Associate Dean for the School of Communication and Art

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) provides quality and affordable higher education to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas. As the largest community college in Arkansas, NWACC is recognized as a leader in education. NWACC offers a full range of associate degrees, certificates and workforce training programs that prepare students for rewarding futures and careers. NWACC employees are dedicated to fostering a diverse educational community and cultural learning environment that supports student success. The Associate Dean for the School of Communication and Art assists the Dean in the maintenance and enhancement of academic quality, including the development and reporting of initiatives of a school to support licensure and accreditation. The Associate Dean will hold a twelve-month position. The Associate Dean will work with program areas and other units to ensure the delivery of high-quality academic programs and initiatives. The Associate Dean working with the Dean will be responsible for faculty recruitment, deployment, evaluation, and development initiatives to ensure faculty success and a high-quality student learning experience. Reporting to an Academic Dean, the Associate Dean is responsible for leading specified programs of study, hiring, terminating, and evaluating adjunct faculty, and creating, updating and assessing curriculum at the course and program level. Under the direction of the Dean, work with faculty, the Associate Vice President and the CAOs office to assure course offerings, delivery and schedule meet the needs of students and the college. Anticipated start date for this position is July 5 2026. Essential Duties: - Lead/facilitate the course schedule build for the school; monitoring course offerings, course enrollments and program enrollments; assign instructor workloads - Lead/facilitate development of new academic programs and program revisions - Coordination of annual Spring Arts and Cultural Festival - Provide administrative support for the dean by 1) assisting with development/oversight of academic standards, program review and accreditation,2) annual catalog updates and 3) managing the budget and strategic goals of the school - Monitor data on student progress, retention and graduation - Provide guidance and oversight of academic support services for their school. Refer students to appropriate advising, academic supports and career planning as needed - Work with faculty and students to monitor/guide grievance and student discipline processes - Recruit, orient, develop, and mentor adjunct faculty including adjunct faculty evaluations; conduct classroom evaluations - Represent the school/college at college events, standard campus administrative meetings and other function that the dean is unable to attend. Has primary responsibility for the school in absence of the dean, including signature authority Rate of Pay: $80,190 annualized*Higher compensation may be considered based on qualifications directly related to position. Completed applications received by 4/10/2026 will be assured full consideration. Late Applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position. Anticipated start date for this position is July 5 2026. Minimum Qualifications: - Masters degree from accredited institution in a field represented in the School of Communication & Arts - 5 years experience in higher education - 2 years experience in teaching at a post-secondary institution Preferred Qualifications: - 2 years community college experience - Doctorate from accredited institution - Demonstration of progressive administrative experience at a higher education institution Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: - Ability to read, analyze, and understand the most complex documents - Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints - Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style - Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors - Ability to apply principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems - Ability to deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variables - Ability to carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities may include but not limited to interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems - Continual involvement with strategic and operational management functions which relate to both the short-term and long-term time periods - Activities covered by general organizational philosophy and objectives - Solving problems in novel, non-recurring or swiftly changing situations in which the approach is not fully defined. Guidance by top executive officer Physical Demands/Work Environment: The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations. While performing the functions of this job, the employee is: Frequently: • Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding • Sitting • Standing • Walking Constantly: • Hearing • Repetitive motion • Talking The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and/or visual inspection at distances close to the eyes. Environmental Conditions: The following work environment characteristics are representative of those encountered by employees while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. The work environment typically consists of a professional office setting with a moderate noise level, including sounds from conversations, office equipment, and occasional movement of staff. Lighting is standard for office spaces, and the temperature is controlled to remain within a comfortable range. Employees may occasionally need to visit other areas, such as storage rooms, conference spaces, or outdoor locations, where environmental conditions may vary. Infrequently, exposure to louder noise levels or physical activities, such as moving lightweight materials, might be required. NWACC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy.