Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology
Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at Utah Valley University
Utah Valley University, the largest public, comprehensive university in the state of Utah, seeks an experienced and innovative leader with engineering expertise to serve as Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology. Reporting to the Provost, the Dean provides leadership, strategy, and vision to the college that align with UVU's mission and strategic plan. The ideal candidate will model UVU's core values of exceptional care, exceptional accountability, and exceptional results.
For complete information, see the Search Profile at https://myersmcrae.com/skins/userfiles/files/uvu-deanengin.pdf.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY
Located in Orem, Utah, Utah Valley University (UVU) is an open-enrollment, dual-mission institution that serves as an integrated university and community college. Its focus is on engaged teaching and learning through hands-on activities, community engagement, and faculty-guided student research.
UVU (www.uvu.edu) is committed to preparing all students and employees for success in an increasingly complex, diverse, and globalized society. It promotes civility and respect for the dignity and potential of each individual. The university seeks to advance the understanding of diverse perspectives. It values and promotes collegial relationships and mutual respect among students, faculty, and staff. UVU acknowledges and works to address the needs of populations who are underrepresented and students with varying levels of academic preparation, even as it strives to provide access and support for all students and employees in ways that are culturally relevant and responsible.
At UVU, the administration, faculty, and staff believe everyone deserves the transforming benefits of high-quality education-that is affordable, accessible, and flexible. With opportunities to earn certificates to master's degrees, UVU students succeed by gaining real-world experience and developing career-ready skills. As the university celebrated the milestone of its 80th anniversary in 2021, UVU continues to invite people to come as they are-and leave ready and prepared to make a difference in the world.
Established in 1941 as Central Utah Vocational School (CUVS) with the primary function of providing war production training, UVU has grown and evolved over the past 80 years to meet the ever-changing educational and technical needs of the community, the region, and the state. The educational institution has transformed from a vocational school to a trade technical institute, then a technical college, then a community college, then a state college and, in 2008, to a university offering master's degree programs.
Today, UVU serves nearly 41,000 students across the following eight colleges and schools: College of Engineering and Technology, College of Health and Public Service, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, College of Science, School of Education, School of the Arts, University College, and the Woodbury School of Business. The university offers 208 degree options-11 master's; 91 bachelor's, 65 associate's, and 44 certificates.
Facilities span a combined total of 412 acres with 50 buildings on campuses in Orem, Provo, and Heber City, along with new developments in Vineyard and Lehi. Throughout its history, UVU has responded to its service region's (Utah, Wasatch, and Summit counties) population changes and business and industry needs.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
The College of Engineering and Technology (CET) offers over 100 degrees and certificates in a variety of programs. These include architecture and engineering design; aviation science; computer engineering; computer science; construction technologies; civil engineering; cyber security; digital media; electrical engineering; engineering and technology management; engineering technologies; information systems; information technology; mechanical engineering; software engineering; and transportation technologies.
Accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), CET is a dynamic, award-winning college at UVU. Serving more than 6,000 student majors, the college has a combined enrollment of approximately 17,000 students each semester. CET has 135 full-time faculty and employs a large pool of full-time and part-time staff and adjunct faculty.
Qualtrics co-founder Scott M. Smith and his wife, Karen Smith, pledged $25 million to help fund the new engineering building. The new Scott M. Smith Engineering Building is anticipated to be completed by 2025, and the college will be renamed the Smith College of Engineering and Technology. The new dean will be actively involved in the continuous cultivation and solicitation of donor prospects for CET. UVU sits in the heart of Silicon Slopes, with over 6,000 high-tech companies that are very supportive of expanding the pool of engineers in Utah.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The next dean will provide leadership, strategy, and vision to CET that align with UVU's mission and strategic plan. The ideal candidate will model UVU's core values of exceptional care, exceptional accountability, and exceptional results.
The dean will lead and advance fundraising efforts and secure financial support. This will include establishing and strengthening collaborations with key industry partners, alumni, and the broader community to meet local workforce demands.
The dean will serve as leader of academic departments, oversee accreditation, and administer a sustainable budget. This will involve fostering a climate of collaboration and establishing a positive scholarly environment that focuses on excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service that values and continually enhances a culture of diversity, inclusion, and equity.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Earned doctorate in an engineering field
- Achieved rank of professor from a regionally accredited university
- Experience in higher education with a minimum of five years of successful administrative experience at the level of department chair or above and/or five years of related industrial experience at the management level
- Legally authorized to work in the U.S.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Advocates the distinctive nature of the college and its disciplinary foci to the university, industry leaders, and the wider community.
