The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) invites applications, nominations, and inquiries as it seeks an experienced leader with a deep commitment to both access and academic excellence to serve as the next dean of the College of Engineering. UIC, the only public research university and the largest university in the city of Chicago, is a Carnegie-classification R1 institution and federally designated minority-serving university. In FY2023, UIC received over $500M in sponsored research awards. It is among the most diverse research universities in the country, is highly rated for its impact on social mobility, and is ranked among the highest-value colleges in the U.S.
Reporting to the Provost of the University, the dean oversees all areas of the college’s mission, manages its budget, and is responsible for the college’s impact in Chicago and the Chicago region as well as its internationally recognized distinction in a variety of engineering disciplines and programs. The dean is the college’s primary representative to the UIC community as well as to alumni, local community and government representatives, industry, and other stakeholders. The dean is charged with sustaining and promoting a culture of innovation; forging a dynamic and inclusive community of scholarship, creativity, collaboration, and learning; and advancing the vision, operations, and services of the college through strategic decisions regarding faculty, students, and staff. Given UIC’s fundamental commitment to access and excellence, the dean represents, champions, resources, and celebrates the critical role the college plays in this mission. Within an overall university strategy articulated by UIC’s chancellor and provost, the dean represents the college to the rest of the University of Illinois system.
The College of Engineering
The mission of the College of Engineering is access to excellence and success: the college educates students to innovate and to lead. It aims to expand global knowledge of the engineering field through excellence in original research and, as a public institution, to prioritize its relationship with the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois. UIC Engineering aims also to foster strong local partnerships, provide crucial engineering expertise and facilities, and serve as a major economic driver for the city. The college has six departments: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil, Materials, and Environmental Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Mechanical and Industrial Engineering. Driven by the college’s combination of accessibility and excellence, student enrollment at UIC Engineering has skyrocketed: with over 57% enrollment growth over the last decade, the college now has over 6,200 students. The faculty has grown along with enrollment, with approximately 215 professors, including 47 recipients of the prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award. FY 2022 research expenditures topped $40 million.
Qualifications
The next dean of the College of Engineering must have an earned terminal degree and must be an accomplished scholar with credentials suitable for a tenured appointment at the rank of full professor in one of the disciplines represented in the college. Candidates should have significant leadership experience and a demonstrated ability to work across a variety of academic disciplines and possess an energetic, entrepreneurial, and collaborative leadership style that inspires faculty, students, and staff and builds pride in and commitment to the UIC vision. Experience recruiting and supporting a diverse student population at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including many who are first-generation students; demonstrated success supporting students’ intellectual development and advancing student outcomes; and a passion for the student population that UIC serves are also required. The new dean will demonstrate an ability to identify and nurture excellence within the departments centered on the ability to recruit, develop, and retain superb faculty members. Demonstrated fundraising success is also required.
To Apply
The University of Illinois Chicago has retained Opus Partners to support this recruitment. Craig Smith, Partner, and Marisea Rivera, Senior Associate, are leading the search. Confidential inquiries and nominations should be submitted by email to Marisea Rivera at marisea.rivera@opuspartners.net. To be considered by the University’s search committee, candidates must provide a CV/resume and a letter of introduction that addresses the specific responsibilities, expectations, and qualifications described above, and submit these through an electronic application by January 31, 2024 for fullest consideration. Please consult Opus Partners for more information about the application process.
The University of Illinois Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer that has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity and is particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of people. It is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the University’s Board of Trustees and are made contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of any criminal background checks and other pre-employment assessments that may be required for the position being offered. Additional information regarding such pre-employment checks and assessments may be provided as applicable during the hiring process.
As a qualifying federal contractor, the University of Illinois System uses E-Verify to verify employment eligibility. The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit Policy on Consideration of Sexual Misconduct in Prior Employment.
