Oakton Community College
Dean of Liberal Arts (DLA-26) - Oakton College
Oakton Community College, Des Plaines, Illinois, us, 60019
Overview
At Oakton College, we know education changes lives - and that starts with the people who make it happen. For more than 50 years, we've built a welcoming and inclusive community where students from all backgrounds and experiences thrive. We are looking for passionate educators, professionals and leaders to join our team. Whether in the classroom, student support, or behind the scenes, your talents and expertise will make a difference and shape the future. We provide dynamic learning environments that empower students and employees alike with campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie and a Health Careers Education Center in Evanston. Oakton is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is dedicated to innovation, equity and lifelong learning, fostering an inclusive and student-centered culture. Dean of Liberal Arts - Responsibilities
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities: Academic Operations Provides educational vision and leadership for the division. Drives department and program efforts at program, curriculum, and course development and improvement. Facilitates faculty professional development activities. Ensures academic course schedules support student needs and are fiscally responsible and sustainable. Assigns faculty loads. Develops and leads the execution of the annual budget for the division and its departments and programs; actively pursues appropriate grant or alternative funding opportunities. Individually and as a member of the Council of Deans, participates in proposing, implementing, and interpreting college policies and procedures with regard to the college's mission, goals and objectives. Participates in the hiring process for faculty and staff. Works collaboratively with the Academic Affairs Executive Assistant/Operations Manager on the standardization and ongoing management of division office operations. Supporting Students Maintains college visibility through regular communication with students, including new academic term kickoffs, midterm check-ins, and completion nudges. Hosts (randomly selected) students in meetings each semester. Provides timely, procedural leadership for students and faculty members in matters such as grade appeals and questions of academic integrity; establishes routine procedures for administrative matters affecting students and faculty members (e.g., grade changes, entry to closed classes, field trips). Maintains an open-door environment for students and helps resolve issues with faculty. Teaching and Learning Together with department/program chairs, provides evidence-based annual program reviews and assessment of teaching and learning. Champions the use of evidence-based high impact practices. Sets expectations for incorporating new technology and methodology into educational programs, curricula, and the workplace. Drives development of new and/or updated courses and programs in the Division to meet changing student needs; ensures quality and relevance of programs and services. Uses data to lead division analysis on whether courses/programs should be sunset or withdrawn. Creates, presents, and acts upon an annual division status report. Ensures maintenance of appropriate external program accreditations. Regularly reviews, analyzes, and reports on completion rates of courses and programs within the Division. Uses available partners and resources to analyze enrollment trends, form conclusions, make recommendations, and execute approved actions; shares findings with faculty and staff. Demonstrates leadership in supporting Oakton Experience and high impact activities such as the Persistence Project. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leads division faculty, department chairs, program chairs, and staff; maintains a positive culture with accountability for student success. Demonstrates leadership in the core values of respect, integrity, collaboration, and excellence within the Division and across the College. Adheres to and executes college policies and collective bargaining agreements. Performs other job-related duties as assigned. Supervision Supervision received:
Administrative supervision is provided by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Supervision Exercised:
Administrative supervision is exercised over all academic department chairs, faculty, and office staff. Requirements
Minimum Qualifications: Master's degree in a discipline appropriate to the division is required; doctorate is preferred. Minimum of 10 years in an academic environment with at least three years of academic leadership. Ability to learn and adapt to changing college needs while maintaining up-to-date skills. Advanced organization, prioritization, and project management skills with a drive to move the College's strategic plans forward. Intermediate Microsoft Office / Google suite skills (documents, spreadsheets, presentations). Working knowledge of student databases and information systems. Advanced interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to interact professionally and confidentially with a wide range of constituents from diverse backgrounds including the Board, college Administration, faculty/staff, students, government, and the general public. Strong leadership, coaching, mentoring, development, and disciplinary abilities. Mobility to move across campus and to off-campus entities; work is in a general office environment and is generally sedentary. Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Light lifting up to 10 lbs. and light carrying up to 10 lbs. Ability to reach above shoulder. Periods of sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, bending, and stooping. Mobility to move between buildings on campus and to off-campus entities. Work is performed in a general office environment. Additional Information
