Dean, School of Engineering

Dean, School of Engineering
2022


The University of Mississippi invites nominations and applications for the appointment of Dean of the School of Engineering. The University seeks a proven leader with a strong commitment to, and understanding of, the educational mission of the University, with high standards in research, teaching, and service. The Dean serves as the chief spokesperson and advocate for the School both within and outside of the University, and ensures that the School serves as a vital resource to the state and region.

The University

The University of Mississippi (UM), affectionately known as Ole Miss, was founded in 1844 by the Mississippi Legislature and was the first public institution of higher learning in the state of Mississippi. UM opened its doors in 1848. From its first class of 80 students, Ole Miss has grown to a doctoral degree-granting university with 15 academic divisions and more than 23,000 students. Located on its main campus in Oxford are the College of Liberal Arts; the schools of Accountancy, Applied Sciences, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Journalism and New Media, Pharmacy, and Law; and the Graduate School. The Medical Center in Jackson trains professionals in its schools of Medicine, Nursing, Health Related Professions, Dentistry, Population Health, and Graduate Studies. Ole Miss continues to expand academic courses and degree offerings on its regional campuses in Southaven, Tupelo, Grenada and Booneville.

With a strong focus on student support and success, UM enjoys the highest retention and graduation rates of all public institutions in the state of Mississippi. In 2016, indicating a major milestone, the University was elevated to the Carnegie R1 Highest Research Activity classification, placing it in the top 2.5 % of colleges and universities nationally. The University offers courses degree programs at the bachelor's, master's, education specialist, and doctoral levels. UM offers the advantages of a large comprehensive university while maintaining its small college atmosphere. The University has 1082 full-time faculty and 2,100 staff members.

Strategic Plan

Empower Now: Accelerating Discovery, Growth, and Success was introduced in Spring 2022 as the new strategic plan of the University of Mississippi. Empower Now will succeed Flagship Forward as the institutional strategic plan. Empower Now builds upon the work of previous strategic plans, incorporates key institutional priorities and stakeholder perspectives, and provides a unifying framework with a foundational commitment to equity. The key priority categories are academic excellence, student experience and campus culture, innovation and new knowledge, and harness the future now.

Mission

As Mississippi's first comprehensive, public university and academic medical center, the University of Mississippi transforms lives, communities, and the world by providing opportunities for the people of Mississippi and beyond through excellence in learning, discovery, healthcare, and engagement.

Vision

The University of Mississippi aspires to be a preeminent public international research university and a leading force for innovation and opportunity in Mississippi, the United States, and the world.

Oxford & Regional Campus Mission

The mission of the University of Mississippi is to create, evaluate, share, and apply knowledge in a free, open, and inclusive environment of intellectual inquiry. Building upon a distinguished foundation in the liberal arts, the state's first comprehensive university serves the people of Mississippi and the world through a breadth of academic, research, professional, and service programs. The University of Mississippi provides an academic experience that emphasizes critical thinking; promotes research and creative achievement to advance society; uses its expertise to engage and transform communities; challenges and inspires a diverse community of undergraduate, graduate, and professional students; offers enriching opportunities outside the classroom; supports lifelong learning; and develops a sense of global responsibility.

Diversity

The University of Mississippi embraces its public flagship mission of inspiring and educating our diverse and vibrant community where all individuals are able to intellectually, socially, and culturally thrive through transformative experiences on our campus and beyond. In fulfillment of this mission, we demonstrate the following commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion:

• Diversity is an affirmation of the intersecting individual, social and organizational identities that make our community vibrant and transformational. We commit to openly increasing, embracing and recognizing the full spectrum of diversity at all levels of our institution.
• Equity is directly addressing the social, institutional, organizational and systemic barriers that prevent members of marginalized groups from thriving in our community. We commit to be both proactive and responsive in mitigating barriers so that all members of our institution are able to reach their full potential.
• Inclusion is actively and intentionally creating a welcoming campus where all individuals feel they have a supportive and affirming space to learn, grow and engage. We commit to fostering a campus environment that fully supports, values and engages the intersectional identities of every member of our community.

The School of Engineering

The School of Engineering was founded in 1900 making it the oldest school of engineering in the state. Its 66 full-time faculty members (tenured, tenure track, and instructional) are dedicated to creating a learning environment of excellence with a personal touch as they teach and develop each department's dynamic curriculum. The School offers ten undergraduate degree programs and eleven graduate degree programs to over 1100 full-time undergraduate and graduate students (approximately 1270 including part time students) The School employs 23 full-time staff members.

The School has seven different departments and one intra-departmental degree program: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer, and Information Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Geology and Geological Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and General Engineering. Two research centers are also housed under the School: the Mississippi Mineral Resources Institute and the National Center for Computational Hydroscience and Engineering.

The B.S. in Chemical Engineering, B.S. in Civil Engineering, B.S. in Electrical Engineering, B.S. in Geological Engineering, and B.S. in Mechanical Engineering programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The B.S. in Computer Science program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. Three newer engineering bachelor's degree programs are seeking ABET accreditation including B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, B.S. in Computer Engineering, and B.S. in General Engineering.

Vision

The School will positively transform lives and communities through innovative engineering education and discovery.

Mission

The School capitalizes on its engineering science tradition, a low student-to-faculty ratio and a rich liberal arts environment to give future professionals deep technical abilities, the capacity to adapt to the rapid changes in engineering, and the interdisciplinary background and aptitude for innovation that sets them apart from graduates of other engineering schools.

Statement of Goals

• Ensure an environment conducive to learning, teaching and research. This includes a diverse and multicultural first-rate faculty, staff and students and state-of-the-art facilities.
• Provide a top-quality ABET-accredited undergraduate program suitable for the 21st century.
• Foster a vibrant graduate program and perform quality research in line with national trends and achieve national recognition in selected areas.
• Establish strong partnerships and lasting relationships with industry, government, professional societies, alumni and academia.
• Make significant contributions to the technological and economic development of the State of Mississippi and the region through education, research, and service.
• Increase the visibility of the School of Engineering locally and nationally.

Responsibilities of the Dean

The Dean of the School of Engineering reports to the Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and works collaboratively with other deans and members of the Academic Affairs staff. In this role, the Dean will be responsible for continuing to advance and strengthen degree programs; foster excellence in teaching, research, and engagement; increase the School's visibility and enrollment; continue the advancement of innovation and entrepreneurship; increase the School's financial resources; and effectively manage the School's budget in a transparent way. The Dean should promote a diverse work environment that fosters growth, collaboration, and shared governance. Along with supervising program assessments, the Dean should work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and other stakeholders in refining and continuing to implement the School's long-range strategic vision and plan. This individual will be responsible for the continuous improvement of degree programs to maintain ABET accreditation. In collaboration with the department chairs and directors, the Dean will have responsibility for selecting, evaluating, promoting and retaining high quality faculty/staff.

Specific responsibilities of the Dean include:

• promoting high-quality undergraduate and graduate experiences;
• advocating for and supporting the work and mission of a multidisciplinary faculty who have productive collaborations with other faculty across campus;
• increasing the strength and vitality of the School's educational and scholarly mission by recruiting and supporting distinguished faculty, while attracting resources to support their teaching, research, and scholarly activities;
• promoting a culturally aware, safe, and welcoming environment with a strong commitment to recruiting and retaining diverse faculty, staff, and students;
• providing leadership and infrastructure to support faculty research and external funding initiatives;
• leading fundraising initiativesand building the financial infrastructure of the School to expand the facilities, support faculty initiatives, and enhance student experiences;
• promoting alumni development and engagement;
• maintaining and strengthening strategic relationships with the community, benefactors, and industry;
• working closely with the Advisory Board and other constituents on issues related to the enhancement of the School;
• representing the School to University administration; serving as a School advocate and spokesperson at academic, social, and public functions; and being involved with community service activities; and
• understanding the needs of students in a residential setting while promoting opportunities and activities for their personal and academic growth.

Qualifications

The School is seeking a dynamic leader who brings passion, an understanding of the convergent disciplines that comprise the School, and an entrepreneurial mindset. The Dean must have demonstrated significant achievement in leadership and administration.

Specifically, the candidates must demonstrate evidence of the following qualifications:

• a PhD in a discipline represented by one of the departments in the School, and a record of scholarly and professional accomplishment to qualify for appointment at the rank of professor with tenure;
• a strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching excellence;
• a proven track record engaging with and fostering relationships with industry;
• effective communication and public relations skills, including the ability to clearly articulate the School's vision, goals, and accomplishments to its many constituencies;
• a proven ability to raise financial resources and build the financial infrastructure of the School;
• an ability to develop a shared vision through open communication and transparency;
• evidence of engagement in initiatives and projects that foster diversity for faculty, staff, and students;
• an ability to cultivate a climate of academic cohesiveness amongst the departments; and
• excellent listening, decision-making, and consensus-building skills.

Procedures for Candidacy

To ensure optimal consideration please submit materials by October 21, 2022. Application materials should include a letter addressing how the candidate's experience matches the position requirements and a current curriculum vitae.

Nominations, applications, and inquiries of interest may be sent in confidence to the School's executive recruitment consultants:

Martin M. Baker, Managing Partner
Chelsie Whitelock, Principal
Buffkin/Baker
10 Cadillac Drive, Suite 190
Brentwood, TN 37027
UMEngineeringDean@buffkinbaker.com

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