Dean for the College of Engineering and Sciences - Higher Education Jobs, University Jobs, HigherEd Jobs

Job description

McNeese State University invites applicants for the position of Dean for the College of Engineering and Sciences. This is a full-time, 12-month, unclassified administrative position. The appointment is available June 1, 2026.

Position Number: U99350

SALARY: $155,000, non-negotiable

UNIT: College of Engineering and Sciences

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND SCIENCES: The College of Engineering and Sciences, one of five colleges that comprise the University, has approximately 75 full-time faculty members and 15 staff members. The college offers undergraduate degree programs in agricultural sciences, biological sciences, chemical engineering, chemistry, computer science, engineering (civil, electrical), mathematical sciences, mechanical engineering, and natural resource conservation management and graduate degree programs in engineering, environmental and chemical sciences, mathematical sciences, and nutritional sciences. The college enrolls approximately 1294 undergraduate and 44 graduate students.

UNIVERSITY: McNeese State University, founded in 1939, has approximately 6,000 undergraduate and 500 graduate students. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the University offers associate, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees and, for the last 15 consecutive years, has been recognized as one of the best regional universities in the South by U.S. News and World Report. Located in a culturally diverse area with a population of more than 180,000 (Lake Charles and suburbs), McNeese is conveniently located to serve students from both southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas.

POSITION DESCRIPTION OVERVIEW: Reporting to the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, the Dean is expected to provide dynamic leadership in teaching, scholarly productivity, and service for the College of Engineering and Sciences. The Dean is also expected to foster and support collegiality and productive relationships within the University community and with external stakeholders. The position is appointed by the President of the University, and the appointment is approved by the Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana System.

POSITION DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provides leadership to the College of Engineering and Sciences and assists in fulfilling the University mission as a teaching institution with high quality academic programs and learning environment.
With faculty and staff collaboration, develops and implements a strategic plan and vision for the college which supports the University’s strategic plan.
Ensures a quality educational environment for students and efficient delivery of programs and courses within the college.
Promotes a desirable image for the college and University, builds and strengthens relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and develops positive relationships between the University and the area which it serves.
Communicates and implements University policies within the college and supervises development of those policies unique to the college.
Provides oversight of the college’s compliance with Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) accreditation standards and principles.
Supports the continuation of programmatic accreditation through the Computer and Engineering Accreditation Commissions of ABET, the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND).
Ensures compliance with programmatic and general education course assessment activities.
Supervises, counsels, and encourages the department heads, program coordinators, and unclassified staff in their efforts.
Maintains current and accurate records and ensures that department heads, program coordinators, and unclassified follow suit.
In coordination with appropriate college leaders, examines and analyzes both the content and adequacy of the college curricula, ensuring that curricula and course offerings are current, relevant, and accurately reflected in the catalog.
Oversees and/or approves the development of appropriate and effective schedules of classes and teaching assignments within the college.
Counsels department heads on faculty recruiting and development as well as utilization of faculty within the framework of the college.
Ensures fair application of the faculty evaluation guidelines, which include teaching, scholarly work, and service, and compliance with evaluation policy for all employees.
After consulting with department heads, recommends eligible faculty for promotion and/or tenure.
Promotes faculty and student scholarship and seeks support for the efforts; supports grant funding efforts.
Supports and leads student recruitment and retention campaigns for the college and departments.
Collaborates with the provost and other academic deans to develop and implement student-centered approaches to academic policies and practices that support student success.
Collaborates with all divisions of the University for the betterment of the academic enterprise and to strategize and synergize efforts related to student retention.
Works with Faculty Senate, Staff Senate, Student Government Association, Athletics Department, Alumni Association, McNeese Foundation, Facilities Operations, and external agency representatives to ensure broad support for the quality of the learning environment.
Monitors budgets and expenses for the college, makes sound financial decisions, and ensures the college operates within allocated resources.
Collaborates with University Advancement on fundraising opportunities for the college.
Oversees allotment of space and coordinates maintenance of facilities.
Serves on committees as assigned, participates in governing board meetings as needed, and represents the University as requested.
Teaches a course workload of three credit hours per regular semester.
Completes other duties, including academic research, as assigned by the Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

