Academic Career & Executive Search is pleased to assist Imperial Valley College in its search for Vice President for Academic Services.

For full consideration, please apply by October 7, 2025. 

This is a rare opportunity to join one of the most innovative and forward-thinking community colleges in the nation. The next Vice President for Academic Services (Vice President) will report directly to and work alongside President Johnson, a dynamic and visionary president who has led Imperial Valley College to extraordinary recognition. The successful candidate will bring significant experience as a senior administrator who has led across disciplines and demonstrated the ability to advance strategic vision while inspiring faculty and staff toward operational excellence. This high-visibility executive role serves as both the Chief Instructional Officer (CIO) and Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) calling for a bold academic leader with significant senior-level experience and a proven record of executing strategic goals, shaping instructional vision, championing student equity, and fostering cross-campus collaboration to ensure student success at every level.

President Johnson’s leadership, guided by IVC’s 2030 Vision Comprehensive Master Plan has positioned the College at the forefront of innovation, as demonstrated by: 

• Co-winner of the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance and in 2025, IVC was one of the few colleges and universities that was designated an Opportunity College by the Carnegie Foundation.
• National attention for groundbreaking initiatives such as the Prison Education Programs, and the Lotus Living Tiny Homes Project, one of the first of its kind in the U.S. to support students facing homelessness. 
• Recognition for bold efforts to eradicate poverty and striving to achieve some of the region’s highest employment outcomes.
• Serving as an anchor institution for Imperial County, where 70-80% of the community has attended IVC.

The College is also undergoing major modernization and expansion, including new instructional facilities, revitalized student spaces, and expanded workforce development initiatives made possible by strong community investment (IVC Modernization Projects). As a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) with nearly 90% of students identifying as Hispanic/Latino and strong ties to the U.S.–Mexico border, IVC is nationally recognized for its commitment to equity, innovation, and community impact.

In this role, the Vice President will shape the academic future of a college known for being both student-centered and community-driven, working in close partnership with the Vice President of Student Services and Equity to align instruction with comprehensive student support. 

The Vice President will provide visionary leadership for the overall design, organization, delivery, supervision, evaluation, and fiscal management of a comprehensive instructional program. This includes general education, transfer programs, career technical and occupational programs, basic skills, non-credit, contract education, community education programs, and all learning support areas within the college district. In addition, the Vice President also represents IVC at the state and regional level as a key leader within California’s community college network.

IVC offers a uniquely rewarding work schedule of approximately 217 workdays per year, with hard campus closures during one-week Spring Break, two to three-week Winter Break, and six weeks of Fridays off in summer, designed for meaningful downtime and exceptional work-life balance. Administrators also enjoy a robust benefits package, including health and wellness programs, and lifetime retirement benefits. Learn more through IVC’s Human Resources Fringe Benefits page.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Provides strong, dynamic academic and administrative leadership while fostering a collegial and inclusive environment that encourages quality teaching, shared governance, adherence to accreditation standards, and student learning excellence. 
• Works closely with the Vice President of Student Services and Equity to co-lead and implement cross-functional initiatives that strengthen coordination between academic programs and student services, including guided pathways, basic needs support, and equity-driven strategies.
• Champions institutional collaboration across divisions by building strong partnerships with Academic Senate, Student Services, Classified Professionals, and Instructional Faculty. 
• Leads and collaborates with the instructional leadership team to plan, organize, administer, and evaluate the college’s curriculum, instructional programs, and learning resources/outcomes.
• Promotes integrated planning and inclusive decision-making, including shared efforts to advance equity, close achievement gaps, and support student success inside and outside the classroom.
• Works collaboratively with faculty across all disciplines to ensure high-quality instructional delivery, curriculum innovation, and pedagogical excellence.
• Oversee faculty evaluation and tenure review processes. Trains, supervises, evaluates, and directs the work of assigned personnel to ensure educational quality and achievement of institutional goals.
• Provides leadership for enrollment management, including schedule development, monitoring of enrollment trends, and program vitality, in coordination with student services to streamline registration, onboarding, and retention efforts.
• Coordinates with the business office to develop, monitor, and align the academic budget with the college mission, strategic goals, and resource priorities.
• Serves as an Ex-Officio member of the Academic Senate, working collegially in support of academic quality, curriculum review, and participatory governance.
• Represents the college as Chief Instructional Officer at local, regional, and state meetings, committees, and conferences. 
• Oversee development and implementation of community education, contract education, and apprenticeship programs. Supports and advances grant-funded initiatives that benefit instructional programs and learning equity.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree from an accredited institution. 
• Demonstrated senior administrative leadership in higher education.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds.

About the Institution

Imperial Valley College (IVC) is a public community college located in Imperial, California, serving approximately 7,500 full-time equivalent students annually. Since opening in 1962, IVC has been dedicated to transforming lives through education and opportunity as part of the California Community Colleges system, the largest system of higher education in the United States. 

IVC is nationally recognized for its strong transfer pathways, robust career technical education programs, and innovative approaches to advance student success and equity. With nearly 90% of students identifying as Hispanic/Latino, IVC serves as a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), embracing its role in opening doors for diverse communities in the region.

Today, IVC is in an exciting period of growth with modernization projects underway, creating new instructional and student spaces designed for collaboration, technology integration, and workforce training. These investments will provide state-of-the-art facilities that empower students and faculty with the tools they need to thrive now and for decades to come.
 
Living in the Area

Imperial Valley is a welcoming community offering a lower cost of living than many regions in California and across the country. Housing is more affordable, with choices ranging from quiet suburban neighborhoods to rural properties with open space. Families benefit from strong K–12 schools, including innovative bilingual programs, and have access to nearby universities. The region’s unique binational setting fosters a vibrant culture with distinctive dining, music, and arts experiences, making Imperial Valley a special place to live and work.

Beyond affordability, Imperial Valley boasts a lively community life. Residents enjoy annual festivals such as the California Mid-Winter Fair & Fiesta, as well as abundant outdoor recreation at the Imperial Sand Dunes, the Salton Sea, and the Colorado River. The beaches of San Diego and Mexico are only a short drive away. El Centro is less than two hours from San Diego and Palm Springs, an hour from Yuma, Arizona, and minutes from Mexicali, Baja California. For travel, Imperial County Airport offers regional connections, while international airports in San Diego and Palm Springs provide wider access.

To Apply 

For full consideration, please apply by October 7, 2025. 
 

All applicants must apply through the college’s official site at this LINK before being reviewed by our search firm.

Please apply through the application link directly above and do not email applications. 

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a cover letter and curriculum vita. Ideally cover letters should not exceed two pages. All applications are treated confidentially.

Inquiries, referrals, and nominations are also treated confidentially.

Inquiries and questions: Please send to IVCVicePresident@acesrch.com.
Nominations and referrals: Please send the nominee’s name, title, and contact information if available to nominations@acesrch.com.

Institutional Information
Imperial Valley College is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against persons on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy, medical condition, or covered veteran status.