Bargaining Unit/Salary Level: The salary for this position is pending classification and will be in accordance with the current Maine Community College System Confidential Pay Scale along with a full Confidential employee benefit package.

SUMMARY

York County Community College (YCCC), a dynamic institution with a proud 30-year history of transforming lives and communities throughout York County, Maine, is seeking an exceptional leader to join our team as the Dean of Education. This pivotal role is responsible for ensuring the rigor and quality of all credit and non-credit courses, serving as our Chief Academic Officer (CAO) for credit programs and overseeing non-credit offerings. The Dean will collaborate with stakeholders to develop and implement educational and training programs that address industry needs, utilizing both traditional and innovative delivery methods to meet students where they are and foster a student-ready approach.

At YCCC, our mission is to develop an educated, skilled, and adaptable workforce that drives socioeconomic mobility for our students and creates economic and civic prosperity for our communities. We view all learning as valuable and critical to workforce development, and we consider all learners to be students, regardless of whether they are enrolled in credit or non-credit programs. The Dean of Education will champion the college's mission-driven approach, which recognizes that all forms of learning have the power to transform lives and communities.

The ideal candidate will be a forward-thinking leader with a deep belief in the transformative power of education and a passionate commitment to our mission. They will understand the critical role that community colleges play in driving economic development and social mobility and will be passionate about creating educational programs that prepare students for success in the workforce while incorporating innovative delivery models. The Dean will be charged with ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations and accreditation standards related to educational programming, including those set by the New England Commission for Higher Education (NECHE), maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence.

The Dean of Education will be a data-informed and collaborative leader who is passionate about supporting faculty, adjunct instructors, and non-credit instructors while promoting student success. They will provide guidance and support to ensure that all instructional staff have the resources and professional development opportunities necessary to deliver high-quality instruction and support student success. The Dean will foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, encouraging the adoption of best practices in teaching and learning, such as open educational resources (OER), master courses, and effective curriculum and instructional design. The Dean will also facilitate professional development opportunities for instructional staff to stay current with industry trends and pedagogical advancements.

As a dynamic and engaging representative of YCCC, the Dean of Education will be a visible presence on campus and in the community, forging strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. They will actively seek out opportunities to collaborate with partners and stakeholders, including high school partners to expand concurrent course offerings and four-year institutions to develop articulation agreements that facilitate student transfer. The Dean will work closely with other college leaders to support student success, enrollment goals, and retention efforts. By staying attuned to the latest trends and best practices in higher education, the Dean will ensure that YCCC remains at the forefront of innovative teaching and learning.

The Dean will oversee all learning at the college, including the Director of Learning and other key positions responsible for curriculum and instructional design, ensuring that our educational offerings are engaging, effective, and aligned with industry standards and best practices. By working closely with their team and other key stakeholders, the Dean will drive the college's educational success and ensure that our students are well-prepared for the workforce and further educational opportunities.

As a key representative of YCCC, the Dean of Education will actively participate in local, regional, and national conferences to share best practices, build strategic partnerships, and promote the college's mission and achievements. They will also serve on relevant boards and committees in the communities we serve to foster strong relationships and advance the college's interests, including engaging with advisory boards to ensure that our programs remain relevant and responsive to industry needs. Additionally, the Dean will serve on the Maine Community College System (MCCS) Academic Dean team, collaborating with peers to advance the mission and goals of the MCCS.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Educational Leadership (40%):

• Serve as the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) for credit programs, overseeing all credit and non-credit educational offerings and ensuring their rigor and quality.

• Provide strategic leadership and guidance to the educational leadership team, including faculty, adjunct instructors, and non-credit instructors, ensuring that they have the resources and professional development opportunities necessary to deliver high-quality instruction and support student success.

• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, encouraging the adoption of best practices in teaching and learning, such as open educational resources (OER), master courses, and effective curriculum and instructional design.

• Champion the adoption and expansion of innovative educational models and student-centered approaches to enhance student success, completion, and workforce readiness.

Program Development and Alignment (30%):

• Collaborate with stakeholders, including advisory boards, to develop and implement educational and training programs that address industry needs, utilizing both traditional and innovative delivery methods to meet students where they are.

• Expand concurrent course offerings in partnership with high schools to provide students with opportunities to earn college credit.

• Develop articulation agreements with four-year institutions to facilitate student transfer and support their educational goals.

• Ensure that educational programs are aligned with the college's mission, vision, and strategic plan, as well as with the needs of the community and industry partners.

• Continuously assess and refine educational programs to ensure their relevance, effectiveness, and alignment with best practices in higher education.

Regulatory Compliance and Accreditation (20%):

• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and accreditation standards related to educational programming, including those set by NECHE.

• Oversee the development and implementation of academic policies and procedures that promote academic integrity, student success, and institutional effectiveness.

• Collaborate with institutional research staff to collect and analyze data on educational program outcomes, using this information to drive continuous improvement efforts.

Professional Development and Community Engagement (10%):

• Facilitate professional development opportunities for faculty, adjunct instructors, and non-credit instructors to stay current with industry trends and pedagogical advancements.

• Represent YCCC at local, regional, and national forums, conferences, and events to share best practices and build strategic partnerships.

• Collaborate with community partners and advisory boards to identify and address educational and workforce development needs, ensuring that YCCC's programs are responsive to the needs of the region.

• Serve on relevant boards and committees to foster strong relationships and advance the college's interests, including the MCCS Academic Dean team.

WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED IN THE POSITION

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in education, higher education administration, or a related field.

• Minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership experience in education, with a focus on academic affairs and program development.

• College-level teaching experience.

• Demonstrated success in developing and implementing innovative educational programs that align with workforce needs.

• Strong understanding of best practices in teaching and learning, including open educational resources, master courses, and curriculum and instructional design.

• Proven ability to foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement among faculty and instructional staff.

Desired Qualifications:

• Doctoral degree in education, higher education administration, or a related field.

• Experience serving as a Chief Academic Officer or in a similar senior academic leadership role.

• Familiarity with NECHE accreditation standards and processes.

• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining strong partnerships with community organizations, industry partners, and other educational institutions.

• Knowledge of competency-based education (CBE) and its potential applications in higher education.

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Deep understanding of the community college landscape and the unique challenges and opportunities facing two-year institutions.

• Ability to think strategically and develop innovative solutions to complex challenges in higher education.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use data to inform decision-making and drive continuous improvement.

• Excellent leadership and management skills, with the ability to build and lead high-performing educational teams.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build consensus and foster strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.

• Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education, with a track record of promoting these values in educational programs and policies.

If you are a passionate and innovative educational leader with a deep commitment to student success and the transformative power of education, we invite you to join our team at York County Community College. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in shaping the future of our institution, advancing our mission, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and the communities we serve.

Why work for the Maine Community College System? Benefits may include:

• Health, Dental and Vision Insurance

• Life Insurance

• Retirement Savings (option of State Retirement System or TIAA 403b)

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Living Resources (Employee Assistance Program)

• Paid Holidays

• Statewide Locations

• Tuition Waivers

• Training

• 529 Education Plan MCCS Matching Grant

York County Community College is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks a diverse pool of candidates. We provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. For more information, please contact 207-216-4444.

Explore YCCC at https://www.yccc.edu/

Review of applications will begin on May 27, 2024 and posting will remain active until it is filled.