At Frederick Community College, our aim is transformation through education. The skills, training, competencies, and education we provide ensure that our graduates are able to equitably participate in our society, our economy, and our democracy. The BIG goal is to help students live the lives they want to lead. The impact we make is profound and extends beyond the individuals we serve, reaching families, the larger community, the state, and the world. It all starts with having right people, in the right positions, with the right skills and abilities, doing the right things right.

The Provost and Vice President for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success (VPTLSS) is the College’s senior academic officer, reporting directly to and serving as strategic thought partner to the President. The VPTLSS is a contributing member of the College's Senior Leadership Team. This professional effectively works within a highly-collaborative, interdependent, matrix organization and is responsible for helping to cultivate a culture of inquiry and evidence resulting in deep learning at the institutional, faculty, and student levels. In partnership with the Vice President for Student Affairs, the VPTLSS:

• Provides guidance and leadership ensuring the effective, cross-functional delivery of high quality guided learning pathways that advance equitable student learning, transfer and post-graduation outcomes;
• Provides guidance and leadership related to the ongoing cultivation of teaching talent;
• Provides vision and direction in goal setting, planning, administering and evaluating guided learning pathways;
• Is responsible for policy and strategy development to advance organizational objectives and the optimal fulfillment of the College’s comprehensive mission. 

The VPTLSS models and supports others in nurturing a campus culture and climate where all employees and students, especially those whose identities have historically been marginalized, feel safe, seen, heard, and welcome.

The VPTLSS serves as a leader for long-term planning and lifecycle management of guided learning pathways, ensuring effective teaching and furthering the strategic plan, the academic master plan, and the goals and objectives of the College. This senior leader articulates a clear vision and direction for the future of teaching and learning that advance meaningful, high-quality learning experiences (across a variety of modalities) to prepare students for a fulfilling future.

The Provost and Vice President for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success is responsible for providing direct leadership, management, and supervision of the following functional teams:

• Center for Teaching and Learning
• Continuing Education and Workforce Development
• Dual Enrollment/Early College
• Health, Business, Technology and Science
• Liberal Arts
• Mid-Atlantic Center for Emergency Management & Public Safety

TEACHING AND LEARNING LEADERSHIP

• Guide the development and implementation of high-quality curriculum and innovative instructional methodology in alignment with the College’s strategic direction and priorities
• Plan and develop instructional objectives and goals consistent with the College’s mission, goals, and objectives and allocate financial and staffing resources to meet those objectives and goals
• Lead, plan, assess, and redesign critical systems that support the optimal functioning of academic units. This includes the design, delivery, and assessment of the teaching and learning process; adherence to accreditation standards; professional development for faculty (FT/PT) and staff; program review, vitality and improvement; advancement of student success; budget development, fiscal accountability; guided learning pathways development and assessment (in collaboration with the VP for Student Affairs), curriculum development; and any investments aimed at improving teaching and learning
• Use evidence (quantitative and qualitative) to plan, develop, evaluate, and revise the curricula and academic services of the institution in alignment with the College’s strategic plan
• Make recommendations regarding the recruitment, selection, assignment, evaluation, promotion, development, and compensation of employees, and other personnel actions per appropriate College policies
• Design and implement comprehensive program pathways to meet student and community needs and make recommendations on the allocation and reallocation of available (as well as the identification of possible new) resources (e.g., talent, equipment, facility, technology) to support those pathways
• Prepare an annual instructional budget including personnel, equipment, technology, and contractual expenses, and administer and control the approved budget based on a solid understanding of instructional costs
• Prepare strategic and operational plans and regularly evaluate the effectiveness of all areas under the supervision of the VPTLSS
• Supervise and evaluate direct reports and facilitate and inspire teamwork
• Ensure that employee evaluation and promotion processes are designed and managed to create equity, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Monitor and coordinate monthly Board of Trustees' agenda items specific to teaching, learning, and student success
• Develop, review, and revise policies and procedures related to the areas of teaching, learning, and student success

COLLEGE-WIDE LEADERSHIP

• Ensure an optimal educational ecosystem
• (“creating the right conditions”) among employees and students.
• Manage internal stakeholder relationships effectively, cooperatively, and tactfully.
• Lead the design, implementation, and assessment of guided learning pathways of high academic quality that meet the unique and diverse needs of students and respond to current and emerging community and workforce needs.
• Advise the President on instructional matters and priorities and make recommendations.
• for the development of institutional policies that advance organizational effectiveness and progress.
• Provide leadership in maintaining a culture of inquiry and evidence, and student-centered philosophy and focus for academic initiatives with a clear commitment to successful student outcomes including placement in an academic pathway, progression, completion, and workforce and transfer success.
• Recommend, develop, and implement academic policies, procedures, and practices which foster and promote student learning and student success.
• Provide oversight of quality and effectiveness of new and existing curricula.
• Provide leadership to ensure maximum opportunities for students to participate in vibrant and relevant instructional programs.
• Ensure decisions are assessed for student impact, continuous improvement, and the efficient use of public resources.

EXTERNAL COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

• Build and grow external stakeholder relationships effectively, cooperatively, and tactfully
• Develop and maintain a variety of professional and community relationships to ensure an awareness of current and emerging community educational needs and with government, community, school, and higher education representatives
• Serve as a member of committees and task forces internal and external to the College
• Represent the College to various external entities (e.g., Frederick County Public Schools, Maryland colleges and universities) and with outside agencies (e.g., Maryland Higher Education Commission, Maryland Association of Community Colleges) in matters relating to academic programs and services at the College
• Create and sustain productive relationships between the College and Frederick County Public Schools and between the College and Maryland universities and colleges
• Pursue strategic partnerships, creative funding, and grant opportunities that enhance student learning, faculty and staff development, and support of programs
• Other duties as assigned by the President

In addition to the roles and responsibilities highlighted above, the Provost and Vice President for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success will have the opportunity to lead the College in addressing the following challenges and opportunities:

• Recently the State of Maryland passed the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, statewide legislation aimed at transforming public education in Maryland into a world-class education system. Pursuant to this legislation, the next Provost will have the opportunity to identify and develop new initiatives related to K-12 teacher preparation, college/career readiness and career and technical education pathways for high school students, among other areas.
• In recent years FCC has been fortunate to witness tremendous growth in its dual enrollment program, which now represents a large subset of the total credits taught. The Provost will have the opportunity to work on shoring up the infrastructure to support the dual enrollment program, and advance the program’s future.
• FCC values the transparency, collaboration, and inclusivity of shared governance. Recognizing that shared governance is an ongoing project, the next Provost will have the opportunity to continue the work of collaborative, inclusive, and transparent decision-making at the College.
• The next Provost will have the opportunity to lead the College’s effort to formally implement Guided Pathways at scale across the academic and student affairs operations.
• The academic enterprise at FCC is unusually complex among institutions of its kind, including both credit and non-credit offerings, a main campus in addition to the Monroe Center, which houses many workforce training programs in a separate location, and coursework offered through a variety
• of delivery modalities. The next Provost will have the opportunity to ensure consistency across the academic enterprise, including the development and implementation of a comprehensive model for an exceptional and seamless student educational experience.    
• FCC is committed to addressing critical opportunity gaps. The next Provost will have the opportunity to develop new academic systems and structures that impact the student educational experience, including leading efforts to embed culturally responsive/adaptive teaching practices and support into the curriculum.
• FCC is currently engaged in the development of a new, ten-year educational facilities master plan. The next Provost will have the opportunity to evaluate the current space utilization and ensure that the new plan meets the needs of both current and anticipated future academic programming.
• FCC currently has an established academic master plan, “The Future Is Here,” which is scheduled to run through 2025. While this plan will continue to provide guidance to the academic enterprise, it is a living document and the Provost will have the opportunity to assess the current alignment of programming toward the goals of the master plan and make adjustments or recommendations.
• FCC engages a large and valued cohort of adjunct faculty. The next Provost will have the opportunity to ensure that appropriate support programs are available for adjunct faculty, as well as implementing evaluation and professional development systems.
• The academic enterprise at FCC collaboratively creates a vision and leads the development and implementation of a plan to optimize non-credit/workforce development/corporate services programming through expanded business/industry partnerships.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. An earned doctorate degree appropriate to the candidate's field from an accredited institution
2. Teaching experience in higher education
3. A record of education leadership in substantive administrative roles with increasing responsibility and complexity

