Dean Search

Dean, College of Engineering & Mines

The University of North Dakota is seeking candidates for the position of Dean of the College of Engineering & Mines (CEM). Reporting directly to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the dean is the leader of UND’s largest and fastest growing college.

CEM is vital to the engineering and science workforce of the region and beyond and has an increasing research footprint tied to a wide range of engaged governmental and industry partners. The dean will provide leadership and facilitate an environment for accomplishing strategic goals, as well as aligning the functioning of CEM with UND’s broader academic identity and strategic planning: UND LEADS. The dean is responsible, in cooperation with the Provost, for academic and administrative planning; budgeting; administration and implementation of department, college and university policies; and fundraising and external relations.

The dean, in partnership with the faculty, is responsible for:

academic program development and review
faculty and staff recruitment
development and evaluation of faculty
student relations.

UND seeks an exceptional, focused, and creative leader who will build upon the College of Engineering & Mines’ strengths to continue its growth and expansion, provide world-class educational experiences, recruit and develop outstanding faculty, and promote faculty-driven scholarly and creative endeavors within the college. The next dean will be a committed team player who is devoted to excellence and shared governance. The selected individual will be a consultative decision-maker and will work collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, administrators, and community and industry partners. The dean will have unquestioned integrity and exemplary interpersonal and communication skills. The next dean of CEM will also build extensive external relationships inside and outside of North Dakota, which boasts a robust industrial sector with particular strengths in energy, manufacturing, and aerospace, all supported by CEM.

The anticipated starting date of the new dean will be July 1, 2025, or as soon as reasonable thereafter.

Additional position information

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements for a Candidate to be Considered

A terminal degree in an academic field related to the disciplines within the College of Engineering & Mines.
At least ten years of progressive leadership and administrative experience within a higher education, or closely related, setting.

Preferred Qualifications

An established senior scholar with expertise in a field represented in the college and a recognized leader capable of advancing knowledge and understanding in engineering, geology, and computing science.
A record of accomplishment in higher education teaching, service, and research that would enable the candidate to hold the position of full professor in a department in CEM.
Commitment to innovative teaching and program development across modalities and degree levels.
A record of leading innovative and entrepreneurial efforts.
A record of working with, understanding, and addressing the needs of underserved and underrepresented students.
Demonstrated leadership in fostering community and belonging.
Experience positively impacting student recruitment, enrollment, and retention.
Demonstrated commitment to shared governance and faculty and staff development.
Experience in recruitment, retention, supervision and mentorship of high-quality and diverse faculty and staff.
Experience with administration of the promotion and tenure process, faculty hiring and appointments, and other personnel actions.
Commitment to staff development with a significant emphasis on succession and workforce planning.
Experience working collaboratively with senior university leadership, state organizations, and/or legislative governing bodies.
Commitment to establishing and growing internal and external partnerships.
Experience with fundraising and/or engagement with external constituencies.
An understanding of higher education finance, budgeting and resource allocation, as well as a record of responsible management of resources.
Proficiency with data and data analytics.

Core Competencies & Characteristics

The ideal Dean of the College of Engineering & Mines should:

Be a forward-thinking, proactive, visionary, and positive agent of change with the ability to motivate and inspire others.
Demonstrate exceptional emotional intelligence and excellent judgment and integrity and embody professionalism, fairness, authenticity, and respect for others.
Be a champion for community and belonging in faculty, staff and student populations.
Be deeply committed to student learning and a positive student experience, both for on-campus and distance student populations.
Be a strategic, critical thinker who leads with candor, sound judgment, and transparency.
Possess the ability to communicate college issues to the public with clarity and effectiveness; exceptional capacity to promote the college’s interests, mission, and brand across and beyond the campus; an openness to listening and to integrating the input of others; and the ability to connect with audiences, large and small.
Be a visible servant leader who leads by example and connects with faculty, staff, and students.
Demonstrate humility and flexibility and be a skilled delegator, with a commitment to empowering faculty and staff to be successful in their work in support of the college.
Be proficient in making informed decisions and actively engage others in the decision-making process while actively advancing key initiatives and priorities.
Possess robust interpersonal abilities for fostering effective interactions within and beyond the university community, particularly with partners in industry and government.
Have a willingness to lead an effective fundraising effort to inspire others to strengthen and support the college in its mission and to meet goals for the planned new STEM Complex – UND’s primary current facilities priority – combined with the skill and experience to steward relationships

Applications

Applications should include a letter of interest (not more than three pages) specifically addressing the applicant’s background in relationship to the qualifications described, a current curriculum vitae, and a list of five professional references with full contact information and a note indicating the nature of the working relationships with each. No references will be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate.

Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted electronically, and in confidence, to: UNDDeanCEM@academicsearch.org
Applications received by Thursday, March 27, 2025, are assured consideration.
The UND Dean of the College of Engineering & Mines Search Committee is being assisted by Academic Search. Confidential discussions about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting consultants Ann Hasselmo at Ann.Hasselmo@academicsearch.org and Chris Butler at Chris.Butler@academicsearch.org.
Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in this application process should contact Academic Search at 202.332.4049.

Supplemental University Information

CEM Profile - Learn more about the position, the College of Engineering and Mines, UND's strategic plan, points of pride, the budget model, the Greater Grand Forks community and state of North Dakota
Benefits Package - From fully-paid family health plans to tuition waivers, UND employees are provided with benefits that make great careers even better.
UND YouTube Channel - View a plethora of videos including campus tours, Leaders in Action feature stories, life as a UND student, research, athletics, and much more.