Academic Dean

Description

Summary: The Academic Dean supports the mission of the Mexican American Catholic College by directing all aspects of the academic life of a diverse student body, working to create an atmosphere of collaboration with faculty and other stakeholders, and high ethics, academics and conduct throughout the entire school community. The Dean is responsible for strategic overall planning, implementation, and supervision of the degree programs, language studies, and lifelong learning workshops and courses. The Academic Dean is also responsible for overseeing the College’s faculty and ensuring faculty and student academic discipline. The Dean teaches two courses per semester at the College. This position reports directly to the President and serves on the College’s Leadership Team. Collaboratively, they coordinate program scheduling, faculty assignments, classroom space, recruitment efforts, and the acceptance and registration of students. As a critical contact in MACC’s collaboration with the University of Incarnate Word, the Academic Dean serves to support the main interlocutor with UIW and MACC regarding faculty issues.

General Position Responsibilities:

• As a professional educator, the Academic Dean understands and responds to the challenges presented by today’s diverse student and faculty population.
• Monitors and develops the Catalog, Student and Faculty Handbook, and procedures to effectively implement and monitor MACC academic policies.
• Works closely with the President, Director of Student Affairs, and the Academic Oversight Committee to attain and maintain the core requirements of accredited institutions.
• Collaborates with the Registrar’s office to safeguard the accuracy and confidentiality of student transcripts and records.
• Ensures the quality of the B.A. & M.A. curricula, instruction, and student evaluation.
• Guides the faculty and staff to enhance academic programs and scholarly research.
• The Academic Dean works cooperatively with the President, the Director of Student Affairs, Program Directors and all other MACC Staff/Faculty towards a positive, structured, achievement-oriented, creative, and collaborative school climate.
• Supports and upholds the philosophy of Catholic education, the mission, vision, and strategic plan of MACC.

Specific duties:

Academic Area

• Oversees faculty matters including ongoing evaluation, professional development, and all faculty committees.
• Works closely with Human Resources and the President in all faculty matters related to recruitment, hiring, promotions, disciplinary actions, and termination of employment.
• Guides faculty and staff in responding to emerging issues and trends in Catholic Pastoral Ministry and Theology, especially in Hispanic and multicultural settings.
• Collaborates with the Director of Student affairs in reviewing all active student records for planning purposes and works with faculty and program directors to ensure needed course offerings are available every semester.
• Participates in faculty meetings to provide leadership and information.
• Reviews and updates the onboarding process for faculty. Ensures new faculty completes onboarding process and regularly updates whatever is needed in their files.
• Ensures student academic conduct is in accordance with the College’s policies and standards.
• Teach two courses per semester.

Leadership

• Participates in MACC Leadership Team meetings and actively provides leadership when needed, especially in the academic area.
• Participates in administrative training to improve administrative skills.
• Assists and participates in developing plans for emergency situations, Staff and Faculty Retreat Days, and special occasions
• Provides leadership and guidance in analyzing, reviewing, creating, and interpreting academic policies and procedure
• Assists in developing vital collaborative relationships with campus administrative areas, faculty, and campus partners and community leaders to enhance planning and implementation of strategic initiatives, resolve issues.

Organizational Responsibilities

• Adhering to safety training and protocols daily and taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of self, others.
• Responsible for protecting the confidentiality of any information or material obtained in the service with the organization to include but not limited to client names and information, services rendered to clients, donors' names and gifts, internal and external investigations or results of any investigations, and financial information.
• Adherence to the Code of Conduct and the Faith and Moral Policy is mandatory.
• Every employee is required to take a solution-oriented approach in their interactions and undertakings, as well as being a team member that promotes collaboration and commitment to the Mission and Vision of the organization.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must hold an earned doctorate from an accredited institution (preferably in theology, ministry, or philosophy)
• Excellent record of teaching and substantive administrative experience.
• Practicing Roman Catholic in good standing.
• Minimum of three to five years’ experience in similar positions with at least three years of experience in the office of the Registrar or other Academic affairs area.

Minimum Knowledge and Skills:

• Working knowledge of Student Information Systems, international student databases, and similar systems;
• Bilingual, English and Spanish;
• Experience in long-term planning, strategic positioning, etc.;
• Knowledge and ability to work within church structures;
• Track record in Hispanic Ministry, ministerial formation, or in other multicultural ministry settings;
• Exemplifies and upholds MACC’s core values of academic freedom, faithfulness to the teaching authority of the Church, collaboration, integrity and honesty, intellectual curiosity, and respect;
• Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to cultivate partnerships with diverse groups of faculty, students and staff on complex issues that may divide opinion and cause conflict;
• Demonstrated ability to create consensus and unify diverse stakeholders around a common vision and key strategic goals;
• Hands on experience in the accreditation process and standards of higher education programs in the United States;
• Experience with computer software, such as MS Office and databases such as Student Information Systems;
• Belief in and commitment to the mission and core values of MACC as a school of ministry and a school that serves diverse populations;
• Demonstrated leadership with the ability to lead people and get results through work with others;
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks with a willingness to be flexible when needed;
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, demonstrating strong prioritization, organization and follow-up skills;
• Ability to deal with change in a constructive and positive way, always focusing on a solution;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Positive attitude, enthusiasm and energy;
• Ability to facilitate and lead change initiatives and embrace innovation;
• Openness to giving and receiving frequent feedback; a high level of collegiality in working with other faculty members and campus and community constituencies, along with the ability to build collaborative relationships characterized by mutual respect trust, and commitment to shared goals.
• Integrity, creativity, energy, decisiveness, and the capacity to engage and inspire others.
• Must be detail-oriented, organized, self-motivated, work well independently and on a team;
• Must have good critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Ability to interpret, adapt, and apply guidelines and procedures as they pertain to the department and the College.

Travel Requirements: Travel requirements for the position include 5% local, 5% regional or national and 4% overnight.