Dean, U.A, Whitaker College of Engineering

Job Summary

Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) seeks a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leader to serve as Dean of the U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering (WCE).

This is an extraordinary opportunity to lead a college that is central to FGCU’s distinctive emphasis on providing experiential education and academic programs serving the needs of the Southwest Florida community. The WCE offers undergraduate majors in bioengineering, civil engineering, construction management, environmental engineering, and software engineering and is committed to producing graduates with superior technical and professional skills. The four engineering programs are ABET accredited, and the newly established construction management program (3 years) accreditation is in process through ACCE with anticipated formal affirmation in 2023. In addition, the M.S. in Engineering is offered with concentrations in construction management, renewable energy engineering, and sustainable water engineering.

Inclusive Excellence

Florida Gulf Coast University is committed to establishing and maintaining an inclusive working and learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of the campus life reflect a diverse, multicultural, and international worldview.

At FGCU, we collectively stand against any individual or group that practices any form of racism, discrimination, intolerance, hate expressions, or disrespect. We are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, religious beliefs, abilities, ages, gender identities, sexual orientations, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, family statuses, and military backgrounds. FGCU strives to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes our University stronger. The University community recognizes the importance of a diverse and inclusive institution and holds these ideals as paramount for the current and future success of the institution.

We seek colleagues who promote and embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion. We encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply for this position as we believe that our University will grow and move forward through a commitment of equality for all.

Job Description

College Overview

The College was formally established in 2011 after initially being established as a School of Engineering in 2005. The WCE currently has 28 faculty and 8 adjunct professors/instructors organized in three departments, 8 staff, over 1,100 students, and 11 student organizations. The College is in the process of adding three faculty to software engineering and construction management, and has launched a seven-person cluster hire in computing and data science, which will be interdisciplinary with all FGCU colleges and schools. The College has strong philanthropic support and potential, as well as partnerships with major regional companies.

The mission of the WCE is to provide students with a high-quality educational experience that prepares them to thrive in their professional careers. The Dean of the WCE must be a visionary and strategic thought leader committed to excellence in teaching and pedagogy, excellence in research, scholarly productivity, and service to the field of engineering and local community. The Dean will serve as a liaison and architect of partnerships within the University and across the larger community to facilitate excellence and encourage innovation. The Dean is expected to lead the growth of the college by expanding programs. The successful candidate will also demonstrate the capacity to build strategic partnerships, raise funds to support the college and its initiatives, manage budgets effectively, cultivate a transformative and inclusive experience for all students, and work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders. The Dean is responsible for overseeing multiple processes, including but not limited to, faculty recruitment and hiring, faculty and staff retention, program assessment and review, strategic planning, and general oversight of all administrative functions. Reporting to the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Dean is the chief academic and executive officer of the college and serves as a member of the University’s academic leadership team.

About FGCU

FGCU is a comprehensive public university offering undergraduate and graduate programs to nearly 16,000 students. One of 12 universities within the State University System of Florida, FGCU is Carnegie-designated as a Doctoral/Professional level university. FGCU is an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution. Celebrating its 25th year in 2022, FGCU has seen enormous growth in academic programs, research activity, campus life, donor support, community engagement and student outcomes. Through its strategic planning process, five broad themes or pillars have emerged as priorities – student success, academic excellence, entrepreneurship, health sciences, and community engagement.

Florida Gulf Coast University is dedicated to quality education, research, and service. All faculty are expected to be excellent teachers, responsive to changing professional needs; committed to innovative delivery of instruction resulting in improved student learning; committed to effective use of technology including distance learning; produce peer reviewed scholarship; and provide service to the College, University and Community.

Additional Job Description

Qualifications

• Earned Doctorate in, or related to, a discipline found within the WCE and holding rank of full professor from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion among faculty, staff and students.
• Demonstrated leadership skills within academics or industry.
• Demonstrated experience as a collaborator, problem-solver, consensus-builder, communicator, innovator, and hard-worker within a university setting.
• Leadership experience within a college or university setting.
• Experience working in a faculty union environment.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Appointment will be made at an out-of-unit faculty rank commensurate with the candidate’s experience on a 12-month out-of-unit multi-year appointment basis beginning June 2022.

Because applications and materials are subject to public review and retention under Florida’s Public Records Law, please DO NOT send examples of your project/ scholarship unless requested to do so. Therefore, all submitted materials including articles, disks, slides, books, etc., become the property of FGCU and CANNOT BE RETURNED. As applicable, finalists will be notified of the need to submit specific additional materials. Such materials will become the property of FGCU.

Under Florida’s Public Records law, applications will be available for public review upon request.

Required Application Materials:

1. A letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and qualifications of the position;

2. Current curriculum vitae or resume, and

3. At least five (5) references with full contact information including e-mails. References will not be contacted without consent from applicant

Screening will begin immediately and continue until an appointment is made. For priority consideration, please submit required application materials no later than March 31, 2022. All applications, nominations and inquiries are invited.

Nominations may be submitted to Tracie Beck via e-mail at trbeck@fgcu.edu .

FGCU is an EOE AA /F/Vet/Disability Employer.