T/C Sr Accreditation Consult

Position Overview

The Senior Accreditation Consultant will provide expert guidance and leadership to the University of Minnesota Teacher Preparation Unit as it prepares for its upcoming accreditation site visit. Leveraging deep institutional knowledge and extensive experience in accreditation processes, the consultant will ensure that all required reports, evidence, and procedures meet rigorous professional standards. This role requires advanced analytical skills, strategic planning, and the ability to navigate complex compliance requirements while coordinating across multiple stakeholders and academic units.

The University of Minnesota encourages a healthy work life balance for employees. CEHD is committed to an excellent employee experience, offering a flexible work environment that meets the needs of students, staff, faculty, and the communities we serve. Flexible work arrangements may include flexibility in schedule and/or work location. Please note that 100% remote work requires approval prior to offer.

Job Responsibilities

Accreditation Site Visit Preparation (75%)

• Design and implement a comprehensive plan to prepare faculty, staff, and students for accreditation site visit interviews, ensuring alignment in messaging and evidence.
• Oversee the organization and presentation of accreditation evidence to ensure all materials are easily accessible and professionally curated for reviewers.
• Anticipate potential areas of concern that reviewers may raise and prepare unit leaders with data, documentation, and talking points to address them.
• Serve as the on-site strategic advisor during the visit, providing real-time guidance to leadership and addressing emergent issues raised by the review team.
• Ensure seamless coordination of logistics, communications, and stakeholder engagement before, during, and after the site visit.

Accreditation Report Writing (25%)

• Draft and refine an addendum to the site visit report that addresses reviewer findings, clarifies program strengths, and provides additional evidence or context as needed to support a positive accreditation outcome.

Required Qualifications

• BA/BS degree plus 8 years related professional experience
• Deep knowledge of Minnesota's Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) unit standards for teacher preparation
• Experience in leading state, regional, or national accreditation for teacher education or related degrees
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with diverse populations
• Demonstrated ability to work flexibly and successfully within a changing context
• Evidence of effective communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills with people from a variety of backgrounds and identities
• Ability to develop and deliver courses in ways that effectively account for a variety of diverse backgrounds, communities, identities, and abilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree, Ed.D. or Ph.D. in Education or related field
• Deep knowledge of the University of Minnesota's teacher preparation programs, policies, and institutional structures.
• Prior executive or senior leadership experience in higher education administration, accreditation, or teacher preparation

College Overview

The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), the University's third largest college, contributes to a just and sustainable future through engagement with the local and global communities to enhance human learning and development at all stages of life. We know diversity is necessary to do our best work and foster our humanity. That's why the CEHD community is collectively dedicated to cultivating an inclusive and equitable environment, embracing and celebrating all identities of our students, staff, and faculty. These values are also a moral imperative requiring continuous proactive measures and a firm stance against prejudice, discrimination, and systemic injustice.

Pay Range: The hourly rate for this position is $75/hour. Final offers depend on the candidate's experience, skills, education, and internal equity within the department.

Time Appointment: 25%

Position Type: Temporary

Retirement plan options are available for Civil Service, Faculty, Labor-Represented, Professional & Administrative, and Temp Casual classifications. Learn more about retirement plans.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

*To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).