Associate Dean for Academic Support

• Leadership & Strategic Direction

Position Title: Associate Dean for Academic Support

Classification: Non-Represented

FTE: 1.0 FTE

Schedule: This is a full-time, salaried position customarily requiring approximately 40 hours per week. As an exempt professional role under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the position requires flexibility in work hours, and additional time beyond a standard workweek may be necessary to meet business needs and fulfill job responsibilities.

FLSA Status: Overtime Exempt

Job Summary

The Associate Dean provides vision, leadership, and administrative oversight for the College's Library, Learning Center (including Math, Writing, and tutoring services), Testing Services, and Multimedia Center. This position is responsible for aligning academic support services, information resources, and instructional technologies to advance student learning, success, and equity.

The Associate Dean collaborates closely with faculty, staff, administrators, and community stakeholders to ensure integrated, high-quality services that support instructional programs and student learning. The Associate Dean leads strategic planning, program development, staffing, budgeting, and assessment across all assigned areas.

Reporting Structure/Supervisory Relationship

• The Associate Dean for Academic Support reports to the Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs.
• The position provides direct leadership and supervision to Faculty Librarians, two Academic Support Services Program Manager B, Library & Information Program Support Supervisor, Library Open Education Resources Specialist, Instruction and Classroom Support Techs, and the Testing Center and Library Program Specialists.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

Leadership & Strategic Direction

• Provides vision and leadership for the Library, Learning Center, Testing Services, and Multimedia Center operations, including developing and implementing strategic goals, annual work plans, and program priorities aligned with institutional mission, student success, and equity initiatives.
• Leads program review and continuous improvement efforts while promoting equitable access to academic support, information resources, testing, and instructional technologies.

Operations & Administration

• Oversees daily operations across all areas, including developing, implementing, and evaluating policies, procedures, and service standards.
• Plans for and manages staffing levels and resource needs, while ensuring compliance with accreditation standards and testing regulations.
• Coordinates scheduling of services, activities, workshops, and instructional support.
• Partners with Facilities and IT departments to ensure academic support spaces meet the needs of students, programs, and the campus community.

Supervision & Staff Development

• Supervises and evaluates faculty and staff, including librarians and coordinators, while fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team environment.
• Supports and promotes ongoing professional development for faculty and staff.

Learning Support & Instructional Collaboration

• Collaborates with faculty and departments to align tutoring, academic support, and library instruction with curriculum needs.
• Provides administrative oversight of tutor recruitment, training, and evaluation, and supports the development of workshops, instructional materials, and learning resources.
• Provides reference, instructional, or direct student support services as needed.
• Provides oversight of tutoring centers ensuring services align with student needs and learning outcomes.

Testing & Multimedia Services Oversight

• Provides administrative oversight of Testing Services, ensuring secure, equitable, and efficient testing environments, accommodated, and proctored exams.
• Oversees Multimedia Center operations, including instructional technology support, media production resources, and access to multimedia tools for students and faculty.
• Collaborates with faculty and IT to support evolving instructional technologies and digital learning environments.

Budget & Resource Management

• Develops, manages, and monitors budgets for all assigned departments, including approving expenditures and ensuring effective allocation of resources.
• Manages and monitors budget funding provided through student Services and Activities Fees (S&A) funds for allocated tutoring services and other applicable S&A funded measures.
• Collaborates with stakeholders to identify and prioritize equipment, software, and facility needs.

Assessment, Data & Institutional Effectiveness

• Uses data and assessment practices to evaluate service effectiveness, improve student outcomes, and support continuous improvement.
• Collaborates with the Assessment and Institutional Research (AIR) office on reporting, accreditation, and student success metrics, and provides regular updates to college leadership.

Campus & Community Engagement

• Promotes services across the campus community and participates in college committees, councils, and shared governance.
• Builds partnerships across instructional and student services divisions, represents the College in professional and state organizations, and serves as liaison for events and initiatives within assigned areas.
• Remains current in professional trends, technologies, and best practices.
• Performs other related work of a similar nature and level.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Knowledge of library science principles, academic support services, and learning center operations, including tutoring, testing, and multimedia services in a higher education environment.
• Knowledge of student learning theories, equity-minded practices, and strategies that promote student success and retention in diverse college populations.
• Skill in strategic planning, program development, and continuous improvement aligned with institutional goals and accreditation standards.
• Skill in supervising, mentoring, and evaluating professional and support staff, including fostering collaboration and professional growth.
• Skill in budget development, financial management, and resource allocation across multiple functional areas.
• Skill in data analysis and assessment to evaluate program effectiveness and inform decision-making.
• Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, administrators, and community partners.
• Ability to manage complex operations across multiple service areas, including library services, tutoring, testing, and multimedia support.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written forms with individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience.
• Ability to adapt to changing technologies and lead the integration of instructional and multimedia tools to support teaching and learning.
• The ability to actively contribute to a work and learning environment that treats everyone with respect and dignity, while engaging diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences to enhance the College's mission, vision, and promise.

Lead Work/Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Provides leadership and operational oversight for assigned departments, including supervision and evaluation of librarians, managers and professional staff; supports hiring, staff development, performance management, workload coordination, and corrective action as appropriate.
• Contributes to budget planning and resource allocation for departments; monitors expenditures and supports grant-funded or externally supported initiatives to ensure effective and equitable use of resources aligned with institutional and student success priorities.

Working Conditions/Environment:

• Work is performed primarily in an office setting with extensive time spent at a computer workstation either sitting or standing. Work is in an environment with frequent interruptions. Some travel to professional meetings and student engagement events, trainings, and conferences required.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in education, library science, English, mathematics, or a related field.
• At least two years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration, supervision, or program management.
• At least two years of demonstrated leadership experience with a track record of communicating and collaborating effectively with diverse stakeholders including faculty, staff, students, administrators, and external partners.
• Experience providing collaborative leadership or coordination across multiple functional areas within student services, including shared decision-making and cross-unit collaboration.

OR

• Equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient for the person to perform the duties.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration, supervision, or program management.
• Experience managing multiple academic support or student service areas, including library, tutoring, testing, or instructional technology.
• Budget management and resource allocation experience.
• Knowledge of institutional effectiveness, accreditation, outcomes assessment, and evidence-based student success strategies.
• Strong technology proficiency, communication, collaboration, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to excellent customer service and continuous improvement, with a focus on creating positive student experiences.
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Salary:

• This is a 12-month, full-time, non-represented position with an annual salary of $111,000.00.

Benefits:

• Benefits include comprehensive health, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance;
• Participation in a Washington State retirement plan;
• Paid sick leave and vacation leave;
• Eleven paid holidays annually.

Additionally, as a Washington State, public higher education institution, WCC offers the following:

• Whatcom Community College is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). If you work for the College full time, have had Direct Loans and are on an eligible repayment plan, you are eligible to apply.
• Full-time employees are eligible to apply and participate in the Whatcom Community College Employee Tuition Program, which provides a tuition waiver for available and eligible WCC courses.
• Full-time employees may qualify for Washington State Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) benefit.

Start Date:

• As soon as can be arranged with the successful candidate.

Application Due Date:

• For guaranteed consideration, applications should be received by Friday, May 29th, 2026 at 5:00pm. Position open until filled.

How To Apply

A completed application consists of an online application and:

• Cover letter detailing relevant experience and how the applicant is prepared to meet the duties of the position.
• Current resume.
• Values statement that responds to the following prompt:

Short Reflection (1 page max): One of the core values of this institution is building an inclusive and supportive campus. This core value is reflected in our strategic plan, goals and in the work that we do every day. Please describe your experience in building an inclusive environment that supports a sense of belonging.

• Official transcripts of any degrees listed as part of the minimum requirements will be required upon hire, but not as part of the application process.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $111,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Ability to Relocate:

• Bellingham, WA 98226: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person