DIVISION: Academic Department

REPORTS TO: Dean of Academic Affairs

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Assistant Dean works closely with the Dean for Academic Affairs in managing the workload of the Academic Office and supporting faculty in student advising and curriculum assessment. Together with the Academic Dean, the Assistant Dean provides consultation  re: curricular initiatives, institutional policy compliance, and Strategic Planning to the Program and Academic Team (PAT), the Educational Policy Committee of the Board of Trustees, the President, Executive Vice President, and the Dean and Director of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union, and to Union faculty and staff by collaborating in matters regarding accreditation, assessment, budgeting, curriculum, governance, policy, and technology. The Assistant Dean serves as the academic compliance officer to ensure Union remains in compliance with all government and accrediting agency rules and regulations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (other duties and responsibilities may be assigned)

Relation to the Academic Office: The Assistant Dean collaborates closely with the Dean of Academic Affairs in fulfilling all the day-to-day responsibilities of Union’s academic life, collaborating with colleagues on the staff of the Academic Office including all staff in the offices of Student Affairs, Integrative and Field-Based Education, Admissions and Recruitment, Financial Aid, Worship, and Registrar.  One of the most important functions of the Assistant Dean is to serve as the ongoing liaison with Union’s accreditors.  The Assistant Dean has primary administrative responsibility for drafting major and interim accreditation reports and updates, ongoing data gathering, and monitoring accountability, in consultation with the Academic Dean.  Closely related to this is reporting vital statistics to all related denominational judicatory bodies, to remain in good standing with ordination requirements for MDiv students seeking ordination in those denominations.  The Assistant Dean works closely with the Academic Dean to provide data to the Committee on Standing and Union’s legal counsel (when necessary) in student matters involving academic standing, legal matters, and student discipline.

Relation to the Faculty and Students: The Assistant Dean serves as needed on any of the various Union faculty committees together with or as a representative of the Dean (e.g., Academic Affairs, Governance and Policy, Committee on Standing, and as Chair of the Assessment Committee), and participates in developing curriculum initiatives.  The Assistant Dean’s primary role in relation to student advising is to appoint, equip, and support faculty in their role as faculty advisors, interpreting academic policy, Mid Program Review (MPR) and Final Assessment Report (FAR) processes, and together with the Dean and Associate Dean for Student Life and Registrar to assist in resolving complex advising matters such as difficult schedule conflicts, requests for extensions, transfer of credit and dual degrees (with Admissions and Registrar), etc.  The Assistant Dean attends closely to details of degree requirements in the various degree programs (MA, MDiv, STM, DMin, PhD), meeting with directors of the degree programs on a regular basis, updating program guides and degree planners annually with input from degree program directors. The Assistant Dean helps to facilitate and build capacity for faculty use of technology and distance learning, collaborating with Union’s IT department and other external resources as needed.

Consultation to Executive Staff, Board of Trustees, and Other Offices: Together with the Academic Dean, the Assistant Dean meets regularly re: curricular initiatives, institutional policy compliance, and Strategic Planning with the Program and Academic Team (PAT), and the Educational Policy Committee of the Board of Trustees. The Assistant Dean attends open sessions of Board meetings and provides data, assessment and accreditation information, and consultation to the President, Executive Vice President, and the Dean and Director of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union.  Assists with linking current students with alumni, in collaboration with Alumni office.  Periodically reviews and assists with production of materials by the Communications office for accuracy re: academic policy, nature of degree programs, and provided data.  Meets with Librarian re: curricular needs as necessary.  Liaises with Columbia School of Professional Studies and other Columbia offices.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS 

• Experience in higher education required; familiarity with theological education preferred
• Excellent interpersonal skills that promote morale, creativity, and innovative thinking, including the ability and willingness to work as part of a team; able to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community
• Keen attentiveness to detail, organizational ability, and high technological literacy.
• Skill in analyzing and rethinking operations and procedures, formulating policy, and developing and implementing educational policies and procedures.
• Ability to make sound educational and policy judgments; utmost personal integrity and respect for confidentiality

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Bachelors and Masters degrees in education, social sciences or related field (theological education or equivalent preferred). Demonstrated administrative experience; some familiarity desired with educational assessment, strategic planning, and/or online education.