Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs

University of South Carolina; Lancaster (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

University of South Carolina Lancaster in Lancaster, South Carolina seeks an Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs to lead strategic planning across academic and student services. The role oversees curriculum quality, assessment, and faculty leadership, aligning classroom and online offerings with campus priorities.

The position emphasizes collaboration, transparent communication, and stakeholder engagement to foster student success and institutional effectiveness at USC Lancaster.

Qualifications

• Earned doctorate from an accredited university.
• Substantial record of progressively responsible leadership that includes high-level administrative or managerial experience, and advanced knowledge of higher education processes, policies, and procedures.
• Achievement in the criteria required for a faculty appointment with tenure and rank.
• Experience with accreditation agencies and bodies.
• Demonstrated record of sound financial management.
• Proven ability to develop and foster good relationships with internal campus stakeholders and external audiences such as local, state, and national agencies, officials, and donors.
• Demonstrated experience fostering a collaborative and constructive work environment through open communication, positive team building, and effective relationship management.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the development, implementation, and continuous quality improvement of an innovative curriculum.
• Implement and assess an innovative and coherent strategic plan for the campus' academic and student affairs programs.
• Coordinate with faculty and academic and student affairs staff to ensure quality, continuity of innovation, and integrity in academic and student issues.
• Oversee the quality of instruction and course content of all academic programs in the classroom and online.
• Ensure academic and student affairs compliance with SACSCOC and University policies and procedures.
• Create a culture that values a team-based and collaborative approach to supporting students.
• Stay informed about emerging academic trends that may influence future educational offerings.
• Oversee processes in academic and student records, including contracts for faculty.
• Serve as direct supervisor of the Registrar, Division Chairs, Executive Director of Enrollment Management, Director of Student Success and Retention, Director of the Medford Library, Director of TRIO Programs, Director of Educational Partnerships, Director of Student Life, Director of Corporate and Community Outreach, and Academic Affairs support staff.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations of all full-time staff direct reports.
• Work with USC Columbia academic departments to secure approval for faculty to teach selected courses.
• Plan course schedules and final exam schedules in consultation with Division Chairs and the Registrar.
• Supervise academic division and faculty travel budgets.
• Coordinate reports related to review of academic programs, including Assessment, Blueprint, and Institutional Effectiveness.
• Coordinate reports related to academic program modifications, including new academic sites.
• Serve as a facilitator to resolve conflicts between students and faculty in consultation with Division Chairs and the Grievance Committee.
• Serve on various faculty and administrative committees and collaborate with system Academic Deans on Palmetto College degree issues.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Consensus building

Participatory management

Strategic planning

Education

Doctorate

Administrative experience

Tenure criteria expertise

Accreditation experience

Financial management

Stakeholder relations

Collaborative work environment

Job description

The Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs is responsible for strategic and long-term planning for all aspects of academic and student affairs for USC Lancaster, located in Lancaster, South Carolina. The Associate Dean oversees academic curriculum, assessment, and evaluation of the curriculum, provides leadership to the faculty, manages the processes through which teaching is conducted, and administers all aspects of Student Affairs, including creating a robust student life strategy specific to student needs. Candidates must be collegial and demonstrate outstanding skills in communication, consensus building, and participatory management.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the development, implementation, and continuous quality improvement of an innovative curriculum.
• Implement and assess an innovative and coherent strategic plan for the campus' academic and student affairs programs.
• Coordinate with faculty and academic and student affairs staff to ensure quality, continuity of innovation, and integrity in academic and student issues.
• Oversee the quality of instruction and course content of all academic programs in the classroom and online.
• Ensure academic and student affairs compliance with SACSCOC and University policies and procedures.
• Create a culture that values a team-based and collaborative approach to supporting students.
• Stay informed about emerging academic trends that may influence future educational offerings.
• Oversee processes in academic and student records, including contracts for faculty.
• Serve as direct supervisor of the Registrar, Division Chairs, Executive Director of Enrollment Management, Director of Student Success and Retention, Director of the Medford Library, Director of TRIO Programs, Director of Educational Partnerships, Director of Student Life, Director of Corporate and Community Outreach, and Academic Affairs support staff.
• Conduct annual performance evaluations of all full-time staff direct reports.
• Work with USC Columbia academic departments to secure approval for faculty to teach selected courses.
• Plan course schedules and final exam schedules in consultation with Division Chairs and the Registrar.
• Supervise academic division and faculty travel budgets.
• Coordinate reports related to review of academic programs, including Assessment, Blueprint, and Institutional Effectiveness.
• Coordinate reports related to academic program modifications, including new academic sites.
• Serve as a facilitator to resolve conflicts between students and faculty in consultation with Division Chairs and the Grievance Committee.
• Serve on various faculty and administrative committees and collaborate with system Academic Deans on Palmetto College degree issues.

Required Education and Experience

• Earned doctorate from an accredited university.
• Substantial record of progressively responsible leadership that includes high-level administrative or managerial experience, and advanced knowledge of higher education processes, policies, and procedures.
• Achievement in the criteria required for a faculty appointment with tenure and rank.
• Experience with accreditation agencies and bodies.
• Demonstrated record of sound financial management.
• Proven ability to develop and foster good relationships with internal campus stakeholders and external audiences such as local, state, and national agencies, officials, and donors.
• Demonstrated experience fostering a collaborative and constructive work environment through open communication, positive team building, and effective relationship management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with developing, coordinating, and delivering distance education programs.
• Experience with high school dual enrollment programs.
• Experience with student learning and/or academic program assessment.

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.