"Deputy Director / Chief Academic & Student Services Officer"

Deputy Director / Chief Academic & Student Services Officer

Company:
Wyoming Community College Commission

Job Location:
Cheyenne, Wyoming

Category:
Other Executive

Type:
Full-Time

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

ABOUT THE WYOMING COMMUNITY COLLEGE COMMISSION:

The Wyoming Community College Commission is a 12-person state agency responsible for coordinating, advocating for, funding, and holding accountable Wyoming’s public community college system. Serving as a vital link between the State of Wyoming and its eight community colleges, the Commission ensures that the system is efficient, transparent, and aligned with the state’s economic and educational goals.

The Deputy Director and Chief Academic and Student Services Officer serves as the high-level executive leader and "Chief of Staff" for the Wyoming Community College Commission (WCCC). Holding delegated authority to manage internal operations and represent the agency in all official capacities, the Deputy Director provides the strategic leadership and administrative oversight necessary to coordinate Wyoming’s eight community colleges into a unified and effective system.

As a vital link between the Commission and the Wyoming Legislature, the Deputy Director delivers data-driven testimony and high-level briefings to the Joint Appropriations and Education Committees. A critical component of this role is the executive oversight of the agency’s reporting lifecycle, ensuring that all state-mandated submissions—including the agency strategic plan and annual reports—are accurate, cohesive, and aligned with the Commission’s vision. This executive function is critical to informing state budget and policy decisions and ensuring that statewide initiatives remain strictly aligned with legislative mandates. Furthermore, the position provides direct management of the agency’s Academic and Information Technology teams, ensuring that statewide data systems remain secure and high-functioning during a pivotal transition toward modern, cloud-based solutions.

In addition to these agency-wide responsibilities, the incumbent serves as the Chief Academic and Student Services Officer. In this capacity, the Deputy Director oversees the Academic Affairs and Student Services Councils, facilitating essential collaboration between college vice presidents to streamline program approvals, maintain rigorous accreditation standards, and eliminate unnecessary duplicative programs. This leadership ensures the system operates efficiently while maximizing resources for Wyoming students.

The role also provides essential oversight of a diverse portfolio of state-funded programs, including Adult Education, High School Equivalency certification, and key workforce initiatives such as Wyoming Works and the Wyoming Investment in Nursing. By advocating for seamless transfer pathways and excellence in career-technical education, the Deputy Director ensures the community college system remains the primary partner for Wyoming's economic diversification and workforce development.

Working for the State of Wyoming offers more than a paycheck. Our total compensation package includes:

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA and holidays
• Retirement - Pension and 457B plans that help you build a secure future
• Flexible schedules and work-life balance options
• Meaningful work that makes a difference for Wyoming communities and MUCH MORE!

Click here for detailed information, or you can watch this short video to learn about our benefit package!

Want to see the full value of your compensation beyond salary?

Explore our Total Compensation Calculator: https://compensationcalculator.wyo.gov/

Human Resource Contact: Serenity Moffett / serenity.moffett@wyo.gov / 307-777-6243

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The listed functions are illustrative only and are not intended to describe every function that may be performed at the job level.

• Serves as the executive second-in-command with delegated authority to manage internal operations and represent the agency in all official capacities. This includes ensuring no lapse in statutory duties or agency responsiveness in the absence of the Executive Director.
• Along with the Executive Director, acts as a liaison to the Wyoming Legislature, preparing and delivering data-driven testimony and high-level briefings to the Joint Appropriations and Education Committees.
• Coordinates and oversees the agency’s comprehensive reporting lifecycle, including the development and timely submission of the Agency Strategic Plan, Annual Reports, and other state-mandated performance evaluations.
• Coordinates and supports the Academic Affairs Council, consisting of the academic affairs vice presidents of the eight colleges, in matters relating to statutes, rules, policies, program approvals, distance education, research, studies, reports, projects, and services, including possible budget needs.
• Provides direct management of the Academic and Information Technology teams.
• Coordinates and supports the Student Services Council, consisting of the student services vice presidents of the eight colleges, in matters relating to statutes, rules, policies, residency requirements, financial aid, research, studies, reports, projects, and services, including possible budget needs.
• Provides oversight and guidance for the programmatic portions of the Wyoming Investment in Nursing, Wyoming Innovation Partnership, and Wyoming Works. This includes program outreach, advocacy, and outcomes reporting.
• Provides oversight and guidance for the Adult Education and High School Equivalency Certification programs. Supports Adult Education outreach and advocacy efforts, contributes to outcomes reporting, and reviews. Helps to modify, as appropriate, the Adult Education funding allocation model. Assists in creating competitive grants and continuing grant applications for the Adult Education centers. Participates in statewide programmatic meetings.
• In alignment with the statewide strategic plan, advocates for and coordinates academic, career-technical, and dual/concurrent enrollment programs.
• Oversees work related to articulation, common course numbering, assignment of levels of instruction, and program review.
• In concert with the statewide community college strategic plan, advocates for and coordinates academic, career-technical, dual and concurrent enrollment, and continuing education programs. Supports instructional delivery through not only traditional means but also outreach and coordinated electronic system technology. Provides input to statewide initiatives on educational attainment and economic diversification.
• Creates agenda items and supporting documentation for Commission meetings. Attends Commission meetings and actively participates in discussions of both informational and action items.
• Serves on and/or chairs statewide college committees, including those for workforce development and career-technical education.

Qualifications

PREFERENCES:

Preference may be given to applicants who have:

• Preference is given to those with a Master's degree required in education, public administration, post-secondary education leadership, or an academic discipline taught in community colleges. Doctorate preferred.
• 5–7 years of progressively responsible experience in state agency management or higher education leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret state statutes and formulate statewide academic policy.
• Experience supervising staff, including conducting performance evaluations and professional development planning.
• Proven ability to manage daily agency operations, refine internal reporting turnaround times, and act with delegated authority in an executive's absence.
• The ability to facilitate vice-president-level councils (Academic Affairs and Student Services) to reach unified recommendations on controversial or high-stakes policies.
• Experience in creating competitive grant applications, managing federal audit standards, and modifying funding allocation models (e.g., for Adult Education).
• A track record of successfully aligning community college programs with Governor-led economic initiatives and high-priority industry pipelines.
• The ability to translate raw data into "impact stories" and "Executive Summaries" for the Commissioners and the general public.

KNOWLEDGE:

• Functional knowledge of state-level legislative processes, including how to work with committees and individual legislators to provide information.
• Knowledge of high-level agency leadership, policy analysis, and the internal operations required to execute an organization's mission.
• Knowledge of performance evaluation systems and professional development strategies for both academic and technical staff.
• Knowledge of post-secondary instruction, academic affairs, and student services administration at either an institutional or statewide level.
• Knowledge of state statutes governing community colleges.
• Mastery of policies regarding residency, financial aid, dual/concurrent enrollment, and student services infrastructure.
• Familiarity with higher education accreditation standards and requirements.
• Understanding of the intersection between academic curriculum and regional economic diversification.
• Expertise in Adult Education and High School Equivalency frameworks, including funding models and federal/state grant requirements.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

None - See "Preferences"

Necessary Special Requirements

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Occasional travel required

NOTES:

• FLSA: Exempt
• This is an at-will position and serves at the pleasure of the Executive Director