Dean of Arts, Sciences, and Academic Support Programs

This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt position that reports to the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs and is located at the Quincy Campus in Quincy, Illinois with some travel across all JWCC locations and service district.

Job Description

This position provides vision, leadership, and direction for the Arts, Sciences, and Academic Support programs of the college. The Dean is responsible for promoting academic, administrative, and fiscal leadership across a multi-faceted area of Academic Affairs. The Dean supervises full-time and part-time faculty as well as academic support staff. Academic areas supervised by this position include Communications, Physical / Natural Sciences, Engineering, Languages, Literature, Mathematics, Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social/ Behavioral Sciences. This position also provides leadership and supervision to the JWCC regional centers- Mt. Sterling Education Center, the Southeast Education Center. Finally, this position oversees the JWCC Library, Tutoring Support Services, Distance Learning/Instructional Supports, and college Testing Center. The Dean is responsible for leading curriculum development; program development; program assessment and evaluation; grant supervision; budget planning and monitoring; faculty recruitment; supervision and evaluation of personnel.

John Wood Community College

John Wood Community College is the educational link for communities in the West Central Illinois Region. JWCC collaboratively creates innovative and relevant academic and training programs with other educational partners to ready individuals for entrance into the workforce or for transfer to a four-year institution. JWCC has centers in Quincy, Pittsfield, Baylis and Mt. Sterling, Illinois. Programs include a comprehensive baccalaureate transfer curriculum, customized business training, and career/technical degrees and certificates.

John Wood Community College is an educational leader in comprehensive community college education in West Central Illinois and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Established in 1974, the College's main campus and administrative center is located in Quincy, Illinois. The main campus opened in January 2002 and sits on 150-acres of beautiful, sprawling landscape. The College operates four branch campuses: the Workforce Development Center in Quincy, the Southeast Education Center in Pittsfield, the Agricultural Sciences Center in Baylis, and the Mt. Sterling Education Center in Mt. Sterling. Additionally, JWCC offers select courses and programming at the Bella Ease at John Wood Community College location in Quincy, IL.

John Wood serves an average fall enrollment of 1,800 students across a nine-county area of Western Illinois. As a catalyst for innovation both on-campus and in the local community, John Wood Community College specializes in traditional education, workforce training, and professional development. The College is committed to student success and programmatic excellence based on the core values of excellence, accountability, integrity, servant leadership, and lifelong learning.

Mission

John Wood Community College enriches lives through learning by providing accessible educational opportunities and services at exceptional value.

Philosophy

John Wood Community College is an open-admission, comprehensive, public community college that seeks to enhance the lives of those it serves by striving for academic excellence, integrity, accountability, and flexibility. Recognizing and respecting each person's uniqueness, potential, and value; the College offers a variety of programs, curricula, and educational delivery systems and schedules to accommodate students' requirements and different learning needs. Further, the College seeks to stimulate students' intellectual, academic, personal, and social development as productive, engaged, and responsible citizens supporting the community.

Accreditations

JWCC is accredited and recognized by the following organizations:

– The Higher Learning Commission

– Illinois Community College Board

– Illinois Board of Higher Education

AREAS OF OVERSIGHT

The Dean of Arts, Sciences, and Academic Support Programs supervises and provides leadership for the following areas:

• Communications
• Physical/Natural Sciences
• Engineering
• Languages
• Literature
• Mathematics
• Fine Arts
• Humanities
• Social/Behavioral Sciences
• Library
• Tutoring Support
• Testing Room
• Distance Learning
• Regional Centers

Key Responsibilities

• Provide direction and support to faculty in the development, revision and evaluation of departmental curriculum and programs, including the Program Review process.
• Provide supervision of arts and sciences faculty, adhere to the collective bargaining agreement, and conduct annual faculty/staff evaluations.
• Prepare, in collaboration with department chairs, a schedule of course offerings; monitor faculty loads; supervise instructional programs; facilitate institutional program and course assessment.
• Serve on various on-campus, advisory, community and state-wide committees.
• Support faculty and staff through open communication and professional development.
• Collaborate with faculty on curriculum development ensuring that standards are maintained for course objectives, course content, examinations, and grading.
• Supervise all academic support areas of the College (Library, Tutoring Services, Testing Center).
• Supervise the Instructional Support area of the College including oversight to all distance learning and participation in the Illinois Community College Online (ILCCO) Consortium.
• Work with faculty to resolve student complaints at the lowest level possible.
• Collaborate with faculty and the Coordinator of Curriculum and Assessment to maintain accreditation of their programs and maintain standards required by all accrediting agencies, including the Higher Learning Commission, the Illinois Community College Board, the Illinois Articulation Initiative, and other governing agencies.
• Lead department chair meetings and promote communication across all levels of leadership.
• Collaborate with other areas of the College to support and foster growth of concurrent enrollment/dual credit programming.
• Build relationships with high school partners to increase opportunities for students.
• Review and coordinate the use of instructional resources in collaboration with other academic deans.
• Collaborate with the Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs to grow articulations with four-year transfer institutions to reduce barriers to student success and completion.
• Collaborate with the Director of Pathways to ensure that all academic programs have clearly defined and up-to-date pathways (degree maps) that serve to promote student success.
• Participate actively in the work of the college including participation in student on-boarding events, campus-wide events, professional development/ training, convocation, commencement, and various programmatic events.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Master's degree required.

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of full-time teaching experience.
• Preference for experience teaching at the college level.

SkillsCompetencies:

• Demonstrated management and leadership experience in the following areas:
• Federal, State, and Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) regulations.
• Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) rules and guidelines.
• Strong working knowledge of both curriculum design and development, as well as effective principles of assessment of student learning.
• Experience with budget development and management, including fiscal oversight and resource allocation.

• Proven ability to supervise staff, set performance expectations, and achieve departmental and institutional goals.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state regulations, including FERPA.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with diverse groups and individuals.

Working Conditions:

• Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment within a higher education
• Regular evening and occasional weekend hours are required to support student events, campus activities, Board of Trustees meetings, and institutional initiatives.
• Frequent interaction with students, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders, including managing sensitive and confidential situations.
• Must be able to manage multiple priorities, respond to urgent situations, and handle high levels of responsibility and decision-making.
• Occasional travel may be required for conferences, professional development, and community or statewide meetings.
• Ability to remain stationary for extended periods and operate standard office equipment; occasional movement across campus is required.
• Must be able to respond effectively to campus emergencies and student-related crises as part of the College's leadership team.
• Subject to frequent interruptions and interaction with students, faculty, staff, and the
• Participation in ongoing professional development to stay informed about trends in the
• Ability to manage the mental and emotional demands of the role.

Work Schedule

• Full-time positions with a typical schedule of Monday-Thursday (8am – 5pm) and Friday (8am – 12pm).
• Occasional evenings will be required to support both students and faculty in evening classes and other college-wide events.
• Some weekends may be required to support special events.

SALARY:

• This is an exempt position with an estimated annual salary of $85,000.00 - $95,000.00.

BENEFITS

JWCC offers a competitive benefits package!

• 36-hour work week, Friday's get off work at noon!
• Earn 3.7 weeks of vacation in your first year!
• Sick Leave and Personal Leave.
• 19 Paid Holidays!
• Medical, DentalVision Insurance; Only $5 per pay period for Employee Coverage!
• Wellness Program.
• College provided life and disability insurance!
• State University Retirement System.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• JWCC Tuition Waiver for Employees + Dependents

APPLICATION

To receive full consideration, submit a resume with cover letter, and a list of three (3) professional references and copies of transcripts by visiting https://jwcc.aaimtrack.com/jobs/ Position is open until filled.

3/31/2026

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, marital status, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any legally protected status. If you are a person with a disability and need assistance applying for a job, please submit a request to hr@jwcc.edu.