Campus News

The Assistant Provost of Academic Affairs (APAA) functions as the chief of staff and advisor to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA).  The person in this position will be the second in command in the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA), and will manage a number of essential academic processes, including accreditation, faculty evaluation, strategic planning, budgeting and assessment, as well as grant writing, among others.  This position requires superb writing and critical thinking skills, strong attention to detail and impeccable discretion and professionalism.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Oversee and execute programmatic and institutional accreditation processes, including drafting applications and responses, monitoring compliance, managing site visits and ensuring timely and successful completion of accreditation tasks.
• Supervise implementation of university strategic plan in the areas OAA supervises, and provide suggestions for revision.
• Administer faculty evaluation processes (retention, tenure and promotion processes for which OAA is responsible), oversee electronic document collection, organization and storage, and administratively support the RTP committee as needed.
• Manage all academic personnel processes including hiring, promotion, reappointment, and departure, as well as supplemental pay and contracts, in cooperation with Human Resources, and supervise departmental participation in these processes.
• Provide leadership for a developing culture of assessment by exemplifying best assessment practices, guiding assessment report writers, and instructing in and assisting with data analysis.
• Identify resources for development and support of innovative academic programs, including external funding sources such as federal or state grants or private foundation support.
• Provide oversight to the Student Opportunity Fund, Faculty Development Fund, and Deans’ discretionary fund. 
• Manage outside course providers for RU including overseeing faculty review of syllabi to determine course equivalency and determine student eligibility for such programs, track demand and revenue, and control usage.
• Manage daily and annual budget processes for the Office of Academic Affairs and oversee expense reports for departments and colleges.
•  Encourage the development of advisory councils in departments and colleges.
• Attend specified committee meetings and events on behalf of the provost as needed.
• Write monthly report for faculty and staff meetings on OAA and departmental activities.
• Coordinate and manage events for which the Office of Academic Affairs is responsible. (e.g. New Faculty Orientation, University Opening Conference, etc.).
• Serve as primary contact in OAA for faculty, staff, and students. 
• Direct administrative activities of the Office of Academic Affairs.
• Provide support to the Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs on a daily basis. 
• Work collaboratively and collegially with others in a diverse and inclusive environment.
• Safeguard the confidentiality of university personnel by exercising discretion in communicating information to faculty, students, staff and others and in handling administrative records, files, and similar confidential items, demonstrating the utmost professionalism at all times.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Supervises the Academic Affairs Support Specialist as well as any student workers or temporary workers in OAA. In addition, chairs the Student Opportunity Fund committee. 

QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS:

• Master’s degree required; Ph.D. or terminal degree preferred. Equivalent combination of professional and career experience will be considered.
• Strong critical thinking skills.
• Superb writing skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Demonstrable capacity to conduct data analysis.
• Experience working in Higher Education, preferably within Academic Affairs or related area.
• Ability to consistently engage in teamwork and develop consensus.
• Familiarity with accreditation processes in higher education.
• Experience with academic committee structure and governance desirable.
• Familiarity with technology and software employed within the office of Academic Affairs.
• Experience overseeing and managing special projects, including updating processes, writing summaries, critically evaluating results, and communicating status.

TO APPLY: Review of resumes will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.  Please submit resume, cover letter indicating salary requirements and list of three professional references to HumanResources@rockford.edu.

At Rockford University we are committed to the principle of diversity, equity and inclusion as it relates to building a well-rounded workforce and community.  We are especially interested in candidates who through their professional experience bring contributions to diversity and excellence in the work they do.