REQUIRED/PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Required:

Doctoral degree in engineering and experience as an academic educational leader as well as experience working in industry.
Doctoral degree in engineering and experience as an academic educational leader as well as experience working in industry.
Knowledge of ABET accreditation.
Evidence of the understanding of the importance of student recruitment and retention and the integrity of the academic enterprise.
Experience in operations improvement, problem solving, and change management.
Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
Evidence of successful supervision of professionals and the ability to work directly with diverse professional groups/disciplines.
Proven record of innovativeness and ability to foster teamwork.
Knowledge of assessment and continuous improvement processes.
Commitment to fostering a student-centered learning community.
Ability to budget and operate within allocated resources.
Have demonstrated a commitment to collegiality, transparency, and shared governance with faculty, staff, and administration.
A record of effective administrative leadership roles and a collaborative management style that fosters trust, respect, and successful working relationships with students, staff, deans, administrators, external stakeholders, and community members.
Ability to promote excellence in teaching, scholarship, and professional activity in the college.
Ability to resolve complex personnel issues.
Ability to work with external stakeholders to enhance the educational experience for our students from a local to global perspective.
A vision consistent with the strategic plans/goals of the college and University.
Experience and ability to convey his/her vision to move the college forward in cooperation with senior leadership within the college.
Experience in research within the discipline.

Preferred:

Sufficient administrative experience in a higher education setting (department chair or higher) and a teaching/scholarly record to support eligibility for tenure (available after one year of service in the position).
Experience submitting a self-study and organizing an on-site visit for ABET accreditation or reaffirmation
Experience with grant writing.

DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until position is filled.

How to apply

Apply now

For the application process, applicants MUST complete an electronic application and upload required documents listed below:

Letter of application
Current curriculum vita
Unofficial transcripts
Three Professional References (Include: name, address, phone number, and email address)

Only completed application packets including all items listed above will be reviewed.

ALL JOB OFFERS ARE CONTINGENT UPON THE SUCCESSFUL RESULT OF A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK AND RECEIPT OF OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT(S) IF APPLICABLE.

TO APPLY FOR THIS VACANCY, click on the “APPLY” button at the top of advertisement to complete the electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS POSITION MAY BE DIRECTED TO THE CHAIR:

Dr. Kathy Jackson at [email protected]

Office of Human Resources:

Kim Dronett, HR Analyst/Recruitment at [email protected] or (337) 475-5413

GENERAL UNIVERSITY INFORMATION:

McNeese State University, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is a public university and a member of the University of Louisiana System. Under Louisiana law, applications and all supporting materials will become public record. All applicants are expected to submit complete and accurate materials as specified in the position announcement. A background check and an English Proficiency assessment (Faculty Only) will be conducted on selected finalists. We comply with Louisiana Revised Statute 49:1001, et seq, and State of Louisiana Executive Order 98-38, which provides for drug testing of employees, appointees, prospective employees, and prospective appointees. Prospective employees and employees are informed if a drug test is required.

McNeese State University is an AA/EEO/ADA employer committed to excellence through diversity and a SAME agency (State as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities) for the State of Louisiana.

Persons needing reasonable accommodations as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the ADA Coordinator, Krisshunn Youngblood, Office of Campus Compliance and Civility at (337) 475-5428 or [email protected].

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires McNeese State University to inform applicants that the University can employ only U.S. citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Each new employee is required to present documentation verifying his/her identity and right to accept employment. McNeese participates in E-Verify.

Louisiana Revised Statute 42:31-“Eligibility requirements for certain unclassified employees”-requires any person hired or employed in an unclassified position, whose annual salary or rate of compensation is equal to or exceeds one hundred thousand dollars, provide proof to his public employer that he has been issued a Louisiana driver’s license and that all vehicles registered in his name are registered in Louisiana within thirty days of being hired or employed at such salary.

Transcripts from Foreign Universities: Prospective faculty submitting transcripts from foreign universities or schools must have the coursework evaluated for equivalency to United States-accredited coursework by a University-approved agency. The prospective faculty member is responsible for the cost of the evaluation. McNeese typically accepts evaluations by World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.www.ece.org.