Friday, February 6, 2009

Dean of the Access Academy :The Asian University for Women

Dean of the Access Academy

The Asian University for Women (www.asian-university.org) based in Chittagong, Bangladesh is an independent, all residential, international university dedicated to serving as a center of excellence for undergraduate and graduate professional education for women from all walks of life throughout Asia. The University seeks an exceptional leader and administrator to serve as the Dean of its Access Academy.


The Access Academy is a year-long, pre-collegiate bridge program, designed to ensure that promising students who lack adequate secondary school training have an opportunity to acquire the requisite preparation for a rigorous University education in English. The Access Academy currently houses 129 students from Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. These students will graduate the program in time to join the first class of undergraduates of the Asian University for Women in August 2009. Next year's class is expected to also include students from a number of other countries, including Afghanistan, Bhutan, Indonesia and Vietnam; with a total class size of 150 in 2009 and 300 students at full capacity. Beginning with the class of 2009, all Academy students will be first-generation university candidates.


The Access Academy is intended to provide university level academic English proficiency in an emotionally, culturally and intellectually nurturing setting that will infuse character development in social justice, enhance Math and quantitative reasoning skills and develop multi-media computer skills. Other programs in music, dance, drama and other creative arts, direct involvement in community action and activities that train students in leadership and entrepreneurship are part of the co-curricular program. These enable students from multi-cultural and multi-religious backgrounds to develop individual artistic expression and develop a new sense of community that transcends individual religious, ethnic, linguistic or any other particular background.


The Dean will be responsible for providing inspirational leadership and effective management to the entire Access Academy community.


*** This position is based in Chittagong, Bangladesh. The Dean will be expected to live in an apartment located within the Access Academy facilities complex to ease supervision of the resident student body. ***


General Responsibilities:

  • Establish a learning climate and Academy culture conducive to quality instruction and continuous improvement of learning, leading to entry into the Asian University for Women
  • Promote skills, experiences, and attitudes that will enable the students to thrive
  • Represent the Access Academy at external events and other functions
  • Analyze issues, problems, and concerns to determine the best recommended courses of action
  • Develop an atmosphere of personal responsibility, trust, and collaboration among teachers, students and staff
  • Foster open communication between the Access Academy community and students’ parents
  • Define and manage the best utilization of personnel and resources to ensure students’ success
  • Support the Recruitment and Admissions teams as appropriate
  • Monitor, manage, and generate reports on community responsiveness, faculty development, and student learning
  • Manage and administer the Access Academy budget
  • Develop and manage community involvement, including projects with “Friends of AUW” volunteers
  • Consult with the Provost to ensure that all major decisions relating to staff, teachers, students, collegial and community activities are made in accordance with the approved guidelines and policies of AUW


Responsibilities for Academic Programs and Assessment:

  • Direct the planning and implementation of Access Academy curriculum
  • Develop a system of assessment for the Academy, including diagnostic tools to identify individual student’s strengths and weaknesses
  • Develop assessment tools to determine student readiness for entrance into AUW
  • Identify learning goals for the students, as well as academic strategies for AA teachers to support these goals
  • Develop and/or select instructional materials, projects, and assessment plans consistent with these goals and in support of the curriculum
  • Ensure that each AA teacher understands the fundamental goals of the Access Academy and its mission
  • Guide the AA teachers, through regularly scheduled group meetings and meetings with individual teachers, to:
    • Address specific issues raised by the teachers and follow-through where appropriate
    • Assess and improve effectiveness of current practices, and then collaboratively assist teachers in adjusting to and accepting changes in teaching, approach to student learning, use of materials, and assessment
    • Assist AA teachers in self evaluation leading to effective practice
  • Monitor, through class observation and evaluation with the appropriate teacher, of each individual student’s academic output, the degree of academic excellence of each class and each student
  • Work with the Recruitment and Admissions team in developing assessment tools beyond standardized testing, such as the personal interview, for student recruitment


Responsibilities for AA Student Affairs and Residential Life:

  • Work with the Deputy Director of Student Affairs and Resident Faculty on matters related to student life including, but not limited to, ensuring student care and discipline


Other Responsibilities:

  • As part of the senior administration of the University, from time to time, the Provost may also request the Dean to participate in other tasks in support of AUW


Job Requirements:

Education and Experiences:

  • Master’s or PhD
  • Minimum of three to five years of work experience in the leadership of an educational setting that prepares students in academic English skills for a tertiary institution
  • Substantial experience in teaching ESL and developing ESL curriculum and assessments
  • International or other cross-cultural experience
  • Supervisory experience
  • Strong computer skills (e.g., Knowledge of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)


Personal Characteristics:

  • Sincere interest in the mission of AUW and AA.
  • Ability to listen effectively and build rapport with students and teachers
  • Strong ability to create and manage a residential academic program
  • Organizational and multi-tasking skills
  • Flexible, consultative, and calm
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Strong interpersonal skills in working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and building supportive relationships
  • Good judgment, strong initiative, and detail-oriented
  • Ability to work well under tight deadlines
  • Prepared to be part of a start-up institution
  • Enthusiasm for living and working in Bangladesh


*** The ideal candidate will have been in a leadership position, with the added experience of (a) academic program development and implementation (b) integration of cultural and social issues into student experiences and (c) residential community management. ***


Compensation: Salary for this position is competitive and commensurate with experience. In addition, a comprehensive benefits package is included.


To Apply:

Send the following to nicole.santamaria@asian-university.org:

(1) Cover letter summarizing why you should be considered for this position. Please mention the job title in the cover letter.

(2) Resumé/C.V.

(3) Names and contact information of at least 3 references


Review of applications will begin on February 15, 2009 and continue until the position is filled.

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