Middlesex Community College (MCC) is one of the largest community colleges in the Commonwealth, employing people in full-time, part-time, faculty, professional, administrative, and support positions at campuses in both Lowell and Bedford, and online. We are focused on equity to transform lives and shape futures. MCC values equity and inclusion as the foundation for excellence, innovation, and success for our employees and students. MCC is committed to a policy of affirmative action, equal opportunity, equal education, non-discrimination, and diversity to provide a learning and working environment that values the diverse backgrounds of all students and employees. MCC strives for a faculty and staff that reflect its richly diverse community of students. Women, people of color, persons with disabilities and others are strongly encouraged to apply. Applications for employment are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, or veteran status. Middlesex Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies.The College prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual violence. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation or sexual violence shall be referred to the College's Affirmative Action and/or Title IX Coordinator, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. Prospective employees are encouraged to review the College's Annual Safety & Security Report, in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, which can be found on the disclosure page of the College's website at: https://www.middlesex.mass.edu/disclosurestatements/campsecrpt.aspx
Location: Bedford, MA Category: Full-time Staff Posted On: Wed Apr 24 2024 Job Description:
Reports to: Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs
Date: April 24, 2024
General Summary:
The college is seeking an adaptive and visionary leader, capable of guiding our institution through the evolving landscape of community college education, with a strategic approach that addresses both immediate challenges and long-term goals. Under the direction of the Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, the Dean of Liberal Arts is responsible for providing academic leadership and administrative oversight for academic programs and departments consisting of approximately 30 full-time faculty, 130 part-time faculty, and 10 staff, including: Fine and Performing Arts, Humanities, World Languages, Communication, English and Social and Behavioral Sciences. The Dean also provides leadership and oversight for the Interdisciplinary Studies Department including the innovative First Year Experience (FYE) program. In addition, the Dean serves as key administrator for the Liberal Arts and Sciences and Liberal Studies Associate degrees, managing the program review and assessment processes.
This position requires a creative, knowledgeable and positive approach to instructional supervision and strong administrative and budget management skills to support the college's strategic initiatives through this highly active academic division. The Dean exhibits initiative, enthusiasm, and teamwork accomplishing the responsibilities of the position with a commitment to diversity, inclusive excellence, and student success and will possess a deep understanding of and experience with implementing DEIB initiatives in higher education settings. A strong emphasis will be placed on the candidate's ability to identify, address, and mitigate systemic barriers to success for underrepresented groups within the college community. A commitment to creating an integrated learning environment where academic and student affairs divisions work in concert to support a diverse and dynamic student body is essential for this position.
Duties and Responsibilities
Serve as a visionary leader guiding our Liberal Arts Division through the evolving landscape of community college education, addressing immediate challenges and long-term strategic goals of the college.
Promote and develop effective partnership-building across academic and student affairs, demonstrating an understanding of how these areas can mutually enhance student outcomes.
Develop and expand work-based learning opportunities within the liberal arts curriculum, fostering partnerships with local employers and community organizations to enhance student readiness for the workforce.
Collaborate with industry leaders to align liberal arts programming with current and future workforce needs, ensuring graduates possess the critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills valued in today's job market.
Provide leadership and oversight for planning, assessment, development, and administration of the academic schedule, as well as all curriculum, programs, personnel, operations, policies, facilities, and equipment associated with the division.
Serve as key administrator for Liberal Arts and Sciences and Liberal Studies Associate Degree programs, managing program review and assessment processes.
Serve as key administrator for the Liberal Arts Pathways (Arts, Humanities, and Communication; Social Sciences).
Provide management and oversight of Interdisciplinary Studies program including First Year Experience program.
Collaborate with colleagues in student support on student success initiatives such as Supplemental Instruction.
Provide management and oversight of World Language Institute.
Ensure integrity, excellence, and ongoing development of the academic programs and disciplines within the division while responding to workforce needs and embedded work-based learning in programs.
Establish, maintain, and assess policies that provide for optimal educational practices in the division, promoting established High Impact Practices (HIPs) that are equity-centered.
Promote equity-centered and equity-minded practices [MOU1] for diverse students, faculty, staff and community members.
Provide leadership, encouragement, and supervision to non-unit, MCCC professional staff, AFSCME staff, and Chairs/Coordinators to ensure the development and implementation of institutional and divisional initiatives and policies.
Execute the academic vision of the Provost by setting a direction for the division and implementing college and divisional activities consistent with the college's mission and strategic directions.
Function as part of the Provost's leadership team, serving on the Academic Dean's Council, Academic and Student Affairs Council, Enrollment Working Group, and the Workforce Development Council.
Administer specific components of Collective Bargaining Agreements, including review of the workload for full-time faculty, evaluating faculty and department chairs, making recommendations for contract renewal, promotion, tenure, and sabbatical requests.
Determine priorities for budgetary expenditures; develop division budget and technology requests, monitor budgets and approve purchase requests.
Ensure the integration/coordination of programs and initiatives within and across academic divisions.
Provide oversight of divisional articulation agreements to ensure appropriate educational and career pathways for divisional programs.
Support dual enrollment, concurrent enrollment, and early college efforts.
Provide curriculum oversight to ensure effective transfer of courses and programs, support for MassTransfer Gen Ed Foundation, DHE A2B Transfer Pathways, as well as high school and college/university articulation agreements.
Develop and oversee grants to support divisional activities.
Collaborate with personnel of other departments and divisions to ensure effective program implementation and assessment.
Resolve student and faculty issues; collaborate with others as necessary to achieve resolution. Oversee all Faculty and Student Grievance procedures and insure adherence to college Affirmative Action policies.
Promote and maintain responsive community relations. Represent the Liberal Arts Division and college in external activities and initiatives.
Function as part of Academic and Student Affairs leadership team representing the Liberal Arts on college-wide efforts.
Perform other related duties as required
Job Requirements:
Master's degree in Liberal Arts discipline
Successful teaching experience in a Liberal Arts discipline
Commitment to the mission and philosophy of the college with a strong understanding and respect for the goals of college activities.
Leadership, planning, management, organizational and supervisory skills.
Ability to think strategically and develop relevant and realistic plans, programs, and goals for the college.
Ability to recognize college-wide priorities and work cooperatively and collaboratively to support their accomplishment.
Financial management and negotiation skills.
Ability to market programs and ideas; to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; to establish positive public relations, and to work collaboratively with people to set and achieve common goals.
Experience in curriculum development.
Ability to interpret other legal and administrative requirements related to the division.
Experience with equity-minded work and/or understanding of individuals of diverse identities such as race, ethnicity, socioeconomic level, sexual orientation, veterans, and individuals with different academic preparation levels and varying physical and learning abilities.
Preferred Qualifications:
Ph.D. preferred
Understanding of and commitment to the role of the community college in higher education.
Knowledge of cultural competency skills framework
Additional Information:
Salary Range: $119,000 - $129,000 actual salary commensurate with academic background and experience. Employees of Middlesex Community College are considered employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and receive benefits, which include:
High-quality and affordable health insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
Competitive Dental and Vision Plans
Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
Low-cost basic and optional life insurance
Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension or Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan or 403(b).
12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation, and Personal Time
Tuition Benefits for employees and dependents at state colleges and universities
Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
Cell Phone Bill Discounts with Verizon and T-Mobile Cell Phone Carriers
Access to the Commonwealth's Mass4You, employee assistance program
Free employee parking on Bedford and Lowell campuses
Eligibility towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
Location: Bedford campus with occasional travel to Lowell as needed
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, schedule to be determined upon hire. This position will be eligible for a maximum of two days of telework in accordance with the College's telework policy.
