The Chief Academic Officer (CAO) serves as the College’s senior academic leader and is responsible for providing strategic vision, leadership, and oversight for all instructional and academic affairs functions of North Central Texas College (NCTC). Reporting directly to the Chancellor, the CAO ensures that all academic programs, policies, and operations align with applicable Texas statutes, rules of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB), and institutional accreditation standards.
The CAO advances academic excellence, student success, workforce alignment, and institutional effectiveness while ensuring compliance with state performance frameworks, outcomes-based funding models, and legislative priorities. This role is central to aligning academic programming with regional workforce demands, transfer pathways, and state strategic goals for higher education.
Responsibilities and Duties:
Academic Leadership and Strategy
- Provide visionary and strategic leadership for all instructional and academic affairs functions of the College.
- Lead the development, implementation, and continuous assessment of academic strategic initiatives aligned with institutional priorities and Texas higher education strategic plans.
- Ensure academic programs support statewide goals related to credential attainment, workforce readiness, transfer success, and closing achievement gaps.
- Promote innovation in program delivery, including competency-based education, dual credit expansion, and workforce-aligned credentials.
- Serve as the College’s chief academic representative to external stakeholders, including universities, ISDs, workforce boards, and state agencies.
Legislative and Regulatory Compliance
- Ensure institutional compliance with all applicable Texas statutes, including provisions of the Texas Education Code governing community colleges.
- Oversee adherence to rules and reporting requirements of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, including program approval, funding formulas, and accountability systems.
- Monitor and implement legislative changes affecting academic programs, dual credit, workforce education, and funding.
- Ensure compliance with federal regulations and accreditation standards set by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Instructional Operations
- Provide executive oversight for all academic divisions, instructional centers, and academic support services.
- Ensure quality, rigor, and accessibility of instruction across face-to-face, hybrid, online, and dual credit modalities.
- Oversee curriculum development and approval processes in alignment with THECB guidelines and workforce standards.
- Lead program review, academic scheduling, and efficient allocation of instructional resources.
- Advance guided pathways, transfer articulation, and workforce program alignment.
