Academic Program Dean, Herbal Medicine

About ACHS

American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS) has been providing excellence in holistic health distance education since 1978 and is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). ACHS specializes in accredited online graduate and undergraduate degrees, diplomas, certificates, and continuing education courses in integrative medicine fields including aromatherapy, Herbal Medicine, holistic nutrition, and more.

Our mission is to lead the advancement of evidence-based, integrative health and wellness education through experiential online learning and sustainable practices.

Position Overview

The ACHS Academic Program Deans, spanning diverse departments such as Aromatherapy, Business, General Education, Herbal Medicine, and Integrative Health & Nutrition, play a pivotal role in both teaching and ensuring the quality and integrity of their respective programs. As stewards of academic excellence, they actively engage in program reviews, foster collaboration with program advisory councils, and establish connections with industry leaders and credentialing organizations. Academic Program Deans serve as the dynamic faces of their programs, cultivating partnerships with employers and industry experts and leveraging alumni networks to create enriching opportunities for ACHS students.

The Program Dean of Herbal Medicine will oversee all ACHS Herbal Medicine offerings and faculty. For more information on the Herbal Medicine program offerings, click here.

Alongside their teaching responsibilities, Program Deans provide essential support to both current and prospective students, as well as guidance and mentoring to faculty within their respective departments.

To thrive in this role, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in interpersonal communication, utilizing various virtual technologies such as email, Slack, Zoom, and Canvas. A deep understanding of and unwavering commitment to academic excellence and student success are essential attributes for success in this leadership position.

Responsibilities

Curriculum Development and Program Collaboration:

• Develop new courses and programs through collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including institutional leadership, SMEs, internal committees, Program Advisory Councils, and industry leaders.

Regulatory Compliance and Accreditation Management:

• Liaise with the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) and Dean of Institutional Effectiveness for regulatory reporting and, when applicable, lead program-specific accreditation processes.

Continuous Course and Program Improvement:

• Implement ongoing updates to courses and programs, considering student outcomes and conducting formal program and course reviews according to the institution’s schedule.

Student Retention and Success:

• Ensure student retention and academic success through leading implementation of retention initiatives, making data-informed updates to courses and programming, and developing long-term strategies for student success.

Faculty Recruitment, Mentoring, and Supervision:

• Manage faculty recruitment, hiring, and mentorship, ensuring optimal teaching loads for faculty and success of ACHS faculty.

Committee Membership and Collaboration:

• Serve on the Academic Standards Committee and other committees to engage in collaborative efforts with internal partners to enhance the applicant, student, and alumni experience.

External Collaborations and Opportunities Identification:

• Develop and maintain collaborations with external stakeholders, including industry leaders, credentialing organizations, employers, and alumni. Identify and oversee implementation of opportunities for partnership that would support ACHS students and alumni.

Resource Development and Maintenance:

• Develop and maintain ACHS resources for students, faculty and staff; including resources within the Student Success Center, annual updates to the program catalog and handbooks, and canvas classroom assessments and resources.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Required Qualifications

• An earned doctorate in a related field such as botanical medicine, naturopathic medicine, Western herbalism; alternate terminal professional qualifications may be considered in fields where an accredited doctorate is not currently available.
• Higher education administration experience including program reviews, accreditation reports, and outcomes assessment.
• Experience with Title IV federal financial aid funded programs preferred.
• The ability to effectively carry out short-, mid- and long-range project planning to assure the institution’s continued innovation and achievement of its mission and strategic planning goals.
• A strong sense of ownership for current performance and future outcomes.
• A solutions-oriented leadership style.
• A commitment to student retention and success.

Benefits

• Eligibility for Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance the first of the month after hire.
• Dental and Vision is covered at 100%; Our base Medical plan is covered at 90%.
• Paid Sick Time
• Paid Vacation Time
• Paid Wellness Days, including expanded holiday breaks
• Paid Volunteer Day
• Education Benefit Program
• Paid Parental Leave
• 401(k) plan with institution match after one year of employment
• Disability/Life insurance plans available
• Product Discounts
• 24/7 confidential online support that includes counseling, coaching, and online wellness resources

Work Environment

This job can be completed remotely or in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and photocopiers.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This is largely a sedentary role; position requires prolonged standing or sitting and may also include bending, stooping, or stretching. Position also requires prolonged use of a computer.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Non-Discrimination

ACHS is committed to equal opportunity and equal treatment for all qualified individuals. ACHS does not discriminate nor will it tolerate discrimination against any person because of age, gender, gender-identity, color, race, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other class protected by law.

ACHS complies with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in education, including but not limited to all forms of sexual harassment and sexual violence. Any person who files a complaint or participates in an investigation is protected from retaliation to the full extent of the law. Questions regarding Title IX may be referred to ACHS’s Title IX Coordinator and/or to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights. ACHS Title IX Coordinator: Prisca Bermudez, Director of Academic Services, 5005 S. Macadam Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97239. 503-244-0726, TitleIX@achs.edu