Dean, Academic & Career Pathways Guidance
Class: Management | Exempt status: Exempt | Grade: O
The Dean of Academic & Career Pathways Guidance serves as the College’s leader for integrated systems of student planning and support that lead to completion of academic and career goals. The position oversees a College-wide operational infrastructure that provides active case management guidance for students related to: academic planning; career exploration and decision-making; academic progress monitoring and intervention for goal completion; academic and learning support; and college navigation support. The position oversees a division that includes retention and support programs for specific learner cohorts, such as first generation students, online learners, and international students. The incumbent serves as a key College contact for transfer institution partners and supports seamless transfer pathways. The position works closely with Academic Affairs and other Student Affairs leaders to provide administrative oversight of the College’s guided pathways operating model execution and development.
Leadership competencies
- Advances Racial and Social Justice
Actively works toward the elimination of racism and social oppression; utilizes culturally responsive practices and processes to achieve equitable student and employee outcomes - Drives Vision and Purpose
Participates in the creation of and executes a vision for the College’s mission balancing compliance with flexible, multimodal, inclusive delivery of financial services. - Drives Engagement
Initiates and drives authentic exploration and engagement cross-departmentally to arrive at collaborative solutions that lead to employee and student success. - Accelerates Agility and Innovation
Analyzes systems, policies and practices and commits to continuous program improvement through the strategic use of culturally responsive data. - Builds Partnerships
Partners to solve problems, adapts communication and approaches, supports healthy conflict, and develops strong relationships with associated areas to advance institutional goals.
Our mission
To support student success by delivering access to quality education while advancing economic development and promoting sustainability in a collaborative culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Our vision for equitable student success
Recognizing the unique value, perspectives, strengths, and challenges of every person who comes to PCC for education, all students will achieve their academic goals through equitable support, quality instruction, clear guidance to persist, and an unwavering commitment to completion shared by the entire College community.
Yes to Equitable Student Success (YESS)
Our roadmap to dismantling barriers and building inclusive systems of education and support.
Typical Duties and Responsibilities
- Provides institutional strategic level leadership and accountability for academic and career planning and guidance, integrated student progress tracking and holistic support systems, cohort-based student retention programs, multiple measures course placement system, transfer partnerships, and support for curriculum/academic pathways development.
- Ensures culturally responsive and inclusive operations that center on historically underserved and marginalized communities; accountable for flexible service delivery modalities that support access and equitable student outcomes.
- Develops, executes and measures the impact of a comprehensive student academic and career advisement system from point of entry to educational goal completion.
- Conducts ongoing needs assessment and gap analysis related to effectiveness of academic and career guidance strategy and services programming; directs modification of programming for continuous process and outcomes improvement.
- Exercises leadership in achieving optimal organizational efficiency and effectiveness, including initiatives to improve work processes and enhance systems and staff performance.
- Creates and maintains collaborative and productive partnerships across Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, administrative/systems services, and shared governance bodies in order to integrate institutional effectiveness and planning efforts and holistic student support; provides leadership for College-wide strategic initiative execution (e.g., Strategic Plan, Guided Pathways, Equity & Inclusion Plan, Advising Redesign, Pathways to Opportunity).
- Builds and maintains strong relationships with external transfer partners; serves as College lead and primary administrative contact for issues related to transfer pathways, student transition support, advisor communities of practice, and transfer opportunity marketing.
- Ensures institutional compliance with federal/state/College regulations, policies, and guidance related to standards of academic progress, course prerequisite system, multiple measures course placement system, degree and certificate requirements, international student visa programs, and other related areas.
- Supervises management, academic professionals, classified staff and/or student staff. Evaluates and provides guidance and support regarding professional development plans and goals for assigned areas of responsibility in accordance with good management practices, District policies, and collective bargaining agreements. Hires, evaluates, trains, disciplines and recommends dismissal of staff as necessary.
- Develops, oversees, analyzes, and makes budget decisions in alignment with College Strategic Plan, values and priorities. Forecasts funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies. Approves expenditures and implements budgetary adjustments as appropriate.
- Assumes institutional authority for grants, contracts and technology portfolio that directly supports student success management, career exploration and guidance, job/internship referral and placement, early alert and referral, and other related services and support (e.g., TRIO-SSS grant, Title III grant, EAB student success platform, CIS).
- Leads oversight and development of policies, administrative procedures and practices related to Academic & Career Pathway Guidance that support and demonstrate strong compliance (internally and externally). Responsible for working with appropriate shared governance bodies.
- Supports, implements and promotes advancement of the district’s equity goals and assists in the hiring of a staff that reflects the diversity of the district. Participates in and supports activities that enhance equity-minded recruiting, hiring, and employee retention practices.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
Work Environment
Work environment includes frequent disruptions and changes in priorities. Work is generally performed in an office environment with frequent interruptions and irregularities in the work schedule. Working hours may vary and occasional evening or weekend work is required. Frequent travel to other locations is required. No special coordination beyond that used for normal mobility and handling of everyday objects and materials is needed to perform the job satisfactorily.
Minimum Qualifications
Master’s Degree and eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience related to the area of assignment, providing program/project management or program/project coordination. Four (4) years of higher education management/supervisory experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Strategic leadership and management;
- Program development, budgeting, and management;
- Policy and procedure development and administration;
- Applicable local, state and federal laws, codes, rules, and regulations;
- Public administration and Higher Education principles and practices;
- Conflict mediation;
- Health, safety and emergency preparation, business and operational continuity, and response.
Skills in:
- Directing and providing strategic leadership to staff;
- Planning, implementing, improving, and evaluating programs, policies, procedures, operational needs, and fiscal constraints;
- Evaluating research to identify potential solutions, resolve problems, and provide information;
- Utilizing data and assessment outcomes for communication and to make continuous improvements for programs and services;
- Managing change and sensitive topics;
- Speaking in public;
- Managing multiple priorities simultaneously.
Ability to:
- Drive systemic change for racial and social equity and justice;
- Communicate and execute a vision for student-centered (flexible, multimodal) delivery of instruction and services through oral and written mediums;
- Manage healthy conflict to resolve issues in alignment with College mission and goals;
- Counsel, direct, and facilitate professional development of employees while motivating them toward goal achievement;
- Apply independent judgment to interpretation and application of rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
New: 11/2020
Portland Community College is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other protected class.