About this role
Summary
The Part-Time Associate Dean ensures academic excellence by scanning professional standards and improving curricula, teaching effectiveness, and student success. The role aligns program delivery with the university’s mission, core values, and educational purposes.
Minimum Qualifications
• Education: Master’s degree in the field/teaching area required; earned doctorate preferred.
• Experience:
• 3+ years of professional experience in curriculum development or program oversight.
• 3+ years of successful post-secondary teaching experience.
• Preferred: Online teaching and course development experience.
• Certifications: Industry certifications relevant to the field are preferred.
Skills and Attributes
• Strategic leadership, management, and cross-functional team collaboration.
• Deep knowledge of instructional design, curriculum development, and NAU curricula.
• Strong student-centered dedication and ability to mentor faculty and staff.
• Active involvement with local, regional, and national professional organizations.
Essential Functions
1. Human Resources & Faculty Oversight
• Talent Management: Recruit, hire, orient, and train faculty; ensure all assigned faculty hold appropriate teaching credentials.
• Performance Management: Conduct faculty evaluations (new hires in the first quarter; others biannually); monitor instructional performance and university policy compliance.
• Development: Communicate academic standards and facilitate system-wide faculty development training.
2. Administrative & Academic Leadership
• Program Quality: Oversee curriculum integrity via performance-based learning; maintain a quarterly "instructional contribution" (teaching 4.5 credits or updating/developing courses).
• Assessment & Accreditation: Lead program reviews, accreditation self-studies, and CAP committee meetings. Develop data-driven methods to measure student outcomes.
• External Engagement: Coordinate Program Advisory Councils and foster stakeholder links for internships and curricular relevance.
• Operational Governance: Manage online course schedules, textbook recommendations, and library resources; serve on assigned university committees.
3. Student Success
• Retention: Monitor student/faculty contact and address concerns to maintain high retention rates.
• Grievances: Coordinate and resolve student academic or grade grievances according to university guidelines.
• Career Placement: Facilitate processes that ensure effective job placement and career awareness.
Requirements & Classification
Required Work Hours
• Up to 15 hours per month. Requires a flexible combination of day, evening, and weekend hours to meet synchronous and asynchronous needs.
Physical & Technical Requirements
• Communication & Collaboration: Must be able to exchange accurate information during synchronous video meetings and asynchronous digital correspondence.
• Digital Proficiency: Ability to navigate complex software, Learning Management Systems, and online databases for extended periods.
• Visual/Cognitive Processing: Ability to review and evaluate academic content and data in various digital formats.
• Remote Environment: Access to a private, quiet workspace with reliable high-speed internet.
• Mobility: Occasional movement within an office setting or during travel; ability to transport materials (up to 10 lbs.) for meetings or presentations.
• Reasonable Accommodations: The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable the performance of essential job functions.
Travel & Classification
• Travel: Periodic travel, including airline travel and overnight stays, may be required.
• FLSA: Exempt | IPEDS:
• Supervision: Reports to the designated Dean; provides direct supervision to faculty.