Exempt, Dean For Humanities, Arts, And Social Sciences

Whatcom Community College (WCC) is a public associate and applied baccalaureate degree granting institution with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve 11,000 students annually on its beautiful 72-acre campus in Bellingham, Washington. WCC's core themes - achieving success, building community, advancing equity, and enhancing effectiveness - describe the College's values and goals to create a thriving learning community that supports excellence, opportunity, and equity for students, faculty, and staff. Whatcom offers transfer degrees, an applied baccalaureate degree, professional and technical training programs, basic education, job skills, and community and continuing education classes. Programs and courses are offered through face-to-face, hybrid, and online modalities to promote access for a diverse student population. The College is committed to equal opportunity and believes diversity of experiences and cultures enrich our campus community. WCC has been selected as one of the top 150 community colleges in the country by the Aspen Institute based on its outstanding and equitable student outcomes (Aspen Institute, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017). The College is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. For more information about WCC, please visit www.whatcom.edu

The Community:

Whatcom's campus is located in Bellingham (population 86,720). Bellingham showcases a strong commitment to education and is regularly rated on "best of the Northwest" lists. The 12th largest city in Washington State, Bellingham is midway between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. Canada. The city is surrounded by the rural landscape of Whatcom County (population 212,540), which is home to a thriving network of farms and scenic wilderness. As you explore our community, you'll discover historic neighborhoods, waterfront cities, farmlands and mountain towns all within a few dozen miles of each other. Bellingham and Whatcom County are known for their outdoor activities and being ranked second in the nation for arts businesses per capita. Whether your idea of fun is visiting galleries, watching live theater, kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, or unwinding with a good book, you'll love Bellingham and Whatcom County. To learn more about Bellingham, please visit: http://www.bellingham.org

General Description of Work

Whatcom Community College welcomes applications for a Dean for Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. The Dean provides leadership for the general education and transfer programs at Whatcom Community College, focused on equity and student success. Reporting to the Vice President for Instruction, the Dean for Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences works in collaboration with college leadership in hiring and supervising faculty, monitoring, and improving the effectiveness of transfer programs, and promoting faculty development and student success. This position provides leadership for the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences.

The candidate will demonstrate successful experience in:

• Implementing institutional strategies and policies that result in improved student achievement, based on philosophical commitment to equity and inclusion that promotes student access and success.

• Utilizing data-informed planning and decision making to improve student enrollment, retention, and outcomes.

• Creating and maintaining supportive work environment that empowers the lives of all students, faculty, and staff.

• Supporting evidence-based and culturally responsive approaches to teaching.

• Building effective teams through clear communication, interpersonal skills, transparent decision-making, and the use of current technology.

• Supporting and collaborating with faculty.

Responsibilities

May include, but are not limited to:

Student Learning, Success, and Equity:

• Collaborate and support faculty in the development of new courses and programs and the revision of existing courses in response to the changing needs of students, external partners, and the college.

• Provide leadership for expanding and maintaining K-12 dual enrollment opportunities and partnerships with area school districts.

• Promote and support inclusive pedagogies and support faculty and staff professional development related to learning, teaching, assessment, and student success.

• Partner with key stakeholders to develop faculty onboarding, mentoring and evaluation processes.

• Collaborate with faculty and leadership within the instruction and student services division to increase student transition from non-credit programs (e.g., ESOL, basic skills, high school completion, etc.) into college credit earning courses.

Leadership & Management:

• Provide leadership and supervision for transfer and general education programs and disciplines.

• Lead the planning, development and implementation of college-wide reforms intended to close equity gaps (e.g., guided pathways, increasing data literacy, first-year experience, etc.).

• Work collaboratively with Human Resources, faculty, and staff to support the equitable hiring of full-time faculty, adjunct faculty, and staff.

• Engage in strategic planning and College work planning, budget planning, program planning, and facilities planning.

• Serve as the budget authority for the position's areas of responsibility and contribute to the development and oversight of the instructional budget.

• Collaborate with instructional leadership and consult student services and administrative services to analyze enrollment trends to develop student-focused course schedule that maximizes resources and increases efficiency.

• Serve on college committees and task forces.

• Participate in the review and development of academic policies and procedures with an Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) lens.

• Guide and provide support to faculty and staff for program, discipline, and services review processes.

• Contribute to accreditation, institutional effectiveness, and assessment efforts.

• Assist in grant writing and grant preparation, including the oversight and implementation of grant funded projects.

• Mediate any student, staff, and/or faculty issues and conflicts in assigned areas; coordinate with appropriate campus resources to aid in the positive resolution of such matters.

• Communicate collegially with the faculty union to implement the faculty contract.

• Contribute to faculty contract negotiations, as needed.

Institutional Representation:

• Serve as liaison to the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), Articulation Transfer Council (ATC), the Intercollege Relations Commission (ICRC) and other commissions and councils as requested.

• Provide updates to external stakeholders, Board of Trustees, and college leadership on college initiatives.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Humanities, Arts, or Social Sciences or related field.

• Three years of postsecondary teaching experience, preferably at community college.

• Three years of instructional leadership experience.

• Knowledge of instructional strategies to close equity gaps.

• Articulated approach to educational leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Humanities, Arts, or Social Sciences or related field (e.g., Community College Leadership, Educational Administration, etc.).

• Five years of experience as department chair or dean in postsecondary education.

• Demonstrated success implementing strategies to close equity gaps.

• Demonstrated success managing strategic initiatives related to inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility.

Salary

Salary and Appointment:

• This is a full-time Administrative/Exempt position. Exempt from Washington State civil service law with an annual salary based on a range of $95,000.00-110,000.00.

Benefit Package:

• The position comes with a full benefit package, including health, dental, life, long-term disability insurance and a retirement plan.

• Accrues 8 hours per month of sick leave and 14.67 hours per month vacation leave.

• Additionally, as a Washington State, public higher education institution, WCC offers the following:

• Whatcom Community College is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). If you work for the College full time, have had Direct Loans and are on an eligible repayment plan, you are eligible to apply.

• Full-time employees are eligible to apply and participate in the Whatcom Community College Employee Tuition Program, which provides a tuition waiver for available and eligible WCC courses.

• Full-time employees may qualify for Washington State Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) benefit.

Start Date:

• As soon as can be arranged with the successful candidate.

Application Due Date:

• For guaranteed consideration, applications packets should be received by Monday, April 22nd, 2024 at 5:00 pm. Position open until filled.

How To Apply

A completed application consists of an online application and:

• Cover letter which includes a diversity statement that provides examples of (1) how you have integrated equity and inclusion in your work and (2) how you will promote equitable practices in education through this position.

• Current resume.

• Unofficial Transcripts for all earned degrees; official transcripts required prior to the official start date.

Mission and Vision Statement

Mission: Whatcom Community College contributes to the vitality of its communities by providing quality education in academic transfer, professional-technical, and lifelong learning, preparing students for active citizenship in a global society.

Vision: Whatcom is a supportive community, empowering lives through education.

EEO Statement

Whatcom Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator. WCC provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, or honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of trained guide dog or service animal in its programs and activities. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types). As of October 1st, 2020 as per RCW 28B.112.080 WCC will be requiring all finalists for positions to complete a Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct. WCC provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director for Human Resources, 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, 360.383.3400. For Title IX compliance, contact: Title IX Coordinator, 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, 360.383.3400. WCC publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Access and Disability Services Office at 360.383.3080; VP 360.255.7182. Whatcom Community College is a smoke-free/drug free environment.