Dean, College of Computing, Engineering, and Science

Search for the Founding Dean

College with a strategic focus on Computing, Engineering, and Science

Wilmington, North Carolina

 

The University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), a public research institution, seeks an experienced, visionary, and strategic leader to serve as the founding Dean of a new College with a strategic focus on Computing, Engineering and Science (CCES). This is a compelling opportunity to shape the path of undergraduate and graduate education, research, and scholarship in areas of critical importance spanning mathematics, natural and physical sciences, computer science, engineering, and psychology. The founding Dean will build upon the existing strengths across the departments and forge a new academic unit and identity, focused on excellence in teaching, scholarship, and community engagement.

 

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is consistently recognized at a national level for academic excellence and affordability. Elevated to an R2 institution in 2018, UNCW is a residential, coastal university dedicated to the integration of teaching and mentoring with research and service. As a member of a distinguished multi-institutional public higher education system, UNCW has a distinctive reputation for academic excellence and student engagement. UNCW stands at a pivotal moment in its history. The university has grown significantly since its founding and now serves as an anchor institution in one of North Carolina's fastest-growing regions. Under the leadership of Chancellor Aswani K. Volety, appointed in 2022, the university is embarking on a new strategic design and planning process. This is an exciting time of transformation for the university, as UNCW aspires to reach the next level of excellence in graduate education and research, and to enhance strengths in significant economic collaboration in the region, while maintaining the core of its identity as a stellar undergraduate institution.

 

This is a pivotal moment at UNCW with the formation of two new innovative colleges focused on preparing for the future. The College with a strategic focus on Computing, Engineering and Science (CCES) and the College with a strategic focus on Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts will be comprised of disciplines from the current College of Arts and Sciences. The founding Dean  of CCES will lead the departments of Biology and Marine Biology; Chemistry and Biochemistry; Computer Science; Earth and Ocean Sciences; Environmental Sciences; Mathematics and Statistics; Physics and Physical Oceanography; Psychology; and Pre-Engineering in forming a shared vision, distinct identity, and organizational structure that supports faculty, staff, and students for future growth and development. The founding Dean will also leverage the entire UNCW community, and a region with growing industry and entrepreneurship, to build strategic partnerships, interdisciplinary research and teaching, and opportunities for increased external funding.

 

Reporting to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer for the new college. The Dean will be expected to articulate and execute a coherent vision for the future of CCES in alignment with the university’s next strategic plan; bolster its financial standing through development, programmatic growth, and funded research; and provide robust operational support for faculty, staff, and students, while strengthening internal and external partnerships.

 

The successful candidate will have a track record of success as an academic administrator, a demonstrated history of strong leadership, successful implementation of complex initiatives and demonstrated experience with budget management and fundraising. An earned doctorate in an academic discipline from an accredited institution and at least five years of progressively responsible experience in a senior leadership role is required. This person should possess a record of distinguished accomplishments consistent with an appointment as a professor with tenure at UNCW. Prior experience as a dean or academic administrator with significant scope preferred.

 

UNCW has retained the services of Isaacson, Miller—a national executive search firm—to assist in conducting this important search and to help identify outstanding candidates. All confidential inquiries, nominations/referrals, and applications should be sent electronically to:

 

Pamela Pezzoli, Partner

Sharon Hansen, Senior Associate

 

Isaacson, Miller

1800 K Street NW, Suite 750

Washington, DC 20006

 

https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-north-carolina-wilmington-college-computing-engineering-and-science/dean

 

The University of North Carolina Wilmington is committed to and will provide equal educational and employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, age, color, gender, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation, marital status, veteran status or relationship to other university constituents—except where sex, age or ability represent bona fide educational or occupational qualifications or where marital status is a statutorily established eligibility criterion for state-funded employee benefit programs.