Associate Dean - Dental & CNA

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities (include, but not limited to)

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: This position description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated on this description.

• Initiate, supervise, analyze and evaluate curricular activities and instructional programs within the Guided Pathways framework ensuring instructional needs and requirements are up-to-date and meet the current and future needs of students, community and employers. Provide leadership in the use of alternative delivery systems within the 8-week, year-round academic calendar.
• Develop class schedules and faculty assignments, monitor and approve work hours, monitor and cancel classes as appropriate, to ensure efficient and effective operations and quality instruction.
• Supervise assigned staff to include recruitment, selection, orientation, scheduling, evaluation, discipline and recommendation of personnel actions in accordance with College policies, procedures, and contractual agreements. Encourage and approve staff development activities. Ensure that faculty meet qualifications as outlined by the Higher Learning Commission and the Faculty Quality Assurance System.
• Develop department/program budget to include allocation of funds and resources for necessary personnel, supplies, equipment and facilities requirements, and manage expenses. Identify alternative sources of funding for programs to include developing proposals and administering contract offerings. Manage funds to support program outcomes.
• Serve on appropriate College, community and state-wide committees. Coordinate, maintain and provide leadership in advisory committees. May actively participate in/assist with the development of public relations, program promotion, and/or student recruitment activities.
• May supervise classroom/laboratory/shop activities to include the maintenance and safeguarding of equipment, supplies and facilities, and enforcement of safety and health regulations.
• Establish and maintain relationships with external stakeholders i.e. accrediting agencies, businesses, industries, community groups, various educational institutes, governmental agencies, and other organizations. Coordinate program offerings and/or collaborate with internal stakeholders i.e. other Associate Deans, Deans, and other appropriate personnel to integrate services and activities.
• Provide assistance and support to students that may include program advising and orientations, career exploration, job placement assistance, grade appeals, discipline, sanctions, and/or dispute resolution. Direct students to and collaborate with appropriate resources such as Program Advising and/or Counseling. Support and participation in student organization activities and extracurricular activities.
• Maintain required records and documentation. Prepare and submit reports as requested or required.
• Engage in professional development and keep current with trends in higher education and in discipline-specific area including new developments in practices, techniques, tools, equipment, and regulations to improve and expand instructional programs.

Minimum Qualifications

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Academic Leadership & Compliance

• Ability to lead curriculum development, program review, and program evaluation processes using labor market data, advisory committee input, and student outcome metrics to evaluate program relevance and quality.
• Knowledge of academic policies, FERPA regulations, and faculty governance structures sufficient to interpret and apply institutional policy in day-to-day decision-making.
• Ability to translate institutional and programmatic strategic priorities into measurable academic goals, action plans, and accountability structures.
• Knowledge of regional accreditation standards (e.g., HLC) and programmatic accreditation processes.

Data-Informed Decision-Making

• Ability to analyze enrollment trends, retention and completion rates, student learning outcomes, and workforce placement data to inform programming, scheduling, and resource allocation decisions.
• Skill in interpreting data dashboards, institutional reports, and key performance indicators relevant to academic operations.
• Ability to use evidence-based analysis to identify underperforming programs and develop improvement plans or recommend program restructuring or new program development

Personnel & Labor Relations

• Ability to apply contract provisions to faculty supervision, workload assignment, evaluation, and progressive discipline.
• Skill in conflict resolution, mediation, and restorative approaches to workplace disputes.
• Ability to recruit, mentor, evaluate, and develop faculty and staff, including adjunct faculty, to maintain instructional quality and staffing continuity.
• Ability to lead collaborative teams while managing the relationships between administrative directives and faculty autonomy.

Fiscal & Operational Management

• Ability to develop, monitor, and manage budgets, including personnel costs, instructional supplies, capital equipment, and grant-funded programs.
• Skill in enrollment-based resource allocation and schedule optimization to balance fiscal responsibility with student access and instructional quality.
• Ability to identify and pursue external funding opportunities, including grant writing and partnership development, aligned with departmental priorities.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Effective written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills sufficient to represent the department to internal stakeholders, external partners, accrediting agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Ability to build and sustain productive relationships with employer advisory committees, K–12 partners, transfer institutions, and workforce development organizations to ensure program alignment with regional needs.
• Skill in navigating politically sensitive situations across organizational levels with discretion, transparency, and professional judgment.
• Ability to foster an inclusive department culture that values diverse perspectives and supports culturally responsive teaching and service delivery.

Technology & Innovation

• Proficiency with computer software applications such as learning management systems, document editing/documentation, databases, spreadsheets, presentations and institutional reporting tools.
• Ability to evaluate and support implementation of emerging instructional technologies, including AI-enhanced tools, simulation, and discipline-specific platforms.
• Ability to support online and hybrid instructional delivery models, including faculty development in instructional design best practices.

EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Minimum Qualifications Required:

• Master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in a discipline related to the assigned academic department, in higher education administration, or in a closely related field. A bachelor’s degree, with equivalent professional experience, may be considered; see the substitution provisions below.
• A total of seven (7) years of experience in supervisory management roles. Preference will be given to candidates with at least three (3) of those years spent in a supervisory or management position within higher education.
• Teaching, training, or instructional design experience in a K-12, corporate training, or accredited postsecondary institution.

Preferred:

• Earned doctorate in a relevant discipline or in higher education leadership in certain programmatic areas (e.g., Arts and Sciences).
• Professional or industry experience outside of academia in a field related to the academic department.

Substitution Provisions

The following substitutions may be applied at the discretion of Human Resources. No combination of substitutions may reduce the supervisory/management requirement below two (2) years.

Substitution	Provision
Supervisory/Management Experience	One (1) year of documented leadership of complex, cross-functional projects, task forces, or institutional committees with defined scope, deliverables, and team accountability may substitute for one (1) year of the supervisory/management requirement, up to a maximum of one (1) year.
Degree Requirement	A bachelor’s degree plus two (2) additional years of directly relevant higher education leadership experience (total of 9 years) may be considered in lieu of a master’s degree, provided the candidate demonstrates equivalent professional competency through a portfolio of relevant accomplishments.

Supplemental Information

This addendum supplements the Associate Dean job description and identifies responsibilities specific to the Dental and Nursing Assistant program areas.

Program Portfolio
The Associate Dean provides administrative and academic leadership for programs in dental and nursing assistant education. The role ensures that programming remains responsive to student demand, workforce priorities, and employer expectations across classroom, laboratory, simulation, and clinical settings.

Regulatory Environment
The Associate Dean leads programs within a regulated healthcare education environment and ensures compliance with Wisconsin Technical College System requirements, Higher Learning Commission expectations, and applicable state and federal regulations. The role also oversees adherence to program-specific standards, accreditation, licensure, credentialing, and clinical requirements as applicable across the dental and nursing assistant portfolio, including curriculum, documentation, student eligibility, and experiential learning standards.

Stakeholder Relationships
The role requires effective collaboration with healthcare employers, clinical partners, faculty, student services, and external agencies. Dental clinics, long-term care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and related providers may serve as advisory partners, clinical sites, and employers of graduates. The Associate Dean works with these stakeholders to support clinical placements, maintain program relevance, and strengthen graduate employment outcomes.

Clinical and Learning Environments
The Associate Dean provides oversight of instructional environments that require attention to safety, infection prevention, equipment readiness, and regulatory compliance. These environments may include dental labs, simulation spaces, and healthcare skills labs that support preparation for direct patient care roles. Responsibilities include supporting safe instructional practices, maintaining operational readiness, and coordinating with faculty on lab-based and clinical learning experiences.

Contemporary Context
Dental and nursing assistant programs operate in a dynamic healthcare workforce environment shaped by staffing shortages, changing care delivery models, evolving technology, and heightening employer expectations. The Associate Dean is expected to monitor workforce trends, regulatory developments, and regional healthcare needs to support program quality, responsiveness, and growth.

Candidate Profile
Qualified candidates typically bring experience in healthcare education, clinical operations, workforce training, or a related field, with demonstrated knowledge of dental, health or patient care programming. Experience with regulated healthcare programs, clinical partnerships, and accreditation processes is highly preferred. A master’s degree in related healthcare, education, or administrative field is preferred.

Key Competencies
In addition to the competencies identified in the Associate Dean , this role job description, this position requires strength in healthcare program compliance, partnership development, and operational leadership. The successful candidate must demonstrate sound judgment, effective communication, and the ability to lead programs in environments where safety, documentation, collaboration, and responsiveness are essential. Commitment to student success, workforce alignment, and continuous improvement is required.

The Associate Dean - Dental & CNA position supports the School of Health.

Salary

Salary will be determined based on relevant experience, and review of internal equity.

Application Materials

All candidates (both internal and external) must attach a current resume and cover letter to their online job application. Letters of recommendations are welcome, but not required.

Interviews

Selected candidates will be invited to participate in in-person interviews, an interview date is to be determined.

WCTC offers a wide range of outstanding benefits. Benefits include, but not limited to:

• Competitive compensation
• Comprehensive Benefits Package including health, dental, vision, life, long-term disability, supplemental life, flex spending accounts, and much more
• Generous time off and holiday schedule
• Eligibility in the Wisconsin Retirement System (ETF)
• Opportunities for professional growth and development (including tuition reimbursement, tuition waiver)
• Well-being activities to support personal and professional well-being
• Collaborative and supportive team environment

Internal team members are encouraged to grow their careers at WCTC! To be eligible to apply for a new role, employees must be in their current position for at least six (6) months.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain that authorization through employment. Verification of employment eligibility will be required upon hire. WCTC does not provide employment-based visa sponsorship.