Senior Advisor, Academic Innovation and Learner Success

Senior Advisor, Academic Innovation and Learner Success

Office of the Chief Academic Officer

Contingent II, Full Time, Pay Grade 4.2

Location: Adelphi, MD (Hybrid)

The Senior Advisor for Academic Innovation and Learner Success serves as a strategic advisor, project leader, and operational partner to the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) in support of the academic mission. This role ensures seamless execution of divisional priorities across the Global Academic and Learning Enterprise, aligning initiatives with the university’s global operations, innovative learning model, and commitment to student success—especially for primarily adult learner population.

As an extension of the CAO’s leadership team, this position acts as a connector across GALE units, administrative offices, and external stakeholders, driving cross-functional initiatives that integrate innovation, data, and best practices to transform the learner journey and elevate academic effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities:

Academic Innovation & Student Success:

• Lead high-impact, university-wide projects focused on academic innovation and student success, with special emphasis on adult, military-affiliated, and online learners.

• Identify, design, and scale initiatives that improve learning outcomes, engagement, equity, and persistence, in alignment with UMGC’s strategic plan.

• Serve as the CAO’s lead strategist on pilot programs and emerging trends (e.g., generative AI, modular credentials, alternative pathways).

• Collaborate with academic leadership, advising, learner analytics, student affairs, and institutional research to develop and implement student-centered solutions.

• Develop, monitor, and report on success metrics for innovation and student engagement initiatives.

• Champion a culture of continuous improvement and data-informed decision-making across academic programs and support services.

• Represent the CAO’s Office on institutional and system-wide task forces related to academic transformation and learner success.

• Manage project teams and partnerships related to innovation grants, pilots, and academic special projects.

Leadership Support & Discretion:

• Anticipate and manage sensitive matters with the utmost discretion and professionalism.

• Foster a culture of excellence, collaboration, and accountability across the Global Academic Leadership Environment (GALE).

• Serve as a thought partner and sounding board for the CAO.

Strategic & Operational Support:

• Advise the CAO on setting and managing GALE priorities.

• Lead and coordinate special projects aligned with academic strategic goals.

• Prepare high-quality briefings, meeting materials, presentations, reports, summaries, dashboards, and talking points for the CAO.

• Direct operations of the Office of the CAO, managing staff, special projects, and workflow.

• Oversee planning and execution of key projects and institutional initiatives on behalf of the CAO.

• Track timelines, project status, and follow-up items; support meeting logistics and documentation.

Liaison & Coordination:

• Act as a bridge between the CAO and internal departments, including academic deans, faculty leadership, and administrative offices.

• Represent the CAO in meetings, ensuring follow-through on assigned action items.

• Track and manage timelines and deliverables for CAO initiatives.

Information Management & Decision Support:

• Coordinate the flow of information, ensuring the CAO is fully informed and prepared.

• Support the CAO’s participation in governance bodies, external boards, and task forces.

• Conduct policy research, benchmarking, and data analysis to inform decision-making.

• Monitor and assess developments in higher education relevant to the CAO’s portfolio.

• Assist in compiling institutional data and narratives for accreditation, compliance, and reporting.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Serve as a primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders seeking engagement with the CAO.

• Facilitate communication and issue resolution across deans, faculty leadership, academic governance, and administrative partners.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Dispositions (KSADs):

Knowledge:

• Higher Education Administration: Comprehensive understanding of academic affairs, governance, and the unique needs of adult