Associate Dean for Applied Learning and Workforce - CECH-IT

About the College

In the College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology (CECH-IT), we prepare students for meaningful careers that address real-world challenges and improve communities near and far. Today’s CECH-IT student is tomorrow’s teacher, community wellness expert, law enforcement official, athletic trainer, intervention specialist and more, all dedicated to impacting society in positive ways through their professional endeavors.

Job Overview

The College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology (CECH-IT) at the University of Cincinnati seeks an innovative and collaborative leader to serve as Associate Dean for Applied Learning and Workforce. This position will provide strategic leadership to expand and coordinate applied learning, experiential education, and workforce-aligned initiatives across the college.

CECH-IT sits at the intersection of education, criminal justice, human services, and information technology and has a long-standing commitment to community engagement, experiential learning, and innovation for the public good. The Associate Dean will play a central role and serve as the primary external representative in strengthening partnerships with school districts, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, community agencies, businesses, and industry partners to ensure that students engage in meaningful applied learning experiences that prepare them for high-impact careers.

Working collaboratively with school directors, faculty, university partners, and external stakeholders, the Associate Dean will support the development of workforce pipelines, apprenticeships, co-ops, internships, and other career-embedded learning opportunities that align academic programs with regional and national workforce needs.

The Associate Dean will demonstrate a strong commitment to intellectual rigor, collaborative leadership, and data-informed decision-making to advance the mission of the university and CECH-IT. This role is central to promoting access, academic excellence, innovation, and meaningful impact across all areas of the college.

Essential Functions

• Provide strategic leadership for applied learning initiatives across CECH-IT, including internships, co-ops, residencies, apprenticeships, and community-engaged learning experiences.
• Develop and sustain partnerships with P–12 school districts, CTE programs, education service centers, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies to expand workforce pathways for students.
• Support the growth of innovative pipelines such as teacher residency programs, grow-your-own educator initiatives, education apprenticeships, and workforce development partnerships.
• Expand applied learning opportunities across disciplines, including education, criminal justice, human services, sport administration, exercise science, and information technology.
• Collaborate with faculty and school leadership to develop credit-bearing internships, co-ops, and applied learning pathways aligned with academic programs.
• Advance initiatives related to dual credit and early college programs, stackable credentials, and prior learning assessment (PLA) that support adult learners and working professionals.
• Serve as a liaison with university partners and workforce organizations to align experiential learning initiatives and support regional workforce development.
• Assist in identifying and securing external funding, grants, and partnership opportunities to support applied learning and workforce initiatives.
• Develop systems for assessment and evaluation to measure student outcomes, employer engagement, and workforce impact.
• Promote access to applied learning opportunities for students across all CECH-IT programs.

Required Education

Earned doctoral or terminal degree in a field represented within CECH-IT or a closely related discipline.

Required Experience

• Academic record that supports appointment at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor.
• Senior-level management experience in a higher education or similar organization.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in higher education, workforce development, or applied learning initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to set and execute a strategic vision across multiple, concurrent initiatives.
• Demonstrated success securing external funding or grants to support workforce or applied learning initiatives.
• Experience developing or managing partnerships with school districts, CTE programs, or P–12 educational organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to student success, experiential learning, and community engagement.
• Experience working with apprenticeships, workforce credentialing initiatives, or internship/co-op programs.
• Knowledge of dual credit, early college pathways, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) partnerships.

Additional Qualifications Considered

• Experience developing or overseeing teacher residency programs, educator pipelines, or grow-your-own teacher initiatives.
• Experience leading cross-disciplinary initiatives across academic units.
• Familiarity with prior learning assessment (PLA) and stackable credential models.
• Experience collaborating with businesses, community organizations, workforce agencies, or public sector partners.

Application Process

Applicants should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three professional references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

Office environment/no specific unusual physical or environmental demands.