Director of Emerging Technologies

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) provides quality and affordable higher education to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas. As the largest community college in Arkansas, NWACC is recognized as a leader in education. NWACC offers a full range of associate degrees, certificates and workforce training programs that prepare students for rewarding futures and careers. NWACC employees are dedicated to fostering a diverse educational community and cultural learning environment that supports student success. The Director of Emerging Technologies serves as NWACC's lead in developing education and workforce solutions in emerging technologies, working at the intersection of industry and education to translate regional workforce priorities into high-quality credit programs, contract training, professional skills programming, microcredentials, and stackable credential pathways. This means turning employer demand into concrete outcomes: new programs, industry-recognized credentials, workshops, customized training, grant initiatives, equipment recommendations, and student-to-employer talent pipelines that strengthen business competitiveness and expand career opportunities. The Director provides operational, academic, and industry-facing leadership for NWACC's advanced technology portfolio — including artificial intelligence, automation and robotics, electronics, semiconductor technologies, advanced manufacturing, intelligent systems, and other emerging applied technologies. Working across Academic Affairs, Workforce Development, K-12 partners, and regional employers, the Director leads the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of programs aligned with current and future workforce needs. This position may teach an instructional load up to 9 credit hours per semester. Reporting closely to the Executive Director of Workforce & Economic Development, the Director partners on strategic workforce initiatives and industry relationships while owning execution: where Workforce leadership sets strategic priorities, the Director converts them into educational programs and training solutions that deliver measurable impact for students, employers, and the region. Essential Duties: Provide strategic and operational leadership for NWACC’s advanced and emerging technology programs, including AI, automation, robotics, electronics, semiconductor technologies, advanced manufacturing, intelligent systems, applied data skills, and related workforce training Develop and implement growth strategies that align credit, non-credit, professional skills, microcredentials, certificates, apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, customized training, and degree pathways with regional workforce and employer needs Build and maintain employer, advisory committee, K-12, higher education, workforce, nonprofit, and economic development partnerships to identify skill gaps and translate industry needs into…