Dean of the College of Engineering

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas

THE SEARCH

Wichita State University (WSU), the premier urban-serving, public research university in Kansas, seeks a visionary, engaged leader and educator to be the next dean of the College of Engineering (COE). Founded in 1895, WSU has a keen focus on student success, powerful industry partnerships, and innovative faculty conducting cutting-edge applied research in state-of-the-art facilities. It is a growth-minded university where collaboration and groundbreaking ideas shape the future, with an entrepreneurial spirit embedded in its foundation.

Since 2010, Wichita State University is one of the fastest-growing research universities in the United States. They intend to continue that arc with increased opportunities for student research and interdisciplinary research projects. Currently designated as a “High Research Activity” institution, WSU is strategically moving towards the “Very High Research Activity” Carnegie classification. Considerably strengthening research awards in the last several years has moved WSU far beyond the threshold of an R1 classification, and the University is now concentrating on increasing the number of PhD graduates.

The dean will continue the College’s remarkable trajectory by providing strategic and growth minded leadership in collaboration with faculty, staff, students, and other key internal and external stakeholders, including an actively engaged Industry Advisory Board (IAB). Rated the No. 1 engineering school in Kansas by U.S. News and World Report in 2024, the College has a total enrollment of 2,865 students and includes seven academic departments. The University as a whole set a record for total research and development awards in recent years with a current total of $411 million in research funding.

The City of Wichita is a manufacturing and aeronautics powerhouse with one of the highest per capita concentration of engineers in the country. A major economic driver, the College enjoys mutually beneficial partnerships with strong regional and national corporate and governmental organizations through numerous WSU initiatives including the Innovation Campus and the National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR). College of Engineering students participate in paid applied learning and research with employers such as Airbus, Spirit AeroSystems, Koch Industries, Textron Aviation, Boeing, NASA, SpaceX, NASCAR, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

The dean will be charged with advancing the academic quality and stature of the College. This requires a visionary leader who is committed interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical leadership, and who is skilled in strategic planning and human and financial resource management. Demonstrated experience cultivating the success of students, staff and faculty is a priority. The dean will assist with the advancement of WSU as an innovative university by focusing on increasing enrollment and funded research at the undergraduate and graduate levels, paid applied learning, job placement and tech transfer. Close collaboration with industry, entities on the Innovation Campus and with NIAR will be essential. The new dean will continue to support a strong tradition of undergraduate and graduate education and will pay special attention to recruitment and retention of faculty, undergraduate and graduate students. The dean will also be responsible for ongoing fundraising efforts in close partnership with the WSU Foundation.

TO APPLY

Wichita State University has retained Isaacson, Miller, a national executive search firm, to assist the dean of the College of Engineering search committee in its identification and review of candidates. Inquiries, referrals, and CVs accompanied by a cover letter should be submitted via the Isaacson, Miller Dean of the College of Engineering search page.

Jackie Mildner, Partner

Robin Dougherty, Managing Associate

Pamela Carty, Senior Search Coordinator

Isaacson, Miller

Wichita State University (WSU) does not discriminate in its employment practices, or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of age (40 years or older), ancestry, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a veteran. WSU also prohibits retaliation against any person making a complaint of discrimination or against any person involved or participating in the investigation of any such allegation. Sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking are forms of sex discrimination and are prohibited under Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, other federal law, and WSU policy. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding WSU’s non-discrimination policies: the Institutional Equity and Compliance Director (Telephone: (316) 978-3205), Title IX Coordinator (Telephone: (316) 978-5177), or Equal Opportunity Coordinator (Telephone: (316) 978-3186), each located at Wichita State University, 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260, Human Resources Building.