Assistant Vice President for Digital Learning Innovation & Lifelong Credentialing

Texas Southern University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Southern University seeks an Assistant Vice President for Digital Learning Innovation & Lifelong Credentialing to guide online and lifelong learning, instructional technology, and academic innovation. Reporting to the Provost, the AVP leads the digital education ecosystem and strategic initiatives across online and hybrid programs.

The role oversees credentialing, continuing education, and partnerships with industry, and requires visionary leadership, collaboration across units, and a

Qualifications

• Significant progressive leadership experience in higher education, including online/digital learning.
• Experience developing continuing education, workforce development, or credentialing programs.
• Knowledge of accreditation standards, distance education compliance, and regulatory requirements.
• Budget development and fiscal management experience.
• Strong verbal and written communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the University’s strategic vision for digital learning, online education, instructional technology, continuing education, and lifelong learning.
• Lead initiatives that advance academic innovation and technology-enabled teaching and learning.
• Advise the Provost on trends in higher education, AI, digital transformation, workforce development, and educational innovation.
• Establish measurable goals to improve online enrollment, retention, graduation rates, and learner satisfaction.
• Oversee lifelong credentialing initiatives and partnerships with corporate training providers.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Budget management

Verbal and written communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem-solving

Data-informed decision-making

Project planning

Education

Terminal degree

Tools

LMS (Learning Management System)

Banner

Office software

Job description

Security Sensitive Position?:

Yes

Hours of Work:

$149,820.22 - $239,712.35

Posting Number:

TSU203776

Official TSU Title:

Assistant Vice President for Digital Learning Innovation & Lifelong Credentialing

Grant Title:

N/A

Job Description Summary / TWC Summary:

JOB SUMMARY:

The Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Digital Learning Innovation and Lifelong Credentialing serves as Texas Southern University’s academic leader for online and lifelong learning, instructional technology, and academic innovation. Reporting directly to the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the AVP provides visionary leadership to advance the University’s digital education ecosystem, expand lifelong learning opportunities, and develop workforce-aligned, future-focused academic pathways that drive student success.
The Assistant Vice President provides strategic oversight of digital learning innovation and lifelong credentialing, encompassing continuing education pathways and stackable credentials. In this role, the AVP builds a seamless educational continuum that serves online and traditional students, adult learners, working professionals, corporate partners, military-affiliated students, and community learners alike, delivered through online and hybrid course design, prior learning assessment, competency-based education, and employer and community partnerships.
As a member of the Provost’s Executive Leadership Team, the AVP collaborates closely with academic deans, faculty, student affairs, enrollment management, information technology, institutional research, and external partners to advance academic innovation, strengthen enrollment and persistence, and position the University as a regional and national leader in digital education, lifelong credentialing, and workforce development.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

• Visionary, forward-thinking leadership
• Proven ability to serve as a change agent within complex organizations
• Strong collaboration, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams
• Skilled at engaging and building consensus among diverse stakeholders
• Deep knowledge of workforce demand, credentialing trends, and labor market alignment
• Strong understanding of accreditation standards, regulatory compliance, and online/digital education best practices

Essential Duties Summary:

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the University’s strategic vision for digital learning, online education, instructional technology, continuing education, and lifelong learning.
• Lead institutional initiatives that advance academic innovation, instructional excellence, and technology-enabled teaching and learning.
• Advise the Provost on emerging trends in higher education, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, workforce development, and educational innovation.
• Establish measurable institutional goals that improve online enrollment, retention, graduation rates, instructional quality, and learner satisfaction.
• Foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, assessment, and continuous improvement across all assigned units.

Digital Learning Innovation

• Provide executive oversight for all online, hybrid, and technology-enhanced academic programs.
• Develop institutional standards for online and hybrid course design using nationally recognized quality frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with accreditation requirements, federal and state regulations, accessibility standards, and distance education policies.
• Lead faculty development initiatives focused on innovative pedagogy, instructional design, artificial intelligence, learning analytics, and educational technologies.
• Oversee instructional designers, learning management system administration, instructional support services, and digital learning resources.
• Lead institutional adoption of emerging educational technologies, including artificial intelligence, virtual learning, adaptive learning systems, immersive technologies, and digital credentialing.
• Develop strategic technology initiatives that improve teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes.
• Collaborate with Information Technology to ensure effective implementation of instructional technologies and digital learning assets.
• Utilize data analytics to evaluate instructional effectiveness and student success initiatives.
• Promote excellence in student engagement and success within online learning environments.