- Develops and sustains successful programming that serves the needs of students and promotes outreach to underrepresented groups in engineering and technology.
- Establishes and strengthens collaborations with professionals, alumni, and the broader community.
- Works to expand and maintain networks and strategic partnerships with industry and key constituents.
- Leads and advances fundraising efforts and secures financial support in partnership with UVU's Institutional Advancement and works with outside constituencies on fundraising efforts.
- Develops, balances, and administers a viable budgetary strategy to maintain various program accreditation requirements, strategic scholarly plans, and engaged-learning experiences.
- Implements a sustainable, student-focused strategy in meeting essential and program learning outcomes utilizing CET's resources, personnel, facilities, and programming.
- Proactively seeks and utilizes data to make strategic leadership decisions for the college, including strong enrollment, retention, and completion.
- Models stewardship in providing direction and oversight of the college's personnel and resources, and is committed to shared governance.
- Develops a talent strategy to recruit, retain, develop, and promote diverse, excellent, and productive faculty and staff, and ensures fairness in tenure, promotion, and post-tenure review.
- Promotes the visibility and impact of the college and its community within national and international contexts.
DESIRED LEADERSHIP CHARACTERISTICS
- Seeks opportunities to motivate and mentor individuals professionally; empowers others to take on responsibility; fosters optimism and energy for reaching goals; helps individuals develop a broader understanding of potential career options and pathways; and commits to creating inclusive working, teaching, and learning environments.
- Conveys information, expectations, and ideas to individuals and groups in clear ways that produce effective coordination; seeks out and incorporates input from others; follows policies and protocols; and delivers and receives timely and regular feedback with candor and civility.
- Accomplishes goals and achieves high-quality results; follows through on commitments; makes timely and informed decisions; and holds self and the team accountable to carry out key responsibilities and operate by and adhere to the university's core themes and objectives.
- Understands and contributes to the university's mission, vision, and long-term objectives; anticipates and plans for potential internal and external changes; and focuses activities on aligning and achieving strategic goals for self, department, the college, and the university.
- Demonstrates professional and technical proficiency to perform primary responsibilities; delegates assignments to appropriate parties; carries out the planning and budgeting collaboratively with other relevant areas of campus; fosters an environment of professionalism and team building; and consistently stays up on current and future trends in areas of expertise.
- Builds a culture of trust by demonstrating integrity, showing respect for and genuine interest in individuals, listening carefully to others in appropriate decision-making moments, establishing and adhering to transparency of processes, being accountable, and interacting with others in ways that promote unity and confidence in self and the organization.
- Effectively understands and navigates the UVU environment (e.g., vertical and horizontal interaction, cultural differences among divisions, and a broad array of internal and external constituencies); understands how the university operates and the reasoning behind key practices and processes; and negotiates diplomatically and effectively.
- Communicates as an approachable leader to students, faculty, staff, and the greater community, and possesses excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Demonstrates commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
OREM, UTAH: FAMILY CITY USA
Utah Valley University is in the city of Orem in north-central Utah, about 45 miles southeast of Salt Lake City and adjacent to Provo, Lindon, and Vineyard. Orem is one of the principal cities of the Provo-Orem, Utah Metropolitan Area, which has a population of more than 88,000, making it the sixth largest city in Utah.
Orem has a dynamic economy, growing employment, and career opportunities. More than 4,000 businesses call the city home. One of its fastest growing industrial sectors is technology companies.
Located near the Wasatch Mountains and Lake Utah, the area offers a wide range of recreational options from winter sports to hiking, from mountain biking to water recreation. Known as "Family City USA," Orem was rated the 5th best place to raise a family by Forbes in 2010.
For those seeking major city amenities, Salt Lake City has them all. Pro sports, live entertainment, performing arts, museums, international and high cuisine dining, beautiful architecture, national brand stores and designer boutiques, and handcrafted treasures are all found in Utah's largest city.
APPLICATION & NOMINATION PROCESS
Confidential inquiries are welcomed, and nominations are invited.
Review of applications begins immediately. For best consideration, submit applications by March 4, 2022. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
NOMINATIONS
Submit nominations to UVU-DeanCET-nominate@myersmcrae.com with complete contact and e-mail information for the individual being nominated.
Kenny Daugherty, President of Myers McRae Executive Search and Consulting, is assisting Utah Valley University with this search. Contact him at KennyDaugherty@myersmcrae.com.
UVU values a diverse and inclusive workforce. Employment decisions are made on the basis of an applicant's qualifications and ability to perform the job without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or other basis protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.