POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT

Dean/Professor
College of Engineering
 

Southern Illinois University Carbondale invites nominations and applications for the position of Dean of the College of Engineering. The Dean is the chief administrative and academic officer of the College of Engineering and reports to the Provost/Vice Chancellor. The successful candidate is expected to bring a vision for the future which will inspire his/her colleagues to pursue a higher standard of excellence for teaching and scholarship. S/he should also encourage and lead the faculty, students, and staff to greater academic excellence.

The College of Engineering offers accredited undergraduate programs in Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Energy Processes, Mining and Mineral Resources Engineering, and Technology, as well as graduate programs through the doctorate. The College has 50 full-time faculty members, over 900 undergraduate students, and 415 graduate students. The College houses the Materials Technology Center and the Center for Advanced Friction Studies. Additional information regarding the College of Engineering is available at http://www.engr.siu.edu/.

The University operates under a decentralized budget model with responsibilities delegated to the college level. As fiscal officer for the College, the Dean is responsible for allocating its resources in the most effective way that supports the goal of academic excellence.

The Dean's primary roles are centered around academic and development matters, particularly (1) strategic planning and program development, (2) faculty development, (3) internal information needs for planning and budgeting, (4) recruitment and retention efforts, including attention toward enhancement of SIUC's tradition of serving minority, international, first-generation students, and students with disabilities; and (5) resource enhancement through fundraising and an increase in external grants.

Requirements: The successful candidate must possess an earned doctorate in an appropriate discipline in the College; an outstanding publication record and an extensive record of success in securing external funding; a distinguished record of teaching, research, and service consistent with the expectations of a tenured Professor at a Doctoral Research-Extensive University; academic administrative experience and managerial skills at the level of department chair or other academic leadership position of similar responsibility; experience in budget, planning, personnel, student matters, promotion and tenure review, program reviews and/or specialized accreditations. Candidates must also demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills; the ability to articulate effectively the College's mission to students, faculty, alumni, external funding agencies, and other decision-making bodies; the ability to develop and sustain collegial and productive relationships with on- and off-campus constituencies, funding sources, and fundraising sources on behalf of the College; and a commitment to high standards in education, cultural diversity, and equal opportunity.

*This is a security-sensitive position. Before any offer of employment is made, the University will conduct a pre-employment background investigation that includes a criminal background check.

Responsibilities (not in priority order): The Dean will

1. Serve as an officer of the University with a commitment to the goals and aspirations of Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
2. Serve as a member of the Provost/Vice Chancellor's Deans' Council.
3. In a spirit of shared governance, conduct the affairs of the College in accordance with all relevant State statutes, the directives of the Illinois Board of Higher Education, the Statutes and Bylaws of the SIU Board of Trustees, fiscal and administrative policies of the University under the guidance and leadership of the Provost/Vice Chancellor, and in conformity with the College's Operating Paper, the SIUC Employee Handbook, and all relevant contracts between the SIU Board of Trustees and any union associations.
4. Facilitate the implementation of the strategic plan that defines and clarifies the mission, goals, and strategies to focus resources; and mobilize faculty, students, and external groups to achieve high performance.
5. Develop, review, and approve all academic planning, departmental budgets, and fiscal plans, their incorporation into a College budget, and the implementation of programs within the approved budget framework.
6. Provide leadership in personnel actions relating to recruitment, salary recommendations, appointment, retention, tenure, and retirement, as well as suspension, termination, and related actions for faculty, administrative staff, and support staff with the concurrence of the appropriate units or bodies of the College, in accordance with the University's principles of affirmative action and equal opportunity.
7. Meet or assign a designee to meet annually with all tenure-track faculty for the purposes of performance evaluation. Initiate three (3) year reviews of academic Chairs and Directors.
8. Identify, cultivate, involve, and solicit the community, alumni, and friends of the university in developing and sustaining an active external fundraising program. (For more information on the SIU Foundation, visit http://www.siuf.org/. For specific information concerning The Campaign for Southern, visit http://www.siuf.org/campaign/. The College of Engineering's component of this campaign is described in detail at: http://www.siuf.org/campaign/priority_unitO6.asp.) Develop external support and funding from industry and governmental agencies.
9. Represent the college's interests and perspectives while serving as official spokesperson between the College and other units within the University, as well as with off-campus constituencies.
10. Provide the impetus for undergraduate and graduate academic programming in the College, including the development of new and expanded programs and modifications of existing programs, where appropriate and feasible.
11. Develop and supervise programs for the recruitment, retention, advisement, and placement of a diverse body of undergraduate and graduate students in the College. Involve alumni and friends in joint problem solving, placement of students, and the development of internships.
12. Communicate with the faculty and staff of the College, taking measures to assure that all are informed as to the status, progress, and organization of the College. Provide effective communication among the various departmental and research centers within the College, between the College and the Office of the Provost/Vice Chancellor, and between the College and the broader University.
13. Enhance and inspire an academic climate that will promote excellence in teaching, externally-funded research and scholarly activity, and service. Support involvement and contributions by faculty, staff, and students in both institutional and professional service, as well as encouraging a well-rounded personal development program.
14. Participate in program reviews and guide specialized accreditations. Ensure that undergraduate and graduate programs conform to and, where appropriate, exceed the standards of accrediting agencies for undergraduate, masters, and doctoral programs in the College.
15. Encourage and support the development of joint degree programs with other collegial units on campus.
16. Initiate and coordinate the upgrading of the technical infrastructure, including computers, software, networks, and ancillary equipment in the classrooms and staff and faculty offices.
17. Supervise and enhance an administrative network for the implementation of policies formulated within the College.
18. Promote professional registration/licensure of faculty and students; Promote faculty to the National Academies and as Fellows.

Effective Date of Appointment: The position is available July 1, 2009.  

Application Deadline: Review of applications will begin November 3, 2008, and will continue until the position is filled.  

Application Procedure: Applications must include a current curriculum vita, a personal vision statement for the position, and the name, address, phone number, and email address for five references. Send nominations, inquiries, and applications to:
 

Search Committee for Dean, College of Engineering
Office of the Provost and Vice Chancellor
Attn: Ms. Tina J. Biggs
Anthony Hall 125 - Mail Code 4305
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
1265 Lincoln Drive
Carbondale, IL 62901
Telephone: 618-453-5744
Email: tjbiggs@siu.edu

SIUC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer that strives to enhance its
 ability to develop a diverse faculty and staff and to increase its potential to serve a
 diverse student population. All applications are welcomed and encouraged and
 will receive consideration.