Associate Dean of Liberal Arts

 

Department: Liberal Arts

 

Location: Grand Rapids, MI

 

The Associate Dean supports the School of Liberal Arts through innovative, collaborative, and student-focused leadership to help shape the future of student success, academic excellence, and community impact at GRCC. The Associate Dean of the School of Liberal Arts is responsible for the management and day-to-day operations of the Liberal Arts programs including Education, English, Language & Thought, Music, Social Sciences, Theater, and Visual Arts. The Associate Dean of the School of Liberal Arts will foster a working environment that demonstrates a spirit of collaboration, innovation, access, and inclusion. The successful candidate will be a strategic leader with strong organizational skills and a deep understanding of and experience with education in liberal arts. The Associate Dean will work in cooperation with Department Heads and Program Directors to develop class schedules, determine instructional workloads, and support the implementation of the curriculum development process. This role also provides leadership and oversight of faculty professional development, evaluations, and tenure and promotion activities. To successfully achieve these results, the Associate Dean will need to cultivate effective and mutually beneficial relationships with faculty and administrators.

 

Requisition ID: 895

Department: School of Liberal Arts

Employee Group: https://www.grcc.edu/faculty-staff/human-resources/employee-groups-resources/employee-groups/meet-confer

Schedule: 40 hours/52 weeks

Compensation: AM5; $90,468 Annually

Benefits: https://www.grcc.edu/faculty-staff/human-resources/benefits-insurance/medical-plans/new-hire-benefit-enrollment

Reports to: Dean, School of Liberal Arts

Posting Opens: 04/30/2025

Posting Closes: 05/15/2025

 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

 

School Scheduling and Section Management

 

• In collaboration with Department Heads and Program Directors, schedule classes and manage section offerings.

• Assign baseloads for full-time faculty and coordinate overload selections for full-time faculty.

• Administer adjunct availability and course assignment process.

• Manage room scheduling and facility needs for departments.

• Ensure accuracy of Faculty Information Forms and contractual correctness of faculty loads.

 

Office Oversight, Process Development, and Administration and Resource Management

 

• Participate in the supervision and evaluation of School office staff.

• Supervise adjunct faculty evaluations.

• Propose, create, implement, and review operational procedures and processes that impact the work of the School, in accordance with those in Academic and Student Affairs (ASA).

• Conduct mid-year and annual performance reviews for direct reports; review and approve evaluations for academic support staff for departments in the School.

• Approve payroll and leaves for staff direct reports.

 

Program/Curriculum Review and Support

 

• In collaboration with Department Heads and Program Directors, implement approved new/revised courses and programs.

• Support the Dean in disseminating and utilizing data relevant to School departments/programs concerning student success, retention, completion, transfer, or other trends.

• Assist the Dean in identifying fundraising and grant development opportunities related to academic departments/programs, including Perkins (if applicable).

• Collaborate with and support the Dean on curricular processes and decision-making.

• Collaborate with and support ASA leaders (Provost direct reports, Associate Provost's Office, Associate Dean colleagues, Registrar's Office, Institutional Research, and Teaching, Learning, and Distance Education (TLDE) staff/faculty) on college-wide curricular processes and decision-making.

• Represent the School on college-wide curriculum and/or learning outcomes assessment teams.

• Collaborate with College Associate Deans, Department Heads and Program Directors, and Associate Provost's Office for non-credit to credit curriculum alignment.

 

Faculty Administration and Support

 

• Approve faculty leaves of absence.

• Administer contract provisions for faculty.

• Approve adjunct faculty professional development fund requests.

• Monitor the relationship between the School and the bookstore, particularly as it relates to the availability of educational resources used to support classroom instruction.

• Serves as point of contact to address day-to-day faculty operations issues within the School.

 

Faculty Hiring

 

• Establish and maintain processes for hiring new faculty and staff, and regularly review hiring processes to ensure maximum effectiveness, collaborating with the Dean and Human Resources, as appropriate.

• In collaboration with the Dean, make recommendations for new hires to the Provost.

• In collaboration with the Department Heads and Program Directors, hire adjunct faculty.

• In collaboration with the Department Heads and Program Directors, form and lead hiring committees for full-time faculty and staff.

• Implement agreed-upon hiring standards.

 

Faculty Evaluation

 

• Supervise adjunct and full-time faculty in their respective areas.

• Create Performance Improvement Plans (PIP) for faculty and staff and take disciplinary action when needed, collaborating with the Dean and Human Resources as needed.

• Lead and administer the Faculty Performance Evaluation (FPE) and tenure and promotion system for the School. This includes collaborating with colleagues to provide orientation and training for faculty and working with other college leaders to ensure the effective operation of these systems.

• In collaboration with the Department Heads and Program Directors, form and facilitate tenure and promotion committees; make tenure and promotion recommendations to the Dean.

• Conduct faculty classroom observations and provide constructive written and verbal feedback as part of the evaluation process.

 

Faculty Professional Development

 

• In collaboration with the Dean, Department Heads or Program Directors, and TLDE to onboard and orient new School faculty around professional development and first-year expectations.