Lifelong Credentialing

• Direct all lifelong credentialing initiatives, including continuing education, workforce development, certificates, executive education, and non-credit programming.
• Develop professional education pathways aligned with regional workforce needs and emerging industries.
• Collaborate with deans to expand corporate training partnerships with business, healthcare, government, nonprofit, and industry partners.
• Develop stackable credentials, digital badges, micro-credentials, and professional certificates that support lifelong credentialing.
• Identify new revenue-generating educational opportunities that diversify institutional resources.
• Promote educational access for stop-outs, adult learners, alumni, military veterans, and community members.
• Collaborate with academic colleges to create innovative workforce-aligned degree pathways, certificates, minors, and experiential learning opportunities.
• Promote research, innovation, entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and workforce readiness through collaboration.
• Advance partnerships that connect experiential learning with economic development and community impact.

Enrollment Growth and Student Success

• Develop innovative academic delivery models that improve student access and degree completion.
• Utilize predictive analytics to improve retention and student engagement.
• Support flexible scheduling, accelerated programs, competence-based education, and prior learning assessment initiatives.
• Partner with online programs and enrollment management to expand online enrollment and increase adult learner recruitment.

External Partnerships

• Pursue grants and external funding opportunities that support educational innovation and workforce initiatives.
• Represent the University in regional, state, and national organizations related to digital learning, continuing education, and academic innovation.
• Strengthen partnerships that enhance internships, apprenticeships, and career-connected learning.
• Build strategic relationships with corporations, government agencies, school districts, community colleges, nonprofit organizations, healthcare systems, and industry partners.

Administration and Fiscal Management

• Develop and administer operating and auxiliary budgets for assigned units.
• Allocate resources strategically to maximize institutional effectiveness and return on investment.
• Establish performance metrics and assessment plans that demonstrate institutional effectiveness.
• Ensure compliance with university policies, accreditation standards, state regulations, and federal requirements.
• This role comes with a faculty appointment.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

% FTE:

1.0

Hiring Range:

$149,820.22 - $194,766.28

Education:

Terminal degree required.

Required Licensing/Certification:

ACUE (Association of College and University Educators) certification, or willingness to obtain within a specified period of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing higher education, including accreditation and distance education compliance.
• Institutional policies, procedures, and academic governance structures.
• Learning management systems, Banner, and related enterprise and instructional software.
• Supervisory and personnel management practices.
• Microsoft Office Professional or similar applications.

Skill in:

• Problem-solving and data-informed decision-making.
• Multitasking, prioritization, and time management.
• Strategic planning and organizational leadership.
• Budget development and fiscal management.
• Coordinating and leading the work of cross-functional teams.
• Project planning and execution.
• Verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Prepare detailed reports and strategic recommendations for executive leadership.
• Work independently and exercise sound judgment in ambiguous or evolving situations.
• Communicate effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.

Work Experience:

• Significant progressive leadership experience in higher education, including online/digital learning, continuing education, or academic administration.
• Ability to maintain the security or integrity of critical infrastructure, which may include communications systems, computer networks and systems, cybersecurity systems, electrical grid, hazardous waste treatment, or water treatment systems.

Preferred:

• Experience in online/digital education administration at the executive or senior-leadership level.
• Experience developing or overseeing continuing education, workforce development, or credentialing programs.

Working/Environmental Conditions:

• Limited standing and/or walking.
• Handling light weight objects.
• Using or carrying equipment.
• Occasional stooping, bending or lifting.

UA EEO Statement:

It is the policy of Texas Southern University to provide a work environment that is free from discrimination for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, individuals with disability, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its programs, activities, admissions or employment policies. This policy of equal opportunity is strictly observed in all University employment-related activities such as advertising, recruiting, interviewing, testing, employment training, compensation, promotion, termination, and employment benefits. This policy expressly prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, genetic history, national origin, individuals with disability, age, citizenship status, or protected veteran status. This policy shall be adhered to in accordance with the provisions of all applicable federal, state and local laws, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
Manual of Administrative Policies and Procedures

Close Date:

09/10/2026

Open Until Filled (overrides close field) :

No

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Open to all applicants.