Open Searches

The University of North Dakota is seeking candidates for the position of Dean of the College of Engineering & Mines (CEM). Located on an active 516-acre campus in Grand Forks, ND, a vibrant college town of 60,000 residents, UND has a student enrollment of over 15,000 and offers more than 225 fields of study across nine colleges. UND is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and anticipates achieving the Carnegie classification of Very High Research Activity (R1) with over $182 million in research expenditures.

Reporting directly to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean is the leader of UND’s largest and fastest growing college. 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. The Dean is responsible, in cooperation with the Provost, for academic and administrative planning; budgeting; administration and implementation of department, college and university policies; 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; and student relations.

UND seeks an exceptional, focused, and creative leader who will build upon the College of Engineering & Mines’s 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 next Dean of the College of Engineering & Mines at UND will be joining the University during a dynamic period. Under the leadership of President Andrew Armacost (who joined UND in 2020) and Provost Eric Carl Link (who joined UND in 2021), the campus is experiencing enrollment growth and major campus improvements, with several buildings currently under construction and/or renovation. Significant investments at the University in terms of research development in critical areas are propelling the University forward as the flagship research institution in the state of North Dakota. Meanwhile, the University’s ongoing commitments to student success at both the undergraduate and graduate level continue to elevate the tradition of educational excellence at the institution.

The incoming Dean of the College of Engineering & Mines will build on the long-standing tradition of excellence within the College and work alongside both internal and external partners and stakeholders to increase and strengthen the mission of the College. Increasing access and opportunity for students and faculty through alumni and donor relations will be essential in the coming years as the University engages in robust capital campaigning and relationship building, as will bringing key programmatic opportunities to the students of the College that will position them — and the College — for continued service to the state and the region.

The successful candidate must possess a terminal degree in an academic field related to the disciplines within the College of Engineering & Mines and at least ten years of progressive leadership and administrative experiences within a higher education, or closely related, setting.

More information, including a position profile with a full description of preferred qualifications and key qualities, is available at the link above. The anticipated starting date of the new Dean will be July 1, 2025 or as soon as reasonable thereafter.

How to Apply

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 (Ann.Hasselmo@academicsearch.org) and Chris Butler (Chris.Butler@academicsearch.org).

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability or protected veteran status. People with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply.

Veterans Preference

Veterans claiming preference must submit all proof of eligibility by the closing date. Proof of eligibility includes a DD-214 or NGB 22 and, if claiming disabled status, a current letter of disability from the VA dated within the past 12 months.

CLERY STATEMENT

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the University of North Dakota publishes an Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report includes the University’s policies, procedures and programs concerning safety and security, as well as three years of crime statistics for our campus. Prospective employees are entitled to a copy of this report. The report and statistical data can be found online at UND.edu/annual-security-report. A paper copy of the report may also be requested from the UND Police Department located at 3851 Campus Road, Grand Forks, N.D. 58202.

Confidentiality of Application Materials

Pursuant to NDCC 44-04-18.27, applications and any records related to the applications that identify an applicant are confidential, except records related to the finalists of the position, which are open to the public after the search committee has identified three or more finalists who will be invited to campus. Successful completion of a criminal history background check on the finalist is required.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Anyone needing assistance or accommodations during any part of the application or interview process should Academic Search at 202.332.4049.