TBR | The College System of Tennessee

Title: Coordinator of Academic Innovation

Employee Classification: Executive/Admin & Managerial

Institution: System Office

Department: The Office of Academic Affairs

Campus Location: Tennessee Board of Regents System Office

Job Summary

The primary function of the Coordinator of Academic Innovation is to coordinate and support the day-to-day implementation, administration, and monitoring of college programs delivered in carceral settings across the state on behalf of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) and its institutions. Equally important is the Coordinator’s role in support of academic initiatives across the Office of Academic Affairs.

This position supports the implementation of correctional education programming under the TBR Center for Correctional Education and works closely with TBR institutions, the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC), the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), the Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI), and other partners to ensure approved educational programs operate effectively within correctional settings.

The Coordinator is responsible for the operational coordination of established programs, including maintaining program schedules and records, coordinating communication among participating institutions and facilities, monitoring enrollment and participation, supporting faculty and student needs, and identifying operational issues requiring resolution or escalation.
The position works under the direction of the Senior Director of Academic Innovation to implement established priorities and program strategies. The Senior Director is responsible for statewide strategy, program expansion, executive-level partnerships, external relationships, research and innovation initiatives, and high-level policy and program decisions. The Coordinator translates those priorities into consistent day-to-day operations and provides information and support necessary for effective program management while also providing support to academic initiatives as required in the Office of Academic Affairs.

Job Duties

• 50% - Coordinate the day-to-day implementation of approved community college and technical college programs at TDOC facilities. Maintain program schedules, course information, facility assignments, student and faculty information, program calendars, and other operational documentation necessary for program delivery. Coordinate with participating institutions and facility contacts to ensure established programs are implemented according to approved plans and requirements and communications are maintained. Attend meetings, coordinate trainings and professional development activities, and support CEI operations and the Senior Director activities. - (Essential)
• 50% - Participate in and support projects and activities across the scope of the Office of Academic Affairs, including but not limited to special projects, research support, documentation, presentations, site visits, and other administrative or operational activities. Perform other duties as assigned in support of the TBR Center for Correctional Education and the Office of Academic Affairs. - (Essential)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree
• Two to three years of professional experience in higher education, program coordination, administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience coordinating programs, projects, or multiple stakeholder activities
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, employees, institutions, state agencies, and the general public

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree
• Three to five years of experience in higher education, program coordination, or a related field
• Experience working with community colleges or technical colleges
• Experience coordinating programs across multiple locations or organizations
• Experience working with data, reporting, budgets, or grant-funded programs
• Experience working with correctional education, workforce development, student services, or other nontraditional educational settings
• Experience facilitating meetings and coordinating groups of stakeholders
• Experience using project management, data management, or learning management systems

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:
• Higher education structures and institutional operations
• Community college and technical college programs and processes
• Basic principles of program coordination and project management
• Data collection, reporting, and record management
• Administrative processes related to budgets, contracts, purchasing, and expenditures
• Communication and operational considerations associated with educational programming in correctional settings
• State and institutional policies and procedures applicable to program implementation
• Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, and other technology platforms used to coordinate programs
Skill with:
• Organization and attention to detail
• Written and oral communication
• Coordinating multiple projects, schedules, and stakeholders simultaneously
• Maintaining accurate records and documentation
• Collecting, organizing, and reporting data
• Problem identification and resolution
• Meeting coordination and follow-up
• Microsoft Office Suite and other standard office technology
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with institutional and external partners
Ability to:
• Coordinate multiple programs and activities across geographically dispersed locations
• Manage competing priorities and meet established deadlines
• Follow established policies, procedures, and program requirements
• Communicate clearly and professionally with colleges, correctional facilities, faculty, students, and state agency personnel
• Track and follow through on action items and operational requirements
• Identify operational problems and determine appropriate next steps within established procedures
• Recognize issues requiring escalation to the Senior Director or other appropriate leadership
• Collect and maintain accurate program information and documentation
• Prepare clear reports, correspondence, presentations, and other program materials
• Work independently while maintaining regular communication with supervisors and stakeholders
• Develop and maintain positive collaborative working relationships
• Work effectively with diverse populations and in a variety of institutional and correctional environments
• Support implementation of statewide initiatives while maintaining consistency with established program standards and priorities

Physical Demands / Working Conditions

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