Job Details

Dean, College of Engineering
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Position Number: 5875254
Location: Reno, NV
Position Type: Engineering - Civil and Environmental

Dean, College of Engineering

R0144746
University of Nevada, Reno - Main Campus

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) appreciates your interest in employment at our growing institution. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact our recruitment helpline at (775) 784-1495 or jobs@unr.edu. For UNR Med professional job postings, please contact the Office of Professional Recruitment at (775) 784-6778.

Job 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.

Exempt
Yes

Full-Time Equivalent
100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

Applications will only be accepted through Parker Executive Search. Please use the process below to apply and not the apply button on this advertisement:

Link to apply - https://www.parkersearch.com/opportunities/dean-college-of-engineering

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

Posting Close Date
03/1/2025

Note to Applicant

A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified, HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member's first day of employment.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

Applicants hired on a federal contract may be subject to E-Verify.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment.

Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.

The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person's age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes).

About Us

The University of Nevada, Reno is a leading public research university committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Founded in 1874 as Nevada's original land-grant university, the University serves more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 63 countries.

Classified by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 ("Very High Research") university, it is also recognized in the Carnegie Community Engagement classification. The University is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the "Best National Universities" and "Best National Public Universities." It also ranks in the top tier of the WSJ/Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the New York Times' "Top Colleges for Economic Diversity."

Since 2009, nearly $1 billion has been has invested in advanced labs, facilities, and residence halls on the main campus. The University is home to Nevada's first medical school - the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and the Wayne L. Prim Campus at Lake Tahoe, where education, research, and creative work thrive in a stunning mountain setting. The University delivers on its original land-grant mission with outreach across the state through the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Nevada Small Business Development Center, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and Wolf Pack Athletics.

The main campus is in Reno, Nevada, a burgeoning global technology hub with a vibrant midtown and downtown. Found where the high desert of the Great Basin meets the High Sierra and Lake Tahoe, the beautiful, 290-acre main campus is also a Nevada State Arboretum. The University's physical infrastructure is expanding with ongoing construction of the newly named John Tullock Business Building, set to open in fall 2025. Groundbreaking is also planned for a new State Public Health Laboratory Building on campus, alongside the recent acquisition of 16 parcels near campus, known as "University Village," to provide affordable housing for graduate students and early career faculty.

Collaborating with world-renowned organizations, the University fosters innovation through initiatives such as the Digital Wolf Pack partnership with Apple, which ensures equitable access to technology for students, providing new incoming freshman or transfer students with an iPad Air and accessories. Google's TechWise initiate is an 18-month program that fully supports undergraduate students in becoming entry-level software engineers by graduation.

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced that Nevada - led by the University of Nevada, Reno - was named one of the inaugural 31 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (TechHubs). Nevada was selected from a competitive pool of 489 applicants from across the United States and its territories. Nevada's Tech Hub will strengthen America's lithium batteries, critical elements and other electric vehicle materials industry sectors within the state.

Through its commitment to high-impact education, world-improving research and creative activity, and outreach that's transforming Nevada's communities and businesses, the University continues its 150-year tradition of benefitting our state, nation and world.

The University recognizes that diversity promotes excellence in education and research. The inclusive and engaged community on campus recognizes the added value that students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds bring to the educational experience.

Today, the University delivers on its original land-grant mission of access to education and knowledge by investing in the academics, facilities, support, engagement and vibrant campus life that promote our diverse students' cognitive growth and academic achievement - all while remaining one of the best values in American higher education.

For more information, please visit the University's website.

University of Nevada, Reno

To apply, visit https://nshe.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UNR-external/job/University-of-Nevada-Reno---Main-Campus/Dean--College-of-Engineering_R0144746?workerSubType=dddb2e55fbdf014cc806bd19c034ed08&workerSubType=dddb2e55fbdf011e7533c019c034ee08&workerSubType=dddb2e55fbdf0125f832c319c034ef08

Founded in 1874, the University of Nevada, Reno is the State of Nevadas land grant institution with a statewide mission and presence. The University of Nevada, Reno is a Carnegie I Research Institution and has been recognized as a "Top Tier" Best National University by U.S. News & World Report. With an enrollment of nearly 21,000 students we offer 145 Tier 1 accredited degree programs. Located in the picturesque Truckee Meadows the University of Nevada, Reno is surrounded by numerous state and national parks, is 45 minutes from beautiful Lake Tahoe, and four hours from San Francisco.

The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes that diversity promotes excellence in education and research. We are an inclusive and engaged community and recognize the added value that students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds bring to the educational experience.

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a persons age, disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race, or religion.