The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs serves as the Dean’s primary designee for the administration, operation, and oversight of undergraduate and graduate education in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). The role represents CAS in matters related to the University curriculum and ensures compliance with College, University, and SUNY academic policies.
This position oversees course scheduling and capacity to ensure student success and fiscal responsibility; collaborates on strategic management of the UB Curriculum; and advances priorities related to student success, retention, and persistence to graduation. Four senior professional staff, including the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education, the Director of Online Learning, Assessment and Special Programs, the Assistant Dean for Student Success and Advising and the Assistant Dean for Graduate Enrollment report to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
A. Curriculum Management (~40%)
- Supervise:
- Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education (course management and scheduling; Undergraduate Curriculum Committee; UBC foundations course capacity)
- Director of Online Learning, Assessment and Special Programs (learning outcomes assessment with CATT; LMS support; program review support)
- Strategically lead meetings with Directors of Undergraduate and Graduate Studies; ensure consistent communication of policies and initiatives; elevate issues to Sector Associate Deans and the Dean.
- Partner with the Dean of Undergraduate Education; represent CAS on undergraduate matters (curriculum, micro-credentials, gateway courses, SUNY policy).
- Ensure strategic management of the UB Curriculum (UBC) with Sector ADs and the Dean of Undergraduate Education; liaise with the UBC Director; serve on the UBC Steering Committee.
- Represent the Dean’s Office on the CAS Curriculum Committee (CASCC); communicate relevant matters to the UG AD Council.
- Guide new course and program development with Sector ADs; ensure compliance with UB and SUNY requirements; shepherd proposals through approval processes.
- Oversee Graduate Division subcommittee on new courses, degree proposals, and Graduate Faculty nominations/revisions.
- Serve as primary contact for:
- Combined degree implementation (with referral to Sector ADs as appropriate)
- Cross-unit curriculum coordination and duplication review
- Participate in Associate Deans Councils and ad hoc university committees; contribute to policy development and disseminate information.
B. Enrollment Management, Student Success, and Retention (~25%)
- Oversee the Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education in:
- Course scheduling and review
- New Student Registration (university-wide)
- Registrar coordination
- Lead CAS-wide undergraduate and graduate retention initiatives, with emphasis on first-year progression.
- Collaborate with the Assistant Dean for Graduate Enrollment to develop fellowship proposals (Presidential, Schomburg).
- Oversee tracking of graduate success metrics (time-to-degree, completion rates, outcomes, diversity) in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
- Partner with the Dean and Sector ADs to develop and manage strategy for TA/RA/GA allocations and graduate funding (including fellowships), primarily through supervision of the Assistant Dean for Graduate Enrollment.
C. Advising and Student Services (~25%)
- Provide strategic leadership for integrated advising and experiential learning functions.
- Supervise the Assistant Dean for Student Success and Advising, including:
- Student communication about majors and services
- Deployment of advising systems to support enrollment
- Collaborate on assessment of advising effectiveness using metrics and stakeholder feedback.
- Oversee academic grievance processes (undergraduate and graduate), including complex cases, escalations, and grade change adjudication; coordinate with other decanal units as needed.
- Oversee professional staff managing CAS scholarships, nominations, and Academic Works processes.
D. Experiential Learning (~10%)
- Provide strategic direction for the expansion of experiential learning across CAS.
- Maintain oversight of the Assistant Director of Experiential Learning (reporting line through the Assistant Dean for Student Success and Advising).
Tenured faculty member in the College of Arts and Sciences. Commitment to serve at least one three-year term.
- Tenured CAS faculty member; preference for Full Professor.
- Preference given to those with significant administrative experience (e.g., department chair, DUS, DGS, or equivalent), including supervision of professional staff.
Demonstrated strengths in:
- Communication and collaboration
- Managing complex and difficult conversations
- Consensus-building and team leadership
- Innovation and change management
- Advancing institutional mission
Compensation:
10% academic year override for term of appointment.
10% annual override for summer salary.
Teaching release and support for maintaining an active scholarly profile are negotiable.
Individuals need to be able to commit four days a week with one protected research day per week.