Provost/ Chief Academic Officer

Description Position Summary

As the executive leader of the Academics Division of Jackson College, the Provost is responsible for developing, advancing, and ensuring the quality and vibrancy of Jackson College's academic vision, educational programs, accreditation, faculty work, and improved learning outcomes. The Provost partners with the President and the President's Leadership Council, as well as the Academic Council, to align the College's strategic agenda with academic master planning, policy development, and operational and instructional effectiveness, and student completion, while also providing executive oversight in the absence of the President and Chief of Staff. The Provost/CAO reports directly to the College President and is a member of the President's Cabinet and the College's Leadership Council, and Academic Council.

Essential Functions 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.

Minimum Qualifications 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.

Work Environment The work environment is dynamic, requiring adaptability, discretion, and executive presence. Travel and extended hours are required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to support qualified individuals with disabilities.

"This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required and shall not be construed as declaring the specific duties and responsibilities. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his or her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty."

Supplemental Information
Jackson College only accepts on-line applications though this system. For assistance with this, please call .

Please use your legal first and last names on your application. If you are hired you will have the opportunity to identify and utilize your preferred name.

The Jackson College Nepotism policy prohibits hiring of a relative or someone with a familial relationship to work in the same instructional department, office or administrative unit of the College including spouse, child, stepchild, parent, stepparent or sibling of the employee or spouse, aunt, uncle, niece/nephew, grandparent, grandchild, and members of the same household including domestic partner.

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess (even if you are repeating it from your resume or cover letter). For instance, do not say, "See Resume or C/V." Your resume, cover letter that includes your salary requirements and an unofficial transcript for the degree required must be attached to your application. Applications will be rejected if incomplete. When you apply for the position, you will get to the document upload area where you will be given an opportunity to attach your documents such as your resume/vita, transcripts, etc. Instructions will also be found there.

The College reserves the right to request proof of degree or certification at a later date, if these documents are required as part of the qualifications for the position.

Final candidates will be subject to a criminal background as part of the employment process.

If selected you will be required to complete the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, Employment Eligibility Verification form I-9 and provide documentation verifying identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Jackson College is NOT able to support Visa applications for employment at the college. Applicants must already be eligible to work in the United States to be considered.

Applicants with disabilities may request accommodation to complete the application and interview process. Please notify Human Resources at least three (3) working days prior to the date of need.

A copy of Jackson College's Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report is available on the JC Campus Safety & Security website. The security report contains crime statistics for the previous three years for all of our campus locations and the annual fire safety report . click apply for full job details