Executive Director for Graduate and Online Education
Valparaiso University

Job Info

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Reporting directly to the Provost and serving as a member of the Provost's leadership team, the Executive Director for Graduate and Online Education (EDGOE) serves as the primary advocate for graduate education and its strategic priorities. The EDGOE is responsible for advancing a compelling and innovative vision for graduate education at Valparaiso University, will cultivate and maintain key cross-University relationships, work collaboratively with academic programs, and help drive strategic online and graduate education initiatives. At the direction of the Provost and in partnership with other leadership team members, the position sets priorities, gives direction, and advances success metrics that align with online and graduate education goals. The successful EDGOE will be an innovative and strategic thinker with an open and collaborative style of leadership that fosters teamwork. This position collaborates with the Office of Enrollment Management, Office of the Registrar, academic colleges, and administrative units to achieve the University's strategic goals for online and graduate education.

Responsibilities

• Advise the provost on regional, national, and international graduate education trends and recommend strategies and options to increase and advance graduate education across the University.
• Work with internal and external partners to conduct a market analysis to identify opportunities for and interest in new graduate level programs including degrees and stackable certificates.
• Work with internal and external partners to conduct a market analysis and identify opportunities for and interest in new online programs (undergraduate, graduate, certificate).
• Serve as the point of contact for any external community partners or partners specializing in marketing or online platforms that are working with the institution on graduate or online initiatives.
• Work and collaborate with the academic deans to develop and implement strategic plans for graduate programming for all colleges.
• Work with Enrollment Management on tuition analysis of all graduate programs to inform tuition pricing strategy and strategic use of financial aid.
• Partner with academic units, faculty, and deans to lead, develop, and implement new academic programs.
• Partner with faculty, department chairs, program directors, and deans in the creation and implementation of development plans and timelines for new graduate programs.
• Serve as a consultant to academic deans on graduate program needs, staff, and best practices.
• Collaborate with the Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications to share best practices to promote graduate programs and to identify current graduate program marketing needs.
• Responsible for reviewing the graduate portion of the Catalog language to ensure consistent and clear messaging regarding overall graduate education, including academic policies, student services, and resources, working in coordination with the Office of the Registrar and the Graduate Educational Policy Committee (GEPC).
• Manage a budget which includes summer education, events, small grants, travel grants, graduate awards, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships.
• Work closely with the Council of Graduate Program Directors (CGPD) to support their needs.
• Participate in the Graduate Educational Policy Committee (GEPC) as an ex-officio member.

Qualifications

An ideal candidate will have an advanced degree from an accredited institution and significant teaching experience with in-person and online modalities. Competitive candidates will have 5+ years of progressive responsibility related to all parts of the creation of hybrid and fully online courses or programs in higher education and is certified in Quality Matters.

The successful candidate will also demonstrate experience by having:

• Led or played a substantial role in the alignment of online education strategies with institutional mission and vision.
• Developed or overseen successful graduate programs whether online, on-campus, or both.
• Played a significant role in the development of online programs including identifying market opportunities, working with different constituents on course development, and planning/marketing/enrollment strategies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of successful models of online and hybrid learning.
• Built consensus across diverse stakeholder groups for a strategic direction or complex decision.
• Demonstrated knowledge and ability to work successfully with vendors and navigate regulatory environments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of accreditation process(es) in higher education.

Desired Attributes

The Executive Director for Graduate and Online Education will be the point person for online and on-campus graduate education at Valpo. As such, the successful candidate needs to inspire collaborators across campus. The successful candidate should have many of the following attributes:

• Ability to communicate effectively with all key constituents (students, faculty, staff, administrators, outside vendors).
• Curiosity and willingness to learn about and embrace different viewpoints and perspectives and new online platforms, degrees, and credentialing methods.
• Commitment to the highest standards of integrity and ethical values in all matters.
• Ability to work with diverse constituencies collaboratively so as to create credibility and trust.
• Excellent listening, inquiry, and follow-up skills.
• Ability to inspire and influence others to support a comprehensive mission/vision.
• Outstanding presentation skills across various audiences - from the Board of Directors and executive leadership to faculty and students.

About Valparaiso University

Valparaiso University (Valpo), founded in 1859, is a community of learning grounded in the Lutheran tradition of scholarship, freedom, and faith, and it prepares students to lead and serve in both church and society. As an independent Lutheran institution, Valpo is a comprehensive university with an enrollment of over 2,800 undergraduate and graduate students, and is consistently recognized as one of the best private universities in the Midwest. Valpo offers a thorough grounding in the liberal arts as well as professional education and graduate study, helping students to find their own paths to lifelong professional, personal, and spiritual growth. Valpo is located an hour's drive southeast of Chicago on a 310-acre campus in the city of Valparaiso, Indiana, a county seat of 35,000 residents with high quality schools and an active social community.

Applications and Inquiries

A substantial letter of application addressing the desired attributes, responsibilities, and qualifications of the Executive Director for Graduate and Online Education at Valparaiso University along with a CV, and the name and contact information for three references can be submitted electronically via Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/131928. Emails with questions may be sent to provost.office@valpo.edu. Committee review of applications will begin on October 15, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Valparaiso University does not unlawfully discriminate and aims to employ persons of various backgrounds and experiences to develop and support a diverse community. Its entire EOE policy can be found at https://www.valpo.edu/general-counsel/policies/equal-opportunity-policy/. Employment at Valparaiso University will require a satisfactory criminal background check.

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