Associate Dean - Academics & Assessment, Welch College Of Business & Technology

As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing private doctoral institutions in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers nearly 90 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has a campus in Dingle, Ireland, and offers online programs. More than 10,000 students attend the University's nine colleges and schools: Arts & Sciences; Communication, Media & the Arts; Social Work; Computer Science & Engineering; Health Professions; the Isabelle Farrington College of Education & Human Development; the Jack Welch College of Business & Technology; the Dr. Susan L. Davis, R.N., & Richard J. Henley College of Nursing; and St. Vincent's College. Sacred Heart stands out from other Catholic institutions as it was established and led by laity. The contemporary Catholic university is rooted in the rich Catholic intellectual tradition and the liberal arts, and at the same time cultivates students to be forward thinkers who enact change-in their own lives, professions and in their communities. The Princeton Review includes SHU in its Best 388 Colleges-2023 Edition, and Best Business Schools-2023 Edition. Sacred Heart is home to the award-winning, NPR-affiliated radio station, WSHU, a Division I athletics program and an impressive performing arts program that includes choir, band, dance and theatre. www.sacredheart.edu

Position Summary

The Associate Dean for Academics and Assessment is primarily responsible for the overall operation of the Welch College of Business & Technology's (WCBT) academic programs; assuring the WCBT's compliance with accreditation bodies' standards and reporting requirements; assuring the academic integrity, development and quality of both undergraduate and graduate programs; optimizing student retention and graduation rates, collaborating with the University Admissions team on recruiting new students and collaborating with the University Marketing & Communications team to promote WCBT programs.

The Associate Dean is supported by and works in close collaboration with the Director of Accreditation and Reporting, Director of Graduate Services, Associate Dean (Faculty & Accreditation), Assistant Dean of Student Success, Associate Director of Welch Student Experience and Program Chair/Directors, as well as a range of offices, including Admissions, the Registrar, Business Office, and Marketing & Communications, Research & Sponsored Programs, Global Affairs, Graduate Student Affairs, and International & Immigration Services.

As a member of the senior management team of the College, the Associate Dean collaborates with the WCBT Dean, other Assistant/Associate Dean(s), and Department Chairs to develop a culture of collaboration, trust, quality, and equity amongst students, faculty, and staff.

Academic title/rank for this 12-month faculty position will be commensurate with experience/qualifications.

Specific responsibilities of the Associate Dean of are listed below.

Responsibilities Related to Overall Academic Administration

• Working with Director of Scheduling, ensure faculty are effectively deployed to maintain adequate AACSB coverage.

• Monitor and report key metrics such as average class size, major/minor/program enrollment, etc. and recommend strategies for consolidation and improved efficiency.

• Monitor general academic trends, opportunities and innovations.

• Oversee, track and promote applied learning projects with industry partners

Responsibilities Related to Undergraduate Programs and the Student Experience:

• Work with the Dean and senior management team on providing academic leadership in continuous undergraduate and graduate curriculum development (new undergraduate degree program, certificates, concentrations, etc.)

• Work with the Dean, senior management team and relevant faculty committee(s) or Dean's special taskforce team(s) on the overhaul and roll-out of a new WCBT curricula.

• Work with Chairs, other Assistant/Associate Dean(s), and Program Directors on soliciting students' feedback on program satisfaction (e.g. EBI survey) and identify ways to improve program quality and student experience.

• Work with the Welch Experience office and program chairs/directors on providing a quality student learning experience.

• Serve as a WCBT representative on the Provost's Teaching & Learning Council to continuously enhance the quality of undergraduate teaching and learning in the WCBT.

• Serve as liaison with Office of Global Affairs for study abroad initiatives.

Responsibilities Related to Graduate Program Management

• Work with Program Directors on leading continuous improvement of WCBT graduate programs (e.g., new program developments such as new certificates, concentrations, tracks, courses and delivery modes, experiential learning projects, executive education, etc.).

• Lead efforts to improve faculty teaching effectiveness and delivery modes (online and hybrid), in collaboration with the Graduate Program Directors, Assurance of Learning (AOL) committee, and Academic Affairs committee.

• Work with Graduate Program Directors and Chairs to oversee graduate program schedules based on enrollment projections and course demands and to ensure compliance with faculty coverage requirements by AACSB in each graduate program.

• Collaborate with the Director of Graduate Programs, Graduate Program Directors, Graduate Admissions and Business Office to project enrollments and budgets. Develop strategies to achieve enrollment goals and participate in graduate admission-related events and retention-oriented activities.

• Collaborate with Graduate Admissions and the Registrar to promote enrollment in "combined programs" and "4+1 programs".

• Work with Graduate Program Directors, Executive-in-Residence, Board of Visitors, and Career Development to identify potential corporate partners for co-op or specialized education programs for part-time students.

• Collaborate with Career Development Services to ensure relevance and impact of career services offer to graduate students.

• Work with Graduate Programs office on Identifying and implementing means to improve graduate program management efficiency.

• Serve as the WCBT representative on the Provost's Graduate Council to continuously enhance the quality of graduate teaching and learning in the WCBT.

Responsibilities Related to Accreditation

• Work with Program Chairs, Program Directors, and Director of Accreditation on tracking completion of periodic academic program reviews (APRs) and on measuring assurance of learning (AOL) outcomes based on assessment calendar.

• Collaborate with the Provost Office on meeting other documentation requirements for NECHE accreditation.

• Work with the Dean, senior management team, and faculty to evaluate and document performance in meeting strategic priorities and goals from the WCBT 2021-2025 Strategic Plan on a yearly basis.

• Monitor faculty coverage in each discipline and degree program to ensure AACSB requirements.

Responsibilities Related to Executive Education

• Serve as liaison between WCBT and Vice President of Strategic Initiatives to identify and develop corporate partnerships for executive education programs

• Work with WCBT Graduate Support Office, graduate program directors and/or others to develop and deliver executive education curricula.

Other Administrative Duties

• Participate in college-wide strategic decision-making as part of the senior management team.

• Assist dean with any miscellaneous requests/correspondence from students, parents, community, etc. as needed

• Other day-to-day operational issues.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, & Other Attributes

• Doctoral degree required, preferably in a business or computer science discipline.

• At least three years of experience as faculty and/or administrator required.

• Previous experience as Associate Dean, Chair or similar role required.

• Experience with AACSB accreditation is a plus.

• Supervisory experience required.

• Must be highly motivated with a high degree of integrity, ethics and dedication while being able to think critically, analyze data, and process detailed information quickly and efficiently.

• Demonstrates ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, parents and students while maintaining appropriate confidentiality.

• Demonstrates ability to translate university initiatives to faculty and staff in a positive and collegial manner.

• Adheres to inclusive excellence.

• Demonstrates high level of problem solving and creative solution generation.

Unusual Working Conditions

• Working hours may include evenings and weekends as needed.

Application Instructions

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Candidates must provide most recent CV, a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements of the position, and the names and contact information of three references. Application materials must be submitted using Sacred Heart University online application process to be considered.

Sacred Heart University is a space that respects and embraces differences, recognizes the unique contributions that individuals can make, and creates a community that maximizes the potential of all faculty and staff. As an equal opportunity employer, we encourage applications from qualified candidates who reflect the wider world in which we live.

Other details

• Job Family Faculty

• Job Function Faculty

• Pay Type Salary

• Required Education Doctorate

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