Instructional Specialist and Associate Dean Academic Affairs Graduate School

The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs serves as a member of the Graduate School's senior leadership team and provides strategic leadership for graduate academic affairs, policy development, academic quality, student success initiatives, and graduate program administration. The Associate Dean works collaboratively with the Dean, Graduate Program Directors, college leadership, faculty, students, and university stakeholders to advance the academic mission of the Graduate School and support excellence in graduate education.

The Graduate School

The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs serves as a member of the Graduate School's senior leadership team and provides strategic leadership for graduate academic affairs, policy development, academic quality, student success initiatives, and graduate program administration. The Associate Dean works collaboratively with the Dean, Graduate Program Directors, college leadership, faculty, students, and university stakeholders to advance the academic mission of the Graduate School and support excellence in graduate education.

The Associate Dean supervises one full-time professional staff member and serves as a primary resource for graduate academic policy interpretation, implementation, and assessment across the university.

• Provide leadership for the development, implementation, interpretation, and periodic review of graduate academic policies, procedures, and standards.
• Direct and advise Dean on graduate student appeals and exceptions processes including, admissions appeals, enrolled student appeals, time extensions, and other exception requests.
• Recommend policy revisions to support student success, academic excellence, and regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with university leadership, colleges, and departments to ensure consistent application of graduate policies.
• Monitor emerging issues, best practices, and national trends in graduate education and recommend appropriate responses.

• Provide oversight for graduate academic program review processes and continuous improvement efforts.
• Support academic units in the development of new graduate degrees, certificates, concentrations, and program modifications.
• Coordinate review of graduate curriculum proposals and academic program changes.
• Promote innovation and excellence in graduate education through evidence-based practices and strategic initiatives.

• Lead policy initiatives that promote graduate student retention, progression, completion, and professional development.
• Guide university-wide policy approaches to graduate academic support and student success.
• Review complex academic issues involving graduate students and recommend resolutions consistent with university policy.
• Collaborate with faculty, advisors, and administrative units to ensure student success.

• Serve as a member of the Graduate School senior leadership team.
• Represent the Graduate School on university committees, work groups, task forces, and external organizations.
• Foster productive relationships with Graduate Program Directors, department chairs, deans, faculty, and student groups.
• Provide and maintain Graduate Program Director resources, including GPD Orientation, the GPD Handbook and the Graduate Student Handbook.
• Collaborate with other Graduate School leaders on strategic planning, assessment, accreditation, and institutional initiatives.

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate one full-time professional staff member.
• Establish goals, priorities, and performance expectations for supervised personnel.
• Support the efficient administration of academic affairs functions within the Graduate School.
• Monitor workflows and implement process improvements.

• Undertake special projects and initiatives assigned by the Dean.
• Serve on university committees or represent the Graduate School at institutional and professional events.
• Perform other duties consistent with the responsibilities of an Associate Dean.

Academic master's degree or highest-level terminal degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate field of specialization or equivalent qualifications based on professional experience.

• Earned doctorate or terminal degree in an appropriate discipline from an accredited institution.
• Tenured faculty member…