Vice President of Academic Affairs

The Vice President of Academic Affairs serves as the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) and is responsible for advancing teaching, learning, and student success across the College. The CAO will champion academic excellence, equitable student outcomes, and innovative partnerships that prepare learners for both career and transfer success. The CAO works collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, employers, and community partners to ensure that programs are student-centered, data-informed, and responsive to the region’s educational and workforce needs.

Essential Functions

Student Success and Equity

• Leading a culture of teaching and learning excellence that prioritizes student success, equity, and upward mobility.
• Using evidence-based strategies to close equity gaps and improve retention, completion, and transfer outcomes.
• Ensuring curriculum and pedagogy reflect inclusive practices and support diverse learners.

Academic Leadership

• Providing vision and oversight for all credit/non-credit instructional programs and academic support services, including implementation of the Academic Master Plan.
• Supporting innovation in program design, including micro-credentials.
• Partnering with faculty to strengthen pedagogy, assessment, and program review processes and to pursue grants that support the goals of the division.
• Championing digital learning, high-impact practices, and integration of technology to enhance student learning.

Community and Workforce Partnerships

• Collaborating with employers, K–12 districts, universities, and community organizations to align programs with labor market needs and transfer pathways.
• Working with internal and external stakeholders to design workforce pathways that combine academic rigor with career relevance.
• Fostering a culture of shared responsibility for regional economic mobility.

Institutional Effectiveness

• Using data, research, and labor market intelligence to drive decision-making and resource allocation.
• Collaborating with the Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Division to ensure seamless academic and support services.
• Leading accreditation, compliance, and continuous improvement efforts.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Serving as a member of the President’s Executive Cabinet, contributing to strategic planning, policy development, and resource management.
• Providing mentorship and professional development opportunities for faculty, staff, and academic leaders.
• Building a collaborative, transparent, and innovative culture rooted in shared governance across the institution.

Required Qualifications:

·       Master’s degree required in educational leadership, or in other general education/ program-related fields. 

·       Seven to ten years in academic leadership at community college or higher education level

·       Successful record of progressive experience in positions of increasing responsibility and leadership in higher education.

·       Experience working effectively within academic shared governance and collective bargaining

·       Demonstrated success in advancing student success, equity and completion

·       Strong knowledge of curriculum development, assessment and accreditation standards

·       Experience in building partnerships with employers, universities and community organizations

Preferred Qualifications

·       Doctorate or terminal degree

·       Teaching experience in a community college

Starting Salary: $155,000 - $165,000

Include three (3) professional references (including names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses). References will not be contacted without prior permission of the candidate. Employment at the College may be subject to the favorable result of a background investigation. Official transcripts will be required upon employment. Foreign transcripts which are not accompanied by an evaluation from an approved agency may not be reviewed.  Applicants may contact NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluating Service) at www.naces.org to obtain a list of members providing this service. Any expenses incurred for this service must be borne by the applicant. Foreign transcript translations by applicant or educational institution are not acceptable.      

Submit Resumes to: https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=rockcc&ccId=19000101_000001&type=MP

Application Deadline:  Search will remain open until candidate is selected however, to ensure consideration resumes should be received by November 3, 2025.

AA/EEO