Dean of K-16 Partnerships

About Middlesex Community College:

Middlesex Community College (MCC), established in 1970, provides access to affordable education for a diverse community from all ethnic backgrounds and identities, preparing individuals for success and lifelong learning. We promote academic excellence, provide workforce development opportunities, and empower all learners to become productive and socially responsible members of our local and global communities.

The College provides a broad range of services that are essential to attract, reward, and retain talented faculty and staff. The MCC community promotes a culture of inclusion in which our employees feel supported and empowered to best serve our diverse student population. We are proud to offer our classes on both the Bedford and Lowell campuses, as well as a robust online course offering. MCC is committed to transforming lives as we educate, challenge, and support all students as evident in our strategic plan.

As an Affirmative Action employer, MCC strongly encourages members of underrepresented groups, minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to diversity and inclusive excellence to apply.

Job Description:

Title: Dean of K-16 Partnerships

Unit: Non-Unit Professional (NUP)

Division: Academic Affairs - K-16 Partnerships

Reports To: Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs

General Summary: Middlesex Community College (MCC) seeks a dynamic, student success-driven, and collaborative leader to serve as Dean of K-16 Partnerships. This role is responsible for strategic leadership and oversight of MCC's Early College programs, dual and concurrent enrollment partnerships, TRIO and GEAR UP college access programs, and high school and college articulation agreements. The Dean also ensures compliance with accreditation standards (including the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, or NACEP), manages external partnerships, and promotes innovation in K-16 alignment.

The Dean plays a key role in expanding postsecondary access, improving college readiness, and developing structured pathways for high school students and adult learners from diverse communities. This position reports to the Provost and Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs and is a key member of the academic leadership team.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Supervise directors and program coordinators with the Division; provide performance evaluation and mentorship.
• Provides oversight of articulation agreements to ensure appropriate educational and career pathways for programs within the division.
• Lead thorough and consistent collaboration and communication among departments at MCC to ensure seamless transfer of students and their credits.
• Promote inclusive and equitable teaching practices and ensure alignment with MCC's academic vision and strategic plan.
• Oversee all aspects of dual and concurrent enrollment programs with over 45 high school partners.
• Assist high school partners seeking Early College designation with the application process, provide strategic and operational oversight of designated Early College programs including alignment with DESE and DHE requirements.
• Collaborate and communicate with other academic deans, department chairs, and K-16 partners to align curriculum, assess instructional quality, and increase college credit attainment.
• Collaborate and communicate regularly with the deans, the assistant dean of advising & academic pathways, and the advising staff on transfer agreements.
• Partner with Advising on transfer agreements to that ensure transfer advisors are engaged with agreements and to ensure transfer agreements are constructed for matriculation.
• Maintain all current statewide transfer databases with the assistance of the Advising and Academic Pathways staff
• Supervise startup and maintenance of MOUs, onboarding new school partners, and expanding access to dual/concurrent enrollment programming.
• Foster internal collaboration with the Enrollment Services division; Admissions, Advising, Registration, Financial Aid, and the Student Accounts Office to ensure effective student onboarding and communication systems through working groups
• Oversee the development of innovation pathways and career-connected learning models in dual enrollment programs.
• Lead MCC's efforts to achieve and maintain accreditation through the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP).
• Develop systems for tracking and ensuring program compliance with NACEP's standards for curriculum, faculty, assessment, and evaluation.
• Coordinate internal review and documentation in collaboration with academic departments and institutional research.
• Oversee the development and renewal of high school and university articulation agreements.
• Ensure alignment of learning outcomes, facilitate credit transferability, and support clear student progression pathways.
• Maintain systems for managing agreement data and renewal timelines.
• Provide administrative oversight of MCC's TRIO, Upward Bound, and GEAR UP programs; supervise program staff, ensure compliance with grant regulations, and track outcomes; Lead the development of new proposals, partnerships, and community-based initiatives aimed at increasing college readiness and success for all students.
• Manage federal, state, and private grant-funded programs including Perkins, Smith Family Foundation, Commonwealth Dual Enrollment Program, Early College grants, TRIO, Upward Bound, and GEAR UP grants.
• Develop budgets, monitor expenditures, and prepare mid-year/annual grant reports in coordination with institutional research and finance offices.
• Ensure all programs meet reporting requirements and support institutional strategic priorities.
• Represent MCC in local, state, and national initiatives related to Early College, dual enrollment, and K-16 education (e.g., MA Early College Coalition, NACEP/NEACEP, DESE, DHE).
• Build strong relationships with community organizations, employers, and foundations supporting student success and pipeline initiatives.

Requirements:

• Master's degree in Education, Higher Education Administration, Curriculum and Instruction, or related field.
• At least 5 years of progressive administrative experience in K-12, higher education, or educational partnerships.
• Experience managing dual/concurrent enrollment or Early College programs.
• Demonstrated knowledge of grant administration and compliance, including federal programs (e.g., TRIO).
• Experience supervising professional staff and working collaboratively with faculty, academic deans, and community partners.
• Strong commitment to providing all students with what they need to succeed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with Massachusetts DESE and DHE Early College policies.
• Experience with NACEP accreditation or comparable quality assurance frameworks.
• Knowledge of federal and state grant regulations and articulation agreement development.
• Bilingual skills a plus

Additional Information:

Salary Range: $125,000-$135,000 actual salary commensurate with academic background and experience. Employees of Middlesex Community College are considered employees of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and receive benefits, which include:

• High-quality and affordable health insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission (GIC)
• Competitive Dental and Vision Plans
• Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance programs
• Low-cost basic and optional life insurance
• Retirement Savings: State Employees' Pension or Optional Retirement Program (ORP) and Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan or 403(b).
• 12 paid holidays per year and competitive Sick, Vacation, and Personal Time
• Tuition Benefits for employees and dependents at state colleges and universities
• Short-Term Disability and Extended Illness program participation options
• Professional Development and Continuing Education opportunities
• Cell Phone Bill Discounts with Verizon and T-Mobile Cell Phone Carriers
• Access to the Commonwealth's Mass4You, employee assistance program
• Free employee parking on Bedford and Lowell campuses
• Eligibility towards Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Location: Lowell and Bedford campuses as needed

Hours: 37.5 hours per week, schedule to be determined upon hire; this position will be eligible for a maximum of one day of telework in accordance with the College's telework policy.

Expected Start Date: August 2025

Application Deadline: June 26, 2025

Application Instructions:

All applicants must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references

Pre-Employment Requirements:

The College will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

All offers of employment at Middlesex Community College are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates, as deemed necessary.

Middlesex Community College only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you do not have access to a computer, please contact Human Resources at [email protected].