Beacon College - Search Profile - Chief Information Officer

SEARCH PROFILE: CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (CIO)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

THE OPPORTUNITY

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DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

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PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

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ABOUT BEACON COLLEGE

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CAMPUS AND SURROUNDINGS

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APPLICATION PROCESS

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“The ‘ Beacon difference ’ is in the energy of the place, emanating from devotion to a common purpose, an unwavering commitment to robust (nation-leading) student outcomes, and the clear-eyed conviction of those in the community that our work is important and pioneering.” – dr . george hagerty

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SEARCH PROFILE: Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Beacon College invites applications and nominations for the position of Chief Information Officer (CIO) . The College seeks a talented and experienced IT leader to join a liberal arts and sciences institution committed to the belief that given the right environment, support, and tools, all college-ready students can succeed.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Beacon College, a uniquely positioned undergraduate institution, seeks a Chief Information Officer (CIO) with the broad based experience, technical knowledge, strategic vision, and “community-first” management orientation to oversee and direct a growing and increasingly sophisticated campus-wide Information Technology system. The IT professional selected to assume the CIO role will be taking leadership at a time of transition, from institutional dependence on contracted vendors to the oversight and implementation of systems and services that are being introduced as a result of recent significant investments.

RANKED #10 IN U.S. NEWS AND WORLD REPORT’S REGIONAL COLLEGES – SOUTH SURVEY

The position will have consequential influence on the effectiveness of this small, specialized liberal arts community to continue its impressive growth trajectory.

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THE OPPORTUNITY (CONT.)

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Dr. Brent Betit, the Chief Information Officer (CIO) provides leadership for information technology resources and services in support of the College’s academic mission and related administrative tasks. In particular, the CIO is responsible for r esearching, recommending, and implementing emerging technologies and creating an environment fostering teaching and learning with technology. The successful candidate will be responsible for all areas within the Information Technology Department, including project management, instructional computing, administrative computing, telecommunications, user support, network management, web services, database management, and programming. The CIO will oversee all central operations in

these areas and ensure efficient utilization of available resources and high quality of all support services by maintaining an efficient organizational structure and by providing ongoing IT staff development and training. The CIO collaborates with key higher level administrators, to plan and set the direction for all matters involving computer technology campus-wide including voice, video, and data networks and is fiscally responsible and accountable for the central IT budget. The CIO establishes standards and manages the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the exchange of information and to assure appropriate security, connectivity, interoperability, and reliability for all centralized IT operations.

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SEARCH PROFILE: Chief Information Officer (CIO)

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The Chief Information Officer will: • Actively support the mission of Beacon College in the execution of his/her roll and responsibilities. • Develop a strategic and long-range technology plan for the College. • Provide leadership, vision, and day-to-day management of the IT department, including data network and backup systems, firewall and security issues, databases, servers, printers, and telephone systems. • Identify, evaluate, and recommend new and emerging technologies for classroom and administrative uses or to improve the current infrastructure. • Promote the use of technology to support classroom learning and optimize student achievement. • Supervise personnel in the IT Department. • Oversee the technical side of the College’s web content platform. • Develop and manage the college’s computer/device operating and IT budget. • Manage vendor relations, procurement, installation, and implementation of information systems. • Ensure the coordination, security, and efficiency of network infrastructure. Develop and maintain the College’s databases and internal and external networks. • Remain current on new developments in the areas of software, hardware, networks, telecommunications, training, and maintenance. • Manage inventory of all college owned or leased equipment including desktops/laptops, iPads, SMART Boards, projectors, copiers, printers, etc. • Provide maintenance and support for all computer labs, classroom technology, office technology, and audio-visual systems throughout the institution. • Assess and respond to IT needs as expressed by faculty, administration, and staff. • Plan and supervise internal and external training of the College’s staff.

SEARCH PROFILE: Chief Information Officer (CIO)

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QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field (information technology, computer science, systems management, or related discipline). • 5+ years of progressively responsible experience in the development, installation, and maintenance of information systems. • Current and in-depth knowledge of network architecture; telecommunication; wireless, mobile, and cloud technologies. • Demonstrated success in a supervisory/management role. • Strong organizational, technical, and analytical skills. • Proven success developing and balancing an annual budget. • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal. • Problem-solver with a high degree of diplomacy. • Able to prioritize multiple tasks. • Detail-oriented. • Able to work collaboratively with a team. • Excellent oral and written communication and interpersonal skills; ability to manage and motivate teams, including the ability to give and receive constructive feedback and resolve conflict.

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SEARCH PROFILE: Chief Information Officer (CIO)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Business Administration or other related field. • At least 10 years of senior IT leadership experience, including 5 years as a senior manager/director or above. • Knowledge of administrative and academic database systems. • Professional technical certifications from Microsoft, Apple, Cisco, etc. • Experience working in a higher education environment. • Extensive knowledge and experience implementing and managing complex technology projects, local and wide area networks, and telecommunications systems. • PMP, ITIL and other related industry certifications.

ENROLLMENT 500 UNDERGRADUATES 450 TRANSITION PROGRAM STUDENTS 66% MALE, 34% FEMALE 44 U.S. STATES & TERRITORIES, 6 FOREIGN COUNTRIES 32% FLORIDA RESIDENT STUDENTS

FACULTY 12:1 STUDENT-FACULTY RATIO 12-15 AVERAGE CLASS SIZE 61% WITH TERMINAL DEGREES 38 FULL-TIME FACULTY, 2 PART-TIME

SEARCH PROFILE: Chief Information Officer (CIO)

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ABOUT BEACON COLLEGE

Beacon College is a uniquely positioned accredited national institution of higher education with a global reach. Over the past decade, the institution has gained notoriety for its distinct mission: affording a competitive liberal arts-based undergraduate education exclusively to collegians with neurodiverse learning profiles. In recent years, Beacon has broadened its span of influence, innovating with leading edge pre-college transitional programming and carefully engaging in targeted domestic and international partnerships.

