Dean, College of Engineering

The University of Iowa (UI) seeks a visionary, experienced and engaged leader with a deep commitment to collaboration and an interdisciplinary focus to serve at its next dean of the College of Engineering.

 

The University of Iowa is one of the nation's premier public research universities with 32,948 students from 114 countries and all 50 states. Founded in 1847, it is the state's oldest institution of higher education and is located alongside the picturesque Iowa River in Iowa City. A member of the Association of American Universities since 1909 and the Big Ten Conference since 1899, the UI is home to one of the largest and most acclaimed medical centers in the country, as well as the famous Iowa Writers' Workshop.

 

The College of Engineering is one of 12 colleges at The University of Iowa. With educational courses dating back more than 100 years, the College today has an enrollment of 2,576 with 27 percent female undergraduate students and 31 percent female graduate students. The College teaches undergraduate and graduate coursework in biomedical, chemical and biochemical, civil and environmental, electrical and computer, industrial and mechanical engineering. In the past decade, undergraduate enrollment has risen 89 percent, faculty research productivity has more than doubled and outreach programs are setting the standard nationwide. UI Engineering is recognized for its personalized student-oriented mission coupled with the resources of a major research university. Its undergraduate students become “engineers...and something more,” by combining a rigorous technical education with essential 21st century skills in teamwork, communication, global awareness, leadership, entrepreneurship and creativity—the “uniquely Iowa” approach.

 

The next dean of the College of Engineering will be expected to develop a forward-looking and innovative vision for the future of the College, one that will unify the College around shared and common goals and that will serve as a guidepost for key decisions and investment of resources. Essential to the College's future is further strengthening its research and academic programs, capitalizing on its considerable interdisciplinary expertise and capacity. Equally important is developing graduate education. The College community expects the next dean take a considerable role in advancing diversity and inclusion, a foundational element of strengthening the College community. All of these efforts must rest on a foundation of strong, highly collaborative relationships across the university, within the College and out into the community with alumni, donors and industry leaders to grow partnerships, visibility and resources to enable the College to thrive.

 

Among many important qualities, the next dean must have a successful record of excellence in teaching, scholarly achievement, funded research, and service and qualify for a tenured appointment at the level of full professor in the College. The dean will have a record of visionary leadership experience, including significant and progressive experiences leading an academic unit such as a department or center. The dean will demonstrate administrative, fiscal and operational acumen with an astute understanding of university finances and the relationship among academic priorities. The dean should demonstrate an understanding of the elements required to sustain and expand top-tier extramural research and entrepreneurial initiatives, and have exceptional interpersonal, collaboration and communication skills. Additionally, the dean should be an experienced fundraiser and, in coordination with the UI Center for Advancement development staff, be able to forge strong relationships and engage donors, alumni, industry leaders in a significant upcoming fundraising campaign. The dean will be a highly engaged and accessible leader and must have a deep and steadfast commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion.

 

A full leadership profile is available at www.wittkieffer.com. Applications and nominations must be received by September 3, 2019 for full consideration. Candidates should provide, as three separate documents, a curriculum vitae, a letter of application describing interest in the position and how the candidate's professional experience has prepared the candidate for this position and the names, addresses, emails and telephone numbers of five professional references. Candidates will be informed before references are contacted. Please submit confidential inquiries, nominations and application materials to the Witt/Kieffer consultants supporting this search, Suzanne Teer and Julia Venetos, at IowaEngineeringDean@wittkieffer.com.

 

 

The University of Iowa is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment free from discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, religion, associational preference, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran.