Dean of the College of Engineering
University of South Alabama

The University of South Alabama (USA) invites applications and nominations for the position of Dean of the College of Engineering.

About the College

The College of Engineering at the University of South Alabama (USA) is recognized for the quality of its graduates. The mission of the College of Engineering is to provide students with high-quality, accessible undergraduate and graduate engineering education; to prepare graduates for professional careers and lifelong learning; to create and disseminate knowledge; and to serve society through economic and technological development of the Gulf Coast, the State of Alabama and the Nation. The College offers five ABET-accredited baccalaureate degrees, as well as, five master's degrees, the Doctor of Philosophy in Systems Engineering, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering. Major industries in the local area and region offer opportunities for industrial/academic collaborations, while numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations exist with the USA College of Medicine, USA Health, the Mitchell Cancer Institute, and the USA College of Arts and Sciences. The foundation of the USA College of Engineering is its excellent faculty with their dedication to teaching, research, and service to the community, the region, and the profession.

Role and Responsibilities

The Dean, reporting to the Executive Vice President and Provost, serves as the chief academic officer for the College and guides the College's efforts in academic curriculum development, faculty and staff development, research and scholarly activity, external fundraising and the building of partnerships with the industry community and alumni. USA seeks an innovative leader with strong leadership skills and a demonstrated commitment to establishing successful collaborative relationships within an environment in which faculty and stakeholders are fully engaged partners. The Dean will be expected to elevate the level of excellence of USA's renowned high-quality education, nurturing students to be career-ready professionals. The Dean will also be expected to enhance the research mission of the College, including facilitating increased sponsored research.

The ideal candidate should have an earned terminal degree in an engineering field represented by one of the College's disciplines and should demonstrate evidence of scholarly, professional, and creative achievement sufficient to qualify for tenure at the rank of Professor. In addition, the following qualifications are preferred:

• A record of fostering academic excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, leading change and growth;
• Significant scholarly research along with a strong record of external funding;
• A demonstrated capacity to identify, recruit, and retain strong faculty and leadership for the College;
• Broad knowledge of educational trends, engineering practices, multi-disciplinary research, and cutting-edge collaborative ventures with industry;
• Demonstrated experience overseeing large and complex budgets, developing and implementing strategic plans, and managing personnel;
• A strong track record of successful fundraising and talent for identifying entrepreneurial opportunities;
• A demonstrated ability to enhance diversity;
• Strong collaboration and consensus building skills and the ability to communicate with multiple constituencies and foster partnerships with other Colleges, universities, and industry stakeholders;
• Significant experience with the ABET accreditation process, compliance, and ethics;
• Strong communication skills and a commitment to transparency, collaboration, and shared decision-making.

The University and Region

The University of South Alabama (USA), South, for short, is home to over 12,000 students. South is a dynamic community of leaders and learners who support and challenge one another to be actively engaged citizens who advance the Gulf Coast region and the world. Founded in 1963, South's vision is to foster an environment that couples engaging learning experiences with high-level research, enabling our faculty and students to be leaders in their disciplines. South provides high-quality education in business, the liberal arts, education, engineering, computing, the sciences, and healthcare, offering more than 125 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs through its ten colleges and schools. USA is where students discover and strengthen their career passions and form connections that result in lifelong relationships.

USA Health stands as the only academic health system along the upper Gulf Coast. It provides excellent healthcare to the region's diverse population at USA Health University Hospital, USA Providence Hospital, the USA Mitchell Cancer Institute, and the renowned USA Health Children & Women's hospital, one of only five freestanding hospitals in the country dedicated to the healthcare of children and women.

The University is located in Mobile, Alabama (www.mobile.org), recognized as a vibrant business, cultural, and recreational hub, located conveniently between the Florida Panhandle and New Orleans. Mobile is experiencing an economic surge across a diverse range of industries. Local industries include manufacturing (aerospace, shipbuilding, carbon and stainless steel), logistics and shipping (Port of Mobile, several rail lines, and Mobile's Downtown Airport), specialty chemicals, as well as maritime interests, healthcare, and technology. The University of South Alabama endeavors to play a critical role in this ongoing regional economic growth. The industrial community is particularly reliant on and has a strong interest in a strong College of Engineering.

Application Process

Nominations and applications (letter of interest, CV, and contact information of at least five references), or expressions of interest should be submitted to the search firm assisting the University listed below. Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the appointment is made. It is preferred that all nominations and applications be submitted by April 30, 2024.

USA Dean of Engineering Search
Funk & Associates
2911 Turtle Creek Boulevard - Suite 300
Dallas, Texas 75219
Email:krisha.creal@rwilliamfunk.com

The University of South Alabama is an EO/AA employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression), religion, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or any other applicable legally protected basis.