The Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) seeks a dynamic, visionary, and innovative leader to serve as its Vice President of Academic Affairs (VPAA) with an anticipated start date in July or August 2025. This critical leadership role will directly influence the academic strategies and direction of the institution, reporting to the President and joining the senior leadership team. The VPAA will oversee all academic programs, academic support initiatives, and faculty with a strong focus on preparing students to become forward-thinking, creative practitioners in the visual arts. This position plays an essential role in fostering curriculum development, advancing student success, and driving institutional growth.

MIAD’s vision for the future is to cultivate a galvanized educational and creative community that addresses broad needs through intention, action, and expression. As part of this forward-thinking environment, the VPAA will shape an academic experience that reflects MIAD’s core values: courage, integrity, kindness, community, innovation, and inclusion. These values guide every aspect of student engagement, faculty development, and academic programming.

MIAD student enrollment has grown 40 percent in ten years, with students focused on innovation, empathy, and community engagement. MIAD is learning-centered and student-focused.

Responsibilities include, but not are limited to:

• Foster and maintain an outstanding, engaged, and supportive faculty committed to student excellence.
• Advance MIAD’s mission to create a learning environment that supports and ensures student success throughout their creative journey.
• Assure and encourage excellence in the academic programs through best practices in learning, teaching assessment, and evaluation.
• Lead all academic programs and academic support areas which include the following: Academic Administration, International Programming, Institutional Labs, Library, and Lubar Centers for Innovation and Emerging Technology.
• Promote the development of outstanding curricula and new academic programming that aligns with MIAD’s strategic vision.
• Recommend and communicate academic policy to the Board of Trustees, faculty, and staff, and ensure the college maintains a consistent and transparent approach to academic affairs.
• Support accreditation processes, ensuring that MIAD’s academic programs remain competitive and of high quality.
• Plan and oversee faculty recruitment, advancing hiring recommendations to the President.
• Foster innovation throughout the academic programs, including progressive technology application and advancements in the curriculum.
• Cultivate and oversee external relationships and Board communications regarding academic affairs.
• Lead annual and strategic planning for academic areas ensuring that MIAD’s academic programs remain relevant, innovative, and responsive to industry trends. Perform other duties as delegated by the President.
• Communicate and collaborate with the Board of Trustees Academic Affairs Committee Chair, lead Board of Trustees (BOT) Academic Affairs Committee meetings, and solicit relevant input and guidance from a committee of MIAD stakeholders.
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Required Qualifications and Experience:

MFA, MA, Ph.D., or equivalent required.

Must hold a record of creative and/or scholarly practice.

Strongly prefer a minimum of ten (10) years of teaching at the college level.

A minimum of five (5) years of progressive academic leadership at the college level, coupled with clear evidence of successful leadership in academic settings strongly preferred.

Must have successful experience with academic planning, course and program development, academic assessment and accreditation.

Familiarity with contemporary issues in visual art and design education and a passion for advancing innovation in this field.

Experience with implementing strategies for a holistic learning climate.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to work effectively with faculty, students, senior leadership, and external stakeholders, including the Board of Trustees.
• Strong leadership experience with the ability to set a strategic direction for academic programs, foster innovation, and support faculty and student success.
• Experience in managing academic budgets and resources to ensure sustainable growth and alignment with institutional goals.
• Ability to support and challenge students, faculty, and staff through critical and creative thinking and making.
• Must have ability to utilize a personal computer and applications and MS Office Suite.
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Application Process and Deadline:

Qualified applicants should submit the following information in one (1) pdf document via email to: vpaasearch_group@miad.edu

• A letter of interest/cover letter
• A resume
• Three (3) professional reference names and contact information.
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Initial review of candidates will begin April  7, 2025 and will continue until the position has been filled.

MIAD offers an attractive benefits package, including health, vision, and dental insurance.

All final candidates must successfully complete reference and background checks.  Only pending charges or convictions that are substantially related to the position being considered will be taken into account during the employment decision-making process.  Conviction records that are not substantially related to the position or to campus safety will not be considered in hiring decisions.