VP Academic Affairs

Position Overview 

The Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) serves as the Chief Academic Officer of the College and oversees the overall management of the College’s academic programs, implementation of academic policies, and ensures the development, implementation and outcomes measurement of the optometric curriculum.  The VPAA will hold an academic appointment and faculty rank. The VPAA works in concert with the President for institutional planning regarding the achievement of the College’s mission and accepts the primary responsibility for implementation of institutional academic directions. 

Those reporting to the VPAA include:  the Chair of Optometric Education, the Director of Assessment, the Director of Research, the Director of Externship and Residency Programs, the Director of Academic Support Services, the Director of Instructional Enhancement, the Director of Information Services, the Coordinator of Continuing Education, the Academic Affairs Coordinator, and the Administrative Assistant for the Department of Academic Affairs.  The faculty and faculty committees communicate academic issues through the Vice President for Academic Affairs to administration.

Essential Functions

Academic Leadership & Curriculum Oversight

Responsible for the quality, effectiveness, and continuous improvement of academic programs and curriculum by:

•   Supervising curriculum development and review.

•    Collaborating on course content and instructional methods.

•    Reviewing didactic and clinical course structures.

•    Coordinating class and examination schedules.

•    Participating in admissions requirements and academic standards.

•    Ensuring academic counseling services.

•    Overseeing preparation of students for NBEO examinations.

•    Contributing to catalogs and academic publications.

•    Teaching and/or conducting research as appropriate.  

Faculty Leadership, Recruitment & Development

Responsible for attracting, evaluating, supporting, and developing faculty by:

•    Assessing faculty staffing needs.

•    Overseeing faculty hiring processes.

•  Assigning teaching responsibilities and reviewing workloads.

•    Administering faculty performance evaluations.

•    Orienting new faculty.

•    Designing and implementing faculty development programs.

•    Mentoring faculty and supporting professional growth opportunities.

•    Representing the College at professional meetings and other networking events for faculty recruitment efforts. 

Accreditation, Assessment & Academic Quality Assurance

Responsible for ensuring academic excellence, accountability, and regulatory compliance by:

•    Ensuring compliance with accreditation standards.

•    Leading accreditation reviews and reporting processes.

•    Collaborating with assessment leadership.

•    Monitoring educational outcomes and program effectiveness.

•    Guiding continuous quality improvement initiatives. 

Strategic Planning & Institutional Leadership

Responsible for advancing the College's mission and academic strategy by:

•    Working with the President on institutional planning.

•    Implementing academic strategic priorities.

•    Submitting strategic plan updates.

•    Consulting with faculty leadership and committees.

•    Assisting the President with special assignments.

•    Serving in the President's role when necessary. 

Administration, Operations & Resource Management

Responsible for effective management of academic affairs operations and resources by:

•    Supervising academic affairs administrators and support staff.

•    Ensuring student equipment needs are identified and fulfilled.

•    Managing departmental operations.

•    Coordinating information and survey responses.

•    Overseeing academic support functions and reporting units. 

•    Evaluating all faculty requests for official business leave.

Financial Stewardship & Budget Management

Responsible for fiscal planning and accountability within Academic Affairs by:

•    Supervising budget development for all departments reporting to Academic Affairs.

•    Managing expenditures and approvals.

•    Reviewing monthly financial reports.

•    Ensuring adherence to approved budgets.

Job Specifications

Education:    O.D. required.  Additional advanced degrees preferred.

Experience:    10 years of experience in higher education, administration and management experience, as well as teaching.