Dean of Liberal Arts (DLA-25)

Basic Function and Responsibility:

The Dean of Liberal Arts is responsible for the general oversight, strategic vision, and tactical implementation of activities and deliverables in the Liberal Arts division. Working collaboratively with other academic deans, the Dean of Liberal Arts ensures alignment and broad implementation of the college's mission, vision, and values. The dean directly supervises and evaluates the division's academic chairs and faculty members, and provides administrative leadership for division office staff.

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities:

Academic Operations

Provides educational vision and leadership for the division

• drives department and program efforts at program, curriculum, and course development and improvement;
• facilitates faculty professional development activities;
• Ensures academic course schedules support student needs and are fiscally responsible and sustainable.
• Assigns faculty loads.
  

• Develops and leads the execution of the annual budget for the division and its departments and programs. Actively pursues appropriate grant or alternative funding opportunities.
• Individually and as a member of the Council of Deans participate in proposing, implementing, and interpreting college policies and procedures with regard to the college's mission, goals and objectives.
• Participate in the hiring process for faculty and staff.
• Works collaboratively with the Academic Affairs Executive Assistant/Operations Manager on the standardization and ongoing management of division office operations.

Supporting Students

• Maintains college visibility through regular communication with students, including new academic term kickoffs, midterm check-ins, and completion nudges.
• Hosts (randomly selected) students in meetings each semester.
• Provides timely, procedural leadership for students and faculty members alike in such matters as grade appeals and questions of academic integrity, and establishes/maintains routine procedures for dealing with such administrative matters affecting students and faculty members as grade changes, entry to closed classes, field trips, etc.
• Maintains an open-door environment for students; helps students resolve issues with faculty.

Teaching and Learning

• Together with department/program chairs, provide evidence-based annual program reviews and assessment of teaching and learning.
• Champions the use of evidence-based high impact practices.
• Sets expectations for the incorporation of new technology and methodology into educational programs, curricula, and the workplace.
• Drives the development of new and/or updated courses and programs in the Division to meet the changing needs of the student population. Ensures the quality and relevance of the academic programs and services.
• Using data, leads the division in analysis to determine if courses/programs should be sunset or withdrawn.
• Create, present, and act upon an annual division status report.
• Ensures maintenance of appropriate external program accreditations.

Enrollment Management

• Regularly reviews, analyzes, and reports on completion rates of courses and programs within the Division.
• Using all available partners and resources, personally analyze enrollment trends, form conclusions, make recommendations for actions, and execute approved plans. Share findings with faculty and staff.
• Demonstrates leadership in supporting the Oakton Experience and high impact activities such as the Persistence Project.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

• Leads division faculty members, department and program chairs, and classified staff members. Maintains a culture that is both positive and successful. Sets high expectations and maintains accountability for student success.
• Demonstrates leadership in the core values of respect, integrity, collaboration and excellence within the Division and across the College.
• Adhere to and execute college policies and collective bargaining agreements.
  
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a discipline appropriate to the division is required; doctorate is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years in an academic environment with at least three years of academic leadership.
• Ability to learn and adapt to changing college needs while maintaining up-to-date skills.
• Advanced organization, prioritization, and project management skills required with a drive to move the College's strategic plans forward.
• Intermediate Microsoft Office / Google suite skills required including documents, spreadsheets, and presentations.
• A working knowledge of student databases and information systems.
• Advanced interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to interact professionally, confidentially, and courteously with a wide range of constituents from diverse backgrounds including the Board, college Administration, faculty/staff, students, government, and the general public.
• Strong ability and demonstrated experience in leading, coaching, mentoring, developing, and disciplining people.
• Mobility to move from building to building on-Campus and to visit off-Campus entities. Work is performed in a general office environment and is generally sedentary in nature. Little or no exposure to adverse working conditions.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

Light lifting up to 10 lbs. and light carrying up to 10 lbs. Ability to reach above shoulder. Periods of time spent sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, bending and stooping. Mobility to move from building to building on-Campus and to visit off-Campus entities. Work is performed in a general office environment.

Supervision received:

Administrative supervision received from the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Supervision Exercised:

Administrative supervision is exercised over all academic department chairs and faculty, as well as office staff.

Salary Range: $125,000-$138,000

A comprehensive benefit package is available which includes medical, vision, and dental insurance; flexible spending; term life insurance; tuition waivers and reimbursement; retirement; paid holidays; sick days.

Appointment to a Administrator position is contingent upon approval by the College's Board of Trustees

Oakton College is an equal opportunity employer and has a strong commitment to diversity. In that spirit, we seek a broad spectrum of candidates, including minorities, veterans, women and people with disabilities. EOE/AA/M/F/D/V

Oakton is committed to maintaining an environment free from harassment and discrimination for all and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (gender), sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, and reprisal or any other protected status. Further, Oakton does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational, employment, or extracurricular activity.

Out-of-State Employment Defined:

Oakton College's primary location of operation is in the state of Illinois. An "out-of-state employee" is defined as an employee of Oakton College whose primary work location is outside of the state of Illinois. State taxes, employment tax, and worker's compensation provisions vary from state to state and require payroll compliance with these various rules.

Allowable States for Out-of-State Employment:

All employees must maintain their primary residence in Illinois, Indiana, or a reciprocal state with Illinois. Reciprocal states include Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Illinois has tax agreements with these reciprocal states. Employees may have their primary residence in Indiana since Indiana is adjacent to Illinois.