Academic Dean

Job Title:  Academic Dean and Executive Director of Academic Affairs,

Department: Academic Affairs

Reports to:  President

FLSA Status: Exempt

Prepared Date:  March 2024

The Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC) invites applications for the position of Academic Dean and Director of Academic Affairs with the position beginning January 6, 2025.

Job Details | Dean, Art Academy of Cincinnati

The Dean serves as the Chief Academic Officer and Executive Director of Academic Affairs for the Art Academy of Cincinnati and has supervision over all instructional functions and other appropriate activities. This supervisory function extends to all programmatic matters within the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including recommendations to the President and Board of Trustees regarding the hiring, evaluation, retention, direction, supervision, and termination of Full-Time Faculty members, Executive Assistant and the Registrar. The Academic Dean oversees curriculum development and degrees offered. The Academic Dean serves as the official AAC representative to the CAO group of the Greater Cincinnati Collegiate Connection (GC3), the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) and other similar organizations; and shall serve as the Accreditation Liaison to the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and the Higher Learning Commission. The Academic Dean shall prepare reports and other documentation required by the accreditation review processes, and other academic oversight processes, including institutional assessment and quality control documents, self-studies, and monitoring and progress reports. 

The Academic Dean approves budget requests, serves as a signatory for checks, approves AD budgeted check requests and manages credit card purchases for Academic Affairs. The Academic Dean represents the college at designated internal and external functions as they relate to students, the curriculum, and instructional programs. The Academic Dean represents Academic Affairs on the President’s Executive Management Team, serves on the Leadership Team, and prepares the agendas for the Board Committee on Instruction.

This position oversees student concerns related to behavior, academic progress, retention, and dissemination of academic information and policies.

The Academic Dean serves as a Conduct Officer, enforcing the standards of the Code of Student Conduct and determining the results of student grievances and complaints. The Academic Dean receives and provides a determination for all appeals and requests for expungement. In Title IX Sexual Misconduct Investigations and Hearings, they convene Conduct Panels and serve as the Title IX Decision Maker. 

The Academic Dean works directly with the Full-time Faculty, Chairs, Assessment and Curriculum Committee and Co-Chairs the Retention Committee. The Academic Dean leads the Associate Dean, Chairs and Full-Time Faculty in Strategic Planning for Curriculum, Teaching and Education. 

In this full-time administrative position as Chief Academic Officer, the Academic Dean promotes the highest possible creative and academic standards and leads the curricular units and curricular support operations effectively in matters of communication, procedures, compliance, and policy. The Academic Dean manages resources and personnel with competence, discretion, and sensitivity. 

This is a 12-month appointment with 6 weeks paid vacation and benefits.

The duties and responsibilities summarized in this description represent the principal focus and requirements of the position as of the date of preparation. Duties other than those specifically referenced may be required to accomplish the primary purpose of the position.

Qualifications

Preferred candidates arrive with a passion and enthusiasm for higher education in the arts, student success and working with a team of creative visual artists, designers, writers, teachers, administrators, and board members to provide the highest quality education, with a mission to create and sustain radical, forward-thinking, contemporary visual artists, designers and writers whose creative contributions make a substantial difference in all the lives they touch.

Qualified candidates will hold an MFA in Fine Arts, Design or Writing or a Ph.D. in Art History, Design, Arts Education or related field and a record of exhibitions and/or publications appropriate to the field. A minimum of eight years teaching experience and five years in Higher Education Arts Administration in a college of art or university art or writing department are required. Experience working with the accreditation process preferably NASAD and the Higher Learning Commission. Experience preparing and managing institutional self-studies and accreditation site visits. A working knowledge of Title IX policies and procedures is critical. The ideal candidate will have experience working closely with faculty to manage and reinvent curricula for BFA and MAAE programs, work with student and faculty issues and concerns, and manage an academic team consisting of an Associate Dean, Department Chairs, and select staff that engage in curricular affairs.

Candidates should have the ability to publicly represent the college and its programs, speaking at relevant events, presenting at internal occasions, meetings and at conferences as an AAC representative. Willing to travel to represent the college at conferences and for AAC business.

Also Preferred

Experience preparing and managing a budget. Candidates are encouraged to maintain a creative practice as balanced with duties and responsibilities of this position. Interest in teaching one to two courses per year in area of interest/expertise.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hand and arms, and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk around the campus. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

• The employee is regularly required to talk and listen.
• The employee is required to use a keyboard and see a computer screen.
• The employee is required to sit/stand for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally lift/carry, push/pull small amounts of weight.
• Work flexible hours including some nights and weekends when required.
• Occasionally travel for the position.

Program Summary

The AAC’s mission is to create and sustain radical, forward-thinking, contemporary visual artists and designers whose creative contributions make a substantial difference in all the lives they touch. The AAC, established in 1869, is an independent college of art and design. Degrees granted are the Associate of Science in Graphic Design; the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing, Design, Illustration, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Print Media, Digital Arts Animation and Sculpture; and the Master of Arts in Art Education. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Art Academy is a charter member of both NASAD and the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD). The Art Academy is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the Greater Cincinnati Collegiate Connection (GC3).

For more information, please visit www.artacademy.edu.

The AAC is committed to building a culturally diverse educational environment and encourages candidates representing diverse backgrounds to apply. The AAC is committed to policies of equal opportunity and non-discrimination based on sexual orientation, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or gender expression, age, or disability, and veteran's status, as protected by law. This includes all educational programs and activities, admission of students, advertisements, and conditions of employment. This policy is consistent with relevant governmental statutes and regulations, including those pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Application Information

To apply, please submit the following to jobs@artacademy.edu:

Subject Line – Attention: Dean Search (your last name) in PDF format unless otherwise noted.

A Letter of Interest highlighting qualifications and industry experience

Curriculum Vita

Teaching Philosophy

Statement on Inclusive Learning

20 digital images of personal creative work (if applicable)

20 digital images of student work

2-3 examples of course syllabi written by the applicant

List of three references and contact information, including email, and phone numbers

For full consideration, applications should be submitted by July 12, 2024..