• Collaborate with the Dean, Department Heads or Program Directors, and TLDE to identify professional development needs for School faculty and staff.

• Serve as a member of the TLDE faculty professional development committee.

 

Student Conduct and Concerns

 

• Collaborate with the Office of Student Life and Conduct on initiatives and processes to attend to student misconduct.

• Lead School efforts to effectively address student complaints and grade grievances.

• Track student complaints for the School to identify trends and areas for improvement.

• Work with the General Counsel, the Director of Equal Employment Opportunity Compliance, and equal opportunity labor representatives, as needed, to address student concerns.

 

Additional Duties

 

• As guided by the Dean, work collaboratively with School partners, external institutions and/or organizations, and internal college faculty and staff to identify roles and ensure clear communication, cooperation, and accomplishment of School goals and/or outcomes.

• Collaborate and support the Dean on curricular processes, community projects, and decision-making.

• Serve on cross-college teams, including the Academic Governing Council (AGC), Strategic Leadership Team (SLT), and Experiential Learning teams (Study Away Advisory, Honors Leadership Teams), as recommended by the Dean.

• Regular attendance during normal scheduled hours is required. Being present is essential for serving stakeholders and performing the essential functions of this position.

• Persons in this role are identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA). CSAs will be trained and responsible for reporting Clery Reportable Crimes to Campus Police as required by the Clery AcIn collaboration with staff, provide periodic reviews of internal systems to ensure accurate and timely work.

• Prepare for and participate in multiple yearly GRCC, state, and federal audits and monitor visits.

• Other duties as assigned by the Dean.

 

JOB SPECIFICATIONS

 

Education Credentials

 

• Master's degree from an accredited institution is required.

 

Work Experience

 

• At least three years' experience in a role responsible for leadership and oversight of educational programming or related experience is required.

• At least three years' teaching in a college or university setting is required.

• Demonstrated experience with developing and moving forward initiatives that advance equity, access, and inclusion in a collaborative environment is required.

• Supervisory experience of instructional staff is preferred.

• Experience leading liberal arts programs and accreditation in a higher education setting is preferred.

• Experience in a community college is preferred.

• Experience working in a collective bargaining environment is preferred.

 

Skills

 

• Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and a commitment to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment for all.

• Proven ability to manage multiple, complex tasks according to required deadlines, and maintain composure under high stress conditions.

• Proven ability to work effectively both as a supervisor/leader and as a member of a team.

• Proven ability to exercise discretion and tact in all interpersonal contacts, and to maintain confidentiality at all times.

 

Mental Demands

 

• Highly motivated, focused, and results-oriented.

• Ability to be optimistic, positive, and supportive in all interactions with others.

• High level of accuracy and attention to detail.

 

Physical Demands

 

• The position requires long periods of sitting, standing, reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

 

Working Conditions

 

• GRCC will comply with any mandated health and safety requirements. Compliance information is available on our policies website.

• Must be able to attend functions off campus and work weekends/evenings as required.

• Professional travel required.

 

BENEFITS

 

• Health Coverage: Six https://www.grcc.edu/faculty-staff/human-resources/benefits-insurance/medical-plans options, including one with no health insurance premiums.

• Time off: Enjoy substantial https://www.grcc.edu/sites/default/files/docs/humanresources/MeetConferHandbook_05222024.pdf.

• Wellness Program: Access resources for physical and mental wellbeing, and an https://www.grcc.edu/employers-community/ford-fieldhouse

• Continuous Learning: https://www.grcc.edu/faculty-staff/grants-department and https://www.grcc.edu/faculty-staff/finance-administration/employee-reimbursement/tuition-benefit.

• Retirement Plans: Secure your future with our https://www.grcc.edu/faculty-staff/human-resources/payroll/annuities-retirement-information, including the state retirement plan or a 401A with a 12% employer contribution.

 

NEXT STEPS / APPLICATION PROCESS

 

Please fill out an application athttps://www.grcc.edu/jobs. Submit a cover letter and resume. The opportunity to apply for this position will close at the end of the day on the close date referenced at the top of this job posting.

 

NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

 

Grand Rapids Community College creates an inclusive learning and working environment that recognizes the value and dignity of each person. It is the policy and practice of GRCC to provide equal educational and employment opportunities regardless of age, race, color, religion, marital status, sex/gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, height, weight, national origin, disability, political affiliation, familial status, veteran status or genetics in all programs, activities, services, employment and advancement including admissions to, access to, treatment in, or compensation in employment as required by state and federal law. GRCC is committed to reviewing all aspects of GRCC programs, activities, services and employment, including recruitment, selection, retention and promotion to identify and eliminate barriers in order to prevent discrimination on the basis of the listed protected characteristics. The college will not tolerate any form of retaliation against any person for bringing charges of discrimination or participating in an investigation. Further information may be obtained from the EEO Office or the Office of General Counsel, 143 Bostwick Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3295.

 

To apply, visit https://apptrkr.com/6190008

 

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