Dean, Cockrell School of Engineering

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Cockrell School of Engineering, University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX

The University of Texas at Austin, a member of the Association for American Universities (AAU) and one of the nation’s premier centers for academic excellence, seeks a visionary, strategic, and entrepreneurial leader to serve as its next dean of the Cockrell School of Engineering. Reporting to the EVP and provost, the dean serves as the chief academic and administrative officer of the school and will set an ambitious course for the Cockrell School that continues its trajectory of excellence and impact.

The Cockrell School of Engineering has long been recognized as one of the world’s top institutions for engineering education, research, and innovation. It comprises seven academic departments that are home to more than 6,000 undergraduate students, 2,100 graduate students, 290 faculty, and roughly 600 staff members. It supports more than a dozen major research institutes and centers of excellence and maintains strong collaborations with other colleges and research organizations across UT Austin’s campuses, especially in the sciences and business. The Dell Medical School, launched in 2016, has expanded the school’s opportunities for collaboration and interdisciplinary research, education, and entrepreneurship programs in medicine and health care. Currently, the extramural funding through grants and contracts totals $278 million annually, while the academic core budget is $85 million. The Cockrell School endowment is over $800 million and includes 75 endowed chairs and 81 endowed professorships.

The school seeks an outstanding scholar, leader, and administrator who is both inclusive and decisive to serve as the chief academic and administrative officer. The dean will work with the community to advance a shared vision for the future and a long-term strategic plan to guide the Cockrell School’s growth and development, leveraging entrepreneurial opportunities available in the dynamic Austin ecosystem. Success in the role will require an individual who can inspire and unify the community around priorities, continue to attract world-class faculty and students to the school, and empower a dedicated and talented staff to propel the Cockrell School forward as it continues to develop solutions that advance society, drive economic progress, and improve the quality of life around the world. A passionate champion for the educational mission and student success, the incoming dean must be an exceptional communicator who is skillful at building relationships with internal and external partners, possesses the ability to represent the school and engineering profession compellingly to stakeholders and donors, and demonstrates an uncompromising commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Generating private philanthropy and industry support is an important component of the dean’s responsibilities.

UT Austin is engaged in an international search for candidates. Review of applications will begin on 28 February 2022, although nominations and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. It is anticipated that the dean will be appointed with a start date of 1 August 2022. Applicants are required to send a letter of interest addressing the leadership opportunities and challenges described in the position profile as well as a current CV to: https://www.imsearch.com/search-detail/S8-308

John Muckle or Karen McPhedran

Isaacson, Miller

The University of Texas is fully committed to equal opportunity and fairness and welcomes applicants from underrepresented groups as well as applicants who demonstrate a commitment to diversity.

The University of Texas at Austin is committed to providing an inclusive educational environment in which all students, faculty, and staff can learn, research, create, work, and thrive free from all forms of harassment, discrimination, and misconduct. As an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, UT Austin complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.