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Demonstrated experience in the planning and implementation of instructional programs (credit and non-credit), workforce development, academic support services, and course and program assessment, adapted to the needs of 21st-century learners
2. Demonstrated experience in successful strategic enrollment planning based upon solid knowledge of information research that includes demographic and labor market analysis and industry growth projections at the local, regional, state, and national levels, as well as strategic goal setting, monitoring, reporting and assessment
3. Background and successful experience in planning and implementing effective programs with high schools (e.g., dual enrollment or Early College programs), with employers for work-related opportunities, with universities for transfer programs, and with cross-college initiatives, such as Guided Pathways and Achieving the Dream
4. Proven success in promoting innovative practices, professional development, student success, grant acquisition and management, community relations, student recruitment and retention, and cultivating an environment of inclusion and equitable outcomes
5. Demonstrated ability to lead multiple units and people to work together successfully, within a system of shared governance, with a leadership style that fosters collaboration, respect, and teambuilding.
6. Demonstrated commitment to integrative management and systems thinking, especially with cross-college initiatives such as Guided Pathways and Achieving the Dream and implementing cross-organizational initiatives such as The Blueprint for Maryland and Transfer for Success
7. At least five (5) years of financial, personnel management, institutional assessment, and budget development experience that reflects the teaching, learning, and student success priorities of the College
8. Demonstrated cultural competency, including successful experience working with diverse groups

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

1. The successful candidate will energetically and actively engage as a creative and productive member of a high-performance executive team that fosters high aspirations within a campus culture where disciplined thought regarding external (and sometimes harsh) realities facing the College is routine and standard, and where disciplined action is taken based on those realities; the truth is actively solicited and heard; failure is a normal and expected part of the learning process and is thoughtfully examined in a manner that does not cast blame but unearths new information and provides insight, and is an accelerant for growth, innovation, and the quest toward excellence.
2. The successful candidate will have a proven record of success in navigating change, uncertainty, and ambiguity; facilitating progress and continuous improvement; and creating programs and services that prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world, based upon a keen understanding of current and emerging trends and issues shaping the world and their implications for higher education.
3. Understanding that the quality of an institution is based upon the talent of its people, the successful candidate will have a positive record of attracting and developing top talent, ensuring their proper placement within the organization, and providing ongoing mentorship, guidance, and support for their professional development.

The anticipated start date for this position is July 1, 2023. Applications should be submitted as PDF documents and should consist of a substantive cover letter, a CV, and a list of five professional references with full contact information. No references will be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate.

Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted electronically, and in confidence, to [email protected] The position is open until filled but only applications received by March 29, 2023, will be assured full consideration.

The College is being assisted by Academic Search. Confidential discussions about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting Senior Consultant Jean Floten at [email protected] or Eric Richtmyer at [email protected] or by phone at 202.332.4049. 

Academic Search is assisting Frederick Community College in this work. For more than four decades, Academic Search has offered executive search services to higher education institutions, associations, and related organizations.

Academic Search was founded by higher education leaders on the principle that we provide the most value to partner institutions by combining best practices with our deep knowledge and experience.

Our mission today is to enhance institutional capacity by providing outstanding executive recruitment services, executive coaching, and transition support, in partnership with our parent organization, the American Academic Leadership Institute. 

For more information, visit www.academicsearch.org.

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