Executive Vice Chancellor of Teaching and Learning / Provost & Chief Academic Officer

Job Summary

The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) serves as the College's senior academic leader and is responsible for providing strategic vision, leadership, and oversight for all instructional and academic affairs functions of North Central Texas College (NCTC). Reporting directly to the Chancellor, the CAO ensures that all academic programs, policies, and operations align with applicable Texas statutes, rules of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and institutional accreditation standards.

The CAO advances academic excellence, student success, workforce alignment, and institutional effectiveness while ensuring compliance with state performance frameworks, outcomes-based funding models, and legislative priorities. This role is central to aligning academic programming with regional workforce demands, transfer pathways, and state strategic goals for higher education.

Responsibilities and Duties:

Academic Leadership and Strategy

• Provide visionary and strategic leadership for all instructional and academic affairs functions of the College.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous assessment of academic strategic initiatives aligned with institutional priorities and Texas higher education strategic plans.
• Ensure academic programs support statewide goals related to credential attainment, workforce readiness, transfer success, and closing achievement gaps.
• Promote innovation in program delivery, including competency-based education, dual credit expansion, and workforce-aligned credentials.
• Serve as the College's chief academic representative to external stakeholders, including universities, ISDs, workforce boards, and state agencies.

Legislative and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure institutional compliance with all applicable Texas statutes, including provisions of the Texas Education Code governing community colleges.
• Oversee adherence to rules and reporting requirements of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, including program approval, funding formulas, and accountability systems.
• Monitor and implement legislative changes affecting academic programs, dual credit, workforce education, and funding.
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations and accreditation standards set by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Instructional Operations

• Provide executive oversight for all academic divisions, instructional centers, and academic support services.
• Ensure quality, rigor, and accessibility of instruction across face-to-face, hybrid, online, and dual credit modalities.
• Oversee curriculum development and approval processes in alignment with THECB guidelines and workforce standards.
• Lead program review, academic scheduling, and efficient allocation of instructional resources.
• Advance guided pathways, transfer articulation, and workforce program alignment.

Faculty Leadership and Shared Governance

• Promote faculty excellence through recruitment, credentialing, evaluation, and retention practices aligned with accreditation and state requirements.
• Support shared governance structures consistent with best practices and institutional policy.
• Ensure faculty qualifications meet SACSCOC standards and state guidelines for dual credit and workforce instruction.
• Champion professional development and innovation in teaching and learning.

Accreditation, Assessment, and Institutional Effectiveness

• Serve as a senior leader in reaffirmation of accreditation and substantive change processes with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
• Ensure systematic assessment of student learning outcomes and continuous improvement processes.
• Align institutional effectiveness efforts with state accountability metrics and performance-based funding outcomes.
• Utilize data analytics to drive decision-making, program improvement, and student success initiatives.

Budget and Resource Management

• Develop and manage academic affairs budgets in alignment with institutional priorities and state funding models.
• Ensure responsible stewardship of resources, including compliance with state reporting and audit requirements.
• Identify and pursue grants, partnerships, and legislative funding opportunities that support academic innovation and workforce development.

Student Success and Workforce Alignment

• Lead initiatives that improve student access, retention, completion, and successful transfer or employment outcomes.
• Collaborate with student services to ensure seamless alignment between academic and support functions.
• Strengthen partnerships with K-12 districts, universities, and employers to expand dual credit, early college high school, and workforce pathways.
• Ensure programs align with regional labor market data and economic development priorities.

Other duties as assigned. Responsibilities and duties may change based on the needs of the department and the institution.

Required Education

Terminal degree from an accredited institution required.

Required Skills & Abilities

• In-depth knowledge of Texas higher education policy, funding formulas, and accountability systems.
• Knowledge of accreditation standards, curriculum approval processes, and regulatory compliance.
• Ability to interpret and implement legislative and policy changes.
• Strong strategic leadership, organizational, and change management skills.
• Ability to analyze complex data and translate insights into actionable strategies.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with diverse stakeholders, including governing boards and state agencies.

Required Experience

• Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in higher education administration.
• Demonstrated experience with academic program oversight, faculty leadership, budgeting, and institutional effectiveness.
• Strong knowledge of Texas higher education governance, funding, and regulatory environment.
• Proven ability to lead within a complex, multi-campus institution.

Preferred Experience

• Senior-level leadership experience in a Texas community college system.
• Experience working directly with the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
• Demonstrated success in dual credit, workforce education, and transfer pathway development.
• Experience leading accreditation reaffirmation and compliance efforts with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
• Record of success in legislative engagement, reporting, or policy implementation.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Subject to criminal background check. Resume, cover letter, and unofficial transcripts is required in addition to application.

Salary is commensurate with education and experience. in addition to a competitive benefits package.

Based on the Gainesville campus, travel will be expected between campuses and to off-site locations as needed.

North Central Texas College ("NCTC") is an equal opportunity employer. NCTC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or gender, national origin, disability, age, genetics, equal pay, or any other legally protected characteristic. NCTC prohibits harassment on the basis of a legally protected characteristic and/or retaliation for reporting a complaint.

Location: Gainesville

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