Collegians with Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and other learning differences are attracted to our Leesburg, Florida campus from 32 states and 7 countries. These students and their families are drawn to Beacon because of the community’s fidelity to delivering holistically a serious undergraduate curriculum in the arts and sciences, business, and technology. As a consequence, student outcomes for our distinct profile of learners – in the arenas of persistence, four-year graduation, and post degree employment – are unparalleled in American higher education. By design, our traditional undergraduate FTE on campus is kept small, with Beacon achieving its ideal enrollment of 500 (mostly residential) students in the fall of 2022. Class sizes do not exceed 15 students; the student/faculty ratio is 12:1. In a “high tech” world, our collegians benefit from i nstruction and services that are individualized and of the “high touch” variety . Mastery of collegiate content and success in negotiating emerging adulthood are facilitated by the delivery of multi-modal instruction in the classroom coordinated with the “wrap-around” services and support delivered by learning specialists, transition counselors, residential staff, and licensed wellness professionals. The principles of Universal Design in Learning (UDL) pervade the delivery of the Beacon curriculum and surrounding service environment.

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SEARCH PROFILE: Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Beacon offers both Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees across seven (7) core major concentrations: Anthrozoology (B.S.), Business Management (B.S.), Computer Information Systems, including Web & Digital Media (B.S.), Humanities (B.A.), Human Services (B.A.), Psychology (B.A.), and Studio Arts (B.A.). Associate degrees are offered in these areas of study as well, with the opportunity for students to pursue a minor among eleven (11) concentrations. All students must complete an internship prior to degree completion. The undergraduate offerings on the Beacon campus are rendered more potent with international study and travel opportunities, an arena scheduled for further expansion during the 2023-2024 academic year.

school to college can be an unfamiliar, even daunting experience for all students, but particularly those with learning differences, Beacon has successfully negotiated the pre college environment, introducing Navigator PREP, Summer for Success, and Foundations, with each program fully subscribed for the past two years and set on the same trajectory for 2023. The auxiliary innovations, in combination with the sustained growth of Beacon’s traditional undergraduate program have allowed for a relatively young (33 years) community employing close to 200 faculty and staff to create a welcoming collegiate campus of 21 buildings on 19.5 beautifully maintained acres. The College is financially stable and strengthening, with a very competitively low discount, healthy annual surpluses, and a carefully planned vision and strategy for the future. (Continued on next page)

Recognizing that the transition from high

SEARCH PROFILE: Chief Information Officer (CIO)

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ABOUT BEACON (CONT.)

Beacon’s fidelity to the values and traditions of the liberal arts forged in an instructional and developmental environment devoted to the unique learning profiles of “neurodiverse” collegians has been consequential. As a liberal arts community, Beacon is ranked #10 in U.S. News and World Report’s Regional Colleges – South survey. Similarly noteworthy this year was the institution’s #4 national ranking in Best Choice Schools analytical study of “The 20 Most Affordable Colleges with High Four-Year Graduation Rates”. In this survey, Beacon was counted among far better known and endowed colleges and universities. In our area of specialization – serving undergraduates with learning differences – the Beacon community consistently ranks atop national surveys , most recently being selected #1 by Peterson’s in “20 Great Colleges for Students with

Learning Disabilities” As further testimony to the College’s national and global standing, PBS selected Beacon to produce a monthly broadcast series, A World of Difference, devoted to the embrace and understanding of “neurodiversity” and its manifold dimensions.

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ABOUT BEACON’S LEESBURG CAMPUS & SURROUNDINGS

Beacon College is located in the iconic and comfortable Southern city of Leesburg, Florida (population 27,000), forty-five miles northwest of Orlando and an hour’s drive to both Florida’s Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Situated in Lake County, the College offers undergraduates and those dedicated to serving them the convenience of a “downtown” setting, with the campus footprint and adjacent property extending to less travelled venues that are home to newly-constructed student residences, quiet pathways leading to natural settings and waterfronts, as well as facilities and grounds devoted to fitness, recreation, and athletics. The College’s location in Central Florida offers residents and visitors’ easy access to Florida’s most popular attractions and theme parks yet provides an abundance of venues for the enjoyment of an active but leisurely lifestyle. Main Street in Leesburg is lined with classic historical buildings, an extensive public library, quaint restaurants, gift shops, antique stores and a variety of local businesses. The Villages, the nation’s fastest growing metropolitan area with populations under 250,000 residents, is a twenty-minute drive north from the city, offering the citizens of the region the convenience of a rich diversity of high-end restaurants, shopping, and entertainment options.

OUR CAMPUS MAIN STREET LEESBURG, FL 1 HOUR FROM ORLANDO 21 BUILDINGS 6 SCENIC POCKET PARKS 3 ATHLETIC VENUES

SEARCH PROFILE: Chief Information Officer (CIO)

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THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Beacon College is committed to equality and diversity of experiences for our students, applicants, and employees. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. Beacon College is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate against applicants and employees on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, political affiliation, protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other legally protected status with respect to all terms, conditions, and privileges of college sponsored activities, employment, and the use of institutional facilities.

The search process is one of strictest confidentiality. Nominations, applications, and inquiries may be sent in complete confidence to ciosearch@beaconcollege.edu . Although the position is open until filled, only applications received by Friday, February 17, 2023 can be assured full consideration. Applications must include a cover letter that addresses the position expectations discussed above; a resume; and a list of at least three professional references with contact information, including telephone and email, and a note indicating the candidate’s working relationship with each. References will not be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate.

105 E. Main Street Leesburg, FL 34748 beaconcollege.edu