Engineering Dean

Wichita State University seeks an experienced administrator and seasoned academic leader to serve as Dean of the College of Engineering.  This senior administrator will assume the leadership of a very strong and diverse academic unit.

The College of Engineering, one of Wichita State University's six degree-granting colleges, is organized into four departments: aerospace engineering, electrical and computer engineering, industrial and manufacturing engineering, and mechanical engineering. The College has Bachelor of Science (BS) degree programs in computer science and aerospace, bioengineering, computer, electrical, industrial, manufacturing, and mechanical engineering. Master of Science (MS) degrees are offered in computer science and in aerospace, computer networking, electrical, industrial, and mechanical engineering. A Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program is offered in the industrial and manufacturing engineering department. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is offered by each of the four departments of engineering.

The dean reports directly to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the College of Engineering.  The primary responsibility of the dean is to advance the academic quality and stature of the College. This requires a visionary leader who is committed to strategic planning, inter-disciplinary collaboration, ethical leadership, and who is skilled in human and financial resource management.  The new dean will be charged with advancing the educational and research agenda of the academic units within the college and collaborating closely with the University’s National Institute for Aviation Research and the Advanced Networking Research Institute to enhance the University’s research production and technology transfer capacity.

The successful candidate will possess the following required qualifications:

• an earned doctorate in an engineering discipline from an accredited institution;
• a distinguished track record of teaching, research and service commensurate with appointment at the tenured full professor level;
• effective interpersonal skills and highly proficient oral and written communications skills;
• a strong administrative background with at least five years of successful experience at the rank of program director, department chair or above.
• experience with the ABET accreditation process; 
• ability to clearly articulate the nature of the college mission within an urban setting;
• demonstrated entrepreneurial skills and an ability to leverage the expertise of faculty in order to enhance the economic capacity of business and industry of the greater Wichita metropolitan area and the state of Kansas;
• demonstrated success in securing and managing external grant funding;
• be capable of working within a culture of shared governance; 
• a demonstrated understanding of and a commitment to working as a member of the senior academic leadership team consisting of the vice president for academic affairs, the associate vice presidents for academic affairs and the college deans;
• able to build trust and develop people within teams.

The successful candidate will have the following preferred qualifications:

• an effective leadership style;
• a passion for both teaching and research;
• prior success in leading and expanding a major program, department, college, or business, including the recruitment and mentoring of researchers, practitioners, and educators who embody high caliber professionalism and diversity;
• experience supporting technology transfer, public/private partnerships, and university engagement in the external community;
• experience with fundraising and working with Foundation personnel.

The new dean will arrive at Wichita State at an exciting time in its history as the university embarks on an ambitious plan for enrollment growth, enhanced research and the increased development of technology transfer opportunities.  The College is a fully funded participant in Kansas’ ‘Engineering Expansion Grant’ that will provide in excess of $30 million in additional state funding over the next nine years that must be matched by alternate funding sources.  Wichita State has an ambitious agenda in critical areas of academic quality, enrollment growth, research and innovation, technology transfer and the quality of student life.  The College of Engineering seeks a creative leader to guide the college through this period of growth.

The University is located in a diverse metropolitan area with a population of approximately 640,000 people.  The economic foundation of the region is in technology-based manufacturing and health care. In fact, a higher percentage of Wichita’s metropolitan GDP is derived from exports than any other metropolitan area in the country. Wichita State University takes a leadership role in diversifying the economy and enhancing the quality of life in the region.

Please go to https://jobs.wichita.edu, “faculty positions”, for more details about the requirements for the position and the application process.  For full consideration, applicants must submit on-line (1) letter of application describing abilities to meet required qualifications, (2) Curriculum Vitae, and (3) names, e-mail addresses, and telephone numbers for five individuals who can be contacted for professional references.  Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of background checks as required by the Kansas Board of Regents. 

 Search Committee

 Wichita State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.