Explore a Career with Northland Community & Technical College

The Dean of Academic Affairs is a college-wide academic and campus leader who assumes primary responsibility for the supervision and assessment of all academic programs, instructional programming, personnel, and other areas designated by the Vice President of Academic & Student Affairs (VPASA). The Dean of Academic Affairs is responsible to the VPASA and has broad accountability, within the shared governance framework, for ensuring quality instructional and academic programming. The Dean of Academic Affairs fosters, supports, and enhances a student-centered academic environment, centering Northland’s mission, vision, and strategic plan at the forefront of decision-making and is expected to engage as a collaborative member of the Academic & Student Affairs (ASA) team to maintain a positive, collegial, and productive environment.

This position is charged with promoting, enhancing, and maintaining access, enrollment, retention, academic achievement, and learner satisfaction consistent with the College’s current strategic plan, master plans, and best practices as well as promoting fiscal responsibility and accountability through transparent and collaborative programmatic budget development and assessments. This deanship’s areas of primary responsibility include the Liberal Arts, pathways (e.g. guided learning pathways, AACC’s Guided Pathways, MN Career Pathways), and concurrent enrollment programs (College in the High Schools and Post-Secondary Enrollment Options). Although housed at the Thief River Falls campus, the dean is accountable for ensuring the quality and integrity of assigned academic/career technical programming and supervising assigned faculty college-wide. This position directs applicable academic operations at the Thief River Falls campus with authority to make decisions on issues of an acute nature.

• Provide innovative instructional leadership for the College in collaboration with Deans Council

• Supervise and manage Northland’s concurrent enrollment programming.

• Supervise and evaluate instructional programs and courses in collaboration with Deans Council and the Assessment & Program Review Committee.

• Supervise and evaluate instructional personnel in assigned areas.

• Provide fiscal oversight in assigned areas.

• Provide necessary services in areas of assigned responsibility.

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with all stakeholders (e.g. students, faculty, staff, peers, community agencies, advisory committees, business and industry partners as well as secondary and higher education partners).

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree from a regionally (institutionally) accredited college or university; AND at least three years (6 semesters) of experience in educational leadership positions with progressive levels of responsibility as faculty or administrator; AND at least three years (6 semesters) of teaching experience at the post-secondary level.
• Evidence of consistent use of data to inform decision-making.
• Ability to be physically present at the Thief River Falls campus three (3) days per week and at the East Grand Forks campus two (2) days per week. This position is NOT eligible for telework.
• Demonstrated commitment to ethical behavior, honesty, and integrity.

Preferred Qualification

• Deep understanding of using data-informed assessment for continuous improvement.
• Experience working in a union environment.
• Previous experience working in a technical, community and/or comprehensive community & technical college.
• Leadership maturity and ability to apply appropriate perspective to situations that allow for creative solutions to the multitude of daily situations that arise.
• Knowledge of Higher Learning Commission policies and procedures including assessment for continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated success in building partnerships and collaborative agreements.
• Evidence of incorporating a growth mindset into previous work.

Knowledge of:

• Dual/Concurrent enrollment
• Northland’s general education program.
• Knowledge of The President’s Forum Learners First framework, AACC’s Guided Pathways as pertaining to Minnesota State College & Universities’ Guided Learning Pathways, and Minnesota Career Clusters.
• Northland’s student populations and their related issues, needs, and opportunities.

Skillsets:

• Skilled and effective use of written, verbal, and non-verbal communication.
• Problem solving to manage diverse and complex situations.
• Effectively supervise, evaluate, motivate, and develop faculty and staff.

Ability to:

• Manage conflict, change, and transformation effectively.
• Consistently follow through.
• Frequently travel between Northland locations (mainly East Grand Forks and Thief River Falls with occasional travel to Roseau and Warroad).
• Occasionally travel overnight and work non-standard hours.

Work Shift (Hours / Days of work)

M-F, Days

Telework (Yes/No)

About

Northland is a comprehensive two-year community & technical college with campuses in East Grand Forks and Thief River Falls, MN. We are united as one college to increase educational access, support student success, strengthen partnerships, and advance equity in the communities we serve.

Working together to improve the state we love.
What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
• Fertility care, including IVF
• Diabetes care
• Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance
• to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability
• insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

Other Information
Employment information for this position can be found in its collective bargaining agreement or its plan document at
http://mn.gov/mmb/employee-relations/labor-relations/Labor/.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State is an equal opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact Kari Beito at 218-683-8632 or email kari.beito@northlandcollege.edu. Please indicate what assistance is needed.

Benefits Information:

At Minnesota State, we have a GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! Our generous benefits include 11 paid Holidays, Vacation Time, Sick Time, six weeks of Paid Parental Leave, low cost medical and dental insurance with low deductibles ($150 - $1500), a Pension Plan, 457(b) and 403(b) retirement plans and other retirement investment options, pre-tax medical and dental expense (with roll-over option) and dependent care accounts, employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability, as well as professional development and a tuition waiver program for employees and their dependents, etc. We promote the health and well-being of our employees and take work/life balance seriously.

Benefits Information:

At Minnesota State, we have a GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! Our generous benefits include 11 paid Holidays, Vacation Time, Sick Time, six weeks of Paid Parental Leave, low cost medical and dental insurance with low deductibles ($250 - $1500), a Pension Plan, 457(b) and 403(b) retirement plans and other retirement investment options, pre-tax medical and dental expense (with roll-over option) and dependent care accounts, employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability, as well as professional development and a tuition waiver program for employees and their dependents, etc. We promote the health and well-being of our employees and take work/life balance seriously.

Desired Start Date:

04-09-2025