Executive Director, Office of Educator Preparation, Licensure, and Assessment

Eastern Illinois University • Charleston, SC

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Eastern Illinois University is pleased to invite applications for the Executive Director, Office of Educator Preparation, Licensure, and Assessment position (internal search). The Executive Director provides institutional leadership for educator preparation, licensure compliance, and clinical partnerships across the university. Reporting to the Dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Services, the Executive Director serves as the university’s designated authority for recommending candidates for educator licensure to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and ensures institutional compliance with state requirements.

Requirements

• Earned doctorate in education or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of educator licensure requirements and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with educator preparation programs and clinical/field-based experiences.
• Strong organizational communication and cross-unit coordination skills.

Nice To Haves

• Prior service as a licensure officer, certification officer, or equivalent role.
• Experience working directly with state education agencies (e.g., ISBE).
• Administrative leadership experience supervising faculty and staff.
• Established record of partnership work with PK–12 school districts.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the university’s designated official for recommending educator licensure candidates to ISBE.
• Interpret, monitor, and ensure compliance with ISBE statutes, rules, policies, and reporting requirements.
• Act as the primary institutional liaison to ISBE for licensure communication, audits, reviews, and corrective actions.
• Oversee verification of candidate eligibility and completion of licensure requirements across all pathways.
• Review, certify, and document licensure recommendations, deferrals, and denials.
• Supervise the Office of Educator Preparation, Licensure, and Assessment, including administrative staff.
• Supervise student teaching faculty and coordinate supervision structures and evaluations.
• Provide direct oversight of student teaching as the culminating clinical experience.
• Coordinate and support pre–student teaching field experiences across programs and colleges.
• Review and approve program changes for licensure compliance prior to implementation.
• Identify licensure compliance risks and collaborate with programs on corrective actions.
• Serve as the university’s primary contact for PK–12 school partnerships related to licensure and field experiences.
• Oversee endorsements, add-on licenses, reciprocity, and specialized licensure pathways.
• Maintain licensure data systems and prepare reports for university leadership.
• Advise the Dean and university leadership on licensure policy, educator workforce needs, and strategic initiatives.
• Serve as ex-officio member of the Council on Teacher Education.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Medical Coverage: Competitive employee insurance premiums with flexible plan options.
• Vision Insurance: Vision coverage is included with medical at no cost.
• Dental Insurance: Dental plans available to meet your needs.
• Retirement Benefits: Participation in the State University Retirement System, which includes medical insurance benefits upon retirement.
• Tuition Waivers: Opportunities to pursue educational goals through tuition waivers for employees and dependent children.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Up to 12 paid holidays annually, plus earned vacation and sick time.

What This Job Offers

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