Search for NDSU engineering dean underway

The NDSU Office of the Provost is currently taking applications and nominations for the dean of the College of Engineering. The dean will spearhead strategic efforts to increase undergraduate and graduate enrollment, align academic programs with evolving workforce needs, enhance the college's research portfolio, and secure financial resources.

Position responsibilities, required and preferred qualifications and the application process can be found below. This information also will be posted on the Office of the Provost’s website.

Position Responsibilities

• Guide updates to the college’s mission, vision, and strategic plan
• Align faculty resources to achieve long-term goals and vision
• Promote growth in strategic areas of instruction and scholarly activity
• Partner with the College of Engineering’s Advisory and Advancement Board to identify opportunities and navigate challenges
• Lead College Council meetings and other regular meetings with direct reports
• Contribute to Dean’s Council meetings, university leadership meetings, advisory committee meetings, and department meetings as needed
• Lead efforts for recruiting and retaining undergraduate students
• Lead efforts for recruiting and retaining graduate students
• Enhance transfer agreements with two- and four-year partner institutions
• Support student and faculty success initiatives within the college
• Lead ABET accreditation efforts for the college’s different programs
• Oversee the transition of the Richard Offerdahl ’65 Engineering Complex to integrate the college and enhance the faculty/student experience
• Provide personnel oversight to recruit and retain a diverse, talented faculty and staff, supporting professional growth
• Build professional and industry connections to expand outreach and engagement for students and faculty
• Establish and maintain ethical standards and a culture of integrity
• Foster an inclusive working and learning environment where all can flourish
• Support shared governance, promoting fairness, transparency, and regular communication
• Oversee the college’s incentivized budget model
• Manage essential operational processes (budget, PTE, reviews, reports, and student matters)
• Set financial goals and secure external funding from agencies, foundations, alumni, and private donors
• Direct communication with key stakeholders
• Collaborate with the NDSU Foundation on alumni/industry engagement and fundraising
• Represent the college and university with local, state, regional, and federal entities

Required Qualifications

• Earned doctorate
• Strong record of academic achievements warranting the rank of full professor in the College of Engineering
• Record of strategic and responsible fiscal, human, and resource management in academia, industry, or government
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Successful record of fostering an ethical, collaborative, respectful, and inclusive work environment, with a commitment to advancing diversity and equity
• Effective communication skills
• Demonstrated experience working with external partners to solve social problems or meet workforce needs
• Demonstrated experience leading diverse units and stakeholders in pursuit of a shared vision

Preferred Qualifications

• Record of increasing undergraduate or graduate enrollment through recruitment, retention, or program development efforts
• Record of successfully facilitating accreditation processes, standards, and compliance
• Demonstrated understanding of the future landscape for the engineering and computer science disciplines
• Record of successfully partnering with others in fundraising efforts
• Demonstrated ability to secure external funding or support others in doing so
• Demonstrated commitment to shared governance in administrative leadership of an academic department or college
• Experience supporting the breadth of programs within the college
• Experience using RCM or incentivized budget models for fiscal management
• Experience using data and higher education metrics to make decisions
• Demonstrated commitment to working collaboratively with external stakeholders to advance the common interests between the university and surrounding communities

Application Process

NDSU has retained Academic Search as the College of Engineering dean search consultant. Applications, nominations and inquiries may be sent in confidence to NDSUDeanEngineering@academicsearch.org.

A complete application includes (as three separate PDF documents) a current CV, a letter of interest detailing how your education and experience align with the required and preferred qualifications and a list of three professional references with an explanation of the relationship.  

Although application materials will be accepted until the dean is selected, candidates should submit materials by January 10, 2025, for the most favorable consideration. When submitting a nomination, please include the nominee’s full name, position, institution, and email address. 

Search Committee

Kimberly Wallin, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and John Glover, President/CEO of the NDSU Foundation, are co-chairing this search. A list of the search committee members can be found on the Office of the Provost’s website.