Interim Vice President of Academics MnSCU Admin-9

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Where your work helps create a success story for every student.

Minnesota State Community and Technical College (M State) is seeking passionate, talented professionals to join our learning‑centered community. Whether you are an educator, administrator, or staff professional, your work at M State will directly support students as they shape their futures and will strengthen the communities we serve.

With four welcoming campuses in Detroit Lakes, Fergus Falls, Moorhead, and Wadena, M State combines big‑college opportunities with a small‑college feel, offering nationally accredited programs, flexible learning options, and a deeply student‑focused culture.

At M State, we are all in on student success.

Our work is guided by shared values of:

• Integrity – As dedicated professionals, we act with purpose in everything we do. We are sincere and honest in our relationships and communications, and hold ourselves accountable to doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
• Inclusion – We welcome, respect and accept people for who they are and celebrate the power of our collective differences in creating and shaping more robust, energized communities.
• Innovation – Through the power of our four campuses, strategic partnerships and creative problem-solving, we enhance communities. We incorporate technology to improve student experience, and we see continuous improvement as a constant.

Together, these values support our vision: A success story for every student.

M State is accepting applications for a full-time Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs. This interim appointment will run through December 31, 2027. The position serves all four campuses, with a primary work location of Fergus Falls, Wadena, Moorhead, or the Detroit Lakes campus.

The Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs serves as the lead academic officer for Minnesota State Community and Technical College, providing strategic leadership and oversight for all credit-bearing academic programs and academic operations. The position is responsible for ensuring academic quality, student learning, program development, assessment, accreditation, faculty leadership, and compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements. Reporting directly to the President, the Vice President leads academic planning, budget management, personnel oversight, and continuous improvement initiatives while fostering collaboration, innovation, student success, and an inclusive learning environment across the college.

• Provides strategic leadership and direction for Academic Affairs, aligning academic programs, priorities, and student success initiatives with college and Minnesota State goals.
• Leads deans, program directors, faculty, and staff in promoting academic excellence, innovation, collaboration, and an inclusive learning environment.

• Oversees Academic Affairs personnel and operations, including recruitment, staffing, performance management, employee development, scheduling, enrollment, and records.
• Ensures effective administration of collective bargaining agreements, college policies, and divisional resources while fostering a respectful and accountable workplace.

• Leads academic planning, assessment, reporting, and continuous improvement efforts to strengthen programs and improve student retention, completion, and graduation.
• Establishes and evaluates academic goals and outcomes using data, student feedback, and collaboration with college stakeholders.

• Develops and oversees complex Academic Affairs budgets, allocating resources in alignment with enrollment needs and institutional priorities.
• Pursues grants and external funding to support academic programs, innovation, and student success.

• Serves on the President’s Cabinet and contributes to college-wide decisions involving policies, planning, budgets, programs, and sensitive institutional matters.
• Represents the college with Minnesota State and community partners while ensuring compliance with applicable laws, accreditation requirements, policies, agreements, and privacy standards.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education, leadership, an academic discipline or other related field.
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience within academic affairs at a college or university.
• At least two (2) years of experience as an academic dean or equivalent or experience directing of leading multiple departments or programs.
• Experience teaching at the college or university level.
• Demonstrated cultural competency.
• Demonstrated evidence of managing demanding and high stress situations, multiple priorities, and varied situations simultaneously.
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written skills.
• Ability to build trust, teamwork, and cooperation among faculty, administrators, and staff.
• Proven commitment to academic excellence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in education, leadership, an academic discipline or other related field.
• Experience working in a unionized college or university setting.
• Experience leading innovation and organizational change as related to academic programs.
• Demonstrated understanding of strategic planning and systematic decision making.
• Demonstrated success in building and maintaining partnerships.
• Understanding of the diverse identities and needs of community college students.
• Knowledge and understanding of higher education accreditation, FERPA laws, and student records.

The vacancy is open until filled and applications will be reviewed upon receipt. This position is open to internal Minnesota State applicants. To apply, submit a letter of interest, resume, three professional references, and any applicable transcripts through the Jobs Hub in Workday.

NOTICE: The college regrets that it is unable to offer H-1B sponsorship. The successful candidate under U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations must be able to accept work in the U.S. by the day employment begins.

This is the correct salary range for this position effective July 1, 2026; disregard the full range listed by this website:  $122,203 - $170,851 annually.

Questions?

Contact Heidi Balgaard, M State’s Recruiter, at [email protected] with questions about the position or to request a copy of the full position description.

M State is a regional student-focused institution that is poised for a strong future. It is the sixth-largest outstate college in the Minnesota State system and the largest two-year college in Greater Minnesota, serving more than 10,500 students in credit and non-credit courses each year. M State offers big-college resources and a small-college feel on our four welcoming campuses and in our many online courses and programs. Our faculty and staff are dedicated to the values of integrity, inclusion and innovation, and that dedication is reflected in our programs and in the support we offer to our students.

Minnesota State is an equal opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status. All applicants must be able to lawfully accept employment in the United States.

Inquiries about Title IX can be directed to the college’s Title IX Coordinator and/or to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights. The Title IX office is located on Moorhead’s campus, but it travels and serves all 4 campuses.

Elise Sturdivant
Title IX Coordinator
Office D120g

1900 28th Ave S
Moorhead, MN 56560
(218) 299.6853 | [email protected] | [email protected]

If you need accommodations to take part in the application process, please contact Human Resources at (218) 736-1512. For more information regarding M State, refer to our website at: www.minnesota.edu. Minnesota State Community and Technical College, a member of the Minnesota State system, is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer.

NOTICE: In accordance with the Minnesota State Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, employees driving on college/university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to Minnesota State’s vehicle use criteria and consent to a motor vehicle records check.                                                                                     

This vacancy notice may be removed at any time for any reason.

Benefits Information:

At Minnesota State, we take your well-being and work-life balance seriously. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that features low-cost medical and dental insurance with affordable deductibles, employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and pre-tax healthcare and dependent care accounts with a roll-over option. To further support your holistic health, employees also have access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, legal, and financial counseling. Detailed plan details, rates, and coverage choices can be reviewed directly via the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) website.

To support your life outside of work, our package includes 12 paid holidays, generous vacation and sick time, and six weeks of Paid Parental Leave. We also help you secure your financial future with a robust Pension Plan, 457(b) and 403(b) retirement accounts, and various investment options. Furthermore, we invest in your growth by providing dedicated professional development and tuition waivers for both you and your dependents. Please note that specific benefit eligibility and coverage levels may vary depending on the type of position, employee classification, and collective bargaining agreements.

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