Dean, Institutional Effectiveness, Research, Planning, and Accreditation

Antelope Valley College•Lancaster, CA

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President, Equity and Student Achievement, the Dean provides executive leadership and districtwide oversight of institutional research, data analytics, accreditation, accountability, integrated planning, Program Review, and innovation initiatives. The Dean serves as the College’s chief steward of institutional data and evidence, promoting data integrity, transparency, and strategic use in support of Board policy, accreditation compliance, continuous quality improvement, innovation, and evidence-based decision-making. The position leads the collection, analysis, interpretation, and reporting of institutional data to advance student access, equity, retention, completion, and success. It fosters a culture of inquiry, innovation, and accountability across instructional, student services, and administrative areas. The incumbent works under minimal supervision from the Assistant Superintendent/Vice President, Equity and Student Achievement, exercises independent judgment, and provides direction, leadership, and evaluation to staff.

Requirements

Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in institutional research, statistics, data analytics, social sciences, higher education, educational leadership, public administration, or a closely related field.
Five years of progressively responsible experience in institutional research, accreditation, accountability, data analytics, or institutional effectiveness within higher education.
Demonstrated experience leading college-wide or districtwide research, planning, accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and innovation initiatives.
Three years of supervisory or management experience.
Knowledge of community college mission and governance, accreditation systems, and statewide and federal accountability frameworks.
Knowledge of districtwide and college-level operations, decision-making structures, and applicable laws and regulations, including the California Education Code, Title 5, and FERPA.
Knowledge of accreditation standards, institutional self-evaluation, compliance monitoring, substantive change requirements, and accreditation readiness practices.
Knowledge of strategic, integrated, and long-range planning frameworks, institutional effectiveness models, and continuous quality improvement methodologies.
Knowledge of advanced institutional research, quantitative and qualitative research methods, statistical analysis, survey design, assessment, and program evaluation.
Knowledge of student access, equity, retention, completion, transfer, and workforce outcome frameworks used in community college accountability and performance reporting.
Knowledge of data governance, data integrity, privacy, security, and ethical standards for institutional data use.
Knowledge of enterprise data systems, data warehouses, analytics platforms, dashboards, and reporting tools used for planning, policy development, and resource prioritization.
Knowledge of innovation and change management, including the design, implementation, and evaluation of pilot and continuous improvement initiatives.
Knowledge of external funding accountability and performance measurement frameworks aligned with institutional effectiveness and student success.
Knowledge of fiscal and budgetary principles related to institutional planning, resource allocation, and sustainability in higher education.
Knowledge of change management, organizational leadership, and governance practices in complex, multi-constituent institutions.
Knowledge of executive communication standards for policy briefs, accreditation narratives, Board reports, and institutional publications.
Executive-level analytical and critical-thinking skills to synthesize complex data, assess institutional performance, and inform strategic and policy decisions.
Ability to translate institutional data and needs assessments into planning documents and evaluation frameworks.
Strategic leadership and project management skills to guide accreditation cycles, integrated planning, and institution-wide research and effectiveness initiatives.
Organizational leadership skills to direct professional teams, set priorities, and align operational work with institutional goals.
Ability to lead cross-functional innovation initiatives and align emerging practices with institutional priorities and compliance requirements.
Advanced written and oral communication skills for preparing and presenting technical analyses, accreditation documentation, and executive reports to governing boards, leadership teams, and participatory governance bodies.
High-level proficiency in data visualization, institutional analytics, and research tools.
Political acumen and interpersonal skills to collaborate with faculty, administrators, staff, and external agencies in a shared-governance environment.
Ability to provide executive leadership and institutional authority over research, accreditation, planning, and effectiveness functions.
Ability to serve as a principal advisor to executive leadership on institutional performance, compliance, risk, and strategic priorities.
Ability to lead accreditation and accountability efforts accurately and credibly.
Ability to translate complex data, research findings, and regulatory requirements into actionable recommendations for policy and resource decisions.
Ability to establish and enforce institution-wide standards for data governance, assessment, and evidence-based decision-making.
Ability to exercise broad independent judgment, discretion, and accountability in high-impact institutional matters.
Ability to foster innovation while maintaining compliance, accountability, and alignment with strategic goals.
Ability to foster equity, transparency, inquiry, and continuous improvement across instructional, student services, and administrative areas.
Ability to build and sustain collaborative relationships across divisions and with external agencies, accreditors, and system partners.
Ability to manage multiple complex and time-sensitive initiatives while meeting accreditation, regulatory, and institutional deadlines.
Ability to uphold integrity, professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical practice.
May be required to hold and maintain a valid driver license if travel is required for work.
May be required to travel for off-site meetings, trainings, conferences, and events.

Responsibilities

Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for institutional research, data analytics, accreditation, accountability, integrated planning, Program Review, and innovation initiatives.
Lead integrated planning, forecasting, and decision-support efforts, including strategic planning, educational master planning, enrollment management, institutional effectiveness reporting, and innovation initiatives aligned with institutional priorities.
Lead accreditation processes, including institutional self-evaluation, monitoring reports, substantive change submissions, and ongoing compliance with accreditation standards and timelines.
Ensure compliance with state, federal, system-level, and accreditation reporting requirements, including submissions to the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and external agencies.
Direct the collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of institutional data concerning enrollment, student success, equity, completion, productivity, and accountability metrics.
Oversee the development and maintenance of institutional dashboards, scorecards, research publications, and analytic tools to support transparency and decision-making.
Establish and enforce data governance, data integrity, privacy, and ethical research standards across the College.
Advise the College President, executive leadership, faculty, and governance bodies on institutional performance, trends, risks, and opportunities.
Oversee quantitative and qualitative research studies, surveys, assessments, and evaluations in response to internal and external information needs.
Monitor statewide and national policy, accreditation standards, legislation, and accountability frameworks affecting community colleges, and recommend responsive actions.
Prepare and present technical analyses, accreditation narratives, and executive reports to leadership and participatory governance groups.
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate institutional research and accreditation staff; establish priorities, workflows, and performance expectations.
Manage departmental budgets, contracts, and resources in support of institutional effectiveness priorities.
Coordinate institutional data analysis and needs assessments, and align proposals with strategic plans, student equity goals, and institutional priorities.
Collaborate with administrators, faculty, and staff to develop, implement, and evaluate innovative, data-informed programs, services, and institutional practices that improve student success and organizational effectiveness.
Develop and oversee evaluation frameworks, performance metrics, outcomes reporting, and innovation initiatives to support accountability, effectiveness, and continuous improvement.
Promote innovation and evidence-based improvement by integrating research, planning, and assessment into institutional decision-making and program development.
Represent the College in professional organizations, regional consortia, and statewide or national meetings related to institutional research and accreditation.
Participate in the rotating Administrator-on-Duty assignment.
Participate in shared governance through institutional committees, task forces, and planning groups supporting student access, equity, retention, completion, and success.
Participate in meetings, trainings, workshops, conferences, and professional development opportunities as needed.
Perform other related duties that support the overall objective of the position.