Vice President of Academic Affairs

East Central College • Williamsville, IL

22d • $105,000

About The Position

SUNY Erie seeks a dynamic and visionary leader to serve as the Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA). The VPAA provides strategic leadership and administrative oversight for all academic programs, faculty development, and student learning initiatives. This role is instrumental in advancing academic excellence, strengthening student outcomes, and enhancing workforce-aligned education. The VPAA will champion equity, innovation, and collaboration to ensure that SUNY Erie remains a leader in community college education.

Requirements

• A doctoral degree from an accredited institution in higher education administration, academic leadership, or a related field.
• At least five years of progressive academic leadership experience, preferably within a community college or open-access institution.
• Deep understanding of academic affairs operations, including curriculum development, assessment, accreditation, and faculty development.
• Proven ability to implement data-driven strategies that enhance student success and institutional effectiveness.
• Demonstrated experience fostering equity and inclusion in academic programs and faculty hiring.
• Proven ability to set and achieve long-term academic goals that align with institutional priorities.
• Building and maintaining responsive, cooperative, mutually beneficial, and ethical internal and external relationships is essential.
• Commitment to fostering academic policies and practices that enhance student learning, engagement, and success.
• Demonstrated ability to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion within academic programs and faculty development.
• Expertise in using institutional research and assessment to inform academic planning and program evaluation.
• Strong relationship-building skills to foster partnerships across college divisions and with external stakeholders.
• Effective leaders equitably and ethically manage people, processes, information, and physical and financial assets to fulfill the college's mission and goals.
• Ability to motivate faculty, staff, and students in pursuit of academic excellence.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills to engage diverse audiences.
• Visionary approach to curriculum development, instructional delivery, and emerging trends in higher education.
• Capacity to lead through change and address challenges with creativity and determination.
• Commitment to integrity, accountability, and shared governance in decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a strategic vision for academic affairs aligned with the college’s mission and institutional goals.
• Oversee the development, assessment, and continuous improvement of academic programs to ensure they meet workforce needs, transfer requirements, and accreditation standards.
• Foster innovation in curriculum design, instructional delivery, and student engagement strategies, including expanding online and hybrid learning.
• Formulates policies and procedures for academic departments of the college.
• Oversight of Academic Committees.
• Lead faculty recruitment, retention, tenure, and professional development initiatives to promote excellence in teaching and learning.
• Encourage faculty engagement in research, scholarship, and innovative pedagogical practices.
• Promote a diverse, inclusive, and equitable academic environment that supports faculty and student success.
• Partner with student affairs and institutional research to implement data-informed strategies that improve retention, persistence, and graduation rates.
• Enhance academic advising, tutoring, and other learning support services to ensure holistic student success.
• Develop initiatives that support the needs of first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented student populations.
• Lead the efficient management of academic operations, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and student needs.
• Enhance instructional technology and learning management systems to improve educational delivery and student outcomes.
• Streamline processes and policies related to curriculum development, approval, scheduling, and faculty workload to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement by leveraging best practices in academic administration, student services, and institutional effectiveness.
• Supervise Dean’s and academic leaders across the divisions and provide regular professional development on academic leadership.
• Oversee the utilization and design of instructional spaces across the campuses.
• Strengthen relationships with regional employers, government agencies, and community organizations to align academic programs with labor market needs.
• Expand internship, apprenticeship, and experiential learning opportunities for students.
• Advocate for partnerships that enhance funding opportunities, program development, and student career readiness.
• Oversee academic budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and alignment with institutional priorities.
• Secure external funding through grants, partnerships, and other sources to support academic initiatives.
• Ensure the effective use of technology and instructional resources to enhance teaching and learning.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management and Student Affairs to align academic program strategy, scheduling, and instructional capacity with enrollment goals, market demand, and student retention initiatives across all academic divisions.
• Provide leadership and visible participation in commencement and academic recognition activities, supporting a high-quality student experience that celebrates academic achievement, persistence, and successful program completion.

Benefits

• Excellent health and benefits packages are comparable to offerings through similar county and New York State positions.
• Employees can take advantage of the College’s expansive Health & Wellness initiatives
• Tuition-free college courses are available for both employees and their families.

What This Job Offers

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