Salary Range:
$125,000-$138,000 A comprehensive benefits package includes medical, vision, and dental insurance; flexible spending; term life insurance; tuition waivers and reimbursement; retirement; paid holidays; sick days. Appointment to an Administrator position is contingent upon approval by the College's Board of Trustees. Please note
this search will follow the academic calendar with semi-finalist interviews planned in early December, finalist interviews in late January, and the positions going to the March 2026 Board meeting. Anticipated start date is July 1, 2026. Oakton College is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity. We seek a broad spectrum of candidates, including minorities, veterans, women and people with disabilities. EOE/AA/M/F/D/V Oakton does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (gender), sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status. Oakton also does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational, employment, or extracurricular activity. Out-of-State Employment Defined: Oakton’s primary location of operation is in Illinois. An out-of-state employee is defined as a candidate whose primary work location is outside Illinois; taxes and payroll rules vary by state. Allowable States for Out-of-State Employment: Employees must maintain their primary residence in Illinois, Indiana, or a reciprocal state with Illinois. Reciprocal states include Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Indiana is permissible as a primary residence due to proximity. Application Instructions: Visit www.oakton.edu and select the Employment link to view Opportunities. To apply, submit an online application with a cover letter, resume/cv, a list of three references with contact information, and transcripts via the Oakton employment website. Indicate the position code (DLA-25) in the cover letter. Uploaded documents must be under 2 MB and in .doc, .txt, or .pdf format. A total of 8 documents may be uploaded. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED: An UNOFFICIAL copy of transcripts must be submitted at the time of application. Official transcripts are required prior to appointment and should be emailed to adminsearch@oakton.edu or mailed to: Oakton College, Dean of Liberal Arts (DLA-25), c/o Human Resources Department, 1600 East Golf Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016. Interview travel reimbursements are provided for distances over 50 miles. Oakton College conducts background checks on all candidates after a contingent offer; convictions are not a bar to employment. Background checks comply with state and federal law and the Illinois Department of Human Rights Conviction Record Protection Act of March 2021. Posted positions may be removed from the Oakton website without notice if no longer required. Oakton does not utilize E-Verify for employment eligibility.
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At Oakton College, we know education changes lives - and that starts with the people who make it happen. For more than 50 years, we've built a welcoming and inclusive community where students from all backgrounds and experiences thrive. We are looking for passionate educators, professionals and leaders to join our team. Whether in the classroom, student support, or behind the scenes, your talents and expertise will make a difference and shape the future. We provide dynamic learning environments that empower students and employees alike with campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie and a Health Careers Education Center in Evanston. Oakton is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is dedicated to innovation, equity and lifelong learning, fostering an inclusive and student-centered culture. Dean of Liberal Arts - Responsibilities
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities: Academic Operations Provides educational vision and leadership for the division. Drives department and program efforts at program, curriculum, and course development and improvement. Facilitates faculty professional development activities. Ensures academic course schedules support student needs and are fiscally responsible and sustainable. Assigns faculty loads. Develops and leads the execution of the annual budget for the division and its departments and programs; actively pursues appropriate grant or alternative funding opportunities. Individually and as a member of the Council of Deans, participates in proposing, implementing, and interpreting college policies and procedures with regard to the college's mission, goals and objectives. Participates in the hiring process for faculty and staff. Works collaboratively with the Academic Affairs Executive Assistant/Operations Manager on the standardization and ongoing management of division office operations. Supporting Students Maintains college visibility through regular communication with students, including new academic term kickoffs, midterm check-ins, and completion nudges. Hosts (randomly selected) students in meetings each semester. Provides timely, procedural leadership for students and faculty members in matters such as grade appeals and questions of academic integrity; establishes routine procedures for administrative matters affecting students and faculty members (e.g., grade changes, entry to closed classes, field trips). Maintains an open-door environment for students and helps resolve issues with faculty. Teaching and Learning Together with department/program chairs, provides evidence-based annual program reviews and assessment of teaching and learning. Champions the use of evidence-based high impact practices. Sets expectations for incorporating new technology and methodology into educational programs, curricula, and the workplace. Drives development of new and/or updated courses and programs in the Division to meet changing student needs; ensures quality and relevance of programs and services. Uses data to lead division analysis on whether courses/programs should be sunset or withdrawn. Creates, presents, and acts upon an annual division status report. Ensures maintenance of appropriate external program accreditations. Regularly reviews, analyzes, and reports on completion rates of courses and programs within the Division. Uses available partners and resources to analyze enrollment trends, form conclusions, make recommendations, and execute approved actions; shares findings with faculty and staff. Demonstrates leadership in supporting Oakton Experience and high impact activities such as the Persistence Project. