Asst Dir, Degree Granting

$75,000 - $85,000/Yr

State Of Illinois - Springfield, IL

Full-time - Mid Level

Remote - Springfield, IL

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) is seeking an Assistant Director of Academic Affairs (Degree Granting) to join our dedicated team. This position is crucial for overseeing the agency's consumer protection work in higher education, with the authority to make significant decisions regarding university academic programs and curricula. The Assistant Director will report directly to the Director of Academic Affairs and will play a vital role in ensuring that higher education institutions in Illinois operate with integrity and quality. The successful candidate will be responsible for granting authorization to institutions to operate in Illinois and to confer degrees, as well as approving dual credit programs and out-of-state entities offering distance education. In this role, the Assistant Director will support initiatives aimed at increasing postsecondary access and attainment, particularly for underserved and underrepresented students. This includes coordinating efforts related to student transfer, early college programs, and online learning. The Assistant Director will also contribute to the IBHE's strategic plan, "A Thriving Illinois: Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability, and Growth," which outlines goals and strategies to enhance the higher education ecosystem in the state. The position requires a strong understanding of higher education policies and the ability to analyze the needs of the workforce and the educational landscape. The Assistant Director will work closely with academic leaders at colleges and universities, including Provosts and Deans, to ensure that programs meet the demands of students and employers alike. Additionally, the role involves reviewing student complaints and providing resolutions, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, and collaborating with other agencies to advance higher education initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess a doctoral degree and have experience in higher education administration, policy studies, and curriculum development. Strong organizational skills, the ability to communicate complex information clearly, and a commitment to equity in education are essential for success in this role.

Responsibilities

• Acts with full authority to obligate/make decisions on behalf of IBHE including changes to university academic programs and curricula.
• Provides approval to offer new dual credit programs.
• Provides approval of out of state entities related to distance education for Limited Physical Presence.
• Works directly with college and university academic leadership, including Provosts, Deans, and Faculty.
• Manages the agency's authorization of online education programs and enacts the state's participation in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA).
• Analyzes the needs and priorities for higher education programs in relation to regional, state, and national workforce/employer demand.
• Supports student transitions, access, success, and completion by coordinating related initiatives.
• Reviews student complaints and has full authority to provide final resolutions to students.
• Ensures compliance with all relevant federal and state laws, legislation, rules, regulations, and developments in the field of institution and degree program authorization and approval.
• Collaborates with counterparts at other agencies and others to advance higher education initiatives related to agency goals and state priorities.
• Researches and remains current on higher education policy issues related to the quality and integrity of postsecondary education, student success, and equity in alignment with A Thriving Illinois.
• Provides staffing support for the IBHE Faculty Advisory Council.
• Performs other responsibilities or assignments as required.

Requirements

• A minimum of a master's degree from an accredited Institution.
• Three to five years related experience in higher education administration, educational administration and leadership, instructional design, curriculum and instruction, higher education policy, policy studies, college teaching, or similar.

Nice-to-haves

• PhD degree from an accredited Institution.
• Experience with accreditation, academic transfer, student retention and success initiatives, online teaching and learning, academic program development and implementation, early college initiatives.