Dr. Joshua Watson

Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs

Greater Chicago Area

About

Experience

  • Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs at Waubonsee Community College
    May 2026 - Present · 3 mos

    Providing strategic leadership and advocacy for adjunct faculty development, including recruitment, orientation, supervision, mentoring, evaluation, and workload assignment in accordance with institutional policies and collective bargaining agreements. Fostering opportunities for adjunct professional growth and meaningful integration into the academic community to support instructional quality and student learning outcomes Engaging collaboratively with faculty, the Dean, and stakeholders to support instructional and curricular quality initiatives, including program accreditation, compliance, curriculum innovation, and continuous alignment with the college’s strategic objectives. Supporting data-informed decision-making by assisting in the analysis of enrollment, retention, and completion trends, identifying gaps, and contributing to recommendations for strategic interventions aimed at improving student outcomes. Collaborating in the coordination of instructional operations, including scheduling, adjunct faculty assignments, and academic resource allocation, to align with division needs and ensure seamless pathways to transfer or employment. Serving as a critical thought partner to the Dean by shaping and advancing academic initiatives that promote student success and align with institutional priorities and strategic plans across transfer, workforce, and general education programs.

  • Assistant Director of Engaged Learning-Searle Center at Northwestern University
    Apr 2024 - May 2026 · 2 yrs 2 mos

    Reflective and Effective Teaching (RET) Program Director-provides pedagogical foundations for graduate students and post-docs who want to be instructors. RET-NPEP Program Director- provides pedagogical foundation to NPEP Teaching Fellows who will serve as teaching assistants in the carceral classroom. Academic Kickoff Event Coordinator- assists graduate students preparing for TA roles at Northwestern Co-lead for Course Design Institute at Northwestern University which is an annual three day event centered on developing a canvas-ready syllabus for an academic year, driven by evidence based practices, iterative discussion & reflective learning communities. Participants will follow a "backwards design" approach that assist them in crafting meaningful learning outcomes and then creating assessments aligned to those outcomes, and lastly to sequencing activities aligned to the assessments and outcomes. Oversees development and implementation of evaluation processes, quantitative & qualitative measurements that ensure that program/project benchmarks are successfully attained and communicated in a timely and efficient manner. Collaborates with internal/external resources to develop meaningful outcome measurements and methods of program/project evaluation that will lead to enhancement. Analyzes data and recommends and implements changes and improvements to better ensure attainment of mission. Develops a comprehensive program of events such as lectures, symposia, speaker series, workshops, conferences, cultural events etc. in collaboration with internal and external resources. Directs program/project marketing /branding efforts. Identifies and implements short-and long-term strategies and plans to meet program/project goals. Engages in outreach/field relations serving a number of goals, including recruitment, participation, sponsorship, relationship building, etc, to support continued program/project development and improvement.

  • Professor of History at Southern New Hampshire University
    Feb 2024 - Apr 2026 · 2 yrs 3 mos

    I taught general education online history courses

  • Professor of History at City Colleges of Chicago
    Sep 2009 - Apr 2026 · 16 yrs 8 mos

    I taught History of the American People to 1865 online, Latin American History, History of Early Modern Europe to the 1500s, History of the American History from 1865, Labor History, African American History.

  • Professor of History/Education at Grand Canyon University
    2021 - Dec 2024 · 4 yrs

    I taught online upper level history courses as well as a methods course for secondary education social studies teachers