Title of Position: Director, Academic Policy
Type of Position: Full-time
Starting Date: Negotiable
Location: Frankfort, KY; may require some limited travel
Compensation: Competitive salary and state benefits
The Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) seeks an experienced leader to lead innovations in policy development and implementation. The successful candidate will not only have a thorough understanding of academic policy but will know how to engage institutional representatives to challenge traditional assumptions and bring creativity to policy development.
Overview
The CPE coordinates change and improvement in Kentucky’s postsecondary education system as directed by the Kentucky Postsecondary Education Improvement Act of 1997 and through the implementation of its 2016-2021 Strategic Agenda: Stronger by Degrees. Dr. Aaron Thompson became the fourth president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education on November 1, 2018. His career is a testament to the transformative power of higher education. Under his leadership, CPE will reimagine and disrupt Kentucky’s public higher education system to better serve our students, workforce and economy.
CPE’s Academic Affairs unit is charged with applying that lens of reimagining and disruption to its areas responsibilities, which include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Academic program approval at all public colleges and universities in Kentucky;
- Review of all existing academic programs;
- Definition of minimum admission requirements to public colleges and universities;
- Determination of indicators for college readiness;
- Implementation of the statewide dual credit policy;
- Definition of what it means to receive a quality education; and
- Coordination of numerous statewide initiatives and monitoring of campus initiatives focus on student success.
Specific Duties and Responsibilities
The Director will be responsible for the implementation of the CPE’s academic policies and will provide guidance as to their creation and revision (the list is illustrative and not exhaustive):
- Admissions and placement, including college readiness indicators and corequisite model implementation.
- Dual credit, including the Dual Credit Advisory Council.
- Academic program approval.
- Academic program review.
- Transfer, including degree pathways, general education assessment, the Kentucky Standard Acceptable Scores for National Exams Table, and transfer appeals.
The Director of Academic Policy reports to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Success.
Required Education and Experience
Master’s degree, preferably in higher education, public administration, or public policy and 10 years of experience in higher education or public policy. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in national, regional, or state-level policy organization.
Required Skills and Knowledge
- Knowledge of national, state, and institutional postsecondary policies.
- Understanding of current trends in higher education.
- Experience in policy development.
- Experience in program management.
- Cultural competence and skill in leading group discussion and change initiatives.
- Researching, writing, and presenting on higher education policies.
- Working both independently and in teams.
- Developing good working relationships with campus personnel to achieve consensus and create policy recommendations.
- Experience in leading complex policy changes.
- Understand data analysis in order to make informed policy decisions.
- Worked with national postsecondary, economic/workforce organizations and can utilize those connections to understand best practices in policy development.
- Excellent writing skills.
- Understanding on academic and career/technical program development.
Other Information
Individuals are encouraged to submit materials for full consideration. The start date is negotiable. The position is based in Frankfort and may require some occasional limited travel for training purposes. Participation in TIAA in lieu of the Kentucky State retirement system(s) is acceptable.
Contact Information
Interested applicants should send a letter of application specifically addressing the responsibilities and qualifications of the position, a resume, and the names, titles, and contact information (phone and email) for a least three references to:
Travis Powell, Vice President and General Counsel
Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
1024 Capital Center Drive Suite 320
Frankfort, KY 40601
The Council on Postsecondary Education is an equal opportunity employer.