.

• Demonstrated record of strong working relationships with students, faculty, and staff.    

Minimum Qualifications:

• Terminal degree.
• Higher education teaching experience.
• Successful record of progressive experience in positions of increasing responsibility and leadership in higher education.
• Experience with regional and programmatic accrediting agencies.
• Experience in strategic and operational planning, budgeting, and supervision of managers and their staff.

 

And

• Commitment to community college goals and objectives of providing quality programs and services for culturally, socio-economically, ethnically, and academically diverse students and students with disabilities; personal qualities to work effectively and with sensitivity in a multicultural environment; awareness of and commitment to the needs of non-traditional and/or re-entry students with diverse abilities and interests.

 

Preferred Qualifications

• Teaching experience in a community college environment within the past five years.
• Middle State Commission for Higher Education (MSCHE) accreditation experience.
• Experience working effectively within academic shared governance and collective bargaining environments.

Salary:
An initial starting salary of $121,500 - $129,500 will be commensurate with education, training, and experience per academic year with an excellent benefits package. This position is contingent upon adequate funding

Additional Information

SUNY Ulster offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision, life insurance, NYS or SUNY TIAA Retirement Plan, SUNY Perks, tuition waivers, including dependent waivers, and tuition assistance.
In addition, Management Confidential employees receive, on an annual basis: 24 vacation days, 12 sick days, 6 personal days, and 15 holidays including 4 floating holidays.  In addition, the College is closed on the day prior to Thanksgiving, and between December 26 - January, 1, known as the Holiday Curtailment.

Application Process:

The position is open until filled. However, to ensure consideration, application materials should be received via email by November 1, 2024at 4:00 pm EST to be given priority consideration. Applications received after the deadline are not guaranteed to be reviewed.  SUNY Ulster reserves the right to close, continue, cancel, postpone or restart the recruitment at any time.


Applicants must submit the following materials to be considered for the position:

• Resume or CV
• Cover letter which discusses your qualifications and interest in the position
• Contact information for 3 professional references

We invite you to be part of a dedicated community of learners in an academic department that puts students first. Please go to www.sunyulster.edu for additional campus community information.

SUNY Ulster is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The college encourages applications from all qualified applicants. This position is contingent upon adequate funding. Offer and assignment of employment is subject to verification of all information provided on the employment application, credentials, transcripts, fingerprint check, verification of the right to work in the United States and all other required pre-employment conditions are met.

Applicants who are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act and who, due to a disability, require accommodations for completing the application process, testing (if required for the position), or the interview, should notify the Human Resources Office 10 working days before the accommodation is required.

Neither the smoking of tobacco (nor other substances) nor the use of electronic vaporizers is permitted on the campus grounds.

SUNY Ulster does not reimburse applicants for travel, lodging or any other costs incurred by applicant to attend interviews.  All interviewing costs incurred will be the responsibility of the applicant. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview. Internal applicants are not guaranteed an interview.
 

Conditions of Employment

Employment with SUNY Ulster is not complete or official until applicants meet all pre-employment requirements, and the Board of Trustees has approved. Offer and assignment of employment is subject to verification of all information provided on the employment application, fingerprint check, verification of the right to work in the United States and all other required pre-employment conditions are met.


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