DEPARTMENT: Academic Affairs
REPORTS TO: Assistant Provost, Academic Excellence & Assessment
LOCATION: New Ulm, Minnesota
EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Exempt (Salary) | 1.00 FTE – Regular Full-time
RANGE: Called Salary Matrix Column E – H    |    Lay $60,000 – $70,000

SUMMARY

Martin Luther College (MLC) is seeking an experienced educational leader to guide its work in academic assessment, data-informed improvement, and teacher licensure. The Director of Academic Assessment & Licensure Unit Leader will direct efforts to ensure that meaningful evidence is gathered, analyzed, and used to strengthen courses and academic programs, while coordinating the college’s teacher licensure operations. Above all, this individual will be committed to MLC’s mission and to strengthening the quality and effectiveness of our programs as we prepare students for faithful service in God’s kingdom.

This role will be especially rewarding for someone who brings confidence and skill to analyzing data, identifying areas for growth, and helping faculty and staff turn evidence into thoughtful, actionable plans for improvement. In this position, the Director will connect people and practices across MLC, promote greater collaboration, and play a central role in strengthening licensure at an important time for the college. Working across an institution dedicated to preparing pastors, teachers, and staff ministers, the Director will steer assessment and improvement across all three areas. Together, these responsibilities offer an opportunity to help shape sustainable approaches that strengthen the preparation of students for lives of service.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Academic Assessment & Continuous Improvement

  • Lead the evaluation and refinement of MLC’s processes for gathering and interpreting evidence of student learning.
  • Work directly with faculty and programs to use assessment evidence to identify priorities and develop actionable plans to strengthen teaching and academic programs.
  • Develop and sustain institution-wide processes that support meaningful, ongoing assessment and improvement across MLC’s academic programs.

Teacher Licensure

  • Direct MLC’s teacher licensure operations, ensuring effective processes and support for students and programs.
  • Ensure that MLC’s course syllabi accurately document the alignment and fulfillment of teacher licensure standards, and coordinate the work of the syllabus review committee to maintain the quality and consistency of that alignment.
  • Direct the continued development and improvement of MLC’s teacher licensure programs, with a focus on quality, effectiveness, and excellence.

Faculty/Institutional Leadership

  • Co-chair the Education Department, helping anticipate and address assessment-related issues and ensuring those priorities are thoughtfully considered in institutional decision-making.
  • Facilitate collaboration across institutional boundaries, bringing faculty and staff together to design and implement solutions that address shared challenges and strengthen MLC’s programs and practices.
  • As Licensure Unit Leader, represent MLC with external licensing and teacher education organizations, including the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) and the Minnesota Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (MACTE), as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:

  • An active member of the WELS or church body in fellowship with the WELS.
  • A deep commitment to the mission and core values of WELS and MLC, and an ability to apply that commitment in the performance of daily responsibilities on and off campus.
  • Master’s degree in education, educational administration, assessment, or a related field.
  • A minimum of 10 years in education, including significant administrative or leadership responsibilities, preferably across at least two settings.
  • Experience using data and assessment evidence to identify areas for improvement and help faculty and programs develop actionable plans.
  • Classroom teaching experience, pastoral experience or willingness to enroll in the Teaching Ministry Certification Program.

Preferred:

  • Background in teacher preparation, educator licensure, or state/professional educator standards.
  • Experience leading institutional or program-level assessment initiatives in higher education.

ATTRIBUTES FOR SUCCESS

  • Approaches academic assessment and licensure as meaningful parts of MLC’s ministry, with a desire to strengthen the preparation of students for public ministry.
  • Strong skills in building relationships, fostering collaboration, and leading change across an organization.
  • Articulates complex ideas clearly and understandably, helping faculty and staff engage with challenging issues and make informed decisions.
  • Helps others recognize relationships among people, data, programs, and institutional priorities.
  • Identifies opportunities for improvement and moves ideas from discussion to action.
  • Responds thoughtfully to changing circumstances and navigates complex or evolving institutional needs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & BENEFITS

  • This position is full-time, primarily on-site with some travel, irregular hours, evening, and weekend hours.
  • This position requires use of a personal cell phone with reliable service for travel and regular communications.
  • This position is Full-time Benefit Eligible. A comprehensive schedule of benefits is available here.
  • Ministers of the Gospel are eligible to receive SECA (the Self-Employed Contributions Act) compensation, COLA (Cost of Living Adjustment), and Housing/Parsonage Allowance.

ABOUT US

Martin Luther College (MLC) is the WELS College of Ministry, preparing pastors, teachers, and staff ministers to proclaim the truth of the Holy Scriptures in churches, schools, and other institutions. MLC serves about 600 on-campus students and almost 1,000 online students. Located on a beautiful wooded hill, the 100-acre campus overlooks the city of New Ulm, Minnesota. MLC offers the charm of a small town with easy access to larger cities—just 25 miles from Mankato and 90 miles from Minneapolis/St. Paul.

APPLY ONLINE

Click this link to apply online

Applications are accepted until the position is filled.

Direct all inquiries to Human Resources
507-354-8221
hr@mlc-wels.edu