Vice President of Academic Affairs

Posted: 4/3/24
Deadline: 4/26/24
Salary: The salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Includes a comprehensive benefits package.

About This Organization

Nicolet College

Job Duties

The Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) is responsible for planning, directing, evaluating, and providing oversight of all academic functions and instructional support services. The VPAA will work under the general direction of the President and serve as a member of the College Strategic Leadership Team.

The VPAA must embrace innovation, understanding that rapid change must be accomplished without sacrificing quality. The VPAA is an agile, innovative, transformational, systems thinker who embraces the community and technical college mission, especially within a rural setting. The VPAA will lead by example, and with empathy, listening, and learning from colleagues and the community, personally setting the tone for discourse, and building collaborative relationships to achieve the College mission and strategic priorities. The VPAA will uphold the values established by the College, including a commitment to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning and working culture.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
(This list is not all-inclusive; other duties may be required and assigned.)

Executive Leadership
• Work collaboratively with the Strategic Leadership Team on developing strategic directions for the
College. Promote continuous quality improvement and service excellence throughout all programs and
services.
• Participate in institution-wide planning, budgeting, and change initiatives in support of the Nicolet
College mission, vision, and values.
• Evaluate and recommend current and future resource needs for the College, including staffing, facilities,
equipment, and technology.
• Ensure College compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Build and foster collegial relationships with all College employees.
• Develop, communicate, and execute an academic strategy and vision for the College.
• Foster an environment which encourages scholarship, teaching, and learning excellence.

Chief Academic Officer
• Lead the academic functions of the College to meet the needs of a diverse student population and
create a learning environment where all students have the opportunity to succeed.
• Ensure academic programs and services promote the College Core Abilities.
• Ensure academic programs and services are aligned with District learner and employer needs.
• Research and analyze data and information to provide direction in decision-making related to
academic program development, management, viability, and review.
• Ensure academic programs and services meet the academic rigor required by the Wisconsin Technical
College System and the Higher Learning Commission, as well as other relevant organizations and
agencies.
• Provide collaborative leadership support for the people and functions associated with Academic
services (including Academic Design and Technology, Faculty Development, Instructional Resources,
Open and Inclusive Academics, and Academic Support: Adult Basic Education and Tutoring); Business
and Entrepreneurship; Health and Public Services; Trade, Industry/Apprenticeships; and University
Transfer and Liberal Arts and Science.
• Determine and direct strategies for achievement of college goals and growth.
• Develop systems, processes, and procedures that allow for the effective and efficient implementation of
Academic Affairs functions.
• Ensure an effective system of quality assurance for faculty.
• Evaluate the performance of and provide professional growth, development, and mentorship for direct
reports.

District and WTCS Representation
• Build and nurture impactful partnerships with business and industry, community, and other
constituents.
• Establish content and presentations for Nicolet College Board of Trustees meetings and other
constituent groups as appropriate.
• Communicate, advocate, and partner with stakeholders regarding the needs and priorities of the
College.
• Lead and serve on college teams and work groups as appropriate.
• Represent the College at meetings, conferences, and events, and actively participate in our community
and the district we serve. Maintain membership in regional and state associations.
• Serve as Deputy Director in the absence of the President, in collaboration with the other members of
the Strategic Leadership Team.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Knowledge of academic theory and practice, higher education policy, and current trends in community
and technical college education.
• Knowledge of, and ability to lead the development of, agile, innovative educational programming.
• Knowledge of curriculum design and educational resource development and management.
• Knowledge of the principles of quality management and continuous improvement.
• The ability to build collaborative relationships, earning trust and respect across multiple constituencies
(students, alumni, employees, elected officials, and government agencies).
• Excellent communications skills with the ability to listen to all points of view, build consensus on
initiatives and issues, and inform others of policies and plans.
• Demonstrated skills and competencies in planning, budgeting, resource management, and evaluation of
academic programs and services.
• Strong educational technology skills, including enterprise planning and student information systems.
• Proven ability to develop institutional policies and practices that are consistent with federal, state, and
higher education law. Ability to interpret relevant regulations and legislation.
• Ability to formulate creative, aggressive, and impactful strategic plans, goals, and action plans.
• Ability to lead large teams, and mentor and coach employees through effective performance management to advance a culture of engagement and excellence.
• Ability to lead change, create a shared vision, and resolve conflicts.
• Ability to collaborate and communicate with a wide variety of audiences, including K-12 partners,
business and industry, other colleges and universities, and community agencies.

Required Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
• Master’s Degree in a relevant field.
• Successful senior-level experience in leading an organization, preferably in higher education; managing change; and effectively interacting with the greater community.

Preferred Qualifications:
• PhD or EdD.
• Demonstrated success in developing, deploying, and assessing differentiated models that lead to
maximum learner access and success which grow enrollment (i.e., Competency-based Education (CBE),
HyFlex, Online, Short-term Credentials, Micro-credentials).
• Teaching experience.

Physical Demands:
The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work in an office area as well as throughout the College. Sit at workstation for prolonged periods of
time. Stand, bend, squat, lift up to ten pounds, and move intermittently during working hours.
• The employee will frequently be required to walk, touch/handle/grasp (using hands and fingers) and
reach with hands and arms.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be exposed to normal office conditions and
usual office equipment such as telephone, personal computer, printers/copiers, reports, and files.
• The employee will be required to talk, hear, and type/write.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, far, and field of vision.
• The employee must demonstrate strong attention to detail and must be able to perform complex tasks
without error.

Salary

The salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Includes a comprehensive benefits package.

Required Application Materials

Apply at nicoletcollege.edu/employment. Attach a cover letter addressing how your background and experience are consistent with the required and preferred qualifications of the position, a current resume, and unofficial college transcripts.