Dean of Health Professions

Description

Overview:

Southeast Arkansas (SEARK) College is a community college located in Pine Bluff, AR. The College offers a variety of technical and transfer degree and certificate programs. The Division of Health Professions is one of three academic divisions at the College and includes educational programs in nursing, respiratory therapy, radiologic technology, and surgical technology. The College is planning to launch additional NAH programs in the near future.

SEARK College is focused on improving the experiences of students, building a community of learners, and providing academic and student support services that help our students succeed. We’re looking for a dynamic, student-centered leader who will help the Division of Health Professions grow and thrive.

Position Summary:

The Dean of Health Professions will plan, organize, implement, and evaluate division goals and activities. As part of the administrative staff of the College, the Dean reports directly to the Provost and provides leadership to the faculty and staff in the Division of Health Professions. The Dean oversees the development, implementation, and review of the assigned programs and promotes excellence in teaching. The Dean ensures that programs in the division maintain appropriate accreditation or approvals. In addition, the Dean works to increase and improve the intellectual, financial, and human assets of the department and is a key advisor to the Provost, contributing to the overall success of the Department, Academic Affairs, and the college as a whole.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Demonstrate an abiding commitment to the mission, vision, and goals of SEARK College.
2. Create a safe, bias-free working and educational environment, which engenders respect for differences.
3. Provide leadership and direction to instructional and program staff, faculty, and adjunct faculty in developing and sustaining programs within assigned College-wide programs and services.
4. Provide leadership and direction to instructional and program staff, faculty, and adjunct faculty in developing and sustaining program offerings, effective and engaging instructional strategies, and promoting the programs to internal and external constituents.
5. Supervise, direct, and evaluate assigned faculty and staff reporting directly to the dean.
6. Mentor, motivate, evaluate, and advocate for faculty and staff within the assigned disciplines and programs.
7. Ensure courses are scheduled appropriately to support face-to-face and online options for full-time and part-time students to meet the needs of students.
8. Assist with evaluation of instructional programs and personnel and make recommendations for necessary and desirable changes. 
9. Recommend to the Provost the employment, retention, promotion, and termination of services of instructors and other staff under his or her supervision.
10. Maintain active program advisory committees to provide guidance to Health Professions programs.
11. Schedule and preside over meetings of the division/program and file a copy of the minutes of each meeting.
12. Ensure all textbook changes and requests from program faculty are submitted following the institution’s schedule and deadlines.
13. Recommend curriculum changes, including new or revised course descriptions and programs.
14. Oversee inventory of division/program equipment and supplies.
15. Ensure that program directors complete all required accreditation and/or program approval requirements in a timely manner and assist with documentation of such activities as needed.
16. Represent the division to outside agencies and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; and provide technical assistance as necessary.
17. Plan and coordinate course schedules in response to the needs of students and within the College’s enrollment targets; manage enrollment to maximize use of faculty loads, operating budgets, and space resources.
18. Ensure the assessment of program student learning outcomes in accordance with the College’s policies and practices.
19. Supervises the division budget by approving and /or prioritizing all requisitions and travel requests of division members. Makes annual budget request through Provost for the division.
20. Provide direction for the development, implementation, and review of the curriculum, both new and existing, as well as new initiatives and programs.
21. Oversee the classes and schedule, including approval, deletion, modification, and the addition of classes, and leads the development of a data-informed and student-centered master schedule to ensure clear pathways for student completion are available and employers' needs are met.
22. Develop goals and objectives for the programs within the area of assignment and work with others in setting goals. Participates in creating and implementing accountability systems to ensure program goals, objectives, policies, and procedures are met, including the generation of revenue through grants and continuing education opportunities.
23. Seek continuous improvement of programs and courses through programmatic input and feedback, curricular revision, and assessment to ensure relevance and currency of programs.
24. Assist in resolving issues involving faculty and staff, grades, grade grievances, student integrity, dishonesty, rigor, and other matters. Intervenes with students, staff, and faculty safety issues.
25. Maintain an inventory of division/program equipment and supplies.
26. Supervise faculty, clerical personnel, and student workers assigned to the division and provide guidance as needed.
27. Monitor instruction, conduct performance appraisals, and assist with developing a professional improvement plan for division/program members when needed.
28. Coordinate activities sponsored by the division/program.
29. Provide input to the Provost on any long-range and strategic planning activities.
30. Coordinate with Marketing and Communications staff to develop and implement a marketing strategy for the Health Professions Division.
31. Coordinate and document required program approval and/or accreditation activities.
32. Research and prepare technical and administrative reports; prepare written correspondence.
33. Collaborate in developing policies, practices, processes, and programs for the College.
34. Communicate policies, standards, and expectations to assigned faculty and staff, and hold employees accountable.
35. Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other College employees and the public using the principles of good customer service.
36. Actively serves on a variety of internal and external task forces, committees, and work groups.
37. Participate in professional development appropriate to the position.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Understanding of academic assessment processes.
• Experience with program review.
• Familiarity with curriculum design and revision processes.
• Understanding of academic program oversight, administration of off-campus instructional locations.
• Knowledge of prison education programs.
• Knowledge of student engagement techniques and active learning in the classroom setting – for both online and in-person classes.
• Understanding of distance learning strategies.
• Familiarity with learning management systems such as Canvas.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in a discipline represented with the division or in higher education, educational leadership, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of three years of college teaching experience or leadership experience in academic administration required.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Technology skills appropriate to the successful completion of the duties and responsibilities of the position, including the ability to navigate web-based software applications and use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint effectively.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and an understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and disability backgrounds of community college students and employees.

Preferred Requirements:

• Doctorate degree from an accredited institution of higher education.
• Three years supervisory and administrative experience in higher education.
• Experience as a community college faculty member.
• Experience with budget management.

Other job-related education and/or experience may be substituted for all or part of these basic requirements, upon approval of the Qualifications Review Committee.

Application Deadline:  Interviews to begin immediately.  Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Application Procedure:

All candidates must apply online at https://www.seark.edu/careers.  Click 'Start Application' to complete the online application.  Interested individuals should submit a completed Southeast Arkansas College Employment Application.  Please note:  All transcripts, certifications, and other credentials should be uploaded with your Resume and Cover Letter.  Paper documents will not be accepted.

Required Applicant Documents:

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume
3. College Transcripts (Please note:  Official transcripts are required upon offer of employment.)
4. Certifications, licensures, or other credentials (Please note:  Official copies will be required upon offer of employment.)