Dean of the School of Engineering

Dean of the School of Engineering

Fairfield University, a modern Jesuit Catholic University invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the School of Engineering. Fairfield seeks an exceptional leader with a strong record of academic accomplishment and a forward-looking vision for the future of engineering education and innovative applied research to serve in this key leadership position. The new Dean will have the opportunity to pursue and enrich the School’s bold strategic vision that is focused on academic excellence, cutting edge applied research, and strong industry collaborations in ways that will continue to increase the academic reputation of the School and contribute to the overall trajectory of the University.

Fairfield University is one of twenty-seven Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States. The University’s Jesuit Catholic mission is evident in the values-based, student-centric outcomes-focused education that is designed to help the students find their calling and be successful at it. Located in the coastal town of Fairfield, Connecticut, the University's 200-acre campus is just one hour outside New York City, in the heart of a region with the largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies in the nation. Fairfield has a student population of approximately 5000 students; 4000 undergraduates and 1000 graduate students. Students represent 35 states and 47 countries and are enrolled in the University's five schools; the College of Arts and Sciences, Dolan School of Business, Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions, School of Engineering, and Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies. Fairfield offers a wide range of opportunities for research, internships, service, civic engagement, and personal enrichment through a comprehensive core curriculum, over 49 undergraduate majors, 20 interdisciplinary minors, 43 graduate programs, 20 Division I athletic teams, and over 100 student clubs and organizations. For more information on Fairfield University, please see www.fairfield.edu.

The Dean of the School of Engineering reports to the Provost, serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the School, and is responsible for advancing, developing, and managing the School’s academic programs and applied research portfolio. The School of Engineering enrolls 321 undergraduate students and 104 graduate students. Currently, there are 15 full-time faculty and over 30 part-time faculty members. The School offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional certificate programs both in-house and online. The School ensures its programs and applied research efforts are leading-edge though targeted hiring of faculty and growing key relationships with industry partners. The School receives philanthropic and strategic support from its Executive Advisory Board. In recent years, the School has experienced increased undergraduate and graduate enrollment and has risen in the rankings in U.S. News and World Report among schools with the Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs (2018: #103, 2019: #82, 2020: #75).

Priorities for the next Dean include: implementing and enriching the School’s strategic vision, growing the academic reputation of the School, extending the applied research portfolio, increasing graduate program offerings (especially online) and graduate enrollment, attracting financial resources, growing the faculty through targeted hiring consistent with the strategic vision, and expanding industry collaborations and partnerships.  The next Dean will be responsible for the continued implementation of the current strategic vision in place for the School, as well as aligning that vision with University strategic priorities involving the School of Engineering. The next Dean will also have significant opportunities for cross-School collaborations to enhance program development across the University. The Dean will hold a terminal degree, preferably in a discipline offered by the School, and will have a record of teaching, scholarship, and service that merits appointment as a tenured full/associate professor. The successful candidate should also demonstrate the following preferred qualities:

  • Significant accomplishments in his/her career, with a background of academicexperience and/or professional experience which provides the foundation for strong, credible leadership as aDean.
  • Core values that align with the mission and values of the School of Engineering and Fairfield University and an appreciation of the Service to Humanity character of the engineering profession.
  • A track record of visionary leadership in a dynamicenvironment.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage a complex organization and work effectively with colleagues in the School, University, andcommunity.
  • Demonstrated ability to encourage and nurture quality teaching and applied research activities amongfaculty in order to raise the academic reputation of the School.
  • An Appreciation of the role of experiential learning and entrepreneurial culture in a successful student experience.
  • Demonstrated interest and success in external fundraising and developing alliances and collaborations with industry and the community as well as revenue generating experience and the ability to diversify revenue streams.
  • Demonstrated understanding of the role of existing and emerging cutting-edge technologies and how to integrate these technologies into a successful, recognized applied research portfolio.
  • Strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, especially in closing diversity gaps in STEM fields by providing key opportunities for underrepresented groups in these areas.
  • A commitment to an interdisciplinary approach to engineering and a knowledge of how to integrate a STEM curriculum into a 21st-century modern Jesuit-based education.
  • Experience in curriculum development and assessment, and development ofinterdisciplinary programs, both in-house and online, especially at the graduate level.
  • Demonstrated commitment to global and international education, partnerships, and relationships.
  • The highest personalintegrity.
  • Strong communicationskills.
  • Excellent team building skills and a management style driven by consensus building.

Review of application materials will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. The successful candidate will join the Fairfield University leadership team in the summer of 2020.Nominations, inquiries, and applications, including letter of interest and curriculum vitae, should be forwarded, in confidence, to:

Steve Leo, Partner

Brian Bustin, Senior Associate

Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates, LP

FairfieldDeanEngineering@storbecksearch.com

 (484) 263-5534

For more information on Fairfield University and its programs, please consult its website: www.fairfield.edu

Fairfield University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.