Job description
Application Deadline: September 29, 2025
About Arkansas Tech:
Founded in 1909, Arkansas Tech University is a comprehensive public institution with a rich history, maintaining regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and classification as a Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) level III institution. ATU was ranked the No. 1 regional public university in Arkansas by U.S. News and World Report in 2021-22 and 2022-23 and CollegeNET recognizes ATU as the No. 1 institution in Arkansas on its Social Mobility Index. Since 2019, Arkansas Tech has been the host institution for the prestigious Arkansas Governor’s School. The 559-acre Russellville campus, located in the scenic Arkansas River Valley between the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, is just one hour from the capital city of Little Rock. Russellville features a charming blend of historic and modern architecture as well as the recreational opportunities provided by Lake Dardanelle and several state parks. Offering more than 100 undergraduate degree programs and more than 40 graduate degree and certificate programs across five academic colleges and two campuses, Arkansas Tech strives to provide a solid educational foundation for life-long learning to a diverse community.
Position Summary:
The Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs (AVPAA) provides oversight and strategic leadership for colleges, academic departments and degree programs. The AVPAA has responsibility for matters related to recruitment, hiring, retention, and recognition of faculty. The AVPAA is responsible for ensuring consistency of policies in the hiring, annual review, evaluation, and promotion and tenure process for faculty, all aspects of curriculum including general education and program specific curricula, and program assessment and continuous improvement. The AVPAA supervises the Offices for Online Learning Initiatives, Center for Excellence in Teaching, Arkansas Governor’s School, 2+2 Programs, and University Honors, in addition to other staff members who report to this position. The AVPAA reports directly to the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost (EVPAA & Provost) and serves as a member of the academic affairs leadership council and dean’s council, liaison to the University Strategic Planning Committee and member of the Budget Advisory Committee. The AVPAA will assist in the development and implementation of HLC Quality Initiative. The AVPAA will assist in the implementation of durable skills and high impact practices into the curriculum. The AVPAA will work with other divisions to develop and implement career pathways for students. This is a full-time, twelve-month position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide leadership in promoting and safeguarding academic quality and ensuring academic rigor for all degree and non-degree programs.
Act as a liaison with deans and faculty to monitor new and existing academic program development and curricular updates.
Work effectively with faculty in ways that demonstrate faculty oversight and authority over the academic program.
Prepare analyses to ensure new program proposals reflect careful attention to all elements.
Participate in review of program performance metrics, academic master plan development, and academic strategic plan development.
Serve as a liaison with the campus community, faculty, administration, and institutional research to ensure quality and viability of existing and new academic programs.
Participate in faculty recruitment and continuing professional development and work closely with other University members on academic strategic planning, and educational policy issues, program accreditation actions, and program outcome measures.
Work with the EVPAA & Provost, Deans and department chairs, to provide support, analysis, and feedback to academic programs in developing feasibility of new academic programs.
Coordinates the recruitment and appointment of all faculty; and the retention, tenure, and promotion process for tenure track faculty.
Provide training to faculty, staff, chairs, and deans on faculty and staff personnel matters.
Facilitates informal resolution of faculty complaints and processes faculty formal grievances and disciplinary actions for EVPAA & Provost review and action.
Maintains faculty database records.
Maintains knowledge of faculty workload policies and practices and makes recommendations accordingly.
Represents the EVPAA & Provost and/or ATU at meetings, presentations, and forums with internal and external audiences.
Demonstrate precision, organization, and discretion in performing all necessary position responsibilities and duties, while managing and working with a diverse group of staff, faculty, and administrators.
Collaborates across divisions as necessary to fulfill job responsibilities. Serves as HLC Accreditation Liaison Officer.
Work on other projects as assigned by the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs & Provost.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Customer service skills.
Interpersonal skills.
Organizational skills.
Administrative and management knowledge and skills.
Critical thinking ability.
Written and verbal communication skills.
Conflict management skills.
Problem-solving skills.
Diplomacy.
Confidentiality.
Integrity.
Minimum Requirements:
Earned doctorate and professional accomplishments appropriate for faculty appointment at the rank of full professor.
Minimum of five years of progressive leadership in academic administration.
Proven record of effective and positive administrative leadership and managerial experience including effective supervision and creatively solving problems and proposing changes/solutions.
Demonstrated evidence of supporting excellence in teaching, scholarly activity, professional development and community service.
Demonstrated commitment to shared governance and academic excellence.
Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with all members of the university community, students, parents, and other external constituencies.
Demonstrated experience with a) curricular development, and b) program review.
Demonstrated administrative skills (e.g., attention to detail, data and information collection and processing, reporting, employee management, multi-tasking, etc.)
Demonstrated strategic planning, project management, and organizational skills.
Demonstrated skills in communication, both written and oral.
Ability to analyze and interpret data and effectively communicate to a broader audience.
Demonstrated commitment to the development of innovative teaching and instructional technologies.
Demonstrated ability to interact with diverse groups and populations.
Collaborative management style that fosters trust, respect, and successful working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
Preferred Qualifications:
Demonstrated leadership skills in building collaborative relationships with academic units, university support units, and stakeholders external to the university.
Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty to develop and implement programs and strategic priorities.
Evidence of cooperative management style and understanding of distributed leadership.
Ability to envision new academic opportunities and alternative approaches.
Proven ability to solve problems, address conflicts in a constructive manner, and resolve complex personnel issues.
Familiarity with regional accreditation requirements and HLC Quality Initiatives.
Familiarity with durable skills development and career pathway development.
Familiarity with durable skills, high impact practices and career pathway development.
Experience facilitating development of an academic master plan.
Understanding higher education trends and implications for ATU.
Work Location, Environment, and Physical Demands:
This position is located in Academic Affairs, Ross Pendergraft Library & Technology Center, in the President’s Suite.
This position is assigned a desk, computer and phone.
The position requires sitting, typing, bending, walking, and some lifting up to 40 pounds.
What to Submit:
Letter of application addressing the position qualifications, vita, and contact information for 3 references.
How to apply
To be considered for the position of Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, all applications must be received and processed through our applicant tracking system Cornerstone prior to the closing date on September 29, 2025, before 6:00 pm central time.
Please go to https://atu.csod.com/ats/careersite/search.aspx?site=1&c=atu to apply now.
This position is subject to a pre-employment criminal background check. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.
Arkansas Tech University is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, age, national origin, religion, veteran status, genetic information, or disability.
