Associate Dean Academic Affairs AZ Arizona College of Optometry

Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Arizona College of Optometry

The Associate Dean of Academic Affairs provides strategic leadership for all academic programs within the Arizona College of Optometry. Reporting to the Dean this role oversees curriculum development and assessment accreditation activities academic policies faculty academic performance and student progression. The Associate Dean is a key member of the Colleges senior leadership team serves as a trusted advisor to the Dean and ensures continuous alignment between academic operations accreditation standards and institutional goals.

The Associate Dean assumes administrative responsibility for the College in the Deans absence.

Primary Responsibilities

Academic Leadership and Accreditation

• Lead curriculum development implementation assessment and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the primary lead and liaison for Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) self-studies progress reports and related communications.
• Ensure curricula syllabi and academic policies comply with University College and accreditation requirements.
• Guide the work of the Curriculum Committee and oversee regular curriculum review.
• Monitor and communicate academic performance metrics including national board outcomes progression and graduation rates.

Strategic Communication and Leadership

• Maintain consistent transparent and ongoing communication with the Dean and senior leadership regarding academic performance accreditation status emerging risks personnel matters and strategic initiatives through regular updates and briefings to ensure shared awareness and timely decision-making.
• Anticipate academic and operational challenges; proactively identify risks and recommend data-informed solutions.
• Provide regular updates and briefings to ensure shared awareness and timely decision-making.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Dean on all academic matters.

Faculty and Staff Oversight

• Oversee academic-related performance evaluations of faculty and staff ensuring timely completion and alignment with College goals and accreditation expectations.
• Support faculty development mentorship and teaching effectiveness initiatives.
• Collaborate with College leadership to ensure appropriate and equitable academic and clinical teaching assignments.

Student Progression and Support

• Oversee academic policies related to student promotion progression and graduation.
• Provide academic counseling with other college support team members to students experiencing difficulty and coordinate referrals as needed to University support services.
• Monitor student academic and clinical performance and implement improvement strategies as needed.

Administration and Operations

• Ensure accurate and timely academic scheduling grade submission and maintenance of academic records.
• Serve as the Deans Office liaison with University offices including the Registrar and Student Financial Services.
• Support admissions and student recruitment activities.
• Ensure annual updates of the College Catalog and related academic documents.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean.

Culture and Continuous Improvement

• Foster and sustain a positive inclusive and high-performance academic culture across the College.
• Promote transparency collaboration professionalism and accountability.
• Partner with the Dean and leadership team to advance the Colleges strategic academic priorities.

Faculty Role Teaching and Professional Engagement

• Participate in teaching activities consistent with faculty appointment including didactic instruction laboratory supervision clinical instruction or course coordination as assigned. Maintain an active faculty role to support academic quality curricular relevance and student learning.
• Engage in scholarly professional and service activities consistent with faculty appointment and College expectations.

Qualifications

Required

• Doctoral degree in Optometry (OD) or closely related doctoral discipline.
• Eligibility for optometric licensure in Arizona.
• Minimum of 5 years of academic experience in optometric or health professions education.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum oversight assessment and accreditationârelated activities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• Prior academic leadership experience.
• Experience with accreditation selfâstudy or reporting.
• Experience with faculty performance evaluation and academic outcomes analysis.

Core Competencies

• Academic Leadership: Ability to lead curriculum assessment and academic quality initiatives aligned with accreditation standards.
• Communication: Consistent proactive communication with the Dean senior leadership and academic stakeholders.
• Faculty and Student Focus: Supports faculty development accountability and student academic success.
• DataâInformed Judgment: Uses academic and assessment data to identify risks and recommend improvements.
• Culture and Collaboration: Fosters a positive inclusive and highâperformance academic environment.

Midwestern University is a private not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses one in Downers Grove Illinois and the other in Glendale Arizona. More than 6000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine dentistry pharmacy physician assistant studies physical therapy occupational therapy nurse anesthesia cardiovascular perfusion podiatry optometry clinical psychology speech language pathology biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Our faculty and staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning respect for all members of the health care team service interdisciplinary scholarly activity and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical dental and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance short/long-term disability and pet insurance. We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account. We offer a work-life balance with a competitive time off package including paid holidays sick/flex days personal days and vacation days. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan tuition reimbursement child care subsidy reimbursement program identity theft protection and an employee assistance program. Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility.

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past current or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class in accord withall federal state and local laws and regulations. Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/). Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.

Required Experience:

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