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leads division faculty, department chairs, program chairs, and staff; maintains a positive culture with accountability for student success. Demonstrates leadership in the core values of respect, integrity, collaboration, and excellence within the Division and across the College. Adheres to and executes college policies and collective bargaining agreements. Performs other job-related duties as assigned. Supervision Supervision received:
Administrative supervision is provided by the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Supervision Exercised:
Administrative supervision is exercised over all academic department chairs, faculty, and office staff. Requirements
Minimum Qualifications: Master's degree in a discipline appropriate to the division is required; doctorate is preferred. Minimum of 10 years in an academic environment with at least three years of academic leadership. Ability to learn and adapt to changing college needs while maintaining up-to-date skills. Advanced organization, prioritization, and project management skills with a drive to move the College's strategic plans forward. Intermediate Microsoft Office / Google suite skills (documents, spreadsheets, presentations). Working knowledge of student databases and information systems. Advanced interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to interact professionally and confidentially with a wide range of constituents from diverse backgrounds including the Board, college Administration, faculty/staff, students, government, and the general public. Strong leadership, coaching, mentoring, development, and disciplinary abilities. Mobility to move across campus and to off-campus entities; work is in a general office environment and is generally sedentary. Physical Demands and Working Conditions: Light lifting up to 10 lbs. and light carrying up to 10 lbs. Ability to reach above shoulder. Periods of sitting, standing, walking, kneeling, bending, and stooping. Mobility to move between buildings on campus and to off-campus entities. Work is performed in a general office environment. Additional Information
Salary Range:
$125,000-$138,000 A comprehensive benefits package includes medical, vision, and dental insurance; flexible spending; term life insurance; tuition waivers and reimbursement; retirement; paid holidays; sick days. Appointment to an Administrator position is contingent upon approval by the College's Board of Trustees. Please note
this search will follow the academic calendar with semi-finalist interviews planned in early December, finalist interviews in late January, and the positions going to the March 2026 Board meeting. Anticipated start date is July 1, 2026. Oakton College is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity. We seek a broad spectrum of candidates, including minorities, veterans, women and people with disabilities. EOE/AA/M/F/D/V Oakton does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (gender), sexual orientation, disability, or any other protected status. Oakton also does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any educational, employment, or extracurricular activity. Out-of-State Employment Defined: Oakton’s primary location of operation is in Illinois. An out-of-state employee is defined as a candidate whose primary work location is outside Illinois; taxes and payroll rules vary by state. Allowable States for Out-of-State Employment: Employees must maintain their primary residence in Illinois, Indiana, or a reciprocal state with Illinois. Reciprocal states include Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Indiana is permissible as a primary residence due to proximity. Application Instructions: Visit www.oakton.edu and select the Employment link to view Opportunities. To apply, submit an online application with a cover letter, resume/cv, a list of three references with contact information, and transcripts via the Oakton employment website. Indicate the position code (DLA-25) in the cover letter. Uploaded documents must be under 2 MB and in .doc, .txt, or .pdf format. A total of 8 documents may be uploaded. TRANSCRIPTS REQUIRED: An UNOFFICIAL copy of transcripts must be submitted at the time of application. Official transcripts are required prior to appointment and should be emailed to adminsearch@oakton.edu or mailed to: Oakton College, Dean of Liberal Arts (DLA-25), c/o Human Resources Department, 1600 East Golf Road, Des Plaines, IL 60016. Interview travel reimbursements are provided for distances over 50 miles. Oakton College conducts background checks on all candidates after a contingent offer; convictions are not a bar to employment. Background checks comply with state and federal law and the Illinois Department of Human Rights Conviction Record Protection Act of March 2021. Posted positions may be removed from the Oakton website without notice if no longer required. Oakton does not utilize E-Verify for employment eligibility.
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