Campus Chief Academic Officer (CCAO)

The Pennsylvania State University • Hazleton, PA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

Penn State Hazleton invites applications and nominations for the position of Campus Chief Academic Officer (CCAO) to begin on or about July 1, 2026. The CCAO is a 48-week academic administrative appointment. The CCAO is the senior campus academic officer, responsible for providing leadership for academic and faculty affairs in an environment of shared governance and collaboration. The CCAO reports directly to the Regional Chancellor and acts on behalf of the Regional Chancellor in their absence, or as designated. This position also receives direction and support from the Dean of the University College and is accountable to them, along with the Regional Chancellor, for implementing curricular and faculty affairs initiatives driven by the College. As a key member of the campus leadership team, the CCAO collaborates with the leadership of a variety of departments such as Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, Information Technology, Strategic Communications, Development and Alumni Relations, Finance, etc. and engages, as appropriate, with advisory boards and external partners. The CCAO also collaborates with leadership in other units within the university to ensure that Penn State operates as one university, geographically distributed, creating clear, accessible, and consistent pathways for student success.

Requirements

• A doctorate or terminal degree
• A minimum of five years in higher education as a full-time faculty member with evidence of excellence in teaching, research or creative activity, and service
• Academic leadership experience and knowledge
• Candidates must meet the academic qualifications for a tenured faculty appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor at Penn State.
• Prior experience in effectively communicating and collaborating with diverse internal and external constituents is required.

Nice To Haves

• Staying abreast of current and emerging trends in higher education, integrating them into their work practices and leadership
• Possessing extensive academic knowledge
• Ability to lead and serve in a comprehensive land-grant, public university with multiple campus locations
• Interested and qualified applicants from the Commonwealth Campuses are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement academic vision and strategy using current best practices, innovative solutions, and data-informed decisions.
• Lead faculty recruitment, mentoring, development, and evaluation; foster teaching and advising excellence and innovation; enhance resources to advance belonging and professional fulfillment; further efforts in grant writing and funding to support research and academic programs; facilitate community impact via faculty research and service; support belonging, inclusiveness, and fulfillment; and foster and participate in an environment of shared governance.
• Lead professional staff (e.g., registrar, instructional designer) and academic support operations, (e.g., advising, career services as applicable, tutoring, and student disability resources); oversee staff recruitment, mentoring, development, evaluation; enhance resources to foster belonging and professional fulfillment; and foster innovation in academic support operations.
• Lead academic and career success advancement for students, from dual enrollment to first year through graduation, into careers and professional and graduate schools; steer and support student engagement and student experiential and high impact learning practices (first-year experience, global programs, undergraduate research, service learning, internships, peer mentoring, honors coursework, and capstone projects); partner with campus leadership on initiatives to increase student recruitment, retention, and persistence to graduation; and support continuous improvement of the overall student academic experience including advising.
• Direct academic program and curricular planning, administration, and assessment including interdisciplinary education and research; support investment in established programs and new program development to align degrees with student interest and workforce needs; partner with campus leadership on technology, facilities, space planning, equipment, and other resources to ensure excellence in teaching and learning, research and creative activity, service and community impact.
• Develop and administer all budgets and resources for academic programs, faculty development, and student academic support; collaborate with campus leadership on fundraising and grant development advancement to enhance academics.
• May teach up to 6 credits per year, depending on campus enrollment.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Robust retirement plans
• 75% tuition discount, available to employees as well as eligible spouses and children

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree