Dean, College of Engineering

Dean, College of Engineering
Position Description

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), a distinguished, dynamic, historic top-tier public research (R1) and teaching land-grant University located at the base of the majestic Sierra mountains and near Lake Tahoe, seeks an energetic, action-oriented academic leader to serve as Dean of the College of Engineering. The University has over 16,200 undergraduate students and 3,500 graduate students, as well as $186 million in research expenditures.

This position serves as the chief academic officer for the College and reports to the Executive Vice President and Provost. The next dean will lead a college with research programs that have grown significantly in the past decade, particularly in high-impact interdisciplinary areas such as advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and autonomous systems, while serving at a university characterized by a strong commitment to the student experience.

The University of Nevada, Reno

The University of Nevada, Reno, is a public research university that is committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Nevada’s historic land-grant university was founded in 1874, and today serves 23,000 students. The University is a comprehensive, doctoral university, classified as an R1 institution with very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. UNR also earned the Carnegie Community Engagement classification. Since 2009, nearly $1 billion has been invested in advanced labs, residence halls, and facilities. It is home to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, and Wolf Pack Athletics, and maintains a statewide outreach mission and presence through programs such as the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Small Business Development Center, and Nevada Seismological Laboratory.

The University’s main campus is located in Reno, Nevada, immediately adjacent to a vibrant and growing downtown region, and has a satellite campus in south Reno, as well as the Wayne L. Prim Campus at Lake Tahoe, where education, research, and creative work thrive in a stunning mountain setting.

The University is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education, which includes two research universities, one state college, four community colleges, and an environmental research institute, and endeavors to create and develop strong partnerships with each institution. Through a commitment to world-improving research, student success, and outreach benefiting the communities and businesses of Nevada, the University has impact across the state and around the world. Northern Nevada continues to develop and grow as a “technology hub” and many corporations provide opportunities for students (internships, employment, research, etc.) and to college leadership as corporate partners.

Located where the Sierra Nevada meets the high desert of the Great Basin, the University’s verdant, 290-acre main campus is a 45-minute drive from scenic Lake Tahoe. Today, the University delivers on its land-grant mission of access to education and knowledge by investing in the academics, facilities, support, engagement, and vibrant campus life that promote UNR’s diverse students’ cognitive growth and academic achievement — all while remaining one of the best values in American higher education, according to both Forbes and Money magazines (2018). The University is ranked in the top tier of National Universities by U.S. News & World Report and in the top tier of the WSJ/Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

The College of Engineering

The engineering program at the University of Nevada, Reno was established in 1889 as the School of Mechanical Arts and Mining, before becoming the College of Engineering in 1905. Since that time, the College has enjoyed continuous growth in undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as steady increases in research and outreach activities. During the 2024 fall semester, the College had 82 tenured and tenure-track faculty and 66 non-tenure-track faculty and staff; 2,493 undergraduate students; 427 graduate students, consisting of 175 M.S. students and 220 PhD students; and $29.1M in externally funded research awards. Much of the College is housed in the newly constructed William N. Pennington Engineering Building, which contains state-of-the-art labs and classrooms as well as a certified Class 100 Cleanroom that is unique in the region. A highlight of the college is its internationally recognized Earthquake Engineering laboratory/shake tables facility.

The college is composed of five departments: Chemical & Materials Engineering, Civil & Environmental Engineering, Computer Science & Engineering, Electrical & Biomedical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. The following bachelor's degree programs have been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET: biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, materials science and engineering, and mechanical engineering. The computer science and engineering bachelor’s degree program has been accredited by both the Computing Accreditation Commission and the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET. The College initiated an Industrial Engineering program in 2024 and is developing an Aerospace Engineering program supported by a $36 million gift.

Dean of the College of Engineering

The University of Nevada’s College of Engineering is looking for an innovative and inspirational leader to serve as its next Dean. The Dean of the College of Engineering is responsible for leading and supporting the dean’s leadership team who manages academic programs and support services: curriculum development, planning, and assessment; faculty development, promotion, and tenure; academic budgeting; and research support. The Dean also plays an important external role on behalf of the College, including fundraising, and works in collaboration with leaders across the University, System, and state.

Required Qualifications:

• An earned doctorate in Engineering (or closely related field).
• A record of distinguished scholarship and teaching requisite for an appointment as a tenured full professor.
• A strong understanding and/or vision for engineering education and research at a land-grant university.
• A record of significant and progressive academic leadership experience appropriate for this role.
• Substantial administrative experience with academic budgeting and financial planning, enrollment management, and strategic planning.

The Dean of the College of Engineering will have the following leadership characteristics:

• A strong ethical foundation.
• Vision and ability to inspire the College, advocate for resources to support the growth mission of the College and build partnerships with alumni and community.
• An orientation towards interdisciplinary partnership to help forge relationships across the university.
• Proven experience in recruiting, developing, retaining, and evaluating faculty and professional staff.
• An established record of embracing, developing, and supporting a diverse staff, faculty, and campus population; demonstrated commitment to diversity in areas of hiring, promotions, student enrollment, and retention.
• A successful record of developing, implementing, and sustaining innovative policies and programs that foster excellence in teaching, research, and service in higher education.
• Experience relating to external constituencies, such as accrediting bodies, governing and coordinating boards, legislative bodies, public agencies, funding agencies, alumni, donors, and private companies.
• Experience with industry collaboration.
• Demonstrated evidence of successful donor relations and development.

Remarkable Retirement

Our retirement plan is beyond compare. Your 17.50% contribution is generously matched by the University. With the faculty retirement plan, you are 100% vested your first day. Sit back and watch your retirement dollars grow! All permanent employees on an annual "A" or "B" contract who are employed at least 50% full-time are eligible to participate in the NSHE retirement program unless they are members of PERS of Nevada. 

Perks of Working at UNR

• Health insurance options including dental and vision - Health Insurance
• Generous annual, sick leave, long term disability and life insurance – Faculty Benefits
• E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers annual or semester memberships and spouse/domestic partner membership options. E.L. Wiegand Fitness Center
• Reno is proud to be a University town! Many local businesses offer discounts to WolfCard holders
• Mountain EAP supports employees (and eligible dependents) through life's difficult moments. Mountain EAP is located in Reno and specializes in counseling and advising services for personal or interpersonal issues.
• Several Diversity Committees and Affinity Groups focusing on campus-wide diversity initiatives to ensure we are working to create a diverse and welcoming campus climate. Diversity Groups
• Faculty Senate is the principal representing body for faculty. Its membership includes representatives from each academic and administrative major unit of the University. Faculty Senate
• No state income tax!

Grants-in-Aid for Faculty Employees

The University is proud to provide a reduced-rate tuition benefit to faculty and qualified dependents. Faculty can take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate. Dependents of faculty have unlimited credits, but in order to be eligible children must be unmarried and under the age of 24 and must receive at least 50% of their financial support from the employee and/or employee’s spouse or domestic partner. Faculty Grants-in-Aid

Faculty Dual Career Assistance Program

The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes the importance of addressing dual-career couples’ professional needs. We offer a dual career assistance program to newly hired faculty spouses/partners that provides resources and assists them to identify career opportunities in Northern Nevada. Dual Career Assistance Program.

Application Process

The Search Committee invites letters of nomination, applications (letter of interest, complete CV, and list of five references and a brief statement one page maximum about how you would contribute to the mission of creating a culturally inclusive environment in the College), or expressions of interest to be submitted to the search firm assisting the University of Nevada, Reno. Confidential review of materials will begin immediately and continue until final candidates for the appointment are identified. It is preferred, however, that all nominations and applications be submitted prior to Monday, February 24, 2025. For more information, please contact Parker Executive Search:

Porsha Williams, Vice President
Jacob Anderson, Senior Principal
Brett Sauls, Associate
Parker Executive Search Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2875 Atlanta, GA 30328
janderson@parkersearch.com || bsauls@parkersearch.com
Phone: (678) 775-4564