Dean, Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering
North Carolina A&T State University
Application
Details
Posted: 15-Nov-24
Location: Greensboro, North Carolina
Internal Number: 35046
Description:
The Dean of the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering reports to the Provosts at UNC Greensboro and N.C. A&T, is a member of the Deans Council, and an ex-officio member of the Gateway Research Park Board of Directors. The Dean must have demonstrated excellence in leadership within the context of change, Preeminence 2030 and Forward Together strategic initiatives, and significant research expansion; experience in selecting, evaluating, promoting, and retaining high-quality faculty and staff; innovative and inclusive program development and planning; accreditation oversight; demonstrated capabilities and willingness to obtain significant external funding; managing and allocating financial resources; demonstrated understanding of the need for active student recruitment, retention, and student success; and a clear understanding of the importance of inclusion.
Additionally, the Dean must have an interdisciplinary and/or transdisciplinary orientation; exemplary communication skills and capabilities to serve as a spokesperson and advocate; a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively; a consensus-building leadership style; a command of the elements of excellence in faculty, staff, and department chairs; the ability to support excellence in teaching, research, and engagement; and a strong commitment to student success. A Ph.D. in a science and/or engineering discipline with experience in nanoscience or nanoengineering from an accredited institution is required, as well as qualifications appropriate for an appointment to the faculty as a tenured full professor. At least three years of significant senior leadership and administrative experience, in addition to academic service and demonstrated success in community/professional engagements across a wide array of organizations, are also requirements for the role.
Percentage Of Time | 20% Key Responsibility | Develop and advance a strategic vision for the future of the Joint School Essential Tasks | Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners, the Dean will help create and advance a forward-looking vision for the future of JSNN. The School is positioned to contribute significantly to the goals of both strategic plans and build upon current successes and commitment to impactful research, student success, economic development, and an inclusive culture. Leveraging the influence and power of these assets will enable JSNN to be nationally distinct and globally impactful.
Percentage Of Time | 10% Key Responsibility | Facilitate growth in research and scholarship Essential Tasks | As UNC Greensboro and N.C. A&T expand research and development, the Dean will be expected to support faculty in their research endeavors and collectively enhance scholarly production. This includes creating strategic doctoral programs and pathways, identifying external funding opportunities and grant-writing activities, providing resources to support faculty research, fostering interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaborations, and recruiting research-active faculty. The Dean will need to demonstrate an understanding of the differences across nanoscience and nanoengineering and identify emerging opportunities through collaboration of the two units across a range of research areas and scholarly activity. The Dean will be expected to ensure excellence in teaching while working to enhance research productivity.
Percentage Of Time | 20% Key Responsibility | Support a culture of student recruitment, retention, and success Essential Tasks | The Dean of JSNN will be expected to develop strategies, such as partnerships with undergraduate focused institutions, to create a pipeline of students to come to JSNN. The Dean must also set the expectations for JSNN to align its academic programs, resources, systems, and processes to further increase retention and efficiency toward completion of master's and doctoral degrees. The Dean must promote a collaborative and supportive environment that ensures students have the tools they need to be successful academically and in research while also preparing them for the current and future challenges in the workforce.
Percentage Of Time | 20% Key Responsibility | Recruit and retain high-quality faculty and staff and lead through change Essential Tasks | The continued growth and excellence of JSNN will require an ongoing focus on the recruitment, retention, and development of both staff and research-active faculty at various stages of their careers. Committed and engaged faculty and staff are crucial to fulfilling JSNN's academic mission, goals, and priorities. Student enrollment growth has outpaced the number of faculty and staff within the School. The Dean must ensure highly qualified faculty and staff are recruited, hired, retained, upskilled, and provided with opportunities for growth and promotion as appropriate.
