PRIMARY PURPOSE
This position is responsible for supporting the vision and mission of Bluefield University by providing leadership to online and graduate education efforts that enables the University to be strategic, entrepreneurial, and responsive to trends of a broad range of online and distance education. The Dean will lead collaborative efforts to establish academic programs, marketing and recruitment strategies, and approaches to learning that encourage online and distance education to be relevant for the marketplace while anticipating educational needs for future industries in a global economy. The role is to be performed in a way that is in harmony with the Christian principles and philosophy of Bluefield University. This position is represented on the Dean’s Council and the University Leadership Team. The Provost will oversee and manage all professional activities of the position.
FACULTY DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS
- Teach, as able, an instructional load of 3-6 credit hours per calendar year in qualified courses online, following all criteria listed within the University Catalog and Faculty Handbook.
- Serve on Faculty committees as assigned, attend organizational meetings, partake in Commencement activities, and be present at chapel
ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS
Academic, Enrollment Management, Marketing, and Student Services
- Work closely in a collaborative relationship with the academic deans regarding all aspects of online and graduate faculty, programs, and curriculum.
- Serve as the Online and Distance Education Officer for the University, responsible for the day-to-day leadership and oversight of Bluefield University’s Online Program.
- Ensure a customer service-first environment in Academic/Student Services Departments for online and distance education; these services include Bluefield Central, academic, marketing, enrollment and recruitment, and technology functions.
- Coordinate strategies to increase enrollment, brand awareness, and marketing presence for online and distance education.
- Coordinate academic and student services, assign faculty, and advise student
- Communicate regularly with students, area representatives, and University administrators in problem-solving and decision-making
- Lead efforts to track online and distance education student retention; support academic and customer service-focused efforts to retain students in the online and distance education programs, including representation on the Student Success
- Work with the academic departments to hire skilled and capable online faculty members
- Ensure up-to-date online and distance education information is represented in the Academic Catalog, on the web, and other
- Regularly review and maintain accountability for the financial viability of online and graduate programs.
Technology and Training
- Work with BU’s Schools & Colleges to update and maintain online and distance education curricula within the Learning Management System and at site locations (as needed).
- Maintain documents and learning-tools databases used to support online and distance education services.
- Evaluate online and distance education learning methods and course content to ensure it reflects current remote and virtual learning pedagogy.
- Develop and implement strategies to promote, enhance, and enrich teaching through present and emerging technologies.
Supervision
- Supervise the eLearning Technologist who serves as LMS and online technology support specialist for students, faculty, and staff and tracks, assigns, and resolves eLearning TICS.
- Supervise the Director of Online & Graduate Enrollment and the online and graduate success coaches.
- Collaborate with the academic deans and the Registrar’s Office to manage the course schedule for each term; implement improvements to the process and procedures.
- Collaborate with the eLearning Technologist in orienting, training, and developing online and distance education faculty:
- Collaborate with the eLearning
- Collaborate on e-textbook acquisition and software consistent with learning
Online Program Assessment, Accreditation, and Development
- Develop a holistic Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment plan for online and distance
- Lead efforts of accreditation compliance for online and distance education-including seeking and maintaining state authorizations for online and distance education.
- Provide the Provost with reports on institutional effectiveness and assessment of services, technology, and learning resource needs for online and distance education.
- Conduct and administer on-going needs assessments, strategic learning assessments, and quality assurance assessments to develop the basis for curricula, training, and overall online and distance education development.
- Use market data to collaborate with the academic deans in the identification, design and development process for new online and distance education offerings and traditional-to-online/distance education course development.
- Develop, implement, and assist in enforcing policies and procedures as they relate to online and distance
- Develop a 3 and 5-year strategic plan for Bluefield University’s online and distance education with the University Leadership
- Encourage unity of vision and purpose by integrating activities for the Online Program with co-curricular programs.
Other Responsibilities
- Serve on search committees for recruiting and hiring online and distance education faculty and staff.
- Share recommendations and observations with Provost, Academic Deans, and Vice President of Enrollment Management pertaining to the performance of online and distance education faculty and staff, including administrative staff and support team members, and in the writing/renewal of their contracts
- Travel to remote locations as needed
- Work evening hours as needed
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
- Possess a faith in and commitment to Jesus
- Be a highly motivated self-
- Demonstrate a professional demeanor and presentation in dealing with the University
- Be experienced in Learning Management Systems and electronic media and knowledge of how to best educate pertinent individuals regarding the use of such
- Demonstrate proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and advanced learning
- Possess ability to speak to audiences in a coherent and professional manner
- Possess excellent organizational, interpersonal, and writing skills
- Demonstrate effective time management for multi-tasking daily functions.
- Demonstrate empathy for student life issues and an understanding of the specific needs and learning styles of adult students.
- Possess strong problem-solving skills coupled with appropriate instinct and timely initiative.
- Hold at least a master’s degree in higher education or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
- Have at least five years of experience teaching or working in an online environment.
- Have at least three years of supervisory/management experience with a track record of successful leadership.
- Have proven ability to inspire and motivate others.
- Possess business acumen and an understanding of planning, budgets, and institutional operations.
- Have experience hiring, training, and developing personnel.
ERGONOMIC REQUIREMENTS
This position requires performing tasks related to office work. Such tasks require sitting, standing, walking, and carrying light loads (books, displays, presentations).
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
The evaluation of the performance of this position will be based on the ability to meet the requirements of the duties and tasks outlined above.
The criteria for evaluation of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
- The ability to fulfill position description requirements as listed above in a timely and effective manner,
- The ability to self-motivate and achieve set goals, and
- The ability to work cooperatively with all personnel and departments in the University
APPROVALS
The job duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements delineated above should not be interpreted as an all-inclusive list of same. Additional duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate. The University reserves the right to change or reassign job duties, responsibilities, and functions, or combine positions at any time. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodation will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which imposes undue hardships on the University. Position descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The University maintains its status as an at-will employer.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
To apply for this position, please visit https://www.bluefield.edu/employment/ to complete the electronic faculty employment application and upload the following:
- Letter of interest
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Statement of Christian Faith
- Statement of Teaching Philosophy
- Original Transcripts
- Three letters of reference
Hard copy application materials may be sent to Judy Pedneau, Director of Human Resources at Bluefield University, 3000 College Avenue, Bluefield, VA 24605, [email protected].
Additional information about Bluefield University is available at www.bluefield.edu.
To be considered for this position, all application requirements listed above must be completed.
Bluefield University is a Christ-centered, multicultural learning community that values and seeks faculty and staff who represent diverse backgrounds and perspectives, are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation.
Bluefield University is a private, not-for-profit institution affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Bluefield University shall not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, religion, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other basis on which the University is prohibited from discrimination under local, state, or federal law, in its employment or in the provision of its services, including but not limited to its programs and activities, admissions, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs. This institution encourages women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply.
Please note the definition of “Official Transcripts”
Hard-copy transcripts and other academic records are considered “official” when they arrive in a sealed, stamped, official envelope with the seal and any other security feature intact. Electronic transcripts are considered “official” when we receive them from a secure site formally linked to the sending institution or testing service.
Academic records received in any other condition, such as transcripts that arrive in an unsealed envelope, or that are emailed or uploaded by the student, or that are printed from the university portal, are not considered “official.”
Official transcripts may be sent to:
Academic Affairs Office
Bluefield University
3000 College Avenue
Bluefield, VA 24605
