The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic and Workforce Innovation reports to and supports the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and is a member of the academic affairs senior staff.
The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic and Workforce Innovation provides strategic, system-level leadership to advance the mission of the Tennessee Board of Regents by translating statewide priorities into coordinated action across community colleges and colleges of applied technology. Working in close partnership with college presidents, academic leaders, faculty, workforce partners, colleagues across the TBR system office especially within Policy & Strategy, and state agencies, the position guides the development, review, alignment, implementation, and continuous improvement of academic and technical programs that respond to student needs, employer demand, transfer opportunities, and workforce priorities.
The individual in this role provides leadership in curriculum and program approval, articulation and transfer, accreditation support, dual enrollment, workforce development, off-campus instructional site review, data-informed planning, policy interpretation, and cross-functional committee work. Through collaboration, analysis, and disciplined execution, the Assistant Vice Chancellor strengthens academic quality, supports institutional effectiveness, promotes student progression and credential completion, and ensures that TBR’s academic offerings remain rigorous, responsive, and aligned with the changing needs of Tennessee’s students, communities, and economy.
Responsibilities:
Technical Program Development and Quality Control
Reviews curricular programs and actions proposed by technical colleges and prepare summary documents for Board consideration and approval. Facilitate ongoing communications with approving agencies, organizations, colleges, and TBR system staff regarding program proposals and actions.
Provides support for proposals to establish new technical colleges off-campus instructional facilities, sites, centers, and new campuses in accordance with TBR and THEC policies and guidelines.
Organizes and coordinate program curriculum chair meetings to manage and update competency guides. Collaborate with TCAT faculty in the periodic comprehensive review of statewide, program level curricula.
Advises the Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs on review of faculty qualifications for faculty rank & promotion including promotion by exception.
Articulation & Transfer
Leads articulation and curricular alignment of courses and programs between TBR technical colleges and community colleges. Involves assembling TBR President’s and faculty representatives to serve on program committees to establish competencies, learning outcomes and assessments for courses and programs.
Researches and initiates articulation opportunity discussions with universities and other organizations/institutions outside the TBR system.
Accreditation
Provides system office leadership for college and program level accreditation through quality assurance reviews to assist with compliance of accreditation standards. Review, revise, interpret and respond to questions related to policies and procedures.
Provides expert technical support for institutional and programmatic accreditation processes. Collaborates with the Office of Research & Innovation on preparing accreditation data and reports.
Committee Work
Serves on and engages with systemwide committees, sub-councils, advisory groups, and work teams to advance Academic Affairs priorities and support coordinated decision-making across the TBR system.
Provides subject matter expertise in technical higher education including curriculum development, faculty qualifications and hiring, policy implementation, business practices, and cross-functional initiatives.
Participates in regional collaborative partnerships between industry partners and the colleges and leads statewide scaling efforts of successful local/regional programs.
Workforce Development
Collaborates with other senior leaders in the development, alignment, and implementation of workforce-focused academic programming across the TBR system.
Works with community colleges, technical colleges, workforce development staff, business and industry partners, and state agencies to identify emerging labor market needs.
Supports the design and review of responsive programs, credentials, and pathways, and ensures that academic offerings are aligned with employer demand, student progression, transfer opportunities, and system policy.
Provides leadership to connect workforce initiatives with broader academic affairs priorities, strengthens collaboration between technical and community college programs, and promotes high-quality, accessible pathways that lead to employment, advancement, and continued education.
Dual Enrollment
Works collaboratively with the Director of Early Postsecondary Opportunities (EPSO) to develop, expand, and evaluate dual enrollment programming that aligns high school, community college, and technical college pathways.
Identifies program opportunities based on student need, workforce demand, transferability, and institutional capacity.
Supports curriculum alignment and course sequencing.
Coordinates with colleges, school districts, and state partners to promote consistent processes for implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement.
Provides academic affairs leadership to ensure dual enrollment offerings are rigorous and connected to broader system goals for student success and credential attainment. This includes DE contract review and approval processes.
Makes a personal commitment, with assistance from TBR leaders, to devote time to growing and developing as a leader and a colleague.
Fulfills ad hoc assignments of varying nature at the discretion of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:
- Ability to work collaboratively and effectively in a team environment with peers including other administrators and faculty Professional written communication, oral communication and presentation skills Strong leadership and strategic visioning abilities Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills for cross-functional engagement Ability to lead initiatives in a multi-campus or complex organizational environment Experience in academic or workforce development operations, policy development, and performance measurement Proficiency with emerging higher education technology applications and delivery systems and platforms Recognizes AI's rapid transformation of the workforce and understands its impact in the higher education landscape In-depth knowledge of institutional and programming accreditation issues and industry certifications Experience with business and industry training needs Problem solving and group facilitation Knowledge of effective practices and national trends in curriculum and instruction
Minimum Qualifications:
Master's Degree from a regionally accredited institution
3 years middle leadership experience in career technical education at the college level
Preferred Qualifications:
Earned Doctorate from a regionally accredited institution
10 years’ experience in a senior leadership position in higher education
Experience in both Campus and system office environments