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Wayne State College a regional, dynamic, 4-year institution in Wayne, Nebraska seeks a passionate leader to serve as the Executive Director of Cooperative Education and Industry Liaison. This pivotal role leads a groundbreaking unique cooperative learning initiative, driving workforce development across Nebraska. 

The Executive Director plays a pivotal role in cultivating strategic partnerships with business and industry leaders to enrich student lives and align the academic journey with a real-working, career related experience. 

We seek a dynamic, self-driven leader deeply committed to student success. If you are passionate about shaping futures and ready to inspire, strengthen, and serve in higher education, seize this opportunity. Let’s shape tomorrow’s leaders together.

Nature of Work: 

The Executive Director of Cooperative Education and Industry Liaison will provide executive, administrative, and analytical support and leadership for the cooperative education program as well as career services. The Executive Director will be responsible for creating a comprehensive experiential learning program that will include internships, practicums, and student teaching. They will work with industry to identify cooperative education opportunities as well as collaborate with the faculty to develop academic requirements. The Executive Director will identify and prepare students for the cooperative experience by coordinating placement interviews, class presentations, and individual career advising meetings. Preparation includes communicating with students about specific cooperative education requirements including learning and outcome expectations. The Executive Director is also expected to coach students to improve individual learning outcomes such as critical soft skills, interviewing skills, resume writing, professional communication, professional behavior, ethics, and other applicable skills. The Executive Director will be available to support the advisement of students prior to and during cooperative assignments as well as an opportunity for students to reflect about their experiences.

This position will also serve as the contact for business and industry leaders to engage in experiential learning opportunities. This Executive Director position exercises a high level of discretion and independent judgement in matters of significance to perform these duties.

Examples of Work Performed: 

1. Develop and execute a plan that supports the strategic priorities of the cooperative education program and career services as it aligns with the needs of the key stakeholders.
2. Continue to develop, implement, and improve a comprehensive experiential learning program that will include internships, practicum, student teaching and undergraduate research.
3. Serve as the industry liaison for the cooperative education program which includes identifying and cultivating strong working relationships with industry managers and human resource units.
4. Develop partnerships with faculty and assist with creating learning outcomes for the cooperative education experience.
5. Identify new and maintain ongoing cooperative education positions. Facilitate placement of students into cooperative education positions.
6. Maintain a current understanding of the industry/field, employers, and positions. Activities to support this endeavor include site visits to new and existing employers and outreach to potential new cooperative education employers via employment development agencies, alumni contacts, professional networking, etc.
7. Responsible for the maintenance of cooperative educational student records.
   1. Monitors compliance with records retention and FERPA policies.
   2. Maintain files on cooperative education students regarding academic progress.
   3. Ensure pertinent information on cooperative education students is posted in the Student Information System.
8. Coordinate and oversee professional and support staff as necessary.
9. Meet and collaborate with students, faculty, and staff on cooperative education projects. Provide regular reports on student numbers, program progress, and industry or business leads.
10. Create and manage a Cooperative Educational Advisory Committee.
11. Analyze assessment data and prepare annual reports to aid in evaluation of student progress and program effectiveness.
12. Attend and/or present at local or national meetings and conferences.
13. Conduct site visits to businesses involved in the cooperative education program. Extensive travel will be required to fulfill this responsibility.
14. Manage and support students participating in cooperative education positions.
15. Position will supervise the Director of Workforce and Career Services, Director – Workforce & Community Education and a Career Services Coordinator and reports to the President.
16. Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications: 

• Master’s degree or equivalent business experience.
• Minimum of five years of related professional work experience.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently to manage complex projects.
• Ability to build positive working relationships and foster strong partnerships with industry leaders.
• Experience working with a diverse staff and student populations.
• Proficient in computer/technology and database management.

Wayne State College serves as a model of success for regional public higher education. Investments in infrastructure and facilities, expanded academic programs and partnerships, a whole-campus approach to recruitment and retention, and a commitment to strategic planning position the College as a strong member of the Nebraska State College System. More than 4,500 students rely on Wayne State for access to graduate and undergraduate degree programs in more than 130 programs of study each year, a role the College has proudly filled since its founding in 1891. Our goals are clear: continually improve retention and graduation rates, provide high-quality academic programs and campus facilities, support workforce and economic development in the region, maintain affordability and access, and manage resources for sustainability. We invite qualified applicants to join us in our important work.