Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs

University of Colorado•Denver, CO

2d•$200,000 - $220,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (AVCAA) is a senior academic leader and a member of the Provost’s Leadership Team. Reporting to the Provost, this position provides strategic leadership for academic planning, accreditation, program development and review, curricular support and innovation, assessment, and academic partnerships. The AVCAA plays a central role in aligning academic programs and initiatives with CU Denver’s mission as a public, urban serving, equity focused research university. The position serves as a key liaison to the CU System Office, the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), and external academic partners, ensuring institutional compliance, strategic alignment, and responsiveness to state, system, and workforce needs. In addition, the AVCAA oversees Honors & Leadership, Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity, institutional assessment, and the development and stewardship of CU Denver’s lifelong learning strategy, fostering innovative pathways for learners across all stages of education and career.

Requirements

Earned doctorate from an accredited institution.
At least five years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education, with significant responsibility in academic affairs, academic planning, accreditation, assessment, or program administration.
Demonstrated experience with accreditation and academic program review.

Nice To Haves

Experience at a public research university.
Direct experience working with state higher education agencies and/or system offices.
Demonstrated leadership in curricular innovation and interdisciplinary academic initiatives.
Experience overseeing academic units or programs (e.g., Honors, assessment, academic centers).
Experience developing or leading lifelong learning, transfer, or partnership based academic strategies.

Responsibilities

Provide institutional leadership for academic planning, program development, and portfolio strategy, ensuring alignment with university priorities, student demand, workforce needs, and the evolving higher education landscape.
Lead university-wide processes for the development, review, modification, and discontinuation of academic programs in partnership with deans, faculty governance, and academic leadership.
Lead academic program review and use institutional data and evidence to identify opportunities for investment, innovation, improvement, consolidation, and renewal.
Advise the Provost and academic leaders on academic portfolio priorities, emerging opportunities, and resource implications.
Serve as the university's senior leader for institutional accreditation and academic quality assurance and as CU Denver's Accreditation Liaison Officer to the Higher Learning Commission.
Provide institutional leadership for accreditation reviews, academic assessment, program review, and continuous improvement, ensuring these activities function as an integrated system for academic quality.
Oversee institutional compliance and coordination related to academic requirements of the CU System, Colorado Department of Higher Education, accrediting bodies, and applicable state and federal agencies.
Advise the Provost and academic leadership on emerging accreditation, regulatory, and policy developments affecting the university's academic mission.
Provide strategic leadership for university-wide curricular policy and processes, working with faculty governance and academic units to ensure academic quality, coherence, and effective decision-making.
Advance curricular innovation, including interdisciplinary programs, new educational models, certificates and stackable credentials, and academic offerings responsive to emerging fields and learner needs.
Provide executive oversight for institutional assessment of student learning and academic effectiveness, ensuring that assessment informs curricular improvement, program review, accreditation, and academic planning.
Champion innovative academic pathways and educational models that strengthen student learning, access, flexibility, and success.
Provide executive leadership for Honors & Leadership and university-wide Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities, positioning these areas as important components of CU Denver's academic strategy and student experience.
Advance high-impact educational practices, interdisciplinary learning, faculty-student engagement, and opportunities for undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative work.
Leverage Honors & Leadership and Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities as catalysts for curricular and pedagogical innovation across the university.
Provide strategic leadership for academic partnerships and CU Denver's lifelong-learning strategy, expanding educational pathways across the learner continuum.
Develop and advance strategic academic partnerships with other CU campuses, educational institutions, government, industry, and community organizations.
Champion transfer and degree-completion pathways, collaborative programs, stackable credentials, professional and continuing education, and other models responsive to changing learner and workforce needs.
Identify opportunities for new educational partnerships and delivery models that advance CU Denver's academic mission, reach, and impact.