Percentage Of Time | 20% Key Responsibility | Champion a welcoming and inclusive climate Essential Tasks | It is expected that the Dean will appreciate, understand, and be committed to the value of Minority Serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities, such as UNC Greensboro and N.C. A&T, respectively. The Dean will work closely with the Joint School's leadership team, faculty, staff, and students to support an emerging consensus-driven vision of how this important work will translate into the curriculum and student services and how it will guide and influence teaching, research, and service. Building a talented faculty that will support each institution's diverse student body and support the development of professional, intercultural competencies of faculty, staff, and students will also be extremely important for the School's mission.
Percentage Of Time | 10% Key Responsibility | Strengthen fundraising, alumni, and corporate engagement and enhance visibility for JSNN Essential Tasks | The Dean will develop, lead, and support all corporate, alumni, and donor relations strategies and activities. JSNN has a rich base of dedicated alumni and a strong and engaged advisory board. The Dean will maximize engagement opportunities and grow significantly philanthropic support for the School. Working closely with the School's development officer and the Universities' Advancement Offices, the Dean will raise funds for key philanthropic priorities. The Dean will be a confident and compelling advocate who will work to enhance the visibility of JSNN both internally and externally and to understand the opportunities and challenges facing the state, nation, and globe.
Greensboro, NC, is a growing hub for technology companies. It is expected that there will be ample opportunity for engagement and partnership building with the local business community to ensure the curriculum and student experiences align with the demands of industry leaders. The Dean will be expected to establish, cultivate, and optimize these kinds of relationships for mutual benefit to both universities, the business community, and, in keeping with the institutional missions, to the state of North Carolina. As the chief advocate and spokesperson, the Dean will ensure JSNN is a recognized leader internally, nationally, and globally.
Primary Function of Organizational Unit:
JSNN was established through a joint academic agreement between both institutions, focusing on interdisciplinary and high-impact research, breakthrough innovations, and high-quality student experiences. JSNN is located at Gateway Research Park South Campus, a thriving research park in East Greensboro, North Carolina, near the campuses of UNC Greensboro and N.C. A&T.
JSNN was established in 2009 and celebrated its 15-year anniversary in spring of 2024. JSNN is accredited through SACSCOC. JSNN has two departments and one Institute. The Department of Nanoscience, administered by the University of North Carolina Greensboro, offers master's and doctoral degrees in nanoscience and five certificate programs in Synthetic Biology, Medical Science, Nanoscience, Instrumentation, and Advanced Materials. The Department of Nanoengineering, administered by N.C. A&T, offers master's and doctoral degrees in nanoengineering and postbaccalaureate certificates in Synthetic and Systems Biology, Advanced Materials, Micro and Nano Devices, and STEM Entrepreneurship. Enrollment has increased by 65% since 2019.
Requirements:
The successful candidate should hold an earned PhD in a science and/or engineering-related discipline from an accredited institution , or equivalent terminal degree(s), and possess a record of recognized achievement in leadership, service, teaching and research.
Preferred:
At least five years of academic leadership and administrative experience, in addition to academic service.
A strong record of success as a visionary and dynamic leader with keen and demonstrated abilities to work collaboratively in the pursuit of excellence.
Evidence of insight and talent to leverage the institutional assets to continue to advance the Joint School's role, innovations in research and education, as well as the stature and impact of each institution.
Achievement of significant goals related to graduate student success, university performance metrics, and research expansion.
Strong record of success as a visionary and dynamic leader with keen and demonstrated abilities to work collaboratively in the pursuit of excellence.
Special Instructions:
WittKieffer Search Firm is assisting UNC Greensboro and N.C. A&T in this search.
For fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by November 18, 2024. Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer's candidate portal.
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is one of the nation’s most highly respected doctoral research, land-grant institutions. With an enrollment of almost 11,000 students, we are committed to fulfilling our mission through exemplary undergraduate and graduate instruction, scholarly and creative research, and effective public service. As a member of the A&T family you will be an integral part of its history and future – joining more than 1,800 current faculty and staff. You will be expected to be a leader and mentor. You will influence the minds that will affect our world. As a change agent, you will use your intellect and influence to make a positive impact on the greater A&T community. A&T will be more than your job, it will become your passion—and that commitment to yourself and others will last a lifetime. Because that’s what Aggies Do!