Vice President, Academic Affairs
Coastal Bend College · Beeville, TX · On-site · Administration
Salary USD 97,640–125,000
Apply by May 29, 2026
Posted Apr 20, 2026
The Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) serves as the chief academic officer and is responsible for the strategic leadership, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of all instructional programs. The VPAA ensures academic offerings are aligned with workforce needs, transfer pathways, and student success outcomes, while maintaining full accountability for institutional academic decisions and their implementation.
The VPAA is responsible for owning, communicating, and executing institutional academic priorities, including but not limited to curriculum design, modality strategy, open educational resources (OER), quality assurance frameworks, course scheduling, and faculty evaluation processes.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
Instructional and Program Management
- Provide executive leadership for new program development, program expansion, and program discontinuation, ensuring alignment with labor market demand, transfer pathways, and institutional mission.
- Establish and enforce a formal program viability and continuity framework, including enrollment thresholds, completion rates, cost-effectiveness, and workforce relevance.
- Ensure all academic programs undergo systematic program review, including assessment of student learning outcomes, labor market alignment, and post-completion outcomes.
- Lead the development and implementation of stackable credentials, workforce-aligned pathways, and transfer-ready programs.
- Ensure curriculum is developed and revised in collaboration with industry partners, advisory committees, and regional employers to strengthen workforce readiness and student learning outcomes.
- Oversee the integration of applied learning, work-based learning, internships, and clinical experiences into program design where appropriate.
- Lead and ensure implementation of a Quality Matters (or equivalent) framework for course design, delivery, and evaluation across all modalities.
- Oversee institutional strategy and execution related to Open Educational Resources (OER) adoption to improve student access, affordability, and learning outcomes.
- Ensure consistent and measurable application of course-level, program-level, and general education assessment frameworks in alignment with accreditation standards.
Workforce and Industry Engagement
- Develop and sustain strategic partnerships with the workforce, industry leaders, and economic development organizations.
- Ensure each program maintains an active advisory committee with documented input into curriculum and program design.
- Lead efforts to align academic programs with regional and state workforce priorities, including high-demand and high-wage occupations.
- Collaborate with external partners to develop customized training, apprenticeships, and employer-driven educational pathways.
Policy, Reports, and Law
- Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and guidance established by federal and state law, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and the board of trustees.
- Develop and implement policies aimed at increasing student access.
- Compile, maintain, and file all reports, records, and other documents as required.
- Follow safety protocols and emergency procedures.
Budget
- Develop and administer the academic affairs budget based on documented program needs and ensure that operations are cost effective, and funds are managed prudently.
Personnel Management
- Ensure implementation of a consistent, annual faculty evaluation system aligned with institutional standards and instructional quality expectations.
- Ensure academic leadership is accountable for instructional quality, program performance, and student outcomes.
- Ensure a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and ownership within Academic Affairs.
Communication
- Ensure that established goals and expectations related to implementation of instructional programs are communicated clearly, consistently, and in a timely manner.
- Establish and maintain a professional relationship and open communication with, staff, students, accrediting agencies, governmental entities, and community members.
Community Relations
- Articulate the college's mission, instructional philosophy, and curriculum implementation strategies to the community and solicit its support in realizing the college's mission.
- Demonstrate awareness of community needs and initiate activities to meet those needs.
- Use appropriate and effective techniques to encourage community and student involvement.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Education/Experience
- Master's degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field such as higher education, business administration, public administration, organizational leadership, or a related discipline.
- A minimum of five-years work experience with a proven track record of successful, professional leadership and supervisory experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Doctoral degree in higher education, leadership, business, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience in academic affairs, workforce development, or postsecondary program leadership.
- Prior teaching experience at the postsecondary level preferred but not required.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Demonstrated ability to lead program development, workforce-aligned curriculum design, and academic innovation
- Strong understanding of student learning outcomes assessment, accreditation standards (e.g., Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges), and continuous improvement processes
- Experience implementing quality assurance frameworks such as Quality Matters
- Ability to build and sustain industry and community partnerships that inform curriculum and workforce readiness
- Demonstrated capacity to lead institutional change and ensure execution of strategic academic initiatives
