Assistant Dean - Learning Commons

Areas in this portfolio include administration of the HHMI Driving Change Grant, the Learning Commons, University-wide Tutoring Services, Supplemental Instruction, E3 Provost Fellows Program, and Campus-Wide Inclusive Pedagogy Program.

The Assistant Dean for the Learning Commons is a senior leadership position within the Office of Academic Innovation and Student Success (AISS), responsible for the development, implementation, and assessment of services and programming offered through the Learning Commons (portfolio above). This role is critical in promoting student retention and success through innovative strategies that bridge academic learning, student engagement and faulty development to support campus-wide initiatives for persistence and degree completion. The Assistant Dean will collaborate with deans, faculty, staff, and campus leaders to identify, develop, and integrate campus-wide tutoring and supplemental instruction.

The Assistant Dean will lead the evolution of the Learning Commons and serve as a transformational leader, responsible for the strategic mission and vision of the center and oversight of the planning, administration, and operational aspects of the unit.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Strategic and Programmatic Leadership:
  • Work with the Vice Provost to develop a comprehensive, strategic, and coordinated campus-wide student academic support model including: tutoring, supplemental instruction, and coordination of departmental student academic support programs.
  • Lead the implementation of tutoring and supplemental instruction programs and activities that connect undergraduate students with related university resources.
  • Coordinate with partner units within Academic Innovation and Student Success and campus partners, to design and implement campus-wide programs that improve retention, persistence and graduation rates.
  • Actively engage in curriculum and policy development to support the advancement of student support and success initiatives. Collaborating with the Deans of the Schools and Colleges, CATLOE, and other campus liaisons as appropriate.
  • Work with the Deans and faculty of the Schools and Colleges to promote existing programs and design and tailor discipline-specific programs aligning with each unit's distinctive mission.
  • Work with the Vice Provost to manage the EXCELlence in STEM project funded by the Driving Change HHMI grant, ensuring grant commitments are being met in a timely, efficient, and effective manner.
  • Coordinate with the School of Education to advance the UAlbany partnership with the NYS Master Teacher program in fulfillment of the HHMI objectives.
  • Oversee the development of new programs and opportunities.
  • Promote Learning Commons programs to current students and, in partnership with Undergraduate Admissions, advance Learning Commons programs as recruiting tools to prospective and admitted students.
• Employee Supervision and Development:
  • Provide leadership, oversight and direction to direct reports to assure goals, programs, activities, and personnel practices are consistent with and contribute to the University's goals and strategies. Lead employees for maximum performance and dedication. Complete performance management feedback and goals timely and per requirements.
  • Lead a team of six professional staff including the director of the Learning Commons, three tutoring coordinators, an instructional support technician, and a business manager, as well as undergraduate and graduate students working in various roles.
  • Develop strategic coordination between the various Learning Center programs to ensure collaborative project development and achievement of cross-unit success initiatives.
  • Conduct annual performance review and performance program updates for Learning Commons director and ensure the director is conducting same for the employees in their units.
  • Work with Learning Commons director to prepare recommendations for discretionary salary increases.
  • Provide opportunities for professional development to encourage staff to remain up-to-date on best practices in the field.
• Financial and Fiduciary Responsibilities:
  • Advocate for resources and provide fiduciary oversight for Learning Commons budgets, including State, UAlbany Foundation, and Research Foundation accounts.
  • Work closely with the business manager to ensure grant expenditures are in line with the budget and cost share commitments are being met.
  • Identify and pursue external funding opportunities to support Learning Commons initiatives.
  • Provide oversight in the areas of planning, human resources, policy development, operational, facility, and budgetary aspects for all activity within and across units.
  • Prepare annual budget requests, including requests for staff positions when necessary.
• Data and Assessment:
  • Engage in continuous evaluation and assessment of Learning Commons programs, policies, and practices in coordination with IRPE and CHSR as appropriate.
  • Oversee the design, execution, and assessment of metrics to measure impact and effectiveness of Learning Commons programs.
  • Work with the Learning Commons director to develop and report on annual SMART goals.
  • Provide results of assessment activities to Vice Provost for dissemination to appropriate university audiences.
• Development Activities:
  • Work with University Advancement to build partnerships with alumni and organizations that support and enhance Learning Commons programming, including sourcing corporate support for programs.
  • Work with Research Foundation and Corporate Relations partners to apply for external grant funding.
  • Apply for internal funding opportunities (e.g., program funds from Auxiliary Services or Diversity & Inclusion) to support Learning Commons events and activities.
• Campus Liaison, Coordination, and Partner:
  • Collaborate with academic offices to advance Learning Commons activities and programs for undergraduates across all schools and colleges.
  • Work with leadership in academic departments to engage faculty in Learning Commons events and programming.
• University Service:
  • Participate in University governance in official and informal capacities when possible.
  • Serve on committees and task forces within AISS as well as across campus.
• Other reasonable duties as assigned.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships:

• Reports to Vice Provost for Academic Innovation and Student Success
• Supervises the following positions:
  • Director, Learning Commons
  • Coordinator, Supplemental Instruction
  • Coordinator, STEM Tutoring
  • Coordinator, University Tutoring
  • Instructional Support Specialist
  • Business Manager
• Collaborative Relationship
  • Center for Human Services Research
  • Academic Support Center
  • Office of Academic Access and Enrichment
  • School of Education
  • CATLOE

Job Requirements:

• Excellent writing, interpersonal, communication and leadership skills.
• Ability to coordinate and execute a variety of tasks and to exercise judgment and discretion.
• Ability to build a campus-wide network of faculty and staff who support and promote Learning Commons programs and activities.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role.

Required Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a STEM field, Education, or a related field from a college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
• Three to five years of experience working in a higher education environment.
• Supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated experience with externally funded projects.
• Experience designing assessment metrics and tools, conducting assessment activities and/or incorporating assessment outcomes in program planning and goal setting.
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to develop inclusive and equitable relationships within our diverse campus community
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to support diversity, equity, access, inclusion, and belonging relative to their role

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in a STEM field, Education, or a related field from a college or University accredited by the US Department of Education or internationally recognized accrediting organization.
• Experience building and leading a team.
• Experience with operational software such as EAB, Peoplesoft, and Handshake.
• Experience securing external funding, including support from donors and grants/contracts.

Working Environment:

• Typical office environment

This is a promotional opportunity for current UAlbany employees.

Eligibility for Consideration:

• You must be employed at the University at Albany campus.
• You must be in a State-funded UUP professional position (MC employees are not eligible).
• You must have a permanent, term, or probationary appointment. Only temporary employees employed by UAlbany for three or more consecutive years can be considered eligible.

For details concerning the University's Promotion Policy for Professional Employees, please see HR Memorandum 88-4.

Professional Rank and Salary Grade: Assistant Dean, SL-5, $105,000-$110,000

Special Note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements.

The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, without exception, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University's crime statistics for the past three years; and disclosures regarding the University's current campus security policies. The University at Albany's Annual Security Report is available in portable document format [PDF] by clicking this link http://police.albany.edu/ASR.shtml

Pursuant to NYS Labor Law 194-A, no State entity, as defined by the Law, is permitted to rely on, orally or in writing seek, request, or require in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current wage, or salary history as a condition to be interviewed, or as a condition of continuing to be considered for an offer of employment, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation, and for the purpose of verifying information, may such requests be made. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

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Please apply online via http://albany.interviewexchange.com/candapply.jsp?JOBID=186929