PROVOST/ Chief Academic Officer

Key Responsibilities

Institutional Leadership & Succession

• Provide policy-level advice and strategic counsel to the President on academic, institutional, accreditation and student completion-related planning.
• Serve as a senior member of the President’s Cabinet and participate fully in institutional shared leadership duties and external representation of the College.
• Collaborate closely with the Chief of Staff on cross-divisional priorities, continuity of operations, and executive communications.

Academic Strategy and Planning

• Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive Academic Master Plan that supports the College’s mission, values, and strategic agenda.
• Ensure the academic enterprise aligns with the College’s strategic agenda, accreditation requirements, workforce and economic development demands, and community priorities.
• Co-chair the Academic Council, ensuring collaborative decision-making with faculty and continuous communication across instructional units.

Curriculum Innovation and Educational Quality

• Guide the creation, review, and enhancement of academic programs to ensure rigor, relevance, transferability, and responsiveness to future workforce needs.
• Promote instructional delivery models including online, hybrid, site-based, and competency-based education to broaden access and engagement.
• Ensure academic programs are inclusive and incorporate evidence-based pedagogical practices that support student success.

Faculty and Academic Staff Leadership

• Oversee faculty recruitment, development, and evaluation, ensuring high standards of academic excellence and instructional innovation.
• Champion faculty professional development in pedagogy, technology, and inclusive teaching practices.
• Provide support and recognition for adjunct faculty as integral contributors to the College's mission, while ensuring quality outcomes.

Learning Resources and Academic Support

• Provide strategic oversight for the Library and Information Commons and information services, ensuring access to high-quality resources and digital tools.
• Collaborate with the Jackson District Library to expand shared access to instructional and research resources for students and faculty.

Oversight of Corrections and Early College Instruction

• Lead instructional programming within correctional education program initiatives, ensuring equitable access and academic quality.
• Coordinate with and serve as the institutional liaison to the Jackson Preparatory and Early College (JPEC) to support integrated pathways for dual enrollment and associate degree attainment.

Accreditation and Academic Compliance

• Oversee as the College’s connection with the Higher Learning Commission and other academic regulatory bodies and secondary accreditors.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional academic policies and regulations.
• In collaboration with the Institutional Research and Effectiveness Office, help to champion a culture of continuous improvement and data-informed decision-making across the division, informing classroom practices and advancing student outcomes.

Student Success and Academic Performance

• Collaborate with the Chief Student Services Officer to implement and monitor initiatives aimed at student opportunity, retention, persistence, completion, and post-graduation success.
• Leverage analytics from Institutional Research and Effectiveness to inform strategies that close student performance gaps and promote undifferentiated outcomes.

Executive Supervision and Resource Management

• Directly supervise all Academic Deans and other academic administrators across the instructional pathways and programs.
• Align academic budgeting with strategic priorities, ensuring efficient allocation and effective use of resources.
• Lead academic grant development efforts and pursue funding opportunities for academic innovation and faculty development, in partnership with the College’s Foundation Office.

Community, Workforce, and Industry Engagement

• Forge and strengthen partnerships with business, industry, K-12 districts, and university partners to align academic offerings with community and labor market needs.
• Represent the academic interests of the College to local, state, and national organizations and consortia as required.

Required Qualifications

Education

Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership, Academic Discipline, or related field strongly preferred. A master’s degree with exceptional leadership experience may be considered if commitment to doctoral completion within two years is demonstrated.

Experience

• Seven-ten years in progressive academic leadership roles within higher education, preferably within a community college setting.
• Demonstrated success in faculty oversight, instructional innovation, accreditation processes, and strategic academic planning.
• Experience managing instructional programs in correctional settings and early college environments preferred.

Skills and Attributes

• Visionary leadership with a collaborative and strategic mindset.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building abilities across diverse constituencies.
• Proven commitment to inclusive, student-centered, and high-quality academic experiences.
• Proficiency in using data analytics to support academic decision-making and institutional effectiveness.