Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Arizona College of Optometry

The Associate Dean of Academic Affairs provides strategic leadership for all academic programs within the Arizona College of Optometry. Reporting to the Dean, this role oversees curriculum development and assessment, accreditation activities, academic policies, faculty academic performance, and student progression. The Associate Dean is a key member of the College’s senior leadership team, serves as a trusted advisor to the Dean, and ensures continuous alignment between academic operations, accreditation standards, and institutional goals.

The Associate Dean assumes administrative responsibility for the College in the Dean’s absence.

Primary Responsibilities

Academic Leadership and Accreditation

• Lead curriculum development, implementation, assessment, and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the primary lead and liaison for Accreditation Council on Optometric Education (ACOE) self-studies, progress reports, and related communications.
• Ensure curricula, syllabi, and academic policies comply with University, College, and accreditation requirements.
• Guide the work of the Curriculum Committee and oversee regular curriculum review.
• Monitor and communicate academic performance metrics, including national board outcomes, progression, and graduation rates.

Strategic Communication and Leadership

• Maintain consistent, transparent, and ongoing communication with the Dean and senior leadership regarding academic performance, accreditation status, emerging risks, personnel matters, and strategic initiatives through regular updates and briefings to ensure shared awareness and timely decision-making.
• Anticipate academic and operational challenges; proactively identify risks and recommend data-informed solutions.
• Provide regular updates and briefings to ensure shared awareness and timely decision-making.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Dean on all academic matters.

Faculty and Staff Oversight

• Oversee academic-related performance evaluations of faculty and staff, ensuring timely completion and alignment with College goals and accreditation expectations.
• Support faculty development, mentorship, and teaching effectiveness initiatives.
• Collaborate with College leadership to ensure appropriate and equitable academic and clinical teaching assignments.

Student Progression and Support

• Oversee academic policies related to student promotion, progression, and graduation.
• Provide academic counseling with other college support team members to students experiencing difficulty and coordinate referrals as needed to University support services.
• Monitor student academic and clinical performance and implement improvement strategies as needed.

Administration and Operations

• Ensure accurate and timely academic scheduling, grade submission, and maintenance of academic records.
• Serve as the Dean’s Office liaison with University offices including the Registrar and Student Financial Services.
• Support admissions and student recruitment activities.
• Ensure annual updates of the College Catalog and related academic documents.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Dean.

Culture and Continuous Improvement

• Foster and sustain a positive, inclusive, and high-performance academic culture across the College.
• Promote transparency, collaboration, professionalism, and accountability.
• Partner with the Dean and leadership team to advance the College’s strategic academic priorities.

Faculty Role, Teaching, and Professional Engagement

• Participate in teaching activities consistent with faculty appointment, including didactic instruction, laboratory supervision, clinical instruction, or course coordination, as assigned. Maintain an active faculty role to support academic quality, curricular relevance, and student learning.
• Engage in scholarly, professional, and service activities consistent with faculty appointment and College expectations.

Qualifications

Required

• Doctoral degree in Optometry (OD) or closely related doctoral discipline.
• Eligibility for optometric licensure in Arizona.
• Minimum of 5 years of academic experience in optometric or health professions education.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum oversight, assessment, and accreditation?related activities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred

• Prior academic leadership experience.
• Experience with accreditation self?study or reporting.
• Experience with faculty performance evaluation and academic outcomes analysis.

Core Competencies

• Academic Leadership: Ability to lead curriculum, assessment, and academic quality initiatives aligned with accreditation standards.
• Communication: Consistent, proactive communication with the Dean, senior leadership, and academic stakeholders.
• Faculty and Student Focus: Supports faculty development, accountability, and student academic success.
• Data?Informed Judgment: Uses academic and assessment data to identify risks and recommend improvements.
• Culture and Collaboration: Fosters a positive, inclusive, and high?performance academic environment.

Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois, and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences, and veterinary medicine. Our faculty and staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long-term disability and pet insurance.  We offer flexible spending accounts, including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account.  We offer a work-life balance with a competitive time off package including paid holidays, sick/flex days, personal days, and vacation days.  We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection, and an employee assistance program.  Wellness is important to us, and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility. 

Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws and regulations. Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/).  Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.

Qualifications

Required

• Doctoral degree in Optometry (OD) or closely related doctoral discipline.
• Eligibility for optometric licensure in Arizona.
• Minimum of 5 years of academic experience in optometric or health professions education.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum oversight, assessment, and accreditation?related activities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.