Dean of Instruction

Job Details • Lake Charles, LA

22h • Onsite

About The Position

The Dean of Instruction provides leadership and support for Academic Affairs at SOWELA. This role involves promoting collegiality, a culture of service, and effective instructional programs. The Dean assists School Deans in program development, builds partnerships, and ensures the efficient functioning of advisory committees. A key aspect of the role is fostering a data-driven decision-making culture and preparing the campus strategic plan for instructional matters. The Dean also supports Adult Education faculty, ensures faculty credentialing standards are met, and facilitates instructional staff needs in accordance with institutional policies. They play a crucial role in curriculum development, including collaborations with other institutions for transfer and articulation, and promoting innovative teaching methodologies. The Dean serves as a liaison between the Registrar’s Office and Academic Affairs, and leads dual enrollment initiatives. Additionally, the Dean is involved in conflict resolution, program evaluation, budget support, and managing student issues such as grievances and academic advising. The role includes organizational responsibilities like maintaining records for accreditation, coordinating accreditation processes, participating in committees, grant development, course scheduling, and leading preparations for Commencement. The Dean reports to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Requirements

• Master’s Degree.
• Three years of experience in higher education.
• Must have the use of sensory skills to effectively communicate and interact with other employees and the public through the use of the telephone and personal contact as normally defined by the ability to see, read, talk, hear, and handle or feel objects and controls.
• Proficiency in the use of standard office equipment and networked personal computers.
• Proficiency in or ability to become proficient in a variety of software, including but not limited to Microsoft Office.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to perform basic mathematical computations needed to complete job tasks.
• Skilled at planning, organizing, and prioritizing job duties to meet deadlines.
• Maintaining interpersonal professional working relationship at all levels – students, peers, and Executives.

Nice To Haves

• Doctorate Degree in an appropriate area of specialization.
• Experience with programmatic accreditation (ATMAE, ACEN, ACBSP, ACFEF, etc.).
• Experience with institutional accreditation (SACSCOC).

Responsibilities

• Promote an atmosphere of collegiality across the college.
• Promote a culture of service to students, faculty, staff, prospective students, and community members.
• Assist School Deans to develop and coordinate new instructional programs.
• Build partnerships and collaborations with other agencies to support the efforts of Academic Affairs.
• Promote the effective and efficient functioning of advisory committees for all academic programs.
• Promote a culture of evidence that continuously strives to identify, collect, and interpret data for informed decision-making.
• Prepare and monitor the campus strategic plan of action for instructional matters.
• Provide support to the Adult Education faculty and leadership.
• Ensure credentialing standards are met for full-time and adjunct faculty positions.
• Determine the eligibility and verify the credentials of faculty to teach in various content areas in coordination with continuous feedback from the faculty, program coordinators, and School Deans.
• Facilitate the needs of instructional staff in accordance with institutional policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Ensure the College’s Rank and Promotion guidelines are followed.
• Collaborate with appropriate departments at regional colleges/universities to facilitate transfer and articulation.
• Facilitate faculty participation in the development of curricular and co-curricular programs.
• Serve on the Curriculum Review Committee and coordinate and supervise the curriculum development process.
• Promote the development of innovative instructional methodologies and co-curricular activities that enhance student engagement.
• Serve as the point of contact between the Registrar’s Office and Academic Affairs.
• Serve as the Academic Affairs lead regarding all dual enrollment matters; facilitate yearly dual enrollment CEA development and implementation processes.
• Provide conflict resolution for appropriate personnel and student issues.
• Assist Schools in the development and evaluation of unit plans.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of all academic offerings.
• Lead the annual program health index (PHI) review process.
• Support School Deans in identifying resources for development of new programs and initiatives.
• Ensure the maintenance, security, and annual inventory of equipment in area of responsibility.
• Participate in the resolution of student grievances.
• Assist students with addressing any academic issues that may arise.
• Provide advising services when necessary.
• Approve course substitution waivers upon recommendation of appropriate School Dean/Chief Articulation Officer.
• Approve student requests to exceed maximum course load and appeal academic standing.
• Maintain current record of department syllabi, annual reports, faculty credentials, and student success data relevant for accreditation and state reporting purposes.
• Coordinate the SACSCOC and programmatic accreditation processes.
• Participate in assigned committee activities.
• Collaborate with School Deans in the development of grants.
• In coordination with School Deans, monitor course scheduling and faculty assignments.
• Serve as Co-Chair in making preparations for Commencement and all activities associated with Commencement.
• Lead in the development of the Academic Calendar.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
• Other duties as deemed necessary.

Benefits

• Retirement
• Multiple medical insurance options
• Supplemental insurances (dental, term life, disability, accident, vision, etc.)
• Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses)
• Holidays (14 per year, typically includes longer break at Christmas)
• Generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits
• Employee Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager