Dean, Batten College of Engineering and Technology

Dean, Batten College of Engineering and Technology

Leadership Profile

 

Executive Summary

 

Old Dominion University (ODU) seeks a visionary, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leader who will play a central role in shaping the success, growth, and future of the Batten College of Engineering and Technology. The dean will lead efforts in promoting excellence in research, teaching, student learning, and community engagement; demonstrate an unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice; attract external resources; and support the university’s leadership role in regional economic development.

 

Roles and Expectations

 

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Articulate a vision and develop and implement a strategic plan complementary to the institutional strategic plan and priorities

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Commit to the recruitment, retention, and mentoring of faculty, staff, and students from diverse backgrounds

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Develop and implement entrepreneurial initiatives to foster collaboration with industries and businesses and enhance the reputation of Old Dominion University as a producer of engineers and scientists in the Commonwealth of Virginia

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Strengthen existing interdisciplinary research and scholarship to promote excellence in education and scholarship

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Represent the College in its external relations with alumni, donors, community, and policy makers and in relevant professional bodies

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Provide leadership in fundraising, revenue generation, external grant acquisitions, and resource allocation to support the College’s aspirations and priorities

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Develop and implement strategies to create innovative and market-driven academic programs aimed at increasing on-campus and online undergraduate and graduate student enrollment

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Represent the College in its internal relations with central administration and with other colleges and units within the University

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Conduct regular review of the alignment of departments, programs, institutes, and centers with the mission of the College and University and regional workforce and labor market demands

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Determine and oversee collegiate administrative structure and activities, including the associate deans, chairs, and nonacademic staff

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Embrace and facilitate shared governance by working with the established committee structure and adhere to approved policies and procedures

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Exercise control over the internal budget of the College, allocating and reallocating faculty and staff lines and other resources, and overseeing the allocation of graduate teaching assistantships

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Ensure a highly engaging and rewarding student experience and implement strategies to facilitate student success

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Strengthen partnerships and interdisciplinary collaboration within the college and across campus

 

Qualifications

 

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]An earned doctorate degree in one of the disciplines in the College, as well as a combination of distinguished scholarship, teaching and professional accomplishments meritorious of appointment as a full professor with tenure

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Prior successful administrative leadership (i.e., budgetary and supervisory) experience at or above department chair and work across disciplinary boundaries

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Demonstrated record of success at attracting and retaining underrepresented faculty, students, and staff and support for social justice

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Demonstrated understanding of fundraising and engagement with businesses and industries

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Experience in developing and implementing a strategic plan that aligns with and contributes to the university strategic plan

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Evidence of a participatory leadership style, a track record of facilitating interdisciplinary and cross-campus collaboration, and ability to be decisive action when necessary

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Understanding of leading-edge methods and instructional technologies to support teaching and learning

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Experience in program assessments and ABET accreditation

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Experience in implementing strategies to expand partnership with businesses and other organizations to create opportunities for experiential learning

[if !supportLists]·       [endif]Record of promoting student success (i.e., retention and graduation)

[if !supportLists]·       [endif] [if !vml][endif]Strong interpersonal and communication skills and political adeptness to work effectively with faculty, staff, students, and campus administration

 

About the Batten College of Engineering and Technology

 

Our Mission

The Frank Batten College of Engineering & Technology promotes the advancement of

engineering knowledge, both in creation and dissemination, by providing successful graduates and a continuously improving learning environment to its constituents, while maintaining high ethical, multicultural, and global standards.

 

Our Vision

The Frank Batten College of Engineering & Technology will be recognized as a world-class learning institution for engineering by providing the highest-quality academics that foster student development and connect knowledge, practice, and outstanding scholarly research. The college will continuously provide innovative programs that will significantly contribute to the prosperity of its region and to humanity while maintaining harmony with the environment.

 

BCET Diversity & Inclusion Statement

The Batten College of Engineering & Technology recognizes that diversity and inclusion are foundational to developing creative and robust engineering solutions to address complex global challenges. We are committed both to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for students, faculty, and staff and to educating our students on the need for diversity and inclusion in the engineering profession.

 

About Old Dominion University

 

Old Dominion University was founded in 1930 as an extension of the College of William and Mary and Virginia Polytechnic Institute. Initially focused on educating teachers and engineers, the two-year school rapidly evolved into a four-year institution. It was granted independence as Old Dominion College in 1962 and began offering its first graduate degree two years later. Before the turn of the decade, Old Dominion would realize its dream of achieving status as a university.

 

Today, Old Dominion University is an entrepreneurial-minded research university with nearly 24,000 students, rigorous academics and initiatives that contribute $2.6 billion annually to Virginia’s economy. On campus and online, ODU is Virginia’s most affordable public doctoral university. U.S. News & World Report ranks ODU No. 126 out of 1,500 public universities, has repeatedly named it a top university for social mobility, and recognizes ODU’s undergraduate business and engineering programs as among the best across doctoral institutions in the U.S.

 

ODU offers more than 150 programs available on campus and more than 100 programs through online learning at ODU Online, including 91 bachelor’s, 41 master’s, 22 doctoral and two educational specialist degrees. Approximately half of ODU’s students are people of color, and one-quarter are military-affiliated. With more than 150,000 alumni across all 50 states and 67 countries, ODU pride stretches across the nation and around the world.

 

ODU’s central purpose is to provide students with the best education possible by seeking to provide access for a more diverse array of student populations, elevating its standing among the nation’s public research institutions, making innovative use of modern learning technologies, and insisting on an arts and science based general education for all undergraduates.

 

Mission & Vision

Old Dominion University serves its students and enriches the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation and the world through rigorous academic programs, strategic partnerships, and active civic engagement. The university’s vision is to be recognized nationally and internationally as a forward-focused metropolitan university with a collaborative and innovative approach to education and research that spurs economic growth, focuses on student success, engages civic and community partners, and uses its connections with the military and maritime industries and its exceptional strengths and leadership in related areas to provide practical solutions to complex, real-world problems.

 

Leadership & Governance

ODU is governed by a 17-member board of visitors, which has authority to control and expend university funds and appropriations and to enact all rules and regulations concerning the institution. Board members are appointed by the governor.

 

Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D., became Old Dominion University’s ninth president on July 1, 2021. He previously served as president of Radford University and, before that, as president of West Virginia State University. He held prior leadership roles at University of Arkansas–Fayetteville, where he was associate vice chancellor and dean of students, and at Northern Illinois University, where he was vice president for student affairs and enrollment management. Read more about President Hemphill.

Campus

Old Dominion University (ODU) is residential university that enjoy tremendous advantages from its unique coastal location within a thriving metropolitan region adjacent to major maritime and military installations and within easy reach of the nation’s capital. Metropolitan Hampton Roads’ location provides a rich living laboratory for many of ODU’ academic and research pursuits, including environmental, marine, and natural sciences and engineering associated with the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The region is host to an extensive and comprehensive public education system and several community colleges and universities, with which ODU has long-standing and strong collaborations. ODU’s co-location with an exceptional array of major local and federal government facilities and organizations presents opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships, such as with the Jefferson National Laboratory, NASA Langley, Virginia Port Authority, and teaching hospitals such as Eastern Virginia Medical School and Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, among others.

 

City of Norfolk

 

Norfolk, Virginia is a city of some 247,000 residents and encompasses 66 square miles. It has seven miles of Chesapeake Bay beachfront and a total of 144 miles of shoreline along our lakes, rivers, and the Bay. Much of this land is located in residential neighborhoods. Norfolk is also home to the world’s largest naval base and the North American Headquarters for NATO. USA Today called Norfolk one of the Top 10 booming downtowns, recognizing a decades-long housing, retail and financial boom in Norfolk.

 

Norfolk is rich with history, culture and the arts. Colonial Williamsburg and NASA Langley, the birthplace of the U.S. space program, are both nearby, as are the renowned Chrysler Museum of Art and the NEON Arts District. Many of the city’s museums and historic sites can be found within 12 walkable city blocks

of the downtown waterfront. Rolling Stone magazine has called downtown’s NorVa Theatre one of the nation’s best live music venues.

 

Nomination & Application Process

 

The Search Committee invites applications, inquiries, and nominations for this position. Applications should be accompanied by a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact details of at least five professional references. Applications and nominations will be accepted until the position is filled, and review of applications will begin immediately. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit materials electronically to the search firm assisting Old Dominion University by February 8, 2022.

 

Laurie C. Wilder, President
Porsha L. Williams, Vice President
Jacob C. Anderson, Principal
Parker Executive Search
pwilliams@parkersearch.com || janderson@parkersearch.com
(770) 804-1996 x 111

 

Old Dominion University is an equal opportunity employer and, in compliance with federal and state laws and University policy, is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Individuals from traditionally underrepresented populations are encouraged to apply.