Senior AVP, Online Learning & Academic Innovation

Central Michigan University; Mount Pleasant (MI); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Michigan University is seeking an Associate Vice President for CMU Online to lead the growth and oversight of online, hybrid, and off-campus programs. The AVP collaborates with faculty, colleges, and university leaders to expand credit and noncredit offerings, prior learning, and workforce-aligned initiatives, while advancing accessibility and student-centered learning across CMU Online.

Reporting to the vice president of CMU Online, the AVP will foster strategic partnerships, manage

Qualifications

• Terminal degree from a regionally accredited institution.
• Five years of progressively advanced leadership experience in higher education or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience building and sustaining partnerships with academic leaders, faculty, administrators, and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success leading strategic initiatives, organizational change, and cross-functional collaboration within complex organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to ensuring that all members of the university community can thrive.
• Demonstrated understanding of best practices in pedagogical and instruction in online and post-traditional higher education.
• Knowledge of emerging trends, technologies, and practices related to online learning, and workforce-aligned programming in higher education.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, assess operational effectiveness, and support strategic decision-making.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and executive presentation skills, with the ability to effectively represent the university at state, regional, and national levels.

Responsibilities

• Provides executive leadership for the strategic growth, development, and oversight of credit, noncredit, and alternative academic programming across face-to-face, hybrid, and online modalities within CMU Online.
• Oversees the administration and expansion of undergraduate, graduate, certificate, professional development, micro-credential, digital badge, and alternative pathway programs, including stackable and certification-to-credit initiatives.
• Supports the vice president of CMU Online in representing the university at state, national, and international levels on matters related to online learning, innovation, and distance education.
• Provides leadership in the interpretation, implementation, and continuous improvement of academic programming policies, procedures, and operational practices related to online and continuing education.
• Serves as a collaborative leader within the university’s curricular and shared governance processes through active participation on institutional committees and councils.
• Develops and support strategies to increase enrollment, retention, persistence, and graduation outcomes.
• Collaborates with academic and administrative units to improve the student experience.
• Analyses enrollment trends, market demands, and student success data to inform decision-making.
• Advances initiatives focused on adult learners, online education, transfer students, and workforce-aligned programming.
• Provides strategic oversight of the Prior Learning Assessment, Fire Up Forward dual enrollment activities, and Central Bound dual-admission/co-enrollment transfer program.
• Leads the development and coordination of curricular materials and program proposals for internal review and external stakeholder engagement.
• Fosters strong partnerships with academic colleges, departments, and program directors to advance innovative delivery models and alternative credentialing opportunities.
• Utilizes data analytics and assessment practices to evaluate effectiveness and guide strategic decisions.
• Prepares reports, presentations, and recommendations for senior leadership, governing boards, and external stakeholders.
• Monitors key performance indicators related to enrollment, operations, finances, and student outcomes. Supports the vice president in representing CMU Online in university related events, ceremonial engagements, and activities.
• Collaborates across the university to strengthen academic programming, student success initiatives, faculty support, and operational effectiveness within online and distance education.
• Cultivates and expands partnerships with external stakeholders to support workforce alignment and program growth.
• Develops and/or strengthens external partnerships with alumni, businesses, government, and service organizations, along with other internal and external constituents.
• Collaborates in the development of new and innovative support services for off-campus students in online learning.
• Responsible for setting the academic calendar for professional development for faculty, staff, and students related to innovation, student engagement, and online learning in collaboration with CMU Online’s management team.
• Establishes and assesses operational goals, performance measures, and service standards.
• Promotes process improvement, operational efficiency, and data-informed decision-making.
• Ensures compliance with university policies, accreditation standards, and state/federal regulations.
• Provides administrative leadership and operational oversight for the academic unit within CMU Online, including program effectiveness, assessment, and performance outcomes.
• Supports CMU Online’s strategic marketing, outreach, operational planning, and continuous process improvement initiatives.
• Fosters a culture of innovation, collaboration, and student-centered excellence across the university community.
• Performs additional duties and strategic initiatives as assigned by the vice president.

Skills

Leadership experience

Partnership development

Strategic planning

Data analysis

Executive communication

Online learning knowledge

Education

Terminal degree (regionally accredited)

Tools

LMS technologies

Job description

Central Michigan University is seeking an Associate Vice President for CMU Online to lead the growth and oversight of online, hybrid, and off-campus programs. The AVP collaborates with faculty, colleges, and university leaders to expand credit and noncredit offerings, prior learning, and workforce-aligned initiatives, while advancing accessibility and student-centered learning across CMU Online.

Reporting to the vice president of CMU Online, the AVP will foster strategic partnerships, manage