Director of Academic Affairs

Director of Academic Affairs at The Wright Institute Clinical Program

Position Title: Director of Academic Affairs

Department: Clinical program

FLSA Status: Exempt/Full-Time

Reports to: Program Director

Location: In-person

Compensation: $145-165K

Revision Date: July 8, 2025

This job description is not a contract of employment and its provisions are not intended to imply a contractual relationship. It does not alter your at-will employment relationship with The Wright Institute. While this position is currently open for applications, the review of resumes will begin in approximately 6–8 weeks. We appreciate your interest and patience as we complete internal planning and timelines. All applicants will be contacted once the review process begins.

Position Summary

The Director of Academic Affairs monitors academic program requirements and upholds the curriculum plan and standards established by the faculty and the APA Commission on Accreditation. In addition, the position provides overall leadership in building a program focused on student-centeredness, professional development, integrity and ethics, and respect for diversity. The Director of Academics Affairs assesses and tracks student academic progress and adherence to academic policies and expectations including: coursework, qualifying exams, dissertation research, professional comportment and other aspects of the Clinical Psychology Program. This position ensures that students meet the minimum level of achievement for all Wright Institute competency measures. It works closely with faculty and administration to address concerns regarding students’ academic and professional development. The Director of Academics develops informal development plans for students whose situation does not require a formal remediation plan, and collaborates with other program leaders in determining formal remediation plans when needed. This position reports to the Clinical Program Director.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Leadership

• Serves as a key member of the Clinical Program leadership team, contributing to strategic planning initiatives that enhance student services and align with institutional and accreditation standards.
• Provide leadership within Clinical Program committees and working groups, contributing to the development of an academically rigorous, student-centered program grounded in integrity, ethics, and respect for diversity.
• Advise faculty and administration on student academic progress, trends, and emerging concerns—drawing on comprehensive tracking of coursework, qualifying exams, dissertation research, and professional comportment.
• Collaborate closely with faculty and program leadership to design, implement, and refine academic processes, policies, and procedures that uphold the curriculum standards established by the faculty and the APA Commission on Accreditation.
• Collaborates in student accountability processes, including decisions related to academic probation, remediation, and dismissal, ensuring alignment with Wright Institute competency benchmarks and institutional policies.
• Collaborate on the design, implementation, and ongoing coordination of the faculty mentoring program to support faculty development, engagement, and retention.
• Partner with the Clinical Program Director on key academic initiatives and provide support on special projects, contributing to the development of informal and formal student development plans as needed.

Academic Oversight

• Oversee student progress in the sequence of academic training, i.e., coursework, course sequence changes, instructor changes, independent study approvals, dissertation development, qualifying exams, and other non-practicum, non-internship aspects of the program.
• Establish and track metrics for student success.
• Identify, document and monitor students at risk of not meeting academic expectations.
• As needed, develop informal development plans, and participate in the development of formal remediation for students who are evidencing academic struggles.
• Work closely with faculty on matters of academic concern related to students, particularly with student advisors and/or dissertation chairs.
• Work with faculty, students, and administrators to address any student academic concerns.
• Attend meetings of the Case Conference Leaders as needed.
• Attend meetings of the Full Time Faculty as needed.
• Oversee criteria, administration and management of competency exams.
• Along with the Director of Student Affairs, the Director of Clinical Training and the Program director, manage student probation, dismissal, and/or other accountability actions.

Process Oversight

• Assist with the student admissions process, including developing and maintaining admissions policies, attending monthly open houses, and interviewing applicants. Admissions related work will be in collaboration with the Admissions Director and the Program Director.
• Develop and maintain systems of tracking and accounting for student academic achievement.
• Oversee and manage requests for non-ADA/Section 504 accommodations, including for class attendance.
• Receive, review and manage formal grievances, including conducting investigations and writing reports.
• Effectively communicate with program administrators and faculty regarding student progress and concerns.
• Stay up to date with APA Commission on Accreditation guidelines, state Psychology Board regulations, and local and national law; and maintain academic program compliance with them.
• Maintain relationships with local and national organizations such as NCSPP and APA.
• Work with Tech Support to maintain and improve information systems.

Policy & Documentation Responsibilities

• Manage the review of students’ courses, independent studies, and dissertations development/research evaluations.
• In collaboration with faculty, develop, manage, and communicate academic policy and procedure.
• Maintain and update the Student Handbook.
• Measure and create reports regarding program data.
• Ensure alignment of policy and procedure with other areas and documents such as, attendance policies, taking leaves of absence admissions, academic policy, and web pages.
• Apply policies to make decisions related to student requests to transfer course.
• Maintain and update documentation related to student academic progress, student status, student leaves, grievances and other data.
• Ensure accurate descriptions of the program, including through catalog, website, admissions, and orientation materials.
• Participate in accreditation cycle preparation, including developing and maintaining systems of data collection.
• Curriculum development, evaluation, and modification in collaboration with curriculum committee.

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, AND KNOWLEDGE

• Strong leadership, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Effectively manage sensitive, complex, and stressful situations.
• Prioritize duties when faced with interruptions, distractions, and fluctuating workload.
• Work collaboratively across multiple constituencies to establish rapport and trust, facilitate teamwork, and build consensus.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion and understand the complexity of intersectional identities, systemic constructs, and trauma informed education.
• Work independently and as part of a collaborative team to make administrative decisions.
• Evaluate strategies, recommend changes, and analyze results.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Doctoral degree in in a recognized area health service psychology
• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education (working with students, developing curriculum, developing academic policies and procedures, familiarity with accessible education, etc.)
• Prior leadership experience in an academic setting preferred
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift and reach for light objects with or without assistance (up to 20lbs); close visual acuity to prepare and analyze data, text, and figures; ability to do computer work: ability to travel to outside locations; ability to communicate and exchange information; ability to move about the office to access file cabinets and office equipment; and the ability to remain stationary and work at a computer for extended periods of time as a primary job function. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Application

Please submit the full application, a CV, and letter of interest at https://www.wi.edu/join-our-team/index.php?pid=dRedr8jacr9sweg6we6p&p=25

Questions may be sent to hr@wi.edu. References will be requested upon invitation to interview.