Dean of the College of Engineering and Sciences

With its vision to cultivate leaders, inspire excellence, and impact our world, Purdue University Northwest (PNW) invites nominations and applications for the next Dean of the College of Engineering and Sciences (CES). This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional, innovative, and collaborative academic leader and scholar to strategically guide the college amidst the changing landscape of higher education, the growing vibrancy and diversity of Northwest Indiana and the Greater Chicago Area, and a renewed sense of optimism across the university.

Part of the Purdue University System, Purdue University Northwest is a diverse student-centered university that transforms lives and serves our region through innovative education, impactful research, and community engagement. Located in Northwest Indiana in the Greater Chicago Area and near the Indiana Dunes National Park, Purdue Northwest serves over 9,000 students, 6,000 of whom are core students, in more than 70 academic programs at the baccalaureate, master’s, and applied doctoral levels. It is also the largest federally-designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in Indiana. 

Reporting to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Dean provides strategic academic leadership for the college and is responsible for enhancing the core missions of learning, discovery, and engagement. The successful candidate will provide innovative, equity-focused, and engaged leadership to establish and fulfill a new vision and direction for the college aligned with the university’s 2025-2030 strategic plan, Excellence Evolving. In so doing, the Dean will be expected to take an active role in ensuring a climate supportive of all populations across the university – a university recently designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

The Dean will build upon the established reputation, programmatic strengths, and dedication to improving the quality of life and place for students (including first-generation college students, adult learners, and other non-traditional students), their families, and communities, as well as for faculty and staff. Collaborating with faculty, staff, students, donors, alumni, and community stakeholders, the Dean will actively lead the academic and research enterprise of the college; ensure an exceptional educational experience; maintain accreditation standards; foster continued growth in scholarship; strengthen relationships with industry and other community partners; and broaden participation in STEM.  Moreover, the Dean will be actively engaged in undergraduate and graduate program development, curricular enhancement, assessment of student learning, budget planning, resource development and allocation, and fund-raising. Collaboration with the other academic Deans, including for interdisciplinary programs and projects, is also expected. 

The College of Engineering and Sciences at Purdue University Northwest graduates students well-prepared for careers in science and engineering disciplines. With a combined enrollment of nearly 1,500 graduate and undergraduate students, the Dean oversees a budget of approximately $15.4 million. 

The successful candidate for Dean of the College of Engineering and Sciences shall have all of the following required skills and qualifications:

An earned doctorate in a discipline appropriate to the college; Academic qualifications for appointment at the rank of professor in one of the academic departments of the college; Evidence of a student-centered approach for enhancing the teaching and learning mission of an academic program or unit; Leadership experience related to faculty and staff; Experience related to managing financial and personnel resources; Collaboration with external stakeholders, which may include alumni, donors, industry, government, and other community partners.

A complete profile for the position, including more information about the position, university, and preferred qualifications may be found at https://www.academicsearch.org/open-searches-public/entry/20207/?search=20207, and additional information about the institution may be found at www.pnw.edu.

Applications and Nominations

The Search Committee will begin reviewing applications immediately and continue to accept applications and nominations until the position is filled. However, to ensure the fullest consideration, applicants should submit the required materials by December 2, 2024, to PNWDeanCES@academicsearch.org. Please send these three (3) separate application documents in PDF format:

A detailed cover letter addressing the CES Dean expectations and qualifications as outlined in this search profile; A full resume/curriculum vitae with relevant qualifications, responsibilities, and responsibilities and accomplishments; and A list of five professional references, including names, titles, organizations, phone numbers, and email addresses, noting the candidate’s relationship for each reference.
Please submit nominations to PNWDeanCES@academicsearch.org. Be sure to include the nominee’s full name, position, institution/organization, and email address.

Purdue University Northwest is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Purdue Northwest views, evaluates, and treats all persons in all University related activities solely as individuals on the basis of their own personal abilities, qualifications, and other relevant characteristics. All qualified applicants for employment will receive consideration without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability or status as a veteran.