Overview and Responsibilities
The Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs provides educational and ethical leadership to members of the Chippewa Valley Technical College (CVTC) community with a focus on student success. Reporting to the Provost & Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs executes the Provost’s strategic direction for academic programming and instruction, exercises delegated authority on the Provost’s behalf, and provides analysis, recommendations, and options to inform executive decision-making. The Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs oversees the academic deans.
Responsibilities:
- Oversee academic programs, scheduling, and budgeting consistent with the College Academic Plan.
- Oversee implementation of the College’s academic processes.
- Ensure quality programs and instruction.
- Provide leadership in focusing the College’s efforts on improving student learning.
- Promote excellence through continuous process improvement and the creative pursuit of new ideas, partnerships, and systems.
- Provide executive leadership to the Academic Leadership Team and Academic Deans to ensure alignment with Provost priorities, institutional goals, and academic policy, and to drive consistent execution across divisions.
- Work in close partnership with the Associate Vice President of Student Services to align academic and student support strategies, ensuring a cohesive, institution-wide approach to student success under the direction of the Provost.
- Coordinate the faculty evaluation process with Professional Development and Talent & Culture departments.
- Collaboratively develop and oversee implementation of the College Academic Plan and educational budgets (capital and operational) annually.
- Oversee the professional development of faculty and academic deans.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues and community partners.
- Direct the College’s implementation of the tenets of a learning college consistent with the Wisconsin Technical College System plan of work.
- Oversee the College’s assessment of student learning efforts.
- Ensure compliance with Higher Learning Commission curricular and instructional requirements.
- Serve as the final arbiter in student grade appeals.
- Engage academic deans and faculty in conversations related to program health and develop strategies for continuous improvement.
- Maintain a record of successful collaboration with other organizational units toward a shared goal.
- Develop resources and strategies for student success across the college, including initiatives that focus on persistence to graduation and accessibility.
- Hire, train, supervise and evaluate academic deans.
- Interpret and apply academic policies, procedures, and federal/state regulations.
- Support university transfer and dual credit efforts.
- Collaborate with local businesses to align curriculum with job market trends.
- Support and improve successful initiatives and recommend discontinuing initiatives that are not effective.
- Serve as the College’s representative at appropriate community meetings.
- Participate on appropriate College teams and contribute to accomplishing the goals and objectives of the team(s).
- Assist in seeking outside resources through grant acquisitions and CVTC Foundation fundraising.
- Analyze student performance data, enrollment trends, and labor market needs to recommend program improvements.
- Serve as a principal advisor to the Provost on academic policy, and faculty-related matters.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of high-impact practices including undergraduate research and project-based learning.
- Innovative mindset to promote interdisciplinary studies.
- Knowledge of technology and its relationship to educational services.
- Knowledge of the principles of quality management and continuous improvement.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to interpret and explain information to a variety of persons and groups.
- Knowledge of process improvement methodologies and past experience utilizing different methods.
- Ability to strategically plan for desired outcomes.
- Proven ability to lead teams.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds and abilities, community agencies, and the general public.
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment as well as the ability to work independently to establish and meet goals.
- Proven ability to resolve conflicts.
- Ability to use judgment, discretion, and decision-making skills in dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
- Ability to model integrity through self-awareness, personal accountability, ethical behavior, quality standards, and sustainable practices.
- Ability to think critically by applying problem solving practices, acquiring relevant information, using technology and other resources appropriately, and evaluating alternatives.
- Ability to communicate effectively by speaking and writing clearly, concisely, and professionally; practicing active listening; reading critically and adapting communication for audience.
- Ability to recognize personal biases, adapt to different cultural situations, and demonstrate a commitment to respectful interactions with persons of various ethnic, cultural, socio-economic, or educational backgrounds.
- Intermediate knowledge of and skills with technology including software programs for communication, data collection, and decision making including, but not limited to, Office 365 Suite.
- Ability to work a flexible schedule and travel to CVTC campuses and other locations as needed to perform position responsibilities.
Qualifications
- Master’s degree required, degree in an education related field preferred. Doctorate strongly preferred.
- Minimum of five years of senior leadership experience required, preferably in an academic setting.
- Two years of teaching experience required.
- Experience evaluating instructional effectiveness against measurable student success indicators required.
- Experience with long-range strategic planning preferred.
In evaluating candidates for this position, the College may consider a combination of education, training, and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform duties of position.
CVTC reserves the right to limit applicant consideration from specific geographic regions when differences in state-level policies, laws, or regulatory frameworks present conflicts with institutional standards and/or fiduciary responsibilities. This practice supports compliance, operational integrity, and alignment with the College’s strategic objectives.The College is seeking to attract diverse instructors and staff who can inspire our increasingly diverse student population. We believe every member on our team enriches our diversity by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions. We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities, and orientations. Therefore, we seek applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits of diversity in a higher education community. Consideration will be given to equity-minded individuals committed to collaborating with faculty, staff, administration, students, and community partners who are also committed to closing equity gaps.
Benefits Summary
2026 annual benefits include:
- 4 weeks of paid vacation time
- 11 paid holidays
- Paid winter break - varies each year based on academic calendar and, at a minimum, includes days between Christmas and New Year’s holidays (some exceptions may apply for essential workers)
- Paid summer break - the week of July 4th
- 4 paid personal days
- 3 weeks (15 days) paid sick time annually for absences due to illness, injury, or doctor and dentist appointments of the employee, dependent children, spouse, or parents of the employee or spouse; cumulative to 135 days (1,080 hours)
- Paid bereavement time
- Paid volunteer time
- Tuition reimbursement up to $2,500 annually (eligibility requirements apply)
- Health insurance for employee, spouse, and dependents with attached Health Savings Account (HSA); CVTC contributes $3,400 annually for a family plan or $1,700 annually for a single plan to your HSA
- Wellness incentive of up to $600 for employees enrolled in CVTC’s health insurance
- $2,500 cash-payment in lieu of CVTC health insurance coverage for employees who have credible coverage through another source
- Dental insurance for employee, spouse, and dependents
- Vision insurance for employee, spouse, and dependents
- Life and long-term disability insurance premiums paid by CVTC
- Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS), CVTC matches 7.2%, vested at 5 years of credible service
- 403(b) tax deferred annuity program
- 457(b) deferred compensation plan
- Section 125 flexible spending accounts
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Professional development
- Certified Gold Level Family Friendly Workplace (FFW)
- Access to expansive collection of college and public library resources for personal and professional use
- Free or low-cost services offered by CVTC program students, such as computer repair, automotive repair, Shear Inspiration Salon and Spa, aesthetician services and 620 West restaurant and culinary pop ups
Benefits begin on the first date of employment (i.e., there is no waiting period).
CVTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the college's non-discrimination policies: Tam Burgau, Vice President of Talent & Culture, 620 W. Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire, WI 54701, 715-833-6334, WI Relay: 711
