Position Function:
The Executive Director, Associate Dean serves as the chief administrator and strategic leader of the Center for Innovation in Teaching Excellence, a comprehensive teaching and learning support center at Mississippi State University. This person will provide visionary and strategic leadership for campus-wide initiatives related to teaching excellence, curriculum development, and instructional innovation. This position is responsible for fostering a culture that values outstanding and engaged teaching across all disciplines, ensuring that CITE initiatives are aligned with the university’s strategic goals for student success. This newly formed center integrates the Center for Teaching and Learning and the instructional design team from the Center for Distance Education to provide holistic support for teaching excellence across all modalities including face-to-face, online, hybrid, clinical, and continuing education. The Executive Director role includes championing innovation in pedagogy, educational technology, and faculty development to meet the evolving needs of modern learners. Additionally, the Associate Dean of the College of Professional and Continuing Studies position provides leadership that supports faculty in program development, assessment, and continuous improvement / research initiatives, grant development, and scholarly productivity. This position will also hold a faculty appointment within the College of Professional and Continuing Studies.
Salary Grade: UC
For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
• Provide strategic vision and leadership for the Center for Innovation in Teaching Excellence, establishing priorities, goals, and initiatives that advance teaching excellence across all instructional modalities.
• Lead the development and implementation of innovative programs, workshops, and resources that support faculty in adopting evidence-based teaching practices, emerging educational technologies, and active learning strategies.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in teaching and learning, staying current with trends in higher education pedagogy, learning science, and educational technology.
• Oversee the development and delivery of professional development opportunities for faculty across all career stages and disciplines, including new faculty orientation, and ongoing learning communities.
• Manage center operations, including budget development and oversight, staff supervision and development, resource allocation, and assessment of center programs and services.
• Collaborate with academic units, information technology services, libraries, and other campus partners to provide coordinated support for teaching and learning initiatives.
• Serve as Associate Dean for the College of Professional and Continuing Studies, providing leadership and supporting faculty in curriculum development, program assessment, research and scholarly activities.
• Represent the university at regional and national conferences and professional organizations related to teaching and learning, instructional design, and educational innovation.
• Lead assessment efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of center programs and services, using data to inform continuous improvement and demonstrate impact.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with external organizations and funding agencies to support teaching and learning initiatives and secure grant funding where appropriate.
• Serve on university committees related to teaching, learning, faculty development, and academic policy as appropriate.
Minimum Qualifications:
Earned Doctorate with a focus in Education, Organizational Leadership, Instructional Design, Higher Education Administration, or related field
Five years of progressive leadership experience in faculty development, instructional design, teaching and learning centers, or related areas in higher education.
Faculty appointment title and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The successful candidate must hold a terminal degree and meet the minimum qualifications to be hired as a tenure-track or non-tenure track faculty member.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Ten or more years of progressive leadership experience in teaching and learning, faculty development, or instructional design in higher education
• Experience leading organizational change and integrating multiple units or teams
• Demonstrated success in strategic planning and program development
• Record of scholarly publication or presentations in areas related to teaching and learning, instructional design, or educational innovation
• Experience with grant writing and securing external funding
• Academic administrative experience (department chair, associate dean, or similar)
• Strong background in multiple instructional modalities (face-to-face, online, hybrid, clinical)
• Experience in using AI in pedagogy
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Demonstrated commitment to innovation and ability to envision and implement transformative approaches to teaching and learning support
• Knowledge of educational technology, learning management systems, and emerging technologies that enhance teaching and learning
• Strong leadership, management, and organizational skills with ability to build and lead high-performing teams
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and collaboration skills with ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders
• Proven ability to develop and manage budgets and allocate resources strategically
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with ability to use data to inform decision-making and assess program effectiveness
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment in complex situations
• Understanding of accreditation standards, academic policy, and curriculum development processes
• Experience in teaching at the post-secondary level
• Ability to represent the university professionally in various settings and build productive partnerships
Working Conditions and Physical Effort
This position requires the ability to work in a typical office environment with standard equipment.
Work is primarily performed in a comfortable indoor facility with occasional travel to campus locations, conferences, and meetings.
Position requires managing multiple priorities, meeting deadlines, and responding to the varied needs of faculty, staff, and administrators.
Job frequently requires sitting, standing, walking, reaching, talking, hearing, and handling objects with hands.
Vision requirements: Ability to see information in print and/or electronically and use computer screens for extended periods.
Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support programs, events, or meetings.
Instructions for Applying:
Applicants must apply online at www.msujobs.msstate.edu by submitting a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and their philosophy of teaching and leadership.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, (662) 325-5839.
What do I do if I need an accommodation?
In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu.
If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or ada@hrm.msstate.